Heavyweight TVB Series Lined Up for 2012 To Save Ratings
TVB series were plagued by dull ratings in the first half of 2011, with Lives of Omission <潛行狙擊> finally raking high ratings in September. Ace card, Raymond Lam (林峯) and Charmaine Sheh’s (佘詩曼) My Sister of Eternal Flower <花花世界花家姐> failed to secure good ratings earlier in the year. Even Men With No Shadows <不速之約> was met with mediocre ratings in its first week of broadcast. Moreover, numerous fadans and siu sangs continued to film in mainland China, leading to a talent drain at TVB.
Michael Tse and Anita Yuen to Boost Newcomers, William Chak and Oceane Zhu
Producer Cheung Kin Man (張乾文) was currently in the pre-production stages of a new series tentatively titled Policewoman Ambition <女警雄心>. The series will feature the incredibly popular “Laughing Sir” Michael Tse (謝天華) and Anita Yuen (袁詠儀), who will be given the important task of boosting the recognition levels of newcomers, William Chak (翟威廉) and Oceane Zhu (朱璇).
Producer Cheung Kin Man revealed he had invited Anita Yeun to film Policewoman Ambition. However, Anita’s participation in the series was not finalized yet. If Anita were to refuse the offer, there may be a need for additional cast changes. Producer Cheung laughed, “This time, we will focus on female undercover police officers and some people referred to it as a female version of Lives of Omission. The script is still in its early stages, with ongoing revisions.” Producer Cheung’s decision to cast William Chak and Oceane Zhu was driven by the desire to give greater opportunity to new artists. If TVB continued to rely on outside artists and existing fadans and siu sangs, there were limited choices. Thus, it was time to give the younger generation of actors a chance.
Linda Chung to Reprise Role as “Miss Koo”
There was hope that heavyweight TVB series planned for 2012 will turn the tide in yielding more favorable ratings. In November 2011, Producer Lau Ka Ho (劉家豪) will film a spin-off series of Yes Sir, No Sir <點解阿Sir係阿Sir>, starring Linda Chung (鍾嘉欣), who will reprise her role as “Miss Koo.” Linda will be joined by Bosco Wong (黃宗澤) and Cilla Lok (樂瞳), who rose to recent popularity due to the series and won a large number of male fans. Linda received wide recognition for her role as Miss Koo. Perhaps the new spin-off series will give Linda a greater boost in her career, increasing her chances in the TV Queen competition in 2012.
Tim Gor To Cultivate Benjamin Yuen and Edwin Siu
Next year’s high-profile series also include Golden Producer, Lee Tim Sing’s Steps to Heaven <天梯>. The new pairing of Moses Chan (陳豪) and Maggie Cheung (張可頤) was the bright spot, while Tim Gor will especially cultivate Benjamin Yuen (袁偉豪) and Edwin Siu (蕭正楠) as well. In the past,Tim Gor possessed a “golden touch,” in which the artists he cultivated, such as Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) and Pierre Ngo (敖嘉年) had remarkable achievements witnessed by all.
This year, Tim Gor will be casting Benjamin Yuen and Edwin Siu. Asked whether he felt that Benjamin and Edwin were passed the “torch of succession,” Tim Gor noted that it was necessary to give opportunities to a new generation of actors, but it was too early to assess Benjamin and Edwin’s career outlooks, as the actors will need additional years of experience.
Asked whether he will be shooting Rosy Business 3 <巾幗梟雄3>, Tim Gor replied “Lai Chi Ying (黎智英) will not release Cheung Wah Biu (張華標) [the chief scriptwriter of former Rosy Business series] to Hong Kong, how is possible to film the third installment?”
Good Dramas in Stall for 2012
Good dramas are in stall for 2012, which include Producer Jonathan Chik’s (戚其義) War and Beauty 2 <金枝慾孽2>, featuring Moses Chan (陳豪), Ada Choi (蔡少芬), Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼), Sheren Tang (鄧萃雯), as well as an unconfirmed Bowie Lam (林保怡).
Due to the critical acclaim of Ghetto Justice <怒火街頭>, a sequel will begin filming this fall, which will feature returning cast members, Kevin Cheng (鄭嘉穎), Myolie Wu (胡杏兒), Sam Chan (李璨琛), and Jazz Lam (林子善).
Producer Poon Ka Tak’s (潘嘉德) Triumph in the Skies 2 <衝上雲宵II>was originally slated to start filming this year, featuring Michael Miu (苗僑偉), Ron Ng (吳卓羲), Bosco Wong (黃宗澤), Kenneth Ma (馬國明), Nancy Wu (胡定欣), Myolie Wu (胡杏兒), Kate Tsui (徐子珊) and Fala Chen (陳法拉). The assembly of such a star-studded cast would indeed be highly attractive. However, due to technical problems during pre-production, the filming of the series has been repeatedly postponed. The audience will have to be patient awaiting Triumph in the Skies 2.
The heavyweight dramas that have already started shooting include TV King Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) and Best Actor Kent Cheng’s (鄭則士) The King Makers <造王者> and Producer Chong Wai Kin’s (莊偉健) Prominent Family <名媛望族>. The 40-episode series features Damian Lau (劉松仁), Idy Chan (陳玉蓮), Kenneth Ma (馬國明), Ron Ng (吳卓羲), Fala Chen (陳法拉) and Tavia Yeung (楊怡), which will be a new version of classic TVB series, Yesterday’s Glitter <京華春夢>.
