TVB Celebrity News

'ATV's Big Sister' Alice Chan switches over to become TVB's FaDan. Yesterday she had a meeting to discuss the contract ('per series') at TVB City and will be officially picking up the pen soon. In April, she will be participating in new series Justice Attack (法網追擊). In 1996, after Alice won first place in the Miss Asia pageant, she joined ATV and had been heavily promoted to become ATV's Big Sister. In 2008, she married Taiwanese businessman (James Yen) and her acting career faded off since then. Alice has now become bored of being a wealthy wife and plus she's craving to act again, so she decided to make a comeback. The 38 year old decides to join TVB.

Alice praises her new company: "I look for the best work team, TVB is the only option. I'll be shooting new series Justice Attack in April, where I will be playing a strong businesswoman." In the past, Alice was ATV's Big Sister, and now that she switches to a new environment, she does not mind rankings. The most important is to gain recognition for her work and the pay is a 'comfortable price'.

Lately, TVB FaDans and Siu Sangs have been leaving TVB one after another and the company also has to make way for their current artists to have opportunities to make the extra Chinese yuan up north. Because of this, there has been a lack of artists. TVB's Production & Resource Director, Virgina Lok, can only go out and start recruiting new artists. Miss Lok reveals they have several new targets, she hopes to convince Stanley Fung to shoot TV series again. She said: "I have been discussing with Alice for nearly a year. Audience have pointed out there should be new and different artist pairings, this is good for the series arrangements and it is not easy to 'strike' artists." Aside from speaking with Stanley, Miss Lok will also make arrangements for Eddie Cheung to have other collaborations.

Ron Ng and Linda Chung have great confidence for their series L'Escargot. Ron expressed the script is one of his top three favorites among all the series he's film in the last ten years.

Ron expressed when he was young, he lived in a 400 square feet home with his family before. He said: "I slept in the living room when I was young, but that time life was great, I always go out to the hallway to play ball and table tennis. Kids nowadays have so many video games to play with, such a luxurious life." When reporters teased they thought his family was rich, Ron became tense and said: "Of course not, did you get the wrong person! (It's Raymond Lam?) All he plays with are model [toys]."

Ron said his mother's greatest wish is when he's able to buy his own house, and does not hope he rents. Ron said: "The best is to live with my mother. When I get home from work, I get to have good soup and a nice dinner. For lunch, I get a nice lunchbox. There was a period of time when my mom had to go help my sister babysit, I felt so meaningless that time, had to rely on my domestic worker and only had noodles. (Get yourself a wife!) I'm not at an marriageable age yet, still have to buy a house and earn more money."

Linda is very happy to hear L'Escargot is getting positive response. She is also very happy that Mandy Wong as "Kwan Yee So" is rising in popularity from this role. "She is an artist with high flexibility, but I am not afraid she will steal my limelight. I just hope the series can touch audiences' hearts. Of course the best is that every character gets popular."

Mandy gets yelled at on the streets
"Kwan Yee So" Mandy's popularity has been on the rise, yesterday she accepted Metro Radio's interview and when asked if she gets yelled at on the streets? She laughed: "Yeah, I have been yelled at before. When I go to a place with lots of people, some would scold me and ask why is my character so dislikeable? However, there are also many of my seniors like Power Chan and Raymond Cho that have praised I did well."

Regarding the Ron and Linda breakup scene in L'Escargot said to have been a complete ripoff of Raymond Lam and Tavia Yeung's breakup scene in The Mysteries of Love? Mandy said breakups are often conveyed by crying, so she does not feel its plagiarism.

A few days ago, Raymond Lam, Ella Koon and Kate Tsui were shooting an argument scene on the busy streets at Western Market in Seung Wan for TVB new series Thunderous Drug Raid. Despite Raymond being criticized earlier for his victory of the Gold Song Gold Award at the JSG Best Ten Music Awards 2011, a large group of onlookers still surrounded him and it seems his popularity have not been affected by the criticisms.

After the scene was completed, Ella and Kate headed back into the TVB van to change. As for Raymond, he was surrounded by a large group of fans and residents wanting autographs and pictures. He fulfilled all the requests and had a friendly attitude. Before he left, Raymond stopped by at a bakery to grab a quick snack to cure his hunger. The large group of fans continued staring at him and were taking pictures of his Chok look nonstop. When Raymond was about to take out his wallet to pay for the bread, the female owner was grateful that Raymond Lam came to do business with her, and had a wide smile on her face. She pushed away Raymond's wallet and said he doesn't need to pay. He got the bread free of charge. Raymond said: "That's not good, not good. Still do the business." The two were pushing back and forth, Raymond insisted to pay for the bread and later, he left alone by taxi.

