Xiao Shen Yang, the new partner of comedian Zhao Benshen at this year's spring festival gala, has become an overnight sensation, and he continues to cause a stir among comedy fans.

Xiao Shen Yang shot to fame instantly after performing in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

Xiao Shen Yang shot to fame instantly after performing in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. Footage of his comic sketches has topped almost all the video sharing web-sites. His blog has received five million hits, and each of his postings is read by about 300-thousand people. DVDs of the young comic star's performances also top sales lists.

Xiao Shen Yang is a performer of Er Ren Zhuan, a popular comic form in northeast China, and many people are buying discs of his Er Ren Zhuan performances.

Xiao Shen Yang will star in a show about Er Ren Zhuan, at the Beijing Exhibition Center on March the 7th. Tickets have nearly sold out already.

Humorous performances, vivid mimicry of pop stars, and a sincere attitude have earned the young man immense popularity. Not long ago, he was just a local performer in his hometown, with only limited recognition.

Humorous performances, vivid mimicry of pop stars, and a sincere attitude have earned the young man immense popularity.

Beijing's bars are also bringing fame to some less well known singers. Zhuang Ni has been singing at bars in Beijing for five years, and has earned a cult following, although she is also known by a wider audience.

Without the massive exposure that comes with TV performances, they enjoy popularity among only small groups of fans. But these lesser stars are an indispensable part of the varied entertainment scene in big cities.