Timothy Cheng Once Again Plays Creepy Role in “The Forgotten Valley”
Unable to escape his villainous roles, TVB actor Timothy Cheng (鄭子誠) once again portrays a questionable character in The Forgotten Valley <平安谷之詭谷傳說>.
Praised for its interesting plot and fast-paced storyline, the latest episodes concerning Timothy’s relationship with daughter, Jessica Kan (簡淑兒), surprised viewers by its sudden twist. Initially introduced as the loving and caring father who raised Jessica on his own, Timothy’s character as the widower took an unexpected 180-degree turn. Although often seen overly doting and caring of Jessica, Timothy became so drunk one night that he mistakenly thought Jessica was his late wife.
After the rape attempt was thwarted by neighbor Jess Shum (沈卓盈), Jessica tried to escape the village with Brian Tse‘s (謝東閔) help. Unfortunately, their escape was hindered and she was brought back to the village center where villagers threw rocks at the couple.
While it seemed as though TVB finally gave Timothy a chance at portraying a good, loving father for once, this idea was too good to be true. With Timothy falling into this typical creepy role once again, Jessica comes to his rescue and denies that Timothy is like his character in any sort. Recalling her conversations with the actor when cameras were not rolling, Jessica laughed, “Timothy is hilarious – he always has to tell us that he’s a good guy and he’s not a bad person.”
Source: HK01.com
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
So sad ;_;
I’ve always read that Timothy is a very charming and nice guy in real life. And he’s a great versatile actor. TVB really loves to pigeonhole someone’s role once they’re famous for a certain character.
@coralie Timothy actually did a really nice 2-part interview with HK01 this past week where he talks about his inspiration for his villain roles (as well as exactly what you mentioned about being “pigeonholed” into villain roles) and his thoughts on the TV industry. I’ve always liked him since first seeing him in “A Kindred Spirit” (which he talks a lot about in the interview) but I like him even more now. He’s a very humble, down-to-earth guy and had nothing but praise for a couple of the seniors whom he views as more successful than him in portraying villains. Hope TVB cherishes him!
The amazing thing is that Timothy is a great versatile actor, host, public speaker and probably decent voice dubbing but he is used by TVB in a small, support creep role. What a waste!
@jimmyszeto Exactly. The sad thing is that he actually said in that HK01 interview that he prefers hosting, since that’s how he started (joined TVB in 1996 as a host for Focus on Focus and was later asked by A Kindred Spirit’s producer Tsui Yu On to join the drama department..AKS was his first series). He said he once asked TVB if he could go back to hosting but they said no because he was good at the villain roles and they needed him there. Luckily he has his radio show (which is awesome by the way..love hearing Timothy’s soothing radio voice, lol) and a lot of other hosting gigs outside TVB, plus all the voice over stuff so that satisfies his love for hosting. He’s pretty much resolved to playing villains now at TVB and uses his other jobs to balance things out.
@llwy12 Even though it was his first acting gig in AKS, I must say that was a definitive role in his career. And amazing for a newbie too.
While I would love to hear his hosting gigs, I think I enjoy his acting way more. It just sucks that the producer wants him to stay there JUST to act as a villain rather than allow him to branch out into other roles.
@coralie Definitely amazing considering he never had any acting training (which is why he was surprised that he got asked to join AKS cast). He had immigrated to Canada many years ago and over there, he was an interior designer, then when he returned to HK he went into radio (RTHK) as a DJ and eventually had his own radio show….he did have a brief stint as a program coordinator at ATV somewhere along the line, but that was short-lived and his job didn’t have anything to do with acting. So basically, acting-wise, he had zero experience when he did AKS, yet he was able to put in such an AMAZING performance in there…that’s definitely talent right there! I love his acting too but at the same time, it’s better for him if he’s also doing something he enjoys (hosting)…
Timothy said that his radio show Music Lover (which he’s been hosting for 13 years now) keeps him balanced, but sometimes – especially if it’s during days when he’s filming — it takes some mental preparation to “switch off” his villain role and go back to his normal self for his radio show (he jokingly said that in the mornings, he’s killing people and burning down people’s houses but at night he has to tone it down so he can give people song recommendations, lol).
