TVB’s Staffing Capacity In Dire Straits; Lee Tim Shing Has No Lead Actress For “Detective Columbus”
With the establishment of new free broadcasting stations in Hong Kong this year, many TVB cast and crew members left to seek better prospects and higher pay at rival stations. TVB’s staffing situation was currently in dire straits, reduced from its original size of approximately 60 to 20 scriptwriters! The remaining scriptwriters were mainly young and inexperienced staff, resulting in frequent last minute, overnight script changes. Due to historical inaccuracies in the script, veteran actor, Damien Lau (劉松仁), had to step in as part-time scriptwriter for Prominent Family!
Adding to the chaos, TVB’s dire staffing capabilities have resulted in administrative delays. Producer Lee Tim Shing (李添勝) will be retiring this year, ending a 43-year career at TVB. Tim Gor’s last production at TVB will be Detective Columbus <神探高倫布>. Although at the end of last year, the sales presentation clip for the drama had featured Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) and Tavia Yeung (楊怡), only Wayne will remain to lead the series.
Tim Gor possessed a mutually satisfying working relationship with Wayne, as they had partnered in classics, Rosy Business <巾幗梟雄> and No Regrets <義海豪情> together. Tim Gor had discussed with Wayne regarding the filming schedule in advance, upon which Wayne made arrangements to ensure his own availability after completing The Great Eunuch <大太監> in April.
However, Tim Gor revealed that Tavia may be unavailable to partake Detective Columbus. Tim Gor stated, “The sales presentation was geared towards advertisers, thus possessed a lighter feel. When it is truly time to film the series, it will be a lot more solid! Furthermore, I understand that Tavia will be busy with other filming commitments.” Asked whether Tavia will be busy filming Empress Lu <呂氏為王> or Legend of Empress Lu <呂后傳>, Tim Gor revealed that both dramas have not been green-lighted. “TVB never had enough artists! Whenever I wish to cast a certain artist, there are always scheduling problems!”
Although Tim Gor was a producer, it turned out that he now had to handle post-production work, sound editing, and animation duties due to TVB’s recent talent drain to rival stations. Tim Gor sighed, “I will try my best to do as much as I can! When my contract up, TVB should be discussing the terms with me. I’m 65 years old and have a limp when I walk! I have the heart, but no more strength!”
Note: This article is written for JayneStars.com. DO NOT re-post this article on any other websites. No part of this article may be copied, reproduced, rearranged, redistributed, modified by any means or in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. You may use the content online and for your non-commercial, personal use only. Copying these materials for anything other than your personal use is a violation of copyright laws.
Should you wish to share this article, we recommend that you: (i) link directly to the article at JayneStars.com on your website; or (ii) share this article link via social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Invite some of the 90’s actress back like Esther kwan,flora Chan or Melissa Ng someone that know how to act instead of using the new ones who do not know how to act.NO offence.
Esther and Melissa are busy w/ their kids and don’t need to work. If flora comes back, I think it will be for TITS2.
Amy kwok might be a possibility if she doesn’t sign w/ cti.
Too bad marianne Chan switched to the business world.
Mellisa dun want to work in entertainment industry anymore.
I agree. I am so sick of seeing TVB’s familiar faces like Moses, Tavia, Raymond Lam, Bosco, Linda, etc… omg especially Tavia. I have nothing against her, used to think that she had potential but her acting has been the same after she improved. I can’t stand it when she cries. She’s always crying.
I used to really like Tavia as well… but I’m growing tired of her style as well. I like her, but she’s not the draw she used to be for me.
I too would really like to see some new blood at TVB.
Ah good news for you here..
Raymond Lam only has “two” dramas in store: 1 waiting for airtime and 1 filming..and most likely will not film another drama for year 2012 as per stated on his agreement with TxB – 1 TBB drama per year.
Bosco only has “one” drama in store: just finished filming and under post production, and most likely won’t film another TxB drama for year 2012; at least until he’s done working in mainland..probably until September/October.
The “fa-dans”..I’m too lazy to care..perhaps a little bit about Kate..after gracing TxB screen with 100+ episodes last year..her appearance in TxB drama decreases this year, counting out the yet-to-be-made TITS II.
As for Daniel Wu, Ethan Ruan, Vic Zhou and Wen Zhang..whoops..wrong issue…
LF will make 2 Movies and 1 China series in 2nd half of the year!
I told you guys that Kevin entering EEG won’t harm LF or Leo 😀
Kate having 100+ episodes, is better than Aimee Chan having 100+ Episodes. I believe Aimee has 100+ episodes in 2012. Enjoy! LOL
two movies and 1 mainland series for Raymond, Vivien? His career seems to be progressing well.
