A former Chinese Culture Minister has sparked a heated public debate by describing the hugely popular television talent show "Super Girls" as vulgar and degrading.

Liu Zhongde, a standing committee member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said the show "wrongly preached the concept of instant riches and fame".

The "Super Girls" competition, the first in China to follow the "American Idol" formula, attracted a record 400-million audience. More than 150,000 girls, many of them teenagers, participated in for their chance at stardom under the slogan "Sing as you wish".

The show had no restrictions on age, experience or background.

"Why let these kids make fools of themselves on TV to satisfy some people's desire for novel entertainment?" Liu was quoted as asking in a newspaper.

"It poisons young people's minds, misleading them to believe that one can achieve success with no effort. "

The competition -- often described as "grassroots entertainment" -- kept 540,000 people voting by text message or on the Internet. Fans of different contestants quarreled and even fought.

However, Liu reportedly said, "High ratings doesn't mean it's a good product."

 

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