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Kelvin Chan

Interview poking fun at American Idol wannabe draws string of complaints

Fans of William Hung, Hong Kong's answer to Ricky Martin, have lodged complaints with the Broadcasting Authority after radio hosts on an RTHK morning talk show poked fun at him.

The Broadcasting Authority received 18 complaints about the Happy Daily show on Wednesday, saying the hosts had insulted Hung, who shot to instant fame when he appeared on the US talent show American Idol.

RTHK said the hosts, Candy Chea Shuk-mui and Choi Ho-leung, actually liked the student-turned-singer and were only repeating what was said in local magazines. 'Our audience complained that it sounded like [Choi] was criticising William, but it's his style. He always tries to be funny,' said Carmen Wong Ngar-man, a producer on the show. 'He doesn't mean to criticise him.'

She added: 'Candy likes him Hung very much. She thinks he's very cute.'

In his US television appearance, Hung sang the Ricky Martin song She Bangs out of tune while dancing clumsily along, prompting the judges to tell him he could not sing or dance.

Hung, who grew up in Sha Tin and moved to California when he was 11, said he gave his best and had no regrets.

The third-year civil engineering student at the University of California-Berkeley immediately became a  hero, landing appearances on talk shows and even a recording deal.

In one instance during the phone interview with Hung, Chea told him what some magazines were saying about him, including comments that he was mentally retarded.

'Candy asked 'What do you think about this?' William said whether he was famous or not there are people who like him and some people who dislike him,' Ms Wong said.

'What Candy was trying to do was give him an opportunity to express how he feels.'

At one point during the show, Choi said: 'If you look at his appearance, I am so sorry, you are so special. It's really hard for me to accept your appearance.'

But Ms Wong said he was jokingly referring to the fact that Hung could never make it as a pop star in Hong Kong, where all the top performers are chosen for their looks alone. That type of banter was a trademark of the show, with Chea taking on a ladylike role while Choi was more biting and sarcastic.



Radio DJs' banter upsets fans of Hong Kong's Ricky Martin