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Super Girl (TV series)

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Also known asSuper Voice Girls
GenreInteractive reality game show
Created byLiao Ke
Country of originChina
Original language(s)Mandarin
Production
Production location(s)Changsha, Hunan (1–5)
Chengdu, Sichuan (1–5)
Guangzhou, Guangdong(2–5)
Hangzhou, Zhejiang (2–5)
Nanjing, Jiangsu (1,4)
Shenyang, Liaoning (3–5)
Wuhan, Hubei (1,4)
Xi'an, Shaanxi (5)
Zhengzhou, Henan (2–4)
Numbers indicate the season(s) in which a competition was held there.
Release
Original releaseMay 6, 2004 –
September 16, 2011
Chronology
Related showsSuper Boy
Blossoming Flowers
Other websites
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

Super Girl (simplified Chinese: 超级女声; traditional Chinese: 超級女聲; pinyin: Chāo Jí Nǚ Shēng; lit. Super Female Voice) is an annual national singing contest in People's Republic of China for female competitors. The official name is The Mengniu Yoghurt Super Girl Contest, after the company that sponsored the show. It is now one the most popular entertainment shows in China. However, after the third season, the show was banned by the Chinese government. The show was the feature of a 2007 documentary titled Super, Girls!, produced and directed by independent Chinese filmmaker Jian Yi on the 2006 Super Voice Girls contest, released at the Cambridge Film Festival. An ARTiSIMPLE Studio production, "Super, Girls!" is the only independent feature-length documentary ever made about the "Super Girls."

Outline

 
Six finalists during a 2005 national round event in Changsha, Hunan. From left to right: host Li Xiang, contestants Lin Shuang, She Man Ni, Yi Hui, Jane Zhang (Zhang Liang Ying), Guo Hui Min, Li Na and host Wang Han.

The competition was open to any female regardless of age, origin or appearance.[1] The audition sessions had females ranging from 4 to 89 years old.[2] The 2005 season of the contest attracted more than 120,000 applicants during the preliminary selection rounds, held in the provinces Hunan, Sichuan, Guangdong, Henan and Zhejiang.[3] Many applicants travelled long distances to take part in the competition. Each contestant was allowed 30 seconds to perform to judges and find out if they were selected for the preliminary regional rounds. To prevent another overwhelming audition season, the minimum age of 18 was later set during the 2006 season.[4]

Following the selection of contestants in the five regions, the competition began with the preliminary rounds. Preliminaries were held in each of the five locations where auditions were located. Vviewers were able to watch each of the preliminaries and vote for their favorite singers. Voting was conducted by telephone and SMS.

The regional preliminaries are followed by a weekly broadcast single-elimination (knockout) tournament held in Changsha, Hunan. The least voted two face-off subsequently in a "PK." The term "PK" comes from "Player Kill," a reference to kill-or-be-killed online games.[5] The singer with the least number of votes is then eliminated. The last event is contested between the final 3.

Judges for the competition were selected from different backgrounds in society. "Audience judges" were selected in addition to several professional judges.[6]

History

The original version of the show was known as Super Boy and aired in 2003 on Hunan Entertainment Channel, a local broadcaster based in Changsha, Hunan. The show was a success and the counterpart Super Girl aired at the beginning of 2004 and became the most viewed show in Hunan. However, the programme's impact was limited as the channel does not broadcast outside the province.

On May 6, 2004, Super Girl was introduced to a national audience by its producer Liao Ke through Hunan Satellite Television. In addition to broadcasting the original episodes created by Hunan Entertainment Channel, the network also developed this show in other 3 cities: Wuhan in Hubei, Nanjing in Jiangsu and Chengdu in Sichuan. This show attracted an average of 10,000 contestants in each city and received nationwide attention.

Hunan Satellite Television introduced a second season of Super Girl on March 19, 2005. The preliminary rounds were filmed in five cities: Changsha in Hunan Province, Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, Zhengzhou in Henan Province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, and Chengdu in Sichuan Province. By the middle of the season, the competition captivated a nationwide audience and became one of the most watched television entertainment shows in China with tens of millions of viewers.[3]

Cultural impact

The final episode of the 2005 season was one of the most popular shows in Chinese broadcast history, drawing more than 400,000,000 viewers, more than CCTV's New Year's Gala earlier that year.[7] The final peaked at 280,000,000 viewers at a given time, higher than the 12,000,000-viewer figure for the finals of Pop Idol.[8] Despite the show being condemned by CCTV as being "vulgar and manipulative", season 3 of the show was launched and finished in early October 2006.[9]

On January 18, 2006, China National Philatelic Corporation released a postage stamp issue featuring 2005 winner Li Yu Chun. The set was shortly earlier than Li's twenty-second birthday in her commemoration.[10]

On May 11, 2009, The Oprah Winfrey Show, a worldwide famous television show, invited Zhang Liangying, who ranked 3rd overall in the 2005 contest, to make an American television singing debut. The subtitle of the show was "The World's Got Talent" and Zhang Liangying was the only east Asian singer in the show.[11]

