‘No Wild Hair’ for Chinese ‘Idol’ Series
The Chinese government has told the producers of China’s version of “American Idol” to cut the weirdness out. The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television released strict guidelines for the upcoming “Happy Boys Voice,” the male version of the popular ‘Idol’-like “Super Girls Voice” that aired in 2005. Before I get to the guidelines, is that not the gayest-sounding name for a television show? “Happy Boys Voice?” It probably doesn’t sound so gay in Chinese. The SARFT said in a memo to Hunan TV that there should be “no weirdness, no vulgarity, no low taste” in “Happy Boys Voice” when it airs in May. The government also said the show should only feature “healthy and ethically inspiring songs” that do not result in screaming fans or losing contestants crying. Also, judges have been banned from mocking contestants and the host must speak of the contestants’ “inspiring stories rather than indulge in displays of poor taste.” So basically, this show will be nothing like “American Idol”– no screaming fans, no mocking by judges and nothing in poor taste. Look at this photo above of Sanjaya from “American Idol” and tell me what about this image is not in poor taste. Though he might be better served on a show called “Happy Boys Voice,” he would never make it due to his wild hair and the high likelihood of him crying like a baby when America finally votes him off. Although the finale of “Super Girls Voice” drew 400 million viewers (not only more than any episode of “American Idol” but more than all of America), the Chinese program was said to be indicative of declining moral standards and promoted the illusion of instant celebrity. Now that sounds like “American Idol.”
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