Chinese Adviser Slams TV Show

BEIJING (AP) - A senior Chinese government adviser criticized the country's "Super Girls" singing contest, an "American Idol"-style TV show, saying Saturday it wrongly preached the concept of instant riches and fame, a newspaper reported.

"What does 'Super Girls' promote? If you say it's motivation, you're wrong. What it promotes is the concept of instant wealth and fame," the adviser, Liu Zhongde, was quoted as saying in the Fazhi Wanbao newspaper.

Liu is a standing committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a top advisory body to the nation's parliament.

The finale of "Super Girls' last year shattered ratings records in a country where the government has long been wary of the influence of foreign pop culture. Top finishers were catapulted to national stardom.

"Why let these kids make a fool of themselves on TV to satisfy some people's desire for novelty?" he was quoted as saying.

A number for Liu was not immediately available.

The production team for "Super Girls" at Hunan Satellite Television, a regional TV station, declined comment.