TVB Celebrity News

Following Flora Chan's comeback in Eric Tsang's new TVB series Aerobic Girls, two other heavyweight actresses Teresa Mo and Sheren Tang are invited back to join the cast. The three 'queens' are going to co-star alongside Lawrence Ng. The series is scheduled to start in May. Although Lawrence won't have heavy screen time in this series, he was still willing to be part of it for two reasons. The first is because of good friend Eric Tsang and the other important reason is because he can work with his three former partners -- Flora, Teresa and Sheren -- at one time. He frankly expressed he highly anticipates this collaboration.

Yesterday reporters contacted Lawrence to confirm, he expressed: "I won't say who they are, but just hearing their names, I already really miss them and this has become the reason why I may possibly be in this series. However, it's not confirmed yet!" Lawrence and Teresa's collaboration in the 1986 TVB series A Taste of Brotherhood left a deep impression on audience; Sheren continues her fate with Lawrence after their 2000 collaboration in The Threat of Love (Loving You) and that same year, with Flora Chan in A Taste of Love.

This TVB grand production is definitely getting a lot of attention. There were constant rumors of heavyweight artists participating including Veronica Yip, Charmaine Sheh and even Anita Yuen. Reporters contacted Anita in Thailand for details. She admitted TVB executive Tommy Leung called her three times to invite her back, she said: "Tommy called me, I actually really liked the script, but there were schedule conflicts. I have to go to Hengdian for work, so it's unfortunate and a pity. I have to apologize to Tommy!"

Last night, Lawrence Ng started working on TVB new series The Hippocratic Crush II (On Call 2) with Miss HK [second runner-up] Tracy Chu in Wan Chai. After 8 years of absence, Lawrence turns to TVB and is investing a lot into it. Aside from using 6 figures worth of clothing from his own wardrobe, he also drove his newly bought HK$600,000 luxury Mercedes Benz to the filming location.

Lawrence appeared very fit and expressed he's already used to filming series back at TVB. In the series, he and Tracy are paired up, when asked if he's afraid newcomers would NG a lot? He praised Tracy: "I'm not worried, I know she's a newcomer, so I taught her how to prepare the scripts. She's very smart and learned quickly. (Any kiss scenes?) For now, no."

When speaking of On Call 2 is the next series scheduled for studio filming after Love Reverse Three Lifetimes of Fate, but the lead actor Bobby Au-Yeung's mishap caused a delay? Lawrence said: "Yes, there was some trouble because after On Call 2, I'm starting another Mainland drama, so now that date has been postponed as well. It's fine though, the most important is Bobby's health."

Tracy appeared calm shooting her first series, but as a newcomer, she had to shoot a crying scene on her first day. Because she wasn't able to get her emotions out in time, she had to use eye drops. Fortunately, the director was very understanding and attentively taught her how to get into character. Regarding his debut series, Tracy expressed its inevitable that she'll be nervous: "I told myself don't be afraid of NG. I hope I can relax myself as much as possible. (Do you like the mature type of men, like Lawrence Ng?) Just as long as we have things in common, age is not an issue."

Yesterday The Hippocratic Crush II costume fitting was held at TVB. The original cast including Kenneth Ma, Tavia Yeung, Him Law, Mandy Wong, Benjamin Yuen and the additional new cast members Eliza Sam, Tracy Chu and the 'Three Wahs' - Lawrence Ng Kai Wah, Louisa So Yuk Wah and Jerry Koo Ming Wa attended. Although rumored couple Tavia and Him were there, the attention was still focused on 'Cheung Yat Kin' (Kenneth) meeting 'Ching Chi Mei' (Lawrence).