Some who were not chosen as winners have also been able to enter the recording industry through other means. Ji Min Jia, who ranked fifth overall in the 2005 contest, worked in Los Angeles in 2006 to help with production of the title song for Japanese anime series The Galaxy Railways.[12] On March 15, 2007, Japanese recording group Hello! Project announced Li Chun, one of the top 50 contestants in the 2006 Changsha regional, as one of two new members of Chinese ancestry of its pop group Morning Musume.[13][14]

The contest has also inspired television producers to create other talent search shows.[15][16]

Democratic expression

One of the main factors contributing to the show's popularity was that viewers are able to participate in the judging process by sending SMSs with their mobile phones to vote for their favorite contestants. During the 2005 regional contest in Chengdu alone, 307,071 message votes were cast for the top three contestants, each vote costing ¥0.5 to ¥3.[3][17]

Over 800,000,000 text messages were sent during the third season of Super Girl, and fan clubs began to appear throughout the country. After the large response to the ability to vote, the Chinese government banned the show from continuing to a fourth season. The show was the feature of a 2007 documentary titled Super, Girls!, produced and directed by independent Chinese filmmaker Jian Yi on the 2006 Super Voice Girls contest, released at the Cambridge Film Festival.[8] An ARTiSIMPLE Studio production, "Super, Girls!" is the only independent feature-length documentary ever made about the "Super Girls."

While some culture and media experts praised Super Girl in blazing "a trail for cultural democracy" and breaking elitism in China's entertainment industry, others stated that "the show represented a superficiality in society, propelled by behind-the-scenes manipulation and state-of-the-art pomp and circumstance".[18]

Economic impact

Mengniu reportedly paid ¥14,000,000 to Hunan Television for rights to sponsor the show's broadcast outside Hunan province beginning with the 2005 season.[5] The 2005 contest was estimated to have drawn in a total of ¥766,000,000. Indirect business impact of the competition was estimated at several billion yuan.[10]

Television advertisement slots cost an average of ¥33,400 for 15 seconds in 2006, compared to the average of ¥28,000 in 2005. Advertising sales were expected to reach ¥200,000,000, nearly double that of the previous year.[19]

2004 season

The first season of Super Girl aired from 6 May to September 22, 2004. Although the winners of the competition were not promised recording contracts, the top three winners signed such deals.[6]

Qualifications

Region 1st place 2nd place 3rd place
Contestant Votes Contestant Votes Contestant Votes
Changsha[20] Li Na
厉娜 		152,133 Zhang Ya Fei
张亚飞 		137,925 Xu Fei
许飞 		137,031
Hangzhou[21] Reborn 131,948 Tang Xiao
唐笑 		113,721 Zhang Yan
张焱 		46,661
Chengdu[22] Tan Wei Wei
谭维维 		241,593 Zhao Yuanyuan
赵媛媛 		156,621 Yang Lei
阳蕾 		80,586
Shenyang[23] Ai Mengmeng
艾梦萌 		237,478 Zhang Chu Ge
张楚格 		169,714 Gong He
巩贺 		156,951
Guangzhou[24] Liu Li Yang
刘力扬 		359,808 Shang Wen Jie
尚雯婕 		142,803 Han Zhenzhen
韩真真 		110,102

Final contest

No. Name Chinese Name Votes
06 Shang Wen Jie 尚雯婕 5,196,975 votes
04 Tan Wei Wei 谭维维 4,818,125 votes
08 Liu Li Yang 刘力扬
03 Ai Meng Meng 艾梦萌
05 Li Na 厉娜
07 Xu Fei 许飞
01 Han Zhen Zhen 韩真真
02 Reborn (None)
09 Tang Xiao 唐笑
10 Yang Lei 阳蕾

2005 season

The second season of Super Girl aired from March 19 to August 26 in 2005. There was much controversy about the Li Yu Chun being the season's grand champion as she had the most votes even though she had "the weakest voice among the top finalists".[18] Despite the heavy criticism that arose during the competition season, the three 2005 finalists have been considered the most successful singers from the entire show.[25]

2006

The third season of aired from April 2 to September 30, 2006. Shang Wen Jie's selection as grand champion over Tan Wei Wei, who is a professional vocalist from Sichuan Conservatory of Music, raised questions at each candidate's public appeal. Speculations arose that Shang, who appeared to be a copycat of Li Yu Chun's image, was voted grand champion due to the appeal of her Cinderella story.[26]

