Hong Kong talk show borrows liberally from Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman
Comedian Johnson Lee appears to borrow much from Jimmy Fallon and David Letterman sets
Hong Kong's television industry has been accused of hitting a new low after TVB's latest talk show seemingly copied the sets and format of popular American shows from Jimmy Fallon to David Letterman.
Critics said the TVB show, hosted by comedian Johnson Lee Sze-chit, not only reflected a lack of creativity in television production, but warned the similarity in format and set design could also lead to legal liabilities.
, which debuted on TVB Jade on Sunday, features Lee as host sitting at a desk interviewing celebrities who sit on a sofa against the backdrop of Hong Kong's skyline. This has a striking resemblance to Fallon's on NBC.
The set up of Lee's desk, which has an old-style microphone, a pencil holder full of pencils and a coffee mug, is a hallmark of Letterman's stage setting on CBS. The show also has a live band, also a signature of both US shows.
achieved 16 rating points on Sunday, equivalent to a TV audience of more than a million, which accounted for 93 per cent of the free-to-air audience. A TVB spokesman said Lee previously announced that his talk show would "take references" from US talk shows and the criticism was expected. He said the show did not copy US talk shows entirely as it featured localised content.
