BBC Learning English
Words in the News
19

th

September 2011

China stops talent show

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

Page 1 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

The authorities in China have told a TV station to stop broadcasting a popular show called

Super Girl. The government often bans programmes it considers to be unsuitable. The BBC's

Michael Bristow reports:

'Super Girl' is one of the most popular shows on TV. It's a talent contest where women of all

ages blast out their favourite tunes.

But regulators have now told the programme maker, Hunan Satellite Television, not to film

another series next year. Officially, they say the show's too long: some episodes last three

hours.

But many believe the authorities simply don't like the programme's lowbrow tone or the fact

that it's extremely popular and so financially successful.

The authorities regularly get themselves worked up about TV shows. They've just taken a

channel off air for a whole month for showing a programme that had a negative impact on

society, as they put it.

In future, the makers of 'Super Girl' are promising to put on programmes that promote moral

ethics.

Information about public safety and housework are two suggested topics. That might please

the regulators, but it's unlikely to attract the viewers.

Michael Bristow, BBC News

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

talent contest

TV competition for people who don't already work in

show business but consider themselves to have the skills to

become a famous performer

blast out

sing powerfully

tunes

songs

regulators

people whose job is to make sure certain standards are met

lowbrow tone

feeling which is not intelligent or sophisticated

get themselves worked up

become upset

taken a channel off air

stop a TV station from broadcasting

as they put it

as they explain

moral ethics

a good standard of behaviour

housework

tasks which need to be done in the home, like washing up

and cooking

More on this story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14972480

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/09/110919_witn_talent.shtml