Aimee has 100+ episodes this year? I’m going to faint. I hope she improves her acting with this many episodes.
Yes, 2 movies and a mainland series for him. It’s wat come from ytd news.
It sounds like Raymond’s career is going strong Fox, with addition of another 2 movies and another mainland series.
Uhm, look like this year he dun waste his time much. 2 movies + 2 series + 2 albums in a year. I like so.
Whoa! Such a pity. I hope his last production will turn out great despite the obstacles.
TVB is a young person’s game. TVB allows a lot of media exposure, but they pay low and you work long hours. Most experienced actors like the top fa dans from the ’90s are too old to deal with that. They are already well known. They need to make more money and they can’t do long hours due to health and family. Obviously, the reason TVB is lacking so many experienced actors because they can’t dig deeper in their pocket.
That’s too bad, I’d like to see Maggie Cheung do the Legend of Empress Lu, but that negotiation went south.
Always sadden to hear people say, “have heart, no strength.” So many youngsters have strength but no heart…
Tim Gor, let’s pray for a great end to your career.
Now is my time to shine, TVB here I come!
?????
wow it’s a pity to hear this news. really looking forward to the best production of the year from tim gor before he end his career.
There was just news saying that Niki Chow is considered for the role, but she may back out because she has a mainland drama to film.
Alice Chan. Visually and age wise, I feel she can match with Wayne. And acting abilities should risr above a lot of fa dans now, even Tavia who is more experienced. Besides, she has a good premodern look, better than Tavia I believe.
Now that you brought it up, it’ll be a fresh pairing.
Doubt it. Alice Chan will be busy filming for “Justice Attack”… but I agree, she will be an excellent choice.
If TVB manages to convince Joey Meng to sign with them, she would be a great choice too XD
Omg if only! She’s probably the cutest babyfaced actress ever. My mum and I adore her. And since I think about it.. Noel Leung too! Classic face for ancient dramas!
I’ll think Alice Chan or Joey Meng will be good choices too!
I saw Noel Leung acting as Bowie’s wife in the first episode of stranger 6. Her acting’s kinda bad now, even in the few scenes.
I miss nnadia Chan. Esther also come back only for a short time.
Well, they’d be new faces at least, but both are in or near their 40s are they not? What about some new young fresh actors/actresses?
TVBFanatic, pathetic but some ppl dun give the new faces a chance. Just watch 1-2 series and already give these newbie girls death penalty. In some cases such as Rebecca’s, even no series but still be given the judgement.
I think time is of the essence here. Sure new girls are nice for a change, but they do have to work their way up and improve. One or two series, then into meatier roles. Right now it is too soon to judge.
And @ TVBFanatic, well Wayne isn’t young either. Most of these ladies still look like they’re in their 30s as well
hopefully more people will join tvb
The problem is,for me, current fa dans are just not as likeable nor are their characters. So many annoying characters who just whine and cry and do stupid things for dramas sake and to move the plot along. In older tvb classics, you have many braver woman (in all the classic armed reaction, burning flames etc, women would be just as much a hero as men, even in a step into the past joyce was a fightee). Nowadays females are usually secondary to the men or rely on the men to save them or just their for the romantics. Makes them so boring and hard to relate to on an aspirational way. Honestly, the only fa dan I really follow is Myolie and that’s because I grew up watching her and her earlier series did showcase a passion for her work, was fun and lively and not so theatrical. Now, even though I still like her, her characters are sometimes so damn annoying (eg to grow with love). Tavia I used to like before I started using the internet and just found her fans too much, also.. her acting became less impressionable as she became getting meatier roles. Honestly, all I remember her for in The Academy was her kiss with Ron.
Of course that’s only one of the problems of a bunch of other reasons.
Btw for anyone who says Tavia (and any fa dans) act professional roles… they don’t actually do much lol. In mysteries of love, she basically relies on raymond to decipher all the cases for her. … yeah that’s all I remember of her series recently. Even myolie who was a cop in woil2 for a bit was pathetic, and no real love for fashion editing either. kate as a lawyer in loo was just bleh, cmon she slept with her boss… is there no other way for her to win? wasn’t she some genius? maybe for the story but still great message that sends. myolie as a lawyer… idk, I liked her better in survivors law where the female character loved her job and was equals with the others rather than showing the overambitiousness of woman causing the man trouble and going to jail on her behalf. linda, don’t remember any of her professional roles. except as michelle in voh which was still likeable because despite being cold in the workplace she meant well. fala… has she even been in a professional role? maybe that’s why I’ve never connected with her. kate as madam in fh3 is so lame, the only time she even had any action was the very first scene then after that… she danced more than she took any crooks down wtf.