Also, the other night Ella was recording for JSG. When asked if she had encountered ex-rumored boyfriend Ron Ng at TVB City yet? She immediately changed the subject: "Aside from work, I rarely care about other things. (Will you greet Mr. Ng if you see him?) I will greet anyone I see. I greet anyone I know." She reveals she has a lot of scenes opposite of Raymond in Thunderous Drug Raid, but is not afraid of rumors: "In the series, he will only kiss Kate and not me. (Is your boyfriend afraid you might encounter Mr. Ng?) I have done nothing wrong, nothing to be afraid of! My boyfriend will not ask me about my work."

From the surface, newly formed Hong Kong broadcasting station, City Telecom (CTI), did not appear to have done much, but in fact, it was busily preparing for their first drama, which will be based on Hollywood movie, The Sixth Sense. Felix Wong (黃日華) and his 21-year-old daughter will star in CTI’s new series. Other cast members include Bernice Liu (廖碧兒) and Kelvin Kwan (關楚耀).

As the first generation of “housewife killer,” Felix Wong has a loyal audience following. With his daughter, Wong Tsz Ching (黃芷晴) in tow to star in her first series, CTI’s new drama will no doubt generate hot discussion and pull in ratings. Tsz Ching was completing her fourth year of studies in Social Sciences and had expressed long-time interest in entering the entertainment industry. Although Felix often went to mainland China to film dramas, he will spend time with Tsz Ching in his free time, generating a good father and daughter relationship.

Asked about partaking in CTI’s new drama, Tsz Ching bowed her head and did not respond. Felix’s wife and Tsz Ching’s mother, Leung Kit Wah (梁潔華) said, “Where did you hear the news about Tsz Ching filming a series? She is still studying in school! Why don’t you ask her father?” Felix Wong did not respond to the press’ inquiries before the print deadline.

Filming Drama in August

Aside from being swayed by CTI’s owner, Ricky Wong’s (王維基) sincerity, Felix Wong decided to film the new television drama due to its emphasis on high quality. Inspired by The Sixth Sense, CTI’s new drama will be a family suspense story centering around ghosts and Felix Wong’s father-daughter relationship. Bernice Liu will have romantic arcs with Felix Wong and Kelvin Kwan. The drama will focus on Felix’s character and feature several ghost stories in the narrative.

Asked about filming in CTI’s new drama, Bernic Liu replied, “We did discuss the matter. However, I am uncertain yet, as I have to complete filming two mainland dramas first.”

The scriptwriter for the new series was Lau Choi Wan (劉彩雲), who wrote the two installments of Ghetto Justice <怒火街頭>. Due to Ricky Wong’s priority in featuring a high-quality production as its first series, the original filming date has been postponed from March to August, requesting that the script be fine tuned to its best form prior to filming.

CTI’s Official Operations to Start in October

CTI applied for a license to operate a free broadcasting television station in Hong Kong and although the government has not yet formally approved the application, CTI has already started assembling staff. CTI tentatively planned for 8 new dramas. Aside from the series based on The Sixth Sense, CTI will also feature Soler in a musical-based drama, which will start filming the earliest in March.

Although CTI did not build its filming studio yet, this was not an issue at this time since all dramas will be filmed at real locations. CTI will hold a press conference at the end of February and officially begin operations in October.

Artists Who Have Signed With CTI

Ricky Wong was rumored to have budgeted $600 million HKD in recruiting cast and production staff for CTI. According to Apple Daily, the below artists have signed or will sign with the newly formed broadcasting station:

Leading Stars

Kenik Kwok (郭可盈)
Jessica Hsuan (宣萱)
Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼)
Bernice Liu (廖碧兒)
Maggie Cheung (張可頤)

Felix Wong (黃日華)
Frankie Lam (林文龍)
Joe Ma (馬德鐘)

Supporting Actors

Janet Chow (周家怡)
Lam Hui Fung (林曉峰)

Keung Lai Man (姜麗文)
Keung Man Kit (姜文杰)
Eddie Li (李雨陽)
Benjamin Yuen (袁偉豪)
Maria Chan (陳霽平)
Wu Kwing Lung (胡烱龍)

Veteran Actors
Yue Mo Lin (余慕蓮)
Paul Chun (秦沛)
John Chiang (姜大偉)
Feng Subo (馮素波)
Ai Wei (艾威)
Lai Bei Tak (黎彼德)
Wong Chak Fung (黃澤鋒)
Chan Wing Chun (陳榮峻)

