TV actor’s death sparks online uproar

▶ Chinese netizens slam physically demanding reality shows

The death of Taiwan island actor Godfrey Gao on Wednesday while filming a sports entertainment show in Ningbo, East China’s Zhejiang Province, has attracted public attention to sudden cardiac death and caused a flood of criticism on social media against physically demanding competitions that can put performers in danger.

Gao, 35, collapsed early Wednesday morning while shooting “Chase Me,” a program that requires contestants to run and undergo intense physical challenges produced by Zhejiang TV station (Zhejiang STV).

Gao’s family has flown to Zhejiang and will take Gao’s body back to Taiwan on Thursday, media reported.

The program’s producer said on Sina Weibo they gave Gao emergency medical attention before sending him to a hospital, where he died of cardiac arrest after several hours.

Sudden cardiac death often happens to middle-aged people who have coronary heart diseases, Sun Hongtao, an associate chief physician at the Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital in Beijing, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The disease reportedly claims about more than half a million lives in China each year. Despite receiving emergency medical attention, the chance of survival was only about 20-30 percent, Sun said.

“Entertainers are one of the groups with a high risk of sudden cardiac death as they often stay up late and don’t have regular work and rest,” Sun noted.

It is very normal for TV show staff, including crew and stars, to stay up late into the night, according to an industry insider who requested anonymity reached by the Global Times.

The employee said the stars even work 72 straight hours at times.

“When staying late becomes part of a profession, when risking their lives becomes appropriate…who is going to protect who?” Chinese actress Song Jia said on Weibo after Gao’s death.

Gao’s death has sparked heated online discussions on whether the TV show was excessively demanding.

Performers in “Chase Me” are required to run at night while being chased by professional athletes and even members of special police forces. They also have to quickly complete several highly demanding tests, such as climbing inclined walls with the help of a rope and lowering themselves from a 70-meter building using a pulley.

“The producer should test stars’ physical condition before inviting them on the show. They are responsible for the performers’ lives!” a netizen said. The producers did not say what criteria they use to select contestants.

Some industry employees said Chinese TV outdoor reality shows tend to become challenging and dangerous with the aim to attract audiences.

In 2013, Peng Jiaxuan, assistant of Chinese kungfu actor Shi Xiaolong fell into water and died in a diving program of Zhejiang STV. Many stars have also reportedly been hurt in the station’s popular show, “Keep Running.”