Source: Ming Pao
Jayne: Which recently unveiled new series are you most excited about? I look forward to the fresh pairing of Michael Tse and Anita Yuen, as well as William Chak in a prominent role in the upcoming Policewoman Ambition. However, I have reservations about Anita Yuen as an undercover police officer. I find her more suitable in comedies.
Prominent Family has a great cast, but as “an updated version of Yesterday’s Glitter,” it doesn’t sound too promising. Yesterday’s Glitter was a classic, but I find the pre-modern setting and theme of a the decline of a prominent family, bickering among the wives and siblings, and the assimiliation of a poor woman marrying into a rich family, to be overdone themes.
Is Anita Yuen a ratings puller? If TVB is serious about ratings, perhaps they should be more appreciative of veterans. I don’t see how young newcomers can pull ratings, not with stories that is just the same old.
Funn,
“Is Anita Yuen a ratings puller? If TVB is serious about ratings, perhaps they should be more appreciative of veterans. I don’t see how young newcomers can pull ratings, not with stories that is just the same old.”
Anita may not be a ratings puller (based on the past ratings of her aired dramas), however her credentials as a HKFA Best Actress adds to the clout of the cast. I think she also gets along well with Producer Cheung Kin Man. It makes sense to cast more newcomers in supporting roles.
I think Oceane Zhu has promise, but it would be distracting if she continues to sport heavily-accented Cantonese with custom written role to allow her to speak Mandarin. I look forward to seeing William Chak act in more prominent roles.
Will Anita agree to accept the role if she know her task is to help push William Chak and Oceane upward?
And TVB should also not take the intelligence of TV viewers for granted. When would they learn that a strong and good script always trumps out ‘rating pullers” actors and actresses as well as unnecessary gimmicks like surprising death that does not advance the plot of the story but is only there to shock the audiences and make the series ‘unforgettable’. What total crap!
And Triumph in the Skies 2?? Really?? I would have thought that the whole aspect of the airline industry was already covered in Triumph in the Skies 1 what with it being broadcast over 40 very long and tedious episodes. I really only enjoyed the technical and fact-based parts of the series (i.e. the various obstacles and tests to go through to become pilots, stewards/stewardesses, airline security etc.). The more personal aspect of the plot involving the relationships are so cliched and boring that even Francis Ng’s character became a bore to me nearing the end and he is the best of the lot in the series. And don’t get me started about Flora.
And now they want to film TITS 2? Get some really good scriptwriters and more innovative producers and directors to create something more original and with more quality for heaven’s sake! Look what Johnny To, Wong Tin Lam and Wai Ka Fai, to name a few of the former great producers and directors of TVB past brought to the station in the golden period of the 70’s, 80’s and even the early 90’s.
And please please do finally see the light and boot out 620! That will be the big first step to stem out the problems plaguing TVB.
I also like TITS1, dont like Flora’s character especially and francis ng’s character got extremely boring in the later episode. But don’t predict so fast that TIT2 will turn out bad before watching it hehe. There might be surprise with these young fadans and siusangs.
As for 620, she might be doing her work by following procedures of the management but it is very hard to sideline/avoidable when it comes to her favourite artist. What i want to say is like normal ppl 620 is, she will help those she favours and help less to those who didnt buy her ways.
*Sorry i mean I also dislike TITS 1*
I completely agree. TITS was interesting when it comes to the airline aspects, but the relationships and romantic stories were really tedious to watch.
LOL, can’t they just kill the lauhging frankenstein yet?
sick of that character and him in general
Exoidus,
Michael Tse will likely be playing a police officer, but perhaps he will not be Laughing Sir in “Policewoman Ambition.” This seems to be a spin-off series similiar in feel to the Laughing saga perhaps?
Totally agree with ya exoidus, laughing is really getting tiring to watch lately..
I can’t believe they’re producing another series featuring Laughing again. If they like Michael Tse as an undercover police that much, they can always give him another name. I know (we all know) they’re just trying to milk as much as they can out of the character that got popular with the audience, but it’s really getting sick having to have him get the same name in series after series. Or am I the only one getting tired of it?
Me too. I know how you feel about it. It would be far more refreshing if Michael Tse was given a new name with a new role. This Laughing Gor is getting a little “too much” I think.
Hope Benjamin makes good use of this opportunity and gives a good performance in the series.
Kidd,
“Hope Benjamin makes good use of this opportunity and gives a good performance in the series.”
Although I like Benjamin Yuen, his acting performances so far have been quite wooden. Edwin Siu is also not a newcomer. Tim Gor does come across as a very fair producer and the artists who are given chances by him are very fortunate.
Yes. Pierre Ngo gains popularity after working with Tim Gpr. It’s a good opportunity for Benjamin and Edwin
im missing “the other truth 2”. looking forward to see idy chan as well
I think I’m mainly excited about Ghetto Justice 2 because I have the most faith that they won’t mess up this sequel. lol
I can actually see most of these doing well ratings wise, so even though most of these are sequels and not very original on their part, I can see why they will still do it.
Oceane is very pretty but her cantonese needs a lot of work. Also, what happened to Niki Chow? Didn’t she sign a tvb contract?
AC,
Niki Chow is slated to appear in “Ghetto Justice 2” although the Ming Pao article did not mention her name.
