Ratings Hit Beyond Expectations, Is “Threesome” the Next “Legal Mavericks”?
Four weeks and eight episodes later, TVB’s weekend drama Threesome <三個女人一個「因」> is set for a solid run. On its premiere week, the modern romantic comedy scored an average of 18.3 rating points, and it continues to see an increase every week: the second week averaged 18.8 points, and the third week reached 19.9 points, averaging 1.2 million viewers per episode.
Threesome stars Mandy Wong (黃智雯) as the lawyer Evie Fong, who suffers from dissociative identity disorder. Though she’s determined to keep this illness of her’s a secret, her multiple identities are discovered by her pupil Kai (Benjamin Yuen 袁偉豪), setting off a confusing romantic adventure.
Reviews for Threesome have been generally positive, with many directing their praises to Mandy. She portrayed her three different roles with ease, putting the 35-year-old on the platform as a competitive actress for TV Queen. Even her male costars are receiving praise – Benjamin Yuen is convincing as the lazy scoundrel Kai, and Jason Chan (陳智燊), who plays Mandy’s fiancé, is turning all heads to his direction; Jason is a familiar face in playing TVB gaofushuai roles, but his portrayal as the cowardly Theo, who suffers from constant panic attacks, has brought a lot of laughter to viewers. Critics have noted both improvements in Benjamin and Jason’s performances.
Known as TVB’s “Sunday Queen”, Mandy’s last TVB drama as lead actress, Nothing Special Force <雜警奇兵>, was also put in the Sunday time slot. Compared to weekday dramas, weekend dramas tend to perform less well in viewership ratings, and many Mandy fans have found it unfair that TVB has been giving Mandy the “graveyard slot”.
But TVB has its reasons. According to a source, TVB is unsure of how big of an audience that Mandy would be able to bring, and therefore decided on putting Mandy’s dramas in a safer time slot. Following Nancy Wu (胡定欣) and Natalie Tong’s (唐詩詠) footsteps, TVB intends to help Mandy break away from her supporting actress image to lead actress.
With its steady ratings and generally unknown cast, critics are comparing Threesome to Legal Mavericks <踩過界>—both dramas are surprise hits that are headed by actors who are on the slow rise to lead status. Just like Vincent Wong’s (王浩信) whirlwind rise to fame last year, perhaps 2018 would be Mandy’s turn to break out.
Source: HK01.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
beyond expectation? 19,9 is still very low for a drama. if you look at other new drama like apple-colada already hit 28 points in his first week of broadcast.
@kolo Maybe that’s good for a weekend slot?
@tiffany
I thought so too. It’s the weekend slot and most people may be out enjoying the weekend. Having such rating is quite an achievement. I love this show cos it made me laugh so much. I’d wish it’s a weekday slot…
@kolo its actually very good average for a weekend drama. Seeing that a 5 day drama is getting around 22pts. Its so close.
If Apple-colada is broadcast on every Sunday, it is likely that it will get a 19.9 rating. It is not the problem of Mandy’s drama. It is the problem of the day.
@lewismcchan Apple isnt that good though. I actually think people are watching threesome and not because its on the sunday, its because the story is good.
Lots of hype in HK forums about the drama.
Threesome is good; Ben still sucks. Not as sucky as before, but still a sucker.
@coralie
In a few years time, Ben will be worshipped here like Ruco once was and still is….
@jimmyszeto Ruco has over two decades of experience. I would actually put him in the same category as Raymond Wong in that they can consistently pull off supporting characters, but haven’t had very good projects recently. I don’t know if and when Ben will ever get there. Not counting on it though.
@coralie
Absolutely shocking that Raymond is getting useless roles one after another. The apple colada the worst one yet and alongside Eliza too. Waste of a likeable guy…
Ooh better check this one out
@littlefish
Don’t worry. It’s still far from being as good as Legal Mavericks….
they shouldve put the Apple series on the wknd time slot and Mandy series on the regular basis it a funny comedy I actually enjoy watching it!!!
it’s sad that only broadcast on the weekend. i do really enjoy the show.