Louis Koo, Charmaine Sheh Still Owe TVB Work, HK Media Thinks They Can Help Save TVB’s Dismal Ratings If They Return To Pay Their ‘Debts’

Hongkong broadcaster TVB is in a bit of a crisis.

Despite drastic measures put in place by the company, including massive corporate restructuring — hence Eric Tsang and Wong Cho Lam's new roles in upper management —ratings are still lacklustre.

In fact, one of the station’s latest dramas, Murder Diary, is now the lowest-rated TVB drama of all time.

Some Hongkong news outlets have since suggested ways TVB can improve their ratings. One such method involves getting former TVB stars to return to shoot dramas that they contractually still owe TVB but couldn't fulfil during their tenure with the station.

Among these stars are A-listers like Louis Koo, 50, Stephen Chow, 59 and Charmaine Sheh, 46, who each have one drama left with in their contract, and Leo Ku, 49, who has two.

In 2013, Louis said in an interview that he was still waiting for TVB to call him back to repay his 'debt'. However, the actor did admit that it would take a long time for both parties to work out the specifics.

Stephen, on the other hand, was let off the hook in 2015 when TVB's then-deputy director said that the station would not force him to come back to shoot any dramas. Apparently, it would be too “challenging” to find a middle ground with the notoriously difficult comedy legend.

Charmaine has mentioned in multiple interviews that she has always kept in touch with her former employer, but with her career in the mainland going so well, insiders have said that it would take years before she has a break in her schedule to make good on her promise.

Leo’s last drama with the broadcasted aired in 1997 and he has talked about returning to TVB for years. Insiders, however, have pointed out that TVB is probably “least interested” in Leo as he doesn’t have as much star power as the other three.

Also mentioned in the list of candidates is Andy Lau.

Although Andy doesn’t have a debt to repay TVB, Eric said in a 2012 interview that the Heavenly King had promised him that he would shoot one more drama with the station.

At that time, Eric explained that although they had no particular script in mind, the drama would naturally “be written and planned around Andy”.

Photos: PBE Media