What's the buzz

The celebrity diving show, the new craze in China, has sparked a heated public debate after several stars taking part in them were injured and an assistant to one of the stars drowned. While the public has criticized the show for putting participants' lives in danger, the organizers claim that they are helping promote positive energy by encouraging stars to face some real-life challenges. The following are China Daily mobile phone news readers' opinions on the show:

The production team of the diving show is thoughtless. Diving is a difficult sport and requires years of professional training. The celebrities, who practice for only a few days before taking the plunge, do not display any positive energy at all. In fact, the entire endeavor is aimed at increasing audience ratings by having celebrities on the show.

CHERRY, Xiaogan, Hubei province

The presence of stars on the show is meant to help promote positive energy. So the diving show deserves our support. However, since diving is a competitive sport that involves many risks, the production teams must be prepared to deal with emergencies and ensure that participants undergo enough training so they are properly prepared for the challenge.

XIAOXING, Fuzhou, Fujian province

Since TV stations want to boost their audience ratings and stars want wider exposure, the diving show suits them both. As long as both sides are willing to cooperate, why should we, the audience, be concerned about what happens to them? After all, it is just a show to gain wider acceptance.

XIAOFENG, Changsha, Hunan province

Before watching the show, I thought it was like any other program that attracted fans of some stars under the pretext of motivating them to achieve better things in life. But I was moved to see some star participants refusing to give up their quest to raise their scores. Also, the program gives people a better idea about diving and how difficult it is to become a top diver. But the show would have been better if there were fewer sensational scenes and if the safety of the participants was ensured.

SHIER, Nanjing, Jiangsu province

(China Daily 05/06/2013 page9)