It has already been 7-8 years since Lawrence has been in a TVB series, he expressed he feels pressure collaborating with the 'Malaysian' TV King Kenneth Ma and TV Queen Tavia. It was said Lawrence is considered 'god-level' and his juniors cannot compare to him? He laughed: "That's just a rumor! It's the past! I didn't come back to TVB to rescue them nor am I'm back as Ching Chi Mei, I'm Chan Sai Mei! Coming back to my maternal home, it's not difficult to adapt." Lawrence's role is the doctor designated to answer questions about strange diseases. When Tavia first debuted, she collaborated with Lawrence in Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, when asked if he remember Tavia? He said: "Tavia is getting prettier and prettier. I looked frightening during my debut."

Tavia and Him became a rumored couple after On Call, Him expressed he only has "normal scenes" with Tavia and his relationships are complicated, he'll be romantically involved with Heung Heung (Eliza) and Crystal Li, but he won't avoid other people just because he's in the same series with Tavia. He said: "We all have to get familiar with one another, that's how we can create sparks."

In the sequel, Tavia will continue her relationship with Kenneth as a married couple, asked if she'll avoid [intimate scenes] with Kenneth? She said: "I don't mind shooting kiss scenes. If there are kiss scenes, I'm still going to do it. (Him is surrounded by two girls?) It will be better if they get rumors, help promote the series!"

As for Candy Chang's role 'Jing Jing' from On Call, she's still getting held back due to her involvement in the drug concealment case. Producer Poon Ka Tak expressed she wasn't dropped from the cast, but the arrangements will be made after her case settles. In the story, 'Jing Jing' went overseas and may come back in the end. The climax in the sequel is when Lawrence performs a major surgery on Kenneth.

Lawrence Ng and Patrick Tang attended the last show of musical Queen of Windsurfing (風之后). He reveals February of next year, he'll be participating in TVB's The Hippocratic Crush II. He denied that he's making a TVB comeback because he owes them: "Earlier at Eric Tsang's birthday party, I bumped into Virgina Lok and we made a deal. I'm not doing this for money, it is to help TVB. I benefit too. The sequel will be with the original cast, but let me first spill some of the beans, the lead actress is someone who has collaborated with me before. She's top quality and isn't married yet. Ada Choi is too busy, but I hope we'll have a chance [to collaborate] in the future."

Yesterday Nancy Sit and Louis Yuen were recording for their TVB game show Let's Play With Our Food, and invited Lawrence Ng, Ada Choi, Michelle Yim and KK Cheung as their guests. Lawrence announced he signed a per-series contract with TVB and will be making his comeback in The Hippocratic Crush sequel, collaborating with Kenneth Ma. The sequel is scheduled to start shooting February 2013. Currently, the female lead has not been confirmed yet, no wonder Lawrence asked reporters who they would recommend. When reporters suggested the recent big hit, Christine Kuo, Lawrence appeared clueless: "Who is that? (She's in Ghetto Justice II.) Really? Is she pretty? What time does her series air? Let me go home and take a look first and then make a suggestion to the crew! (How about Ada Choi?) I asked her, but she's 'Ah Jeh' and has no time." Lawrence also expressed TVB accommodated his schedule this time around: "Initially the sequel was scheduled to start in December, but I said that is the golden period for me to earn extra income. They accommodated me and postponed the series."

Lawrence was best known for his Dr. Paul Ching role in Healing Hands. It turns out he may come back as Dr. Ching in the sequel, asked if this is true? He said: "Not sure yet. That might get boring, I hope to play a completely different role, like a villain or Black Jack."

On the show, Ada had to cook up a special dish to compete for the prize. As her partner Lawrence had too many ideas, they decided to just do 'ice-fire' cooking. Ada claimed she has pretty good cooking skills, and teased Lawrence: "He's good at eating, and eats foods from many different countries." Lawrence refuted, not only does he know how to eat good food, his wife and daughter loves his abalone, mushroom and chicken stir-fry. Ada expressed she's very happy that lately there has been so many good news in the industry, she will have to work hard on making another baby herself to add on to the happiness.