Is she really? I thought that was just a rumor and that the other female cast member that they’re adding is JJ Jia who will be connected to Kevin and Sam.
AC,
The last I heard was that Niki Chow would appear in “Ghetto Justice 2” although things could still change before actual filming takes place.
I agree. Ghetto Justice is the most promising there.
Jayne: Which recently unveiled new series are you most excited about?
Sadly, none of them. Sigh
Looking forward to Triumph in the Skies 2 the most for its beautiful cast!
Also interested Ghetto Justice 2 and the Miss Koo spinoff.
Jayne, I agree with you about the premodern dramas. I’m not too keen to watch those anymore. The constant shouting hurts my ears.
Chriselle,
“I agree with you about the premodern dramas. I’m not too keen to watch those anymore. The constant shouting hurts my ears.”
Family conflicts have always been TVB’s trademark. I find pre-modern dramas of this family genre to be too cliche and overdone as well. Although Damien Lau does shine in series set in this era. I’m sure the cast will look great in their respective costumes, but backbone seems to spell melodrama.
Triumph in the Skies 2 or TITS 2 will be delayed, forever.
ugh i’m not excited about prominent family. gonna be cliche hope it’s not like sister of pearls and moonlight resonance again it’s going to be boring esp if tavia is going to cry and cry and cry….and not laughing gor again. hope it doesn’t bore the audience out. well i’m looking forward to triumph in the skies tho
In a series like PF it’s most probably that Tavia will cry again.
Not a fan of Tavia but I dont think Tavia’s crying is annoying (just my opinion) and the one I think who does crying scene horribly is Aimme Chan. She looks like “laughing” during crying scene with her high pit tone.
LOL. myolie’s crying def. sucks big time haha
I was to see triumph in the skies 2!
Is it only me or does anyone here think Michael’s pic above look “co-cky?”
Michael has a natural cocky face. Besides He’s over exposed now!!!!!
Big mistake to put Anita’s photo besides Linda, it sure make Anita to look older.
She is older in fact, not something strange.
She’s older in fact nothing strange but the problem is the whoever in charge shouldn’t have placed her photo next to Linda which generally lead ppl to make comparison of her and linda. Most ppl will put the male in between like female then male then female, chinese word “hate”. Even those are just photos, but the delegation and properly placing is also very important just like design.
Dun think it’s a serious problem even if Anita or Linda see it. Anita is older for sure and she won’t feel offense if ppl think she is older than Linda.
However, it isn’t a good pic of Linda as well.
@Fox,
You still dont get my point.. it’s about design not about whether Anita or Linda would feel offended or not.
I think most of ppl will think like me and kidd: Anita is older, it’s a fact.
Hahaha..my whole point was to point out that bad taste of photo arrangement that’s all. More on design rather than asking who’s older up there 🙂
She is older.
That’s not what I meant to point out lol.
Veejay,
I made the “big mistake” of cropping and compiling the header photo and placed Anita and Linda next to each other. The original photos in the article were indiividual photo shots. I believe in my design integrity and found the final results to be fine. I think Anita looks good at 40. 😛
lol JAYNE, hahaa I hope you don’t mind me pointing the photo arrangement thing. Since I’m in design line so I’m kinda petty on designing and furniture arranging plus photos as well since catalogues etc are so important to attract customer lol.
Veejay,
I can understand from your perspective hehe. As you have noticed, the content of this site is usually more compelling than the photos.
I’m not offended. I was just a little sarcastic towards your reaction that’s all. Hehe…
Veejay,
Are you an interior designer or graphic designer who handles the layout of marketing materials, such as catalogs of interior furnishings?
@Jayne,
Sorry for the late response as I was out with boss to choose gifts for his trip to germany. Really tiring.
yeah, i do designs for home/interior design/catalogues once in a while. I dont free lance though hehe.
If in K series, 2 marriage contracts can’t save the rating, in Totally Very Bad, 5 wives fighting will turn to a flop, it’s predicted, lol.
Ok, The Family of Famous daughters (Prominent Family – I think Family of famous daughters is a better translation as 名媛 means the girls with good reputation or famous) sounds boring to me. 京華春夢 was classic because it’s suitable for the moment it released. The spin-off of it, a Chinese series was kinda a flop. Now fighting between the women in the family is old.
女警雄心 =.=, when Laughing gor can rest in peace? He is turning to be a zombie and making ppl tired. Please, let Laughing gor RIP and of course, don’t make TVB becomes TV Laughing.
And too much sequels just show out TVB is running out of ideas.
Yeah, too many sequels…. It reminded me back in 2008 when TVB release these crapload running out of idea series :
Dressage to Win (aka Heart of {Bloated} Fencing series III},
Off Pedder (aka Best Selling Secrets II),
Moonlight Resonance (aka Heart of Greed II),
Forensic Heroes II,
The Gentle Crackdown II,
Survivor’s Law II,
Wars of In-Laws II,
Most of them did well, in ratings.
Year 2012 sequels hmmmmm….. only 2 that are likely not failed. Ghetto Justice II and War and Beauty 2.
I have no faith on The Other Truth II, T.I.T.S. II, Miss Koo series, the outcome of itis probably same ole TVB style endings….
Overall, you have no faith on TVB, lol.
TVB has 3 BIG main problems: Management; Lack of good high quality lead actors/actress, and a excellent tv series …. with lots of money in the budget, excellent script, excellent production, and even excellent advertising of a tv series.