I don’t mean to say that if women are not professionals, they are lacking. Its just, growing up, it was nice to see a role model or motivation for women in dramas esp when media is so male focused. hence why thr attack is always seeing the same 5 fa dans as opposed to less complaints about the actors except in individual cases. I mean, men are almost always portrayed as being brave, courteous or romantic. I want a female protagonist who I can cheer for when she’s sassy and strives for her own goals, or admire her smarts when she discovers the criminal… not a sidekick or a weepy lady who I feel sorry for.
I’ve always wonder why I’m not much of a fan of TVB’s current fa dans (I am a huge fan of the fa dans from the 90s to early 00s), and I think you may have just answered my question LOL. Indeed, none of them had really likeable roles ever since they started leading in their dramas.
Also, none of them had HUGE critically successful, breakthrough roles either. Myolie’s role in To Grow with Love was definitely an attempt for that, but obviously that didn’t work. I guess Tavia’s “Kam-lin” role in BTROC was considered a breakthrough, but I don’t think anyone really took BTROC quite seriously. I can’t in my mind seem to remember Linda in anything, nor Fala, nor Kate that caught my attention. However, I did really like Kate’s “Sam-leung” role in Relic of an Emissary.
I think who we are fans of depends on our ages.
Tavia’s Kam Ling role is a breakthrough?
Linda acted doctor in MR but not too convincing. However it is still a professional role. She is still suitable to the siu che role the most.
She was? I don’t remember that. I think because TVB scripwriters usually just stick ladies with a profession and leave that as a side thing/ to fill something out in the occupation on their character profile instead of ever developing into anything worthwhile because they choose to focus on the men a lot more.
Thinking of Rosy Business etc, I feel Sheren regained fame due to her character and the strong will and courage she possessed.
It all comes back to the screenplay and character construction..heheh. I can predict one of the type of character that will make TBB target viewers “rooting” for her:
YOUNG FEMALE LEAD A:
A is a strong and determined *insert professional profession* who’s not exactly a senior in her profession nor is she a new staff under training. A loves her job and has a very “deep and meaningful* background incident that made her swore to commit her life for this job. However, A has her own *unconventional* way of doing her job which may not always comply with rules and regulation within her working policy..thus A often get misunderstood and is given hard time by her superiors, juniors and other colleagues(insert some rivals which may include different-sex-potential-lover B)..but viewers know that A just wants to succeed in her tasks by hook or by crook! Awww…oh poor A. After spending time with A, potential lover B finally begin to warm up to A and her background story and determination..and love is the air <3…A and B begins their love-playtime-of-each-other but not without hardships..A might have other men pursuing her, but she's a strong determined woman who knows clearly who is in her heart..while viewers rooting for the lovebirds all the way..Oh yeah, A rarely cried..but it's a must to insert one of two "crying scenes" for A to make viewers "awwww shucks"..Most preferable "one" big crying scene – which can be a plot device to show that even the strong A has her "downtime" as a human..and one or two mild crying scenes – since A is a normal person after all..and it's ok to be emotional once in a while..(but not too much crying; will annoy viewers..)
coninuation to the above:
Note to “plot device and aww device bomb dropping crying scene”..to spice the scene more in the style of TBB drama, make sure
a) the scene is either related or caused by lover B..
OR
b) the scene is responsible to progress A and B’s relationship to another notch..
depending on at what stages the “bombed” scene might occur…
Masaharu,
Hehe was Lives of Omission your last TVB series? You mentioned Bosco will film movie and mainland drama? Any additional details on those projects?
Since you have free time today, let’s talk about your favorite actors!
Please excuse my rambling and bad writing..I’m bored today
Made me think of Charmaine in FH. And crying bit Ms Koo.
This made me think… I actually liked Bernice in Mysteries of Love..Shame they barely focuses on her but mainly on boring Ray-Tav love struggles. She was so interesting considering tvb doesn’t really write about ladies with enough sass to travel the world themselves, doing volunteer work and open with her relationships. Sigh…
@Masaharu
ROFL the career part sound like a mix of GJ Law Ba + Kenneth in THC + madam Ma.
Huge crying part sound like Miss Koo LOL.
LOL but it’s true these characters are accepted and well loved by audience. Except Madam Ma I think she got criticized
Jayne, I’m not sure…but I heard the female lead for the mainland drama is an actress called Tiffany Tang Yan…and it will start in May.