A few days ago, Lawrence Ng disclosed on Weibo that he'll be shooting a doctor series for TVB in February 2013. There are speculations that he will be joining the cast for The Hippocratic Crush sequel. Yesterday Lawrence received many messages from 'Yu-Tau Fans' (Tavia and Kenneth's names in THC - 'Yu Jai' and 'Yat Kin Tau'). Fans are worried that Lawrence might get involved in the relationship and break up the 'Yu-Tau Love'. Lawrence responded reassuring fans that he will definitely not do that. He expressed he's not the scriptwriter, so he doesn't know how things will turn out, but he will ask TVB not to do such thing as one of the conditions for his comeback to TVB. He said although he loves eating 'fish heads' (Yu Tau), and will kill all 'fish heads', but he will let the 'bitter Yu-Tau' go. Lawrence even asked fans if letting them go is lenient enough? Based on Lawrence's comments, it looks like he really is going to join in on THC sequel. Later, a fan asked again to confirm if he's joining the cast, but he responded saying it's not confirm yet.

Back then when Lawrene Ng played Dr. Paul Ching Chi Mei in the classic TVB series Healing Hands, he touched many girls heart. Yesterday he revealed on Weibo that he'll be making a comeback for a TVB doctor series in February 2013. The series he's referring to should be The Hippocratic Crush sequel. Fans are looking forward to see Dr. Ching again and wonders what type of sparks he'll have with 'Yat Kin Tau' Kenneth Ma? The Hippocratic Crush got ideal TV ratings and public response, so TVB quickly announces that a sequel will start at the end of the year with the original cast. However, facing the competition and poaching crisis with other future free-to-air stations, TVB must strengthen their 'troops' and generate refreshing feelings. The company is actively searching for external help and Lawrence Ng is one of the chosen ones. Lawrence once expressed his chances of going back to TVB is not high, but TVB finally touched him and he has decided to make a comeback. He reveals the previous night he met with the TVB executives, it was understood one of the executives was Virgina Lok. He discloses the discussions of his comeback went smoothly, and he was sincerely invited back to participate in a doctor series and TVB is willing to accommodate his schedule. Initially, THC sequel was scheduled to start in November, but now it has been delayed to February 2013. Lawrence is extremely moved by the accommodation and told everyone to stop asking if he's going to be Dr. Ching again, because at this point he is not sure.

FaDan Jessica Hsuan has been said to be 'difficult to deal with' as she gets on bad terms with almost all of her co-stars in every series she's in. The most classic case was back when she was shooting Old Time Buddy in 1997, she was rumored to have had a 'you die, I live' relationship with Maggie Cheung. More recently was the shooting of Curse of the Royal Harem, where the hot topic was Jessica's battle for more screen time with co-star Myolie Wu and got on bad terms with her. Jessica even boycotted Myolie when she invited the rest of the cast to eat at the canteen without her. Lately, Jessica switched over to the Mainland market and has been shooting new drama Xiangzi's Story - New City People with Lawrence Ng and the rumors broke again. Just stepped into the year 2012 and Jessica is already troubled by gossips.

No Show at the End-of-Filming Celebration

A few days ago, Xiangzi' Story held a ceremony for the filming completion, lead actors Wang Zhao Xiang and Lawrence Ng both attended, but lead actress Jessica Hsuan was absent. When the lead actors explained Jessica's absence, they were not on the same page. Wang said Jessica was too busy to attend because she's wrapping up with the final scenes shooting, whereas Lawrence expressed she isn't feeling well because of the rushed filming in the last few days. When asked why their explanations were different? Lawrence claimed: "I just heard what others were saying."

Recommend to marry a Shanghai Man

During the celebration, Wang criticized Jessica in his every word. He said Jessica behaves firmly towards others: "She's a big star though! After all, she will give you an extremely abundant reason and won't allow you to disagree." Wang also recommended Jessica to marry a man from Shanghai: "Because she is rather strong and Shanghai men can cook, not as strong!" The comment indirectly implies that Jessica dislikes the food the crew cooks and that she's bossy.