Production Staff

Cheung Wah Biu (張華標)
Terry Tong (唐基明)
Chu Keng Kei (朱鏡棋)

As once said, there are differences between those who are close verses those who are distant. Just how much of a difference is TVB's treatment for their 'children' and 'non-children'? TVB often gives the best demonstration of this question. Following Charmaine Sheh and Bowie Lam's departure from TVB, the company pushed their series When Heaven Burns into the 'ashes', airing the series during a weak period. Former TVB 'daughter' Jessica Hsuan and 'son' Joe Ma's Tiger Cubs is scheduled to air on the weekends. Joe has already signed to serve under Ricky Wong's City Telecom (CTI), while Jessica, who had left TVB long ago, too has the opportunity to collaborate with Ricky.

TVB 'shuts out' those artists who will sign with Ricky Wong's new TV Station, CTI -- Jessica Hsuan, Joe Ma, Maggie Cheung, Kenix Kwok and Benji Chiang are seen as traitors.

In the past, TVB usually broadcasts foreign purchased dramas, but this time TVB tries a new innovation by broadcasting their own production on the weekend. However, it is actually just a way to push out those series with the 'traitor artists' and clear their shelves. Roughly speaking, this is the time where Ricky Wong is driving up the momentum in preparation for the launch of his new TV station, CTI. As soon as his license gets authorized for use, the station will start operating next month. Before the license gets approved, TVB will have to take all the series starring those artists who have relations with Ricky off the shelves.

However, yesterday during an interview, producer Lam Chi Wah denied that the broadcast schedule had anything to do with the artists. He said: "It is not related to the artists, we have already decided to make Tiger Cubs a weekend series when we started shooting it last year. It is very similiar to overseas dramas, where each episode is about one case and will be an hour long. We hope to give this new time slot a try for ourselves and for our audience." The series is temporarily set to air in the summer. Since there are a lot of action and dangerous scenes, it is estimated to air in the time slot after 9pm.

In fact, TVB already has a history of giving the cold treatment to those who decided to collaborate with Ricky Wong. Earlier, Paul Chun's daughter Lesley Chiang already signed with Ricky Wong, but when her elder brother Benji Chiang, who had hosted several TVB programs, appeared at CityTelecom's social gathering party with his sister, TVB immediately thought of him as an 'outsider'. Not only did they not get invited to the JSG Best Ten Music Awards Presentation, but Benji's TVB program hosting jobs were all taken away. It was understood that even Paul had to personally plead for his son, but it was no good. A few days ago, Paul accepted an interview and sounded quite displeased: "He was just accompanying his sister to a party, even if the contract terms change or work needs to go on hiatus, [they] should get an understanding first and give notice a few days prior. Ricky and I are pretty good friends. If I wasn't working, I may go help him too. If so, then do my jobs get stopped too?"

When Paul was asked if he's going to renew his contract with TVB or go sign into Ricky Wong's company? Paul laughed: "No need to consider, TVB probably won't want me!" Paul does not rule out the chances that he may collaborate with Ricky as he praises after signing with CTI, artists can still appear on other TV stations; there is a high degree of freedom. However, he will still be professional and complete his current TVB production Policewoman's Love Battlefield.

As for Jessica Hsuan, she was approached by Ricky Wong's employee last September. Jessica's manager (Lydia) said: "We did discuss, but right now it is not the suitable time to collaborate. Perhaps wait until his license gets approved first, if there is a good script and co-stars, then we can discuss again. Once we are friends, there will always be chances for us to date."

Last night, Kevin Cheng appeared dressed in a security guard uniform to shoot for a new set of advertisements for a men hair growth product. He did not reveal how much he's paid for the shoot, but said his collaboration with the advertiser has been great and is very pleased by the contract renewal reward. Kevin was especially invited back to Hong Kong from Hengdian to shoot this advertisement. He flew right back to Hengdian today to continue shooting for new Mainland series with Michael Tse. He believes he'll be primarily in Mainland in the first half of 2012. He is scheduled to take part in two Mainland series, one is a pre-modern series jointly produced by TVB and a Mainland production company.

In Hengdian, asked if he had encountered rumored girlfriend Charmaine Sheh? He expressed: "I haven't seen her since I started working there. Hengdian is actually a very big place, it's not easy to just bump into her. (It was rumored two palace girls are waiting for you?) Those two are my assistants. I have a lot of stuff, so I need both of their help! My love life requires time, and right now time is what I'm lacking the most. I can only patiently wait for fate to come. (Fate will pull you and Charmaine closer!) Can't bump into each other! After all, thank you all for the concern, I will work hard!"