Vivien, I don’t watch GJ or THC, so I don’t know much about Law Ba or Kenneth’s character..although I admit I’ve read and heard a lot of tidbits about Law Ba’s personality…haha
made me think of Kenneth’s Yat Kin a bit too minus the big crying scene.
I agree about Bernice in MOL. Her character is promising if only the scriptwriters care to expand her story. She appears less than supporting actors.
TVB should just steal some scriptwriters from Shaw Brothers or EEG…
What filming commitment does Tavia have this year? I only know of Prominent Family. Does the filming of Detective Columbia clash with Prominent Family?
Tavia and Wayne look like a good match in the sales presentation. I wonder who will replace her now.
Honestly, Tavia hasn’t “aged” well. I still remember I used to think she was rather pretty Twins of Brothers era. Now.. ehh, she looks really old to me.
Tell me about it! Her face is really scary now.
She lose weight and allegedly did something to her nose, that’s why she’s ageing ungracefully.
lol, as a myolie fan, I think we can agree that Myolie has actually aged nicely. She’s more stylish and knows how to use make up lot better now. By this, I mean at events not horribl tvb make up
well at least she’s got Himbo to show off his rippling musles and 6-pack. that should get some of you ah-so and aunties interested
Twins of Brothers she was pretty. Now too thin and nose changed
Im still young, (in my teens) so I dont find the kelefehs too un interesting, but maybe not as good as others.
I want to see Tavia with Wayne in this serie and it’s a new pairing.
TVB needs to promote more actresses and actors now since I don’t promote “enough” leading actors and actresses.
In Korean series, we usually see new movie stars in most of the series.
TVB used to do that actually, especially back in the 80’s. Felix Wong only had one supporting role before he was given a leading role in The Lonely Hunter. No one knew who was before, and it was TLH that got him famous.
Unfortunately, the market doesn’t work that way anymore. Unless TVB manages to write a really attractive script with godlike marketing tactics, no one would watch dramas with leading actors they don’t know. They tried that with Elaine Yiu in 2006 (with Safe Guards), but that backfired. Also, TVB’s so-called idol dramas like the Hearts of Fencing series, don’t get really good ratings. Lai Lok-yi led the first installment, I think, and no one knew who he was until he started filming for other TVB dramas.
They should cast Nancy Wu as the lead!
Agree.
Agree too.
Well if this is a series ala Sherlock Holmes then Ruco or Raymond W. are much better than Wayne.
For the female lead Linda will be fine together with Ruco.
I wonder if this Detective Columbo get inspiration from the one played by the late Peter Falk.
Well it sounds like it and perhaps other inspirations from Dr.Who & Sherlock…
Lee Tim Sing is trying to get Niki to be Wayne’s female lead. Niki hasn’t confirmed yet.
Really?
Well, thats great!
I like fresh pairing
Exoidus Raymond and Ruco your favourites will partner with Selena Li and Aimee Chan in April.
Raymond as Sherlock and Ruco as Watson? That is extremely attractive.
I prefer a series without any female lead if the choice is Aimee since I find her cantonese really annoying.
Addy, the other way around and Kenneth as Prof. Moriarty, LOL
Didn’t they be together too many times? Can we have a fresher combo?
The RucoxRaymond duo never really became a fan favorite until The Other Truth, lol. Their past dramas don’t count, because they barely had screen time together.
But fresher is still better, do you agree?
Oh, of course. I’d go for anything fresh. This is why I like the casting for WAB2 despite everybody complaining about how weak the cast is.
WAB2 Moses and Kenny combo isn’t fresh.
@lol – but the rest of the cast is, especially the three female leads.
but the combo and Moses and Kenny have been going on for almost a decade
It would be really interesting if TVB make their version Sherlock Holmes like Addy said. But, I would cast Raymond as Watson and Ruco as Sherlock. 😀
Any good scriptwriters out there should apply for TVB, looks like they will be recruiting. I’m a very big fan of TVB’s older stuff from the 80’s & 90’s and prefer watching them than newer ones. I hope TVB recovers but they need to make changes if they want to retain staff. At the moment I’m watching ‘Fortysomething’ 1995 with Amy Chan & Adam Cheng and just finished re-watching ‘The greed of man’ a real classic 🙂
The same goes for me here..I’m a big fan of tvb classic series in 80s & 90s era..Constantly went digging those good old series in store..Currently rewatching Michael Tao DIF trilogy.Although the series lack hightech & latest forensic technology,no doubt it appears promising with its casts & plot..wonder why they can produce quality series back then compare with ‘cheap/sucks’ series now.
sh*t they are all crap…..Linda Chung, Kate Tsui, Fala Chen, Tavia Yeung, Sharon Chan, Aimee Chan
This is great news! I wouldnt want to see Wayne paired with Tavia. How about Florence Kwok? She’s funny. Is Detective Columbus meant to be a comedy? The image in the sales presentation pamphlet looks like the cast is trying to be funny.