As for Lawrence, he defended his old partner and clarified Jessica is just too 'unrestrained' in her behavior: "Artists possess an artist's temper. Successful women are 'Big Women'. Ada Choi is considered a 'Big Woman' as well." Later, he accepted an interview over the phone and strongly defended Jessica once again, that she has never been late to work or showed a black face. When speaking of the rumor that she's hard to deal with? He had an opinion to express: "Actually, is there any actress not hard to deal with! (Wang criticized Jessica?) I'm not sure of how they interact, but the crew's food is indeed not good at all. I go out to eat myself." Lawrence also exposed Jessica often buys lunch-boxes.

ATV's grand production series The Men of Justice premiered on July 26th, the series fans have waited almost 2 years for its release. The series features the golden partners from TVB's Healing Hands Lawrence Ng and Producer Gary Tang, allowing viewers to temporarily forget about the Taiwan and Korean dramas, and enjoy a 100% Hong Kong produced drama.

Depended on his role as the brain surgeon Doctor Ching in Healing Hands, Lawrence has been crowned the "housewife killer". Producer Gary Tang is also a contributing factor, back then both of their careers were rising together and received the golden partner title. Now, the two collaborate once again in ATV's The Men of Justice, Lawrence does not think too much about the ratings: "The script is pretty good, the production is serious, the cast were a great team and the results definitely won't be bad. We just needed the chance for it to broadcast, believe that it will have good response and not afraid that no one will watch."

Brain Surgeon to a Prosecutor

This time Lawrence plays a professional again, but he's turned from a brain surgeon to prosecutor Fong Chi Ho. He let the producer decide everything, proving his trust for Gray. "Actually in the past, I had great challenges. When I debuted, I was often the villain and to the majority of viewers' hearts I was the evil guy, often setting off fires and murdering people, just I was definitely not a good person. Then I suddenly got good characters in Files of Justice and Healing Hands, the challenge is even greater. Making a person hate you is easy, just have to do bad things, but to make people like you all over again, it is difficult. Reality proves that there is nothing you can't do."

Grateful of Gary's support and guidance

Lawrence is very grateful of Gary's arrangements in the past. "As an artist, each acting outcome is not always perfect and to encounter a good script is a difficult task. Especially being accustomed to being the audience since youth, I really hated the evil roles in the series. However, after entry into the industry and being villains for 10+ years, I felt its pretty difficult, every time I get off work and sitting on the bus to get home, I would think about the murder scenes I did that day, who I raped or who's family I harmed. It is an unhappy and painful feeling, plus back then I didn't make much money. I did not like my work at all. Until Gary Tang found me to be a good character and changed my life."

Lawrence once asked Gary personally why he asked him to do Files of Justice. "At the time he wanted a person who had an outer appearance of an university graduate and someone who had no big conflict experiences. But I was suffering from being a mole to get to this position as an artist. He saw my appearance in Outburst as the gentle policeman and felt that I was a perfect match for the role. I have experienced a lot, once doing Category III movies and many other villain roles. I have rich experiences."

Two endings leaving foreshadows

Since Files Of Justice V, every arrangement made by Gary for Lawrence is an unhappy ending, roles that eventually grow old alone. Gary laughed: "Files V received many complaints from audience, asking why Lawrence had to die and until today there are still people talking about it. (How about this time, is there going to be a good ending?) TV series is not movies, movies have to maintain audiences' excitement when they leave the cinemas, just like Ip Man. However for TV series, some profound regrets will leave a deep impression on audience, so this time we have two endings because Lawrence has to make a very important decision. It is up to ATV to decide which to use, or maybe let audience vote for which ending they prefer." Gary expressed The Men of Justice ending foreshadows and leaves a lot of opening, just like many people online discuss Healing Hands, like if Doctor Ching will get married and his love life, and topics like that. Audience have a very creative mind." Lawrence also strongly supports his old buddy, although an unhappy ending makes people uncomfortable, but can leave a deep impression on audience.

