Director Apologizes After Sitcom Ratings Crash, Promises Content Changes
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
HOY TV's new sitcom Your Security Guard Li Bo-on, directed by Hong Kong Film Award newcomer He Jue-tian, has experienced a dramatic ratings collapse just days after its October 26 premiere. The show, which launched with 9.4 rating points, plummeted to 4.9 points (approximately 300,000 viewers) by October 29. Facing widespread criticism over pacing, awkward humor, and production quality, the production team pulled the planned Episode 5 on October 30 and aired a special Q&A segment instead, during which He publicly apologized to viewers. The director acknowledged the show appeared like a student project, promising to remove unpopular pun-based jokes and redesign certain elements based on audience feedback.
Key Points
- Ratings fell from 9.4 points at premiere to 4.9 points by October 29, losing roughly 460,000 viewers in four days
- Director He Jue-tian bowed on camera during October 30's emergency Q&A episode, stating he accepted criticism humbly
- He revealed the production team films approximately 20 minutes of content daily, faster than typical sitcom production rates
- The entire show is filmed in a single location converted from the HR office on the 7th floor of the i-Cable television building
- Producer Weng Zhi-guang defended the show's humor as intentional stylistic choice, though He agreed to remove certain jokes
Why It Matters
The rapid audience exodus highlights the intense competition in Hong Kong's free-to-air sitcom market, where rival TVB responded by recalling beloved characters Fan Yee-man and Au Shui-wai to its competing show. The incident also raises questions about whether emerging filmmakers with artistic vision can balance creative ambition against the practical constraints of television production schedules and budgets.
The rapid audience exodus highlights the intense competition in Hong Kong's free-to-air sitcom market, where rival TVB responded by recalling beloved characters Fan Yee-man and Au Shui-wai to its competing show. The incident also raises questions about whether emerging filmmakers with artistic vision can balance creative ambition against the practical constraints of television production schedules and budgets.