Super Girls

Speculation has it that this equivalent of American Idol has proven too popular for the CCP. The show's mass appeal has been evident by the millions who voted for their favourite contender. Authorities responded by restricting voting to only those physically present in the performance hall. The increasingly androgynous looks and fiery individualism of the participants also contributed toward the discomfort of the authorities who supported more stereotypical feminine looks in state-run shows. Read more about the termination of this talent show:

Super Girl Cancelled Too Subversive for
China Perhaps Too Democratic

Shanghai : China Sep 19, 2011

BY BMcPherson

A popular talent show in China has been given the boot for being too subversive,
unhealthy and sloppy about time limits. The show called Super Girl was originally
launched in 2004 and quickly became a winner with the Chinese, at one time the
audience was estimated at 400 million viewers. The premise of the TV program was
to find top female talent by having the audience vote on their favorites. The show ran
into difficulties in the past with the government censors and was pulled for a time, but
was successfully re-launched in 2009. It's been pulled again.
Hunan Satellite TV has stated that the official reason for cancelling the show was
that there were sometimes overruns in the time allotted. However, much vitriol has
been directed towards the show by government officials who have condemned it for
corrupting the youth and offering a low sort of entertainment.
Li Hao, speaking for Hunan Satellite TV is quoted:
"Hunan Satellite Television obeys the state watchdog's decision and will not hold
similar talent shows next year," he was quoted as saying.
"Instead, the channel will air programmes that promote moral ethics, public safety
and provide practical information for housework."Yahoo News
Other programing around China has been hit by new restrictions from the censors
who seem to be tightening up on sitcoms and shows that appeal to youthful
audiences.
In the complicated world of Chinese governance something that is promoted and
praised might be quickly made illegal and pronounced subversive. It looks as if the
American Idol knockoff Super Girl was a hit until the authorities realized that it was a
training ground for the practice of popular democracy. Indeed, the idea of people
practising voting to choose a winner is a creeping threat to any dictatorial
government.
China has been tightening control of its population in the wake of the Arab Spring
which saw revolution brought to many countries in the Near and Middle East.
BMcPherson is based in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, and is an Anchor for
Allvoices