The Fox Network’s reality TV smash “American Idol” has gotten off to a fast start again this season. The program’s debut was the most watched non-sports program this season, with 33 million viewers.

But that figure is nothing compared to the estimated 100 million who will tune into China’s on-air talent competition, “Arts from Our Land.” The program features non-Chinese people showing off their talents in Chinese arts. Since 1995, it has run annually during Chinese New Year celebrations, which are going on now.

One of this year’s competitors was Eugene Cooper, an anthropology professor at the University of Southern California. He was flown to Beijing to tape his performance and won second place.

In this radio diary, Copper describes the experience and performs the song that got him invited to China, a folk song about Mao Zedong.

Guests:

Eugene Cooper, competed in China’s on-air talent competition “Arts from Our Land.” He teaches anthropology at The University of Southern California.