These days 1 out of 3 is consider good?
I still have faith with Totally Very Bad company.
sometimes you don’t need loads of money to money a good tv series. you just need a little imagination and creativity which tvb lacks as well.
besides some veterans and a few good artist tvb consist of a bunch wannabe artists hehe
Larry3, you should just stop watching TVB altogether Lol 😀
If I stop watching TVB. I cant complain anymore 😀
Maybe because of Michael Tse spend too much time being Laughing including guesting in CNY movies as Laughing, but since EU finish aired I think he’s possessed by ‘Laughing’ and never break free from ‘Laughing’ character until today.
http://ww4.sinaimg.cn/bmiddle/70e120a9tw1dldtda5yn0j.jpg =]].
Wah, did tv buddy jump or was he pushed?!
I’m looking forward to WAB2 the most. I hope bowie comes back b/c he would match with Sheren quite nicely.
I think he fell.
TV Buddy look like suicide more(just kidding)
He fell
TeeVee Buddy had a stroke!
TVB is going to debut a new TV channel called, The Laughing Gor channel; 24/7 non-stop Laughing Gor programs. TVB viewers likes Laughing Gor in TVB series, so you get Laughing Gor every second, every day. It is available everywhere, it will replace Jade or HD Jade channel or your local/ satellite TVB Pay TV or IPTV channels.
Virgina Lok endorses it. Asia Television likes it too.
The Laughing Gor Channel, because TVB care$!
Larry,
“TVB is going to debut a new TV channel called, The Laughing Gor channel; 24/7 non-stop Laughing Gor programs.”
Entertainment programs are curtailed taking into account the projection of audience’s interests. The Laughing Gor installments had a winning formula where undercover plot mechanisms allowed for additional excitement through battle of the wits and more twist and turns than a regular cop drama, as well as the constant reinvention of Laughing’s “undercover” identities. This is similar to a spy series, in which the spy figure continuously assumes different identities amidst revolving supporting characters, thus allowing for infinite permutations in set-up of conflicts.
As a genre, cop dramas satisfy a wide audience taste due to people’s tendency to gravitate towards due justice; there is a satisfaction in knowing that justice was served, that the central protagonist carries a higher mission and is able to enforce law and order amidst a dark world full of crime. Cop dramas deliver hope amidst a gray world.
Violence can also be gratifying and serves to satisfy the baser human instincts. Cops with guns are cool. Who doesn’t want to play Terminator?
Despite your complaint of the 24/7 Laughing Gor channel, did you honestly not enjoy “Lives of Omission?”
Did you honestly not find Laughing Gor one of the coolest TVB characters in a long time? Laughing Gor possesses a level of confidence, complexity, and ambiguity that makes him interesting and unpredictable to watch. Not to mention his masculine, slightly flirtatious charm. Men want to be him, while females enjoy watching him. Little kids want to be like him; older people find him interesting with his smart-aleck mouth.
I find Laughing Gor to be a compelling character and don’t mind the endless Laughing Gor installments as long as there continues to be interesting stories to tell.
Overseas audiences like us have much more choice in what we chose to watch. So tell me, you honestly don’t enjoy Laughing Gor?
I can understand why many among the audience may enjoy Laughing, but I honestly don’t enjoy Laughing Gor that much in Lives of Omission, but if anyone knows me, I’m always the ODD one muehehe.
In my POV, Laughing is written to be a “fallen and sympathetic hero”. That’s why many TBB audience like Laughing. I don’t find anything peculiar about this phenomenon.
Will I watch another Laughing movies or series after Lives of Omission? Depends on the other co-stars. I start watching LOO not because of Laughing and I will treat the same to the upcoming installments.
If Sean Lau, Nick Cheung, Daniel Wu, Louis Koo or Liu Ye ever get casted, I may hurry to to the cinema. Yummy 😀
“In my POV, Laughing is written to be a “fallen and sympathetic hero”.
LOL, let’s all go back to English literature class and perform deeper character analysis. I’ll like to hear more views on why Laughing Gor is such a successful creation, one of the most compelling characters in a long time.
Maybe after careful analysis, we will realize that the Laughing Gor franchise is not about to die anytime soon due to the winning qualities of the character. 🙂
Jayne, I’m curious, who created this “Laughing” character in the first place(in EU)? I don’t think he/she/they has ever been mentioned, correct me if I missed something.
Masaharu,
“I’m curious, who created this “Laughing” character in the first place(in EU)?”
From Wikipedia, the scriptwriter credits were given to Chu King-king, Lee Yee-wah
and Leung Yan-tung.
In Script Editor, Cheung Wah Biu’s (same man who wrote the Rosy Business installments) interview with Ming Pao Weekly last year before he left TVB, he was ranting that the scriptwriting department deserved more credit and recognition. The trade itself should be higher paid. Mr. Cheung has been in the scriptwriting department for over 2 decades, thus he supervises many junior scriptwriters. He mentioned that the scriptwriting team deserved a lot of credit in the runaway success of the Laughing Gor character. When the character design of Laughing Gor was created, the writers knew that the elements were in place, that the character stood out very much. Mr. Cheung may even have implied that the character was designed so well, that any actor who portrayed the character would have become popular.
Perhaps Mr. Cheung was speaking on behalf of his more junior scriptwriter counterparts regarding Laughing Gor. I don’t know who the chief Script Editor for E.U. was, not sure if it was Mr. Cheung himself. However, Wikipedia stated the above writers for the script.
