Actor/pop star Jay Chou directs and co-stars in Pandamen, considered one of the worst TV series in Guangzhou (China) Television history!
From
Kung Fu Cinema:
Directed by and co-starring Chou, PANDAMEN is an unusual take on Taiwan’s popular idol drama phenomenon which typically puts young, singing pop stars into a romantic drama series. This one incorporates sci-fi and superhero themes, martial arts and extensive digital effects.
The series takes place in a fictional city in 2030 where an evil crime syndicate boss named Tiger is plotting to use a mind control device to rule over the populace. The only ones who can stop Tiger and his gang of violent thugs are the city’s two superheroes, Panda Superman, the son of an anthropologist, and Panda Heroic, the son of a zoo custodian.
The series premiered earlier this month on CTS, one of Taiwan’s four major TV networks. Despite a large TW$115 million budget ($3.6 million) and its star power, PANDAMEN has suffered poor ratings. According to Channel News Asia, common complaints were directed at the show’s “childish, convoluted plot that was hard to follow” and cast dialogue that was dominated by lines delivered in mainland Chinese-accented Mandarin.
The series first aired in Guangzhou, China where it also reportedly suffered low ratings, in fact the lowest in Guangzhou Television history after it’s dismal third day which garnered no more than roughly 5000 viewers.