Michael Tse Sets Up Own Company, Laughing Workshop
Although the role of Laughing Gor in E.U. <學警狙擊> propelled Michael Tse (謝天華) to stardom, it did not help Michael win TVB’s Best Actor award. Hoping to expand his career, Michael decided to focus on the mainland China market instead, where he is popular due to his signature Laughing Gor role.
When Michael’s contract with TVB ended in June, he decided not to renew it. Since entering TVB in 1998, Michael worked at the station for 15 years. There were speculations as to whether he would either join Eric Tsang (曾志偉) or Ricky Wong (王維基), but Michael enjoys his freedom and decided to set up his own company, Laughing Workshop and focus on the mainland market.
Currently, Michael is concentrating on his November concert, Friends for Life 2013 <歲月友情演唱會> with Young and Dangerous <古惑仔> friends Ekin Cheng (鄭伊健), Jordan Chan (陳小春), Chin Ka Lok (錢嘉樂), and Jerry Lamb (林曉峰).
Good Relations with TVB
Laughing Gor is one of the most memorable characters TVB created in recent years. The popularity of the character spawned two movies, Turning Point < Laughing Gor之變節> and Turning Point 2 < Laughing Gor之潛罪犯>. The spin-off sequel to E.U., Lives of Omission <潜行狙击> even won Best Drama at the TVB Anniversary Awards in 2011.
Though nominated, Michael did not win the Best Actor that year. Was this related to his decision to leave TVB? He said openly, “Laughing Gor was so popular. He has even won many awards in China, but surprisingly, none in his home country. To say that I was not disappointed would be a lie! I can only treat it as training for my EQ and learn to accept it as a fact. Of course, that was only part of the reason why I did not want to renew my contract.”
TVB allegedly offered an eight-figure salary to make Michael stay, but his decision remained firm. “Money is not everything. Now I value the opportunities provided, but I will also not give up on the Hong Kong market. It depends on the opportunities!”
Michael enjoys a good relationship with TVB and may work with the station again. He said, “We are not unhappy. Our relationship is still very good. If I did not act in that series (Sniper Standoff 神鎗狙擊), I would not be out on the streets! By looking at how I adjust my schedule to suit the promotional events, you can tell. Later, I may sign a per-series contract.”
Source: ihktv.com
This article is written by Karen for JayneStars.com.
Somebody got hair transplant?
“Laughing Gor was so popular. He has even won many awards in China, but surprisingly, none in his home country.”
He won the Best Supporting Actor award for Laughing in 2009 though.
Cus he’s unappreciative.
his acting isnt that great lol he was only lucky with luaghing gor.
He’s a decent actor but you have to admit all his roles are quite similar to laughing gor. And the way TVB milked the money out of that character was crazy. Movie franchises, spinoffs and etc.
It was a tiny piece of the cake. He was robbed Most favourite that year.
No one robbed Most Fav
Like his laughing gor role..
he always delivers solid performances!
Michael is a very good and convincing actor over the years evey role he takes people say his being laughing for again
Every celeb and his dog is now opening a production company. Seriously there must be an oversupply by now. It seems to be the latest celebrity fad for Asian stars, much like adopting 3rd world kids was for western stars.
The overall quality of productions don’t seem to have improved much even with the supposed creative freedom that having your own studio gives you. Surely this cash cow is starting to be milked dry and eventually some will have to shut or merge. There are only so many people that work within the industry.
The other thing is, if you don’t have good writers, everything else is still secondary. A well crafted story is still the most important.
Hong Kong is the worst place to open a studio. HK lacks good scriptwriters, mainland is a better place.
You made my toes laugh. All head to mainland coz of the good scripts ? think about it. It is good for only one thing and one thing only, the bucks, it rings more due to the size of the market. The problem in hong kong station is not about the script, it is the management. Talking about scripts, can’t imagine myself enjoying productions other than from hong kong and western. The rests, still very very far off the mark.
hahahaha not really…
mainland dramas are boring and some are so crappy. its always the same thing over and over and over again. mainland scriptwriters dont have a lot of new ideas, they ususally recycle the same storyline.. LOL
i dislike mainland drama too (honestly i think BBJX is probably the better one, and i love the castings, but i still dont watch 100% of the episodes.
Some other dramas from China – i dont understand why they have this need for the female lead to act as a spoilt, immature and childish character (like the purple hairpin), it is really difficult to watch
Hk is lacking good scriptwriters, nothing wrong with the company itself. Why are people complaining about bad story plots? Because of bad scripts
Michael aims China, not HK btw.
For best actor award is more difficult to win than best actress cos all male actors are very good in their performances if tvb could give out 2 best actor awards in year would be better as for female best actress remain as 1 cos most of the female actresses are far behind the male actors’ performances.
Maybe cause many veteran actors are still being cast as lead role when they’re in their 40-50s. While you almost never see female lead in their 40-50s…
Must be a happy place.
Produced by Laughing Workshop.
Executive produced by Ha Ha, Hee Hee and Ho Ho Ho.
This time Laughing will be immortal!
He needs to branch out and not take roles that are similar to Laughing Gor. Getting tired of him milking that “Laughing” name, it’s dated, move on.
Just imagine his new English name; Laughing. Great. And his chinese surname.. Tse.
Put together, Laughing Tse! Now that is funny!!
OMG, that is so funny… LOL
agree. im getting so bored and tired of the Laughing Gor thing. so overrated
his acting was good as Laughing Gor, but most of his roles now resembles too much as Laughing Gor. All of his tv dramas roles are now just cops. nothing special
Not hum but Txb milked Laughing to death. Its his pin of career, and Txb kept giving it to him, wat he can do? Oh yeah, he left.
He’s got the very “chween” look, even the way he speaks. Laughing gor is passe.
Let me, let me, hunt you down!
Milk tea can’t agree with you more. Mainland dramas are over exaggerated and their colorful costumes and headgear in some of their historical productions actually make viewers dizzy. Have you seen jewel pins, ribbons, a huge bun all piled up on the poor actress head? By the way the latest Sun Li drama is bad.
Better than Txb’s current heavy makeup until cakey, old actresses act 18, insignificant clothing and also bad acting.
agree that TVB current heavy makeup is making them look like zombies and their insignificant clothing
hahaha agree! the makeup is awful!
Michael Tse was under rated. His performance was so great in La Femme Desperado. Yet, he got nothing.
Lucky there is Laughing.
Michael is there best when it comes to action role laughing is full of action tvb could have given him an award if they really cared about Michael