Thanks Jayne for the feed. What Mr Cheung implied there was erm intereresting.
Perhaps you may translate the latest tornado in TBB Jayne, I heard it’s about scriptwriters now 😛
@Masaharu: No, you are not the only one.
I like Laughing in E.U so much but the Laughing character himself lose his charm on LOO.
@Jayne,
A while ago you professed your interest in watching the Bosco and Kate couple. Are you finished with the series? What do you think about them? 😛
Chriselle,
“A while ago you professed your interest in watching the Bosco and Kate couple. Are you finished with the series? What do you think about them?”
I enjoy the complexity of Bosco and Kate’s relationship, which is a departure from the puppy love and boring love triangles found in many shows. Hehe I would call their relationship “Sleeping With the Enemy” quite interesting from a viewing standpoint. In real life, I advocate honesty and simplicity in a relationship of course.
I am not done watching LOO yet. Finding spare time to afford the 20 odd hours to watch an entire series doesn’t seem possible these days! Unless I fast forward through half the scenes, but then the sporadic viewing will affect my enjoyment of a series.
Jayne, my post was sarcasm. it maybe true or not….. 🙂
Larry,
“Jayne, my post was sarcasm. it maybe true or not….. ”
I realize that…hehe so how do you truly feel about Laughing Gor? Please elaborate.
I am ok with Laughing Gor. The problem with it is TVB handle the character.
Well, laughing gor can seduce a girl in 1 day flat. Quite impressive.
For a guy, it might take him 2 days.
lol
Someone need to tell Laughing Sir to get out from Michael Tse’s body. He seems possessed by the character since EU finish airing until today. Heck he also put Laughing as his weibo name.
he is possessed by the laughing demon hehe and is now an immortal being so he can continue playing this character 4eva until people throw up LOL
Michael Tse is flugly , I’m sorry…is it me or his nose job is horrible? His face is a nightmare. He needs to ask Raymond lam for his surgeon’s number. However, he might be able to fix his messed up nose but no amount of surgeries can fix his nasty and obnoxious attitude.
i don’t think he had anything done unlike ray who obviously had a nose job for sure
yeah i also don’t think michael had any nose job b4.
@exoidus,
To think deeply, even if LF have had a plastic surgery before, he has never bad mouth any artist so far. I have yet to see him bad mouthing any artist like Michael did to SM.
I used to hope Michael would win this year best actor but after he blasted at SM calling him immature and childish, my thought of Michael changed and i think he has gotten a bit co-cky after airing LOO and know TVB is making a sequel movie designed for him.
the worst thing to do is badmouthing the way the laughing frankenstein did. i also don’t see any value in doing it since steven will be leaving tvb and won’t be of any threat to him. maybe he was trying to get some brownie point with 620.
ray is smart enough not doing it in public which is good!
I’m pretty sure of it just take a closer look, or he just naturally ugly lo
I think he just need to pull out that arrogance of Laughing. Stop being possessed by the character. It’s only for the series.
For my point of view, audience prefer and enjoy watching how the main character develop their perspective career and overcome their obstacle by creactive way.Since TVB have going through more than 40 years and aready produce variety style & genre of series, therefore audience keep complaining boring when they recycle genre . Cant totally blame the company because scarcity happen in TVB .
problem is due to lack of competition in the HK market which is surprising to me. with more competition tvb would be forced to make some quality series than just focusing on money like they do these days
stop crap on laughing.he is the best man super man.best actor ever.steven ma is childish.laughing only say truth.steven ma go out of tvb and don’t come back.he useless because laughing is here to save tvb.support laughing win.
u are absolutely hilarious. Laughing save TVB by his cocky face???? The useless one seems more apple of audience eye compare to ur cocky people ‘Laughter’
Wait until his new movie comes out next year if it bombs the box office.
will love and support laughing.look forward to watch the series with laughing and anita mui.
Haven’t seen the laughing featured series. I tried to watch eu n Elanne kong’s character was sooooo annoying that I stopped watching, n laughing character was meh, didn’t charm me, n I don’t find him cool. N with tvb munch out more sequels of him, I just stop watching them all. N I don’t like Michael that much, all his characters r the same, n I wish I could kill both Elanne n Michael character from relic of emissary, they make everything so boring. N yea, Michael does give a vibe of an arrogant **** in every character he played. I haven’t like any of his character, n looking at the so call line of new drama, I guess I would skip all tvb series this yr again.
Yes! Finally they promote Benjamin hes so hot! Fala Chen should stop shooting series. Geez! So sick and tire of seeing her face
I am most looking forward to Police Woman Ambition (love Anita!), The King Makers, and Ladder to Heaven, but I’m not much of a fan of romance. I think TITS2 will be kind of annoying (didn’t really like the first one – the romantic stories were very tedious to watch, but the airline aspects of the drama were interesting), and I could never finished the first WAB, so I don’t know what I think about the second one. I should rewatch the first one.
I have yet to watch the first Ghetto Justice…
wth is up with tvb. we don’t need more laughing gor. it’s getting so played out. tvb needs to think of other stuff to film. stop filming the same s*&%^& over and over again that’s why there is poor ratings. it’s always gangs, cops and family fued or maybe people jumping off buildings because they owe debt. Show something interesting. Koreans always show orphanages or getting switch at birth. where’s all the good stuff. i think tvb needs to hire new script writers or whatever they are call.
