China's Lunar New Year Gala was watched by 690 million people this year. Hong Kong (CNN) It was the most-watched TV show in the world -- and it was a sexist mess.

Comedy skit: "Female goddess and manly woman!" in China's Lunar New Year Gala TV show mocked overweight, unmarried women. In a society where women still face significant challenges — from discrimination against girls to extreme pressure on women to marry early -- many watchers found the performance nauseating. A widely-circulated petition called the show "poisonous" and demanded it to be taken off air.

"Comparing 'manly women' and 'goddesses,' unmarried and unemployed women... what qualifications do you have to discuss these topics?" one highly-rated comment fumed at the show's producers.

Vocabulary:

Comedy skit, Mock, nauseating