Yesterday TVB FaDan Fala Chen, Sire Ma, Samantha Ko, Suki Tsui and Jessie Shum were in Tsim Sha Tsui having Lunar New Year dinner. Earlier, Fala took a month off to visit her family in the US and to treat her facial paralysis. During the Lunar New Year holiday, she and her boyfriend (Sit Sai Hang) went to Kansai in central Japan for a vacation. She did a lot of shopping for makeup and pottery. Regarding a magazine exposing photos of the interior of home in the US and said that house is a marriage gift from boyfriend Mr. Sit. Fala admitted the photos were from the interior of her house, but those were photos left from the previous owner, the interior design looks completely different now. "My house was made public, I just feel like I lost all my privacy. I intend to move out of there soon."

As for the current condition of Fala's facial paralysis, it has been improving and there is no need to take pain killers. She said: "It doesn't hurt as much anymore, no need to take pain killers as often. The doctor told me to rest more. (Retire due to illness?) The life of an actress is short, I will certainty take advantage of the opportunities that come to me. This year, I will be shooting films and releasing a debut album."

Yesterday Toby Leung was shooting for TVB sitcom Til Love Do Us Lie, where she guest stars in 30 episodes as Hanjin Tan's ex-lover. As the owner of wedding planning company iDreamation, lately Toby has been busy preparing for her good friends wedding. She said: "They have been doing the photo shoot in HK for two consecutive days, spending a total of HK$80,000. Initially Janet had some very sexy looking photos, but we won't be showing that to the public, leave it for them to keep for personal memories." Toby will also be helping another good friend Annie Man's wedding decorations and will be Sherming Yiu's bridesmaid. It looks like Toby is extremely busy lately.

Aside from wedding planning, Toby also opened a hot pot store in North Point. Later she will be partnering up with Angela Tong to start another business: "Angela is a great person, my husband has great confidence in her." Toby disclosed that she supports Angela to get married soon!

Sammo Hung is getting a daughter-in-law soon, his eldest son Timmy Hung and Janet Chow will be getting married in March. The future wedded couple have done several wedding photo shoots. The bride had on an open-shoulder push up wedding dress revealing her 'career line'. Their photos had the traditional eternal love feeling, very stylish and matching.

Timmy and Janet will be holding the first part of their wedding on March 21st at the W Hotel with 20 tables, only for family and relatives. On March 23rd, the couple will be holding the second part of the banquet to entertain their friends from the industry. It is estimated to have around 300-400 guests.

Michael Hui Koon Man yesterday appeared on a Commercial Radio interview. To raise fund for Suicide Prevention Services he will perform a stand up comedy show at the Hong Kong Coliseum. On the program he joked about his late friend Anita Mui Yim Fong. "Ah Mui after passing told me in a dream that God is a woman."

Hui Koon Man remembered when Ah Mui was alive she said that men no matter they are handsome or ugly, rich or poor love to "screw around". Ah Mui's dream guy had to be rich and handsome, but she did not run into him in her lifetime. Hui Koon Man at Ah Mui's funeral said to her photo, in Heaven she definitely will find a good man because all the men who love to "screw around" will not go to Heaven; Ah Mui told him in a dream that Heaven has no man because all men love to "screw around" and are sent to Hell. Even God's husband is kicked out.

On the Lunar New Year's Eve, Hui Koon Man had a reunion dinner with his family. Although Ricky Hui Koon Ying who passed away last year was missing, the family was even stronger and learned to cherish those around them. "I have always loved Ah Ying, but I failed to express it. In the past I only said no and not allowed to him. (Sam) Hui Koon Kit always praised Ah Ying as very good so they were the closest. He so far still has not completely adjusted to Ah Ying's passing."

Zac Koo will become a Dragon father soon, his doctor wife (Dr. Luk) will be giving birth to their daughter early March. The couple did a maternity photo shoot to keep for memories. Zac has been married for two years and had always wanted to have children. Last year, the couple successfully conceived, he and his wife agreed to have a few more children and even plan to adopt a child too. "My father was an orphan. Back then, if there wasn't a nice family who adopted my father, then there would not be Zac Koo in this world today."

Zac is preparing to enter Ricky Wong's new TV station, he reveals the conditions are very good and there is high degree of freedom. He can appear on other media outlets.