“Bride Wannabes” Incites 137 Complaints

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TVB Reality TV dating show, Bride Wannabes <盛女愛作戰>, rose to 25 points in ratings last week. While the controversial show continued to increase in viewership, 137 complaints were filed with the Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority! Complaints involved the immoral concepts introduced in the pursuit of a significant other, discriminatory elements, as well as the promotional placement in Bride Wannabes.

The popularity of the show has resulted in the paparazzi following Bride Wannabe contestants: Mandy, Suki, Florence, Bonnie, and Gobby in real life. It was discovered that only Suki found real love through the show, after meeting insurance manager, Zion, through Mandy. Lifestyle coaches, Winnie and Santino, generated the most controversy and bashing. The show’s popularity resulted in the paparazzi’s thirst to unveil the contestants and coaches’ past prior to appearing on Bride Wannabes.

TVB received 10 direct complaints that Bride Wannabes contained exaggerated elements, denigrated women, and sent the wrong messages regarding how to find true love. However, 4 people called TVB to praise the program’s creative and realistic aspects.

Regarding the controversy that Bride Wannabes sparked, TVB Deputy Director of External Affairs, Tsang Sing Ming (曾醒明), declared, “We respect that audiences possess different perspectives. We produced the program because we wished to bring something new to the audience.” Mr. Tsang further added, “Bride Wannabes was filmed in accordance with the Communications Authority Bill.”

Yesterday, a video clip from Bride Wannabes‘ previously unseen footage was seen. One of the male guests said that dating women was similar to investment, squeezing a woman dry in the short term before finding another one. Although host, Koni Lui (呂慧儀), initially called the man “human refuse,” she eventually said that the man had his logic after further explanation.


Creds: Oriental Daily/Jstars