Controversies Since 2006
In September 2006, Li appeared in an advertising campaign for Sunyard product of the Zhejiang Shiyou Timber Co. Ltd. The CCTV editorial committee omitted him from their "top ten" list for 2006, perhaps suggesting diminishing support within the organization's management. The original incident later prompted an investigation by CCTV's disciplinary inspection department, on the grounds that it breached SARFT guidelines. Ha denied that Li had endorsed the product, while admitting that he had attended a corporate publicity event for the produce.
In November 2006, Li ran into further controversy at a television awards ceremony. His comments on the possible sex of the baby Jiang Qingqing was carrying were not appreciated.
Shortly afterwards, Chinese media reported that Song Tiechan, a forty-nine-year-old man from Wuhan, had completed surgery to make him resemble Li.
On 12 January 2007, Li implied Shaanxi citizens were "lazy" on Lucky 52, prompting criticism on China's influential bulletin boards. He subsequently apologized on his blog. In the 2007 CCTV New Year's Gala, Li and other hosts made a series of mistakes just before midnight, giving rise to the infamous "Black Three Minutes".
The mounting pressure led to rumours in September 2007 that Li had resigned from CCTV. They were denied by Lucky 52. He did resign a year later, and the show has gone off air since 25 October 2008, leaving millions of Chinese fans of Lucky 52 behind.
After a two-year absence, Li returned to CCTV in 2011 to host the CCTV New Year's Gala. His wife Ha Wen directed the event in 2012. He also hosted the 2012 Gala.
Read more about this topic: Li Yong (television Host)