References

  1. ↑ Goldkorn, Jeremy (August 24, 2005). The final week of TV sensation Super Voice Girls. Danwei.org. http://www.danwei.org/media_and_advertising/the_final_week_of_tv_sensation.php. Retrieved July 29, 2007. 
  2. ↑ Lynch, David J (May 26, 2005). China under spell of mighty 'Super Girl'. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-05-26-supergirl_x.htm. Retrieved July 29, 2007. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Miao, Qing (August 12, 2005). 'Super Voice Girls' challenges China's TV culture. China Daily. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005%2D08/12/content%5F468543.htm. Retrieved July 29, 2007. 
  4. ↑ Xiao, Qiang (March 19, 2006). The State Administration of Radio Film and Television Restricts Super Girl. China Digital Times. http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2006/03/the_state_administration_of_radio_film_and_television_r.php. Retrieved December 17, 2007. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gordon, Kim Hunter (March 2007). Player killer TV. Eurobiz. http://www.sinomedia.net/eurobiz/v200703/adver0703.html. Retrieved July 30, 2007. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Epstein, Gady A (May 29, 2005). 'Idol'-style 'Super Girl Voice' a hit in China. San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/05/29/MNGT7CV8DR1.DTL. Retrieved July 29, 2007. 
  7. ↑ Macartney, Jane (August 29, 2005). "TV talent contest 'too democratic' for China's censors". The Times. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article560126.ece. Retrieved July 29, 2007. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Footage from banned Chinese "Pop Idol" receives Cambridge premiere". University of Cambridge. July 5, 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved July 29, 2007.
  9. ↑ Marquand, Robert (August 29, 2005). In China, it's Mongolian Cow Yogurt Super Girl. Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0829/p01s04-woap.html. Retrieved July 29, 2007. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 China's "Super Girl" singing contest creates "economic miracle". People's Daily. January 18, 2006. http://english.people.com.cn/200601/18/eng20060118_236323.html. Retrieved December 20, 2007. 
  11. ↑ "The World's Got Talent". The Oprah Winfrey Show. May 8, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  12. ↑ Han, Lin (February 14, 2007). Chinese "Super Girl" showcases voice in America. China View. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-02/14/content_5737300.htm. Retrieved December 17, 2007. 
  13. ↑ Morning Musume Member Announcement モーニング娘。新メンバーに関して、つんく♂より皆様へのお知らせ。. Hello! Project. March 16, 2007. http://www.helloproject.com/newslist/shinmember_0703151946.html. Retrieved August 1, 2007. 
  14. ↑ Super Girl Changsha Top 50, Part 2 超级女声长沙唱区50强—名录之二. Hunan TV. May 3, 2006. http://www.hunantv.com/huodong/2006supergirls/news380.htm. Retrieved August 1, 2007.  Li Chun's photograph is the center photograph on the first row.
  15. ↑ Chinese version of Apprentice coming soon. People's Daily. March 31, 2006. http://english.people.com.cn/200603/31/eng20060331_254910.html. Retrieved December 20, 2007. 
  16. ↑ Reality TV show to unearth a new Jet Li. China Daily. March 31, 2006. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-03/31/content_557137.htm. Retrieved December 20, 2007. 
  17. ↑ Yardley, Jim (September 4, 2005). An unlikely pop icon worries China. International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/09/04/news/super.php. Retrieved July 29, 2007. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Zhou, Raymond (August 27, 2005). Secret behind idol-making Super Girl contest. China Daily. http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-08/27/content_472681.htm. Retrieved December 17, 2007. 
  19. ↑ Zhang, Liu Hao (April 17, 2006). 'Super Girl' Brings 'Super' Advertising. China Radio International (CRI) English. http://english.cri.cn/811/2006/04/17/53@78528.htm. Retrieved December 20, 2007. 
  20. ↑ "2006超级女声"长沙唱区前三甲悬念揭晓 厉娜夺冠 2006 Super Girl Changsha regional top 3 announcement, Li Na takes crown. Hunan TV. June 3, 2006. http://www.hunantv.com/huodong/2006supergirls/news737.htm. Retrieved December 15, 2007. 
  21. ↑ "超女"杭州唱区三强出炉 Reborn夺冠 Super Girl Hangzhou regional top 3 announcement, Reborn takes crown. Hunan TV. June 24, 2006. http://www.hunantv.com/huodong/2006supergirls/news1034.htm. Retrieved December 15, 2007. 
  22. ↑ 超女成都唱区三强出炉 谭维维打破李宇春纪录 Super Girl Chengdu regional top 3 announcement, Tan Wei Wei breaks Li Yu Chun's record. Hunan TV. July 10, 2006. http://www.hunantv.com/huodong/2006supergirls/news1254.htm. Retrieved December 15, 2007. 
  23. ↑ 超女沈阳唱区3强唱响那些让人动容的"超女精神" Super Girl Shenyang regional top 3, audience show "Super Girl excitement". Hunan TV. July 30, 2006. http://www.hunantv.com/huodong/2006supergirls/news1478.htm. Retrieved December 15, 2007. 
  24. ↑ 广州超女前三强出炉 Guangzhou Super Girl regional top 3. Hunan TV. August 12, 2006. http://www.hunantv.com/huodong/2006supergirls/news1624.htm. Retrieved December 15, 2007. 
  25. ↑ Gao, Ying (November 27, 2007). Super girls keep on going. Xinhua. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/27/content_7152719.htm. Retrieved December 20, 2007. 
  26. ↑ Wang, Shanshan (October 9, 2006). Look-alike Supergirl's Cinderella appeal strikes a chord. China Daily. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-10/09/content_703602.htm. Retrieved December 20, 2007. 

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