Men With No Shadow is a departure from the norm then. TVB seem to have given up on wuxia series. The last wuxia they did it The Four that that was 2 years ago.
Even The Four isn’t really a wuxia series. It still has the “case” smell in it.
I guess Face to Fate is more of a wuxia series than and it is the last one.
Can you gals plz enlighten me what is it a wuxia series? xDD thanks
Veejay: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuxia
😛 google always have the answer, haha
“Even The Four isn’t really a wuxia series. It still has the “case” smell in it.”
Well, the original novels also have cases in it and they are still considered those as wuxia novels.
haha thanks Fox 😛
@Kidd: But in the original novel, the case smell isn’t cop type too much like in the series. The case are all related to Jianghu and around the Jianghu ppl, not have the palace revolved. The Si da ming bu in the novel are more of Jianghu ppl than the ones in the series. So it’s more wuxia in the novel than the series.
I just wonder why TVB have to re-write the script? To Huang Yi’s case, can say tat Mr. Huang has too many chacs. In WRA’s case, his novel dun have that much ppl. Still can afford.
If TVB wanna have new factors in wuxia series, I wonder why they dun try the new xian-xia? Like Zhu Tian or Tian Su or Cang Hai or the ones of Cang Yue’s novels.
I hope to see an adaption of Cang Hai long long ago. It’s a beautiful novel and I dun think it’s too hard to make. The characters are nice and easy to turn to script.
TVB should be more open and choose new stuffs to make.
Did TVB ever kiss up Jin Yong from that HSDS 2000 “debacle”?
I must be the odd one out who likes “wuxia”.
I actually like The Four, although it was more a starring vehicle for the latest “It” boys at that time.
Hm, I wouldn’t mind if they did a series like The Four again. A series with all the yummy boys…
@ Canto
“I must be the odd one out who likes “wuxia”.”
Why do you say yourself to be the odd one out?
@Kidd
Oh I thought that most people usually prefers modern series and find “wuxia” slow or old fashioned.
@ Canto
Oic. Maybe because I’m a wuxia fan and frequented wuxiasociety and spcnet forum which has quite a lot of wuxia fans. So, I know a lot of people who likes wuxia series and never feel that wuxia series has a lack of audience.
I also think wuxia still has its audiences. But I’m eager to watch the new wuxia series. I kinda feel bored wưith same Jin Yong and Jin Yong again, if no Jin Yong then Gu Long. If no Gu Long then Leung or Wen or even Huang Yi. Why can’t make something newer?
Don’t mention of the BBJX because this story is ancient love idol type, not wuxia. I’d rather read Ming Xiao Xi than them, hehe. At least Ming Xiao Xi’s suet in 烈火如歌 is a very interesting character. I’m talking about some new wuxia authors’ creations. Personally, if have a series based on Cang Hai, I’ll be the first one to look forward. Meh, its story is as beautiful as any Jin Yong’s and I have never liked any character like Kuk Chun :).
@ Fox
Zhu Xian was adapted, but, its investors pull out half-way. So, as far as I know, it was never finish.
woww…i’m really behind with all the tvb series of late. when did become michael tse a leading man and this popular??!!!
the only series listed i’m likely to watch is wab2. it has my 3 favorite leading ladies, sheren, ada, and charmaine. even if the plot becomes redundant, their acting skill will least be a pleasure to watch.
I want to say something about Linda Chung. I am watching River of Wine and if a nomination is based on that series alone, I will dare say she deserves the best actress nod. She was simply fantastic in River of Wine and proves herself engaging and charismatic as a leading lady and very very pretty in there. The bright coloured costumes helps but I like the way she portrayed her character. I haven’t seen Miss Koo yet but I am surprised why so little talk about River of Wine and her performance.
Hmm I saw some snippets here and there and I must be the odd one who thinks she looks awkward in the costumes and ancient settings, in fact Elena Kong’s character attracted me more. In my POV she fits better in a modern setting; such as Miss Koo and Twilight Investigation.
Pierre’s character has a good chance to be developed nicely from what I watched. Bowie’s character is affable, but it’s something that Bowie can do in his sleep; but I do feel more connection between Bowie and Elena, than Elena and Damian.
I’m inclining to like Linda now because of her looks and sweet demeanor. She’s getting prettier than her younger years.
I may just stop at these snippets because there’s not enough attraction to keep me chasing the drama 😐
You must watch then because she suits the look very very well. I do find her looking younger and rather pretty in the series. But it was her performance, her suppressed anger, her disappointment at Pierre, etc, I thought she was fantastic. Elena Kong is the 3rd mother? She has a role significant but hardly the lead. I thought Linda was very expressive and whilst her voice can be too high pitched but I find it suits her sweet image in here. And her character is no pushover though. Pierre is developing and I hope his character crash and burn before he learns his big lesson. Bowie’s character is now reduced to looking glum but at some moments of suppressed passion or anger, he was the best. He is the reason why I watched this in the first place. Even Sunny is getting better, no more angry but more goofy.
1st 3 episodes may not entice you but I am at ep 18 and I do think it is getting grittier and suspenseful. And it is way better than MWNS.
Linda must win for this role.