Tim gor wants Niki again
Ehh, Niki isn’t that great of an actress. She’s just refreshing to see.
but Tim gor seems to like her a lot
I love Florence Kwok. She’s versatile (can do ancient/modern) and a fantastic actress (drama or comedy). She’d be my first pick for sure!
I agree. She comes across as very sassy, strong independent woman. I don’t like weak, submissive female lead characters
This happened in Safe Guard back in 2005. Might be a chance to give potential youngster an opportunity at the big leagues. But considering the age difference of pairing with Wayne, it is tough to find a suitable applicant
This is what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket. They use the same actors/actresses. Why not give new people a chance. Look at American series: Heroes, Glee, Friends, Sex & the City, Smallville, 24, Prison Break – majority of the actors/actresses were unknown in Season 1
I don’t necessarily a case of giving new people a chance. Even all the current siu sengs and fadans did bit roles about 10 years ago and moved their way up.
I think that TVB has recruiting problem of only recruiting young people. So progression is always young, inexperienced, small roles, MC for shows, 2nd roles, main characters, then main character for 6-9 series.
So any given generation of viewers may have watched a person act in TVB series for at least 10 years.
Yeah but the difference with American series is that a lot of the actors become worthless after the seriea ends. Even as popular as Friends was, who do you really still see? Same with The OC. Its unsustainable. The difference is Hollywood is a larger industry so you still get perks and functions…
I love Nancy Wu but honestly feel that she is too young to pair for Wayne Lai (age 48), it was not too bad for RB where she played high end escort but any semi modern series seems inappropriate.
I actually really liked Wayne Lai/Teresa Mo pairing.
Wasn’t they (Wayne and Nancy) liked in FH3 as a couple?
I thought Nancy held her own very well in FH3 too but they killed her (in the series) and made her seem older than her age. Even a child prodigy will not be a high powered senior attorney under the age of 30.
Nancy has great chemistry with Wayne. I’ll welcome this pairing again if they pair up in Detective Columbus.
Same, they were cute!
Nancy is young in age but lookwise she is able to portray more matured role.
She is really good in F3 as Eva.
I agree with you. Nancy is really convincing as Eva in FH3 and has good bittersweet chemistry with Wayne.
Heard tat Natalie Tong will take a part in this one.
I find her acting annoying she needs too improve a lot still, would love to see nancy more tho
I agree tat Nancy is better than Nat Tong.
I think Tim likes Niki and Natalie
Yea used to like tavia’s beauty. Now her face is too sharp, distracting nOse & her acting become monotonous.
You know who else they can try getting? Yoyo Mung!
I know she’s doing a talk show with TVB right now but I’m not sure if it’s because Yoyo wants to relax more?
I agree that TVB is lacking a lot of actors/actress. I want steven ma back! In my opinion he should’ve gotten best actor long ago 🙁 I really hope he’ll come back to TVB
Will be really nice to get Esther Kwan back. She is age appropriate for Wayne and a great beautiful actress!
I like Niki too but not compartible in looks.
Noel is unattached now and will be an asset to TVB in ancient dramas.
Noel who?
Yeah,Niki seems abit young for Wayne although she is the same age as Tavia.
She has that girlish look and may not be compatible.
I like Esther too.
Noel is Leung Siu Bing who was recently involved in a scandal.
She is very pretty in “blade of honour”
(can’t remember the name?)
Niki is very pretty and Esther my fav.
Atv ex actresses are good too
I like LOUSIE SU.
She will be a good pairing.
Wow! TVB is going thro a rough patch and situation seems chaotic.
Does it means we will getting more inferior dramas and trash?
I like Christine Ng.
Ah Su is awesome, really like her.
Heard she is leaving.
Pity don’t see much of her nowadays
I hope Niki will film in this drama. I like her in Bottled passion although many people criticize her acting.
Well-said!
Who cares what those shrimps rattled?
The rating of the drama showed great potential.
Niki is not one of the best but certainly one of her kind with pleasant disposition that TVB fadans lack.
can’t bear to see cynical shrimps with inflated ego pounding on her like mauhchee