China's 'Idol' bans tears, wild hair, unhealthy songs

[Wolfman]

China's 'Idol' bans tears, wild hair, unhealthy songs

BEIJING (AP) - Tears, wild hair and unhealthy songs are banned when China's latest version of television's "Idol" song contest airs next month.

"No weirdness, no vulgarity, no low taste," the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) said Friday in a notice to the producers of "Boys Happy Voice," according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

The talent show, to be broadcast beginning May 1, is a sequel to the hugely popular TV contest "Super Girls Voice" in 2005, which drew more than 400 million viewers. The woman who won that contest became a popular singer in China.

But Xinhua said the competition drew official and public criticism for promoting vulgarity.

"Happy Boys Voice" should include only "healthy and ethically inspiring" songs and avoid scenes of screaming fans or losing contestants in tears," the regulator was quoted as saying.

The show should "maintain a happy atmosphere," SARFT said in the notice to the show's producer, a television station in the central province of Hunan.

It said scenes of wailing and screaming were "low taste."

And, unlike its "American Idol" counterpart, the broadcast watchdog said judges are prohibited "from mocking or humiliating contestants."

Performers must be at least 18, and Xinhua said "their hairstyles, clothes, fashion accessories, language and manners should be in line with the mainstream values."

[Idol Cynic]

If you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow

--John Lennon, "Revolution"

[DMcfunnystuff]

Ok I've always known that Asian cultures held personal composure to be a little more important than we do but this is a little obsessive.

[wishingstar]

Originally posted by Wolfman

And, unlike its "American Idol" counterpart, the broadcast watchdog said judges are prohibited "from mocking or humiliating contestants."

Performers must be at least 18, and Xinhua said "their hairstyles, clothes, fashion accessories, language and manners should be in line with the mainstream values."

I can't help but appreciate this, for some strange reason.

[Wolfman]

Originally posted by DMcfunnystuff
Ok I've always known that Asian cultures held personal composure to be a little more important than we do but this is a little obsessive.

China is a communist country. Its a wonder they even have an Idol type show in the first place.