Liu said he had received calls from many parents, complaining their children wasted valuable time following "Super Girls" and their studies suffered as a result. Many teachers called on the TV station to cancel the show and return to "healthier" programs.

Liu and his supporters claimed that contestants dressed "in vulgar fashion" that was socially "harmful", especially to young people's "aesthetic values". China's state Administration of Radio, Film and Television issued a circular before the start of this year's contest, demanding contestants must be over 18, and programs must "avoid vulgarity".

However, Liu still found "a vulgar trend" among candidates this year. "Many young people tried to appeal to the audience by making fools of themselves. Their behavior not only sullied themselves, but also degraded art," he said.

His remarks prompted the show's fans to fight back on the Internet in chat rooms and on message boards. One opponent wrote, "People have the right to do what they want, and young people have the right to judge and choose what they need."

Pu Cunxin, vice-president of the prestigious Beijing People's Art Theater, said young people with talent should be given opportunities to enter professional artistic circles.

Li Shuangjiang, one of China's most renowned singing artists, sent one of his students to enter "Super Girls" this year. "Girls who love singing can express themselves," he said.

The debate prompted a further response from Liu: "Young people need instruction. Cultural products should not be judged only by market value."

In an interview with the China Times, he said he had no intention of stifling popular culture, but wanted to see higher aesthetic values.

"It is not a wise choice for administrative organs to directly interfere as it would violate rules in the cultural industry," a comment by China Youth Daily on Thursday said, indicating no one, including Liu Zhongde, could objectively judge taste.

The article pointed out that young people had high expectations that "Super Girls" could raise them above the mundane realities of life.

Internet commentator Cai Fanghua preferred to looking at the issue in an objective way, saying the show offered a new form of entertainment and triggered a public discussion of social issues.

"Any new product will have problems and need improvement," Cai wrote. The administrations should guide artistic production yet leave space for creativity.

Similar shows with titles such as "Dream China", "Good Men", "Win in China" are all in production.

From April 22, Hunan Satellite Television repeatedly played the regional contests, attracting a large quantity of advertisements.