One would expect hsiang sheng to continue to be popular in our modern society, which certainly needs a good laugh now and then, but it hasn't happened. Explains one observer, "Appreciating hsiang sheng first requires some understanding of the traditional background.
「相聲和我國許多傳統戲曲及說唱藝術相同，必須有基礎、背景才能欣賞，時代改變、表演內容若未修正，就會逐漸與觀眾脫節。」