TVB inhumane

The Men of Justice once started lots of gossips, including TVB issuing a legal letter to Lawrence stating that he still has a contract with them. As there are some artists who received no pay lately, Lawrence frankly said that he has not been affected, but actually the most memorable was when he got sick. "I rested a for a few days, but felt a bit sorry so I tried to get back to work. Some of my colleagues saw that I was still feeling unwell as I was constantly sweating. The director and other crew members didn't let me film, and kept telling me to leave. Before when I was filming with TVB, I still went to work despite being sick. If ill in bed, then will receive phone calls from the director, producer and executives demanding why you are 'lazy to work', really is inhumane." Asked if he's not going back to TVB again? Lawrence said: "I never thought about this question. It is hard to say, perhaps if there is a good script and role, if very sincere then I will go back."

Lawrence looking for a good script

Lawrence is currently resides in Mainland, his family of three is living happily together. Also, he's partnered with Eric Woo in a joint production company in Beijing. He believes that for the near feature, he will not be going back to Hong Kong to film series. Lawrence smiled: "In a year, I only spend a few months working and my other time is spent with my family. Currently I am just waiting for Gary's scripts, hoping to appear on-screen again by the end of the year. I want to take the intiative to find a good script to film because after all I am close to 50 years old." He will serve as the male lead in a new series and the story will contain several different elements. He hopes to invite Michael Tao, Bobby Au Yeung and Ada Choi as guest stars, but this will depend on the schedule and the investor.

Since leaving TVB, actor Lawrence Ng and producer Gary Tang collaborated in 2004’s ATV series Tearaway Doctor; then, 2 years ago, they collaborated again on the series Men of Justice, which is finally being aired on ATV this month.

With regard to ratings for Men of Justice, Lawrence admits that he does not think too much about it: “The series is being aired on ATV after all, so no matter how popular the series becomes, the ratings won’t be too high. However, at least the series gets a chance to air – there are a lot of audiences in mainland China and overseas, so hopefully more people get to watch it.”

Regarding previous reports about Gary Tang lacking confidence in ATV by saying that no one watches series that air on ATV, he clarified: “At that time, I said that it’s hard for ATV’s promotional clips to attract a wide audience – I didn’t say ATV is bad.” (Do you think it’s a waste of time then?) “No.”

Currently living in Beijing, Lawrence has indicated that he will only film 1 series per year, as he is busy with the startup of his own production company – a joint effort with his long-time friend Gary. Hoping to produce his first series at the end of the year, Lawrence stated: “I’m next-door neighbors with Eric Moo – his company already has a music department, so I will incorporate the television / film production part. We’ve already got sponsors willing to invest the money, so we’re basically just waiting for Gary’s script.” (Are you going to play your ‘friendship cards’ and ask other artists to participate?) “The series will consist of various short stories, each with its own storyline and characters, so I will ask many different people to participate. I’m already talking to Michael Tao and Bobby Au-Yeung – their schedules are very difficult to accommodate though, but we’ll see. As for myself, I will play the role of a forensic investigator.”

Earlier, after Gary wrapped filming on Men of Justice, reports surfaced that he still owed salaries to several people who worked for him and the matter was eventually taken up in court. Asked if he [Gary] is afraid the negative publicity will affect his future series, Lawrence could not help interjecting – smiling, he answered for his friend and business partner: “It actually affected me the most because it delayed him [Gary] getting me the script. Also, when I meet with other producers and financial sponsors to go over details about our upcoming series, as soon as I mention Gary’s name, they ask me whether it’s the producer who is being sued. But actually, it’s not too big of a problem – hopefully the ruling comes down soon.”

Lawrence also admits that being the producer and the boss of the company is exhausting, as there is a lot of work involved such as having to network with other business associates, asking friends if they are able to participate in the series, etc. Now that he has been on the other side, he points out that as an artist, it is very important to have a good boss. He recounted an instance back when he was filming a series for TVB when he was extremely sick, to the point that he could barely get out of bed, yet the upper management at TVB still called him and urgently insisted that he go in to work. In contrast, when he was filming Men of Justice, he had a fever one time and both the director as well as the producer told him to go home and rest first – definitely a huge difference.