It’s outdated and not funny, Hong Kong viewers tell TVB, after new variety show triggers controversy
- Complaints pour in after comedian Wong Cho-lam dons wig to impersonate chief executive
- Struggling broadcaster urged to dump tired scripts, be more creative to win back viewers
Hong Kong’s biggest broadcaster TVB has received a flood of complaints against its new variety show for lampooning the city’s leader and other prominent public figures.
Critics put off by the show said the troubled station should resist relying on “low comedy” in trying to win back lost viewers and advertisers.
The Communications Authority received about 250 complaints after the debut episode of Have a Big Laugh aired on April 11. Most found the show “tasteless” and insulting.
It was one of TVB’s key initiatives since it appointed comedian Eric Tsang Chi-wai, 67, as deputy general manager in January to salvage its flagging performance.
Another comedian, Wong Cho-lam, 41, joined as chief creative officer to help Tsang develop variety and “infotainment” content.
He was featured in the offending segment of the new show, playing Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor at a Covid-19 press conference.