Hehe I hope you enjoy your drama and share of Linda, Funn. Honestly, this drama doesn’t have anything to drive me watching so I’ve decided to not pursue it. Besides that, I’m thinking of shifting my focus back to films after religiously watching thirty episodes L.O.O. and got my share of yummy moustache man and sexy lady. Perhaps I would dig for some good Korean or Jap dramas too if I have time.
I don’t really sit through the first few episodes, I just watch “here and there” between the released episodes while others are watching. So my view might be limited to the limited scenes that I saw. Yeah, Bowie is good.
Among the current batch of actresses, Fala looks not bad as a lady in ancient times, but when she opens her mouth, that good first impression may falter a bit.
Elaine Yiu’s persona is made for these timeline too based on the short trailers and photos that I saw, but I have reservations on her acting.
Elaine Yiu looks good in ancient custome but her acting is a bit dead though. Maybe she was given any interesting role to stand out?
I mean maybe she was given any interesting role to outshine.
Elane Yiu stood out to me in CBML. She is my most favourite actress there and her acting is quite good as a fake innocent girl.
Maybe my taste is totally different to Funn. I saw her good comments on River of Wine and tried the first eps, and I was knocked-out. Sorry, I find it’s boring.
Elaine Yiu improved but hardly that good.
Do give River of Wine a chance. It is like fine wine; takes time. I stick with it and the drama begins around ep 11 or so. It may be ordinary in terms of storytelling but I find it refreshing that real scenery is used, the costumes are beautiful and more importantly, some characters’ story is standout. Like how the 3rd mom realised she was cheated of her youth, Linda realising her own brother is a crook… the women in here have prominence. The only problem in terms of being a veteran is Nancy Sit who quite nearly spoilt the series for me. But if you can stomach her, the rest is wonderful. It did stop at the right time for cliffhanger. Maybe I long for something more simplistic, nothing too stylistic. There is nothing pretentious about River of Wine and what drives it is really the performances of some key players and the story. Sometimes the age doesn’t make sense but the rest do. Like all TVB series, watch beyond I would say 5 episodes for this and you may end up being more curious. What a pity not much promotion.
Again for me the standout is Linda. Ep 18 was particularly memorable with her asserting her opinion to her brother. I think her acting has improved so much and really brought class to this character, rare quality. I do think she should win. Fala is nowhere near her. As for Tavia, I watched MWNS 5 minutes, I just couldn’t stop looking at her side profile. And that series is just so darn pretentious. Sorry Ray, you look good but I’d rather stare at Bowie.
Fox, my taste is totally different from Funn too, ahaha.
Why you dun give MWNS chance to eps 11, too, Funn :P? I find 5 first eps is so-so but the series get intense from eps 6 and now I feel so curious with the ending because I really wanna know watch happen next. Everything is unexpected. If you don’t wanna watch TY, you can use a card to cover her face and watch others hehe. I personally think LF’s acting is very well, not only look good. His chemistry with Bobby is also good.
As for River of Wine, maybe I’ll give it a try, but it has to wait. I want to finish MWNS first because it is more promising to me. River of Wine’s concept seems old fashioned.
@Masaharu: I found you and me look like having similar taste in many things, throughout our comments here.
WHy do i keep typing it wrong? 🙁
I mean maybe she was NOT given any interesting to outshine
I think I’m with Funn, like watching ROW over MWNS. The special effects spoilt the whole MWNS plus LF always eating apple scenes make me he has to forced out eating them everytime he make appearance as devil.
ROW somehow is classic, the story is also getting interesting now. Except for nancy sit, is it me or does she looks a bit exeggerated there with her facial expression? REally can’t stand watching her even for another 1 min!
*make me think LF’s expression of eating apple is too forced out”
@Veejay: Do you watch to eps 6? Not much apple scenes in the second week. Actually after eps 2, the apple scenes are not that much. So I guess you are in eps 2. If you are just in eps 2, you won’t see much expressions of him. His changeful character showed from eps 6.
Nancy Sit is the worst actress in that series.
Fox, I don’t like MWNS as much as you don’t like ROW. I find the storyline pretentious and frankly such a story can be told in a movie in 3 hours tops. The fact it is stretched so long, it is a waste of time unless they follow Japanese drama formula; 12 episodes tops. I like Bobby but I find the series uninteresting. I tried watching, but I kept being pulled back to ROW, anticipating what will Pierre do next to antagonise poor Sunny and Bowie.
Funn,
Did u watch “country spirit” w/ charmaine and Gordon lam? Similar concept to RoW.
RoW is kinda slow-paced compared to most recent series. Although I agree that Linda is quite good in this role. She made her voice very sweet and it’s easy to like her. Poor bowie, he does seem like he’s sleep-walking thru the series. Sunny is much better here than in wax and wane (reunion). But I can’t stand pierre, now and forever.
MWNS is much more interesting. Yes, it’s hard to look at tavia’s schnoz but I just admire ray’s all black wardrobe instead.
Seriously, the series is good. In episode 9, I felt so bad for Dr. Man. It turns out Dr. O is the superficial one. Attracted to the young and pretty fong fong even though he’s got a great girl beside him all these yrs. Life is just not fair.
@Funn: Hey shake hands, I think ROW is old fashioned :). I dun comment much because I only watched eps 1 after you express your love to it. It gives me the feeling I watched the same concept where, and when josie mentioned, oh yeah, Country spirit. Coincidently, Country spirit is airing on a channel of my TV. No doubt why.
MWNS can be better if it is a movie because movie has more room to develop something like that. It would be interesting if Shaw Brothers can make a MWNS movie other than the Laughing too many parts :P. I also agree that 10-12 eps will be better for MWNS, other than 20 eps length. Haha, if I can cut, I will chop out most of Dr. O’s craze to Fong Fong and also the devil’s “try to love” Fong Fong scenes, make it’s faster and easier to focus on main concept.
@josie: Thank you for Country Spirit. Dr. Man is also my fave. Seriously, with a beautiful elegant smart girl by his side, Dr. O still can have a craze to a girl he hardly know like Fong Fong? BTW, if Man Ka Ling has a relationship with Vincent, I won’t feel surprised. Dr. O and Dr. Man relationship remind me of Kingsley and Janet in MOL :). Dr. Man has clearer character than Janet through. However, I rmb that I did support Kingsley and Janet together.
“Did u watch “country spirit” w/ charmaine and Gordon lam? Similar concept to RoW.”
Yes I did and I hated it. AND it is not similar to ROW at all. Similar time, similar theme as in Wine but that is where the similarity stops. I don’t get why poeple say they’re similar. I believe ROW’s story is more similar to Golden Faith and another series I can’t remember the name, too old to remember but about losing years and suddenly wants to gain everything fast and doing dastardly things but the character isn’t a bad person.
I also don’t get why very few seems impressed with Linda. Have I not been seeing her more recent work I wonder? Because I thought she was playful at the right time, cute during others, angry, hurt, eager, outspoken, etc and displaying the right emotion. I find her acting improved so much and I enjoyed her performance here as much as I enjoyed her performance in A Journey Called Life, that being my most favourite performance of her.
@ Josie
” Attracted to the young and pretty fong fong even though he’s got a great girl beside him all these yrs. Life is just not fair.”
But, Fong Fong looks neither younger nor prettier.
I like Fong Fong, but, I find Dr.Man prettier and, in fact, younger looking than Fong Fong.
@Funn:
Why did u hate CS?
Of course the storyline is different but many concepts and setting are similar. Did it not have the real scenery, simplistic storytelling, and prominent women characters u so admire in RoW?
@foxy:
Can u believe I still haven’t watched MoL? As a LF fan, I know I should be ashamed.
So who played Janet?
@kidd:
But her character fong fong is supposed to be young and pretty. And Dr. Man is the smart but shy girl nobody notices. The audience must really suspend their belief sometimes.
@Josie: Janet is Doris Chow. Her role is quite small. Smaller than Man Ka Ling.
@Kidd: Fong Fong chac is 25 years old. I dun blv, but the synopsis say so. Man Ka Ling is 30++.
Why I hate CS? Charmaine Sheh actually and her perfect make up as she crawled on mud. I hated the series for reasons I can’t remember in details but I hated it.
And no I disagree CS is ROW. Elements perhaps, but essentially not the same at all.
Since Funn herself doesn’t remember much why she hated Country Spirit, here’s to answer josie’s question and to refresh Funn’s memory. 😀
http://point2e-reviews.blogspot.com/2004/08/country-spirit-tvb.html
linda is ok in it but i liked her as miss koo much more.
overall river of wine just follows the old formula nothing interesting really
I’m up to date on both River of Wine and MWNS. For those who only watched ROW first 2 episodes, it does get better, do try and watch a few more episodes. Yes, the pace is rather slow, it’s more about family and love relationships. It’s not dramatic like some recent tvb dramas, instead it’s heartwarming
Because it actually has a coherent storyline, not for shock but for the flow. Who wrote the story? Who’s the producer?
I am also enjoying ROW very much so. To quote Funn “Because it actually has a coherent storyline, not for shock but for the flow.”
Plus the story is very heartwarming without lungs bursting loud shouting and histrionics.
And the characters are believable and well-developed. But this series is not for those who don’t have patience to watch a story and character development slowly unfold or don’t watch series without their idols in it.
@Funn Limm, as a Linda fan, thanks for your high praise. I think Linda did an acceptable job in ROW, she’s much better as Miss Koo. I read you haven’t watched it yet, when you have a chance do give it a try, she appears in ep 8. Also I like her in Twilight Investigation. Overall I think Linda does a better job in modern dramas than ancient.
Hey I also like her in Twilight Investigation. Except the fact she dun have much chemistry with Wong Hei, her chac is adorable.
Karl, you have very high standards for Linda!
I hardly post but come here to read, most people here are fair, compared to another forum….
@Funn, actually I’m a little surprised you praised Linda b/c I seem to remember you don’t like her 🙂
@Fox, are you the same “fox” from AF? I don’t go there anymore
@ Karl
“@Funn, actually I’m a little surprised you praised Linda b/c I seem to remember you don’t like her”
You remember the wrong person. Funn has always like Linda.
I like to change my username in AF so I have many username there, but I dun rmb I used “fox” alone as username in AF anytime. But if you ask for the person ppl called Fox in LF topic, yay, it’s me.
People still recognise you no matter what name you change.
Because I’m still me
@Kidd @Funn: sorry, got names mixed up
@Fox: I see, I remember your name is something similar to fox and b/c you like Raymond, guessed you’re the same person 🙂
Where’s my favourites Michelle Yim & Kara Hui? They’re not cast in any TVB series of 2012? Thought Michelle was consdered for the role of Empress Dowager.