@llwy12 Wow, thank you for sharing this! I love when there’s articles that focus on the less famous (but very important) actors. And I love hearing about their life outside of acting. TVB really needs to cherish veteran actors like him. Whoever is in management needs to get it together because they’re not making the best decision when it comes to casting and retaining great people.
@lyu310 You’re welcome! 🙂
In terms of TVB not making the right decisions – to be honest, that has been their problem since the beginning of time. That’s why it’s such a huge risk to sign a management contract with TVB because you are severely restricted in what you are allowed to do and basically have to cater to the whims of management. The problem is also that TVB’s structure lends itself to issues, since they don’t have a consistent process or a specific set of rules / guidelines (we call it standard operating procedures in the corporate world) for their management to follow like most companies do — so management pretty much applies the rules however they feel like it, which is why we constantly hear issues about them playing favorites and giving opportunity after opportunity to certain artists while neglecting others. Sure, a newbie to the industry who doesn’t have any experience or backing might benefit from being under management contract but any artist that is already established, it’s definitely not a good idea. Of course, the argument is that TVB, as a business, will always put their own interests first, which can’t really fault them for, but at the same time, it shouldn’t be at the expense of their employees, especially when those employees are the ones who made TVB into the powerhouse that they are now. (Believe me, there are definitely ways to do it where a company values its employees and treat them fairly while still getting healthy returns in terms of profits/revenue).
In Timothy’s case, I think he mentioned that he has a per series contract with TVB currently (which makes sense why he is able to take on other hosting gigs aside from his radio show – actually “shows” because he hosts more than 1 show, it’s just that Music Lover is his most popular one), but that wasn’t the case back when he started, so he had to let TVB shape his career for him until he was established enough to do his own thing. Considering he’s been in the industry 27 years already (22 of those years with TVB), yet it has only been in the last 2-3 years or so that he’s gotten true recognition from audiences and “promotion” from TVB, I honestly feel it’s “too little, too late”. This is why whenever I see newer generation artists “complaining” that they’ve been in the industry like 8 years or something and are only now starting to get recognized or what not, I have zero sympathy because honestly, 8 years is nothing compared to many of the veterans who’ve had to endure being a third/fourth/fifth line, even “no name” artist for like 20, 30, some even 40 years. HK01 has actually been doing some features on veteran “green leaf” artists (that’s one of the reasons why I like HK01 – their articles aren’t always accurate nor are they well written, as I often spot mistakes with their content, but they do what most mainstream media outlets don’t, which is cover artists / series / movies / topics in general and angles that are more obscure or lesser known) – a small consolation for me is hearing that these veteran artists (many of whom already left TVB) are doing relatively well now in their current careers/lives…it’s good to know that TVB didn’t completely ruin them, lol.
The article is not accurate. His character was possessive but he did not nearly raped nor 5% raped his daughter. Nope. He was overprotective and possessive but there was no sexual whatever. And he was very drunk. But he did not cross any line. It was the women who jumped to conclusion (as usual) and just accused him something he did not do. And funny is, one scene the dumb woman slept with him, next thing same dumb woman said she thought he was gonna be inappropriate with his daughter but remember, she did spare time to sleep with him. If it was her act of protecting the girl, the scene did not tell me so. Next thing she said she drugged him but we were not shown. Next thing the busy bodies led by our half dim witted so called educated wife when it was jumping the gun.
This series was all over the place. Whilst introducing the villain saved it but it was more stupidity. This series wanted to show the guys as bad and yet made them seem cute and yet we know they are bad. So am I supposed to like or hate them? But none much more than women being mean to women.
In the end the most despicable was 2nd wife and the most giving was the usually cold 3rd wife.
But the dr must have been a creep. because if his late wife was the daughter of the villain general, and the general being so young, and same age with dr, it means when he ran away with his wife, she must have been very young too. So the element of creepiness is there. He is probably a pedophile and yet the general did not first thing shoot him dead.
@funnlim “But the dr must have been a creep.” i also dont understand why the director cast a actor as general that is similar or maybe even youger age than timothy, but i think the ppl of in that era can marry on a very young age. i know my grand grandma already married when she was 15 years and 16 when she gave birth to my grand pa, then you can say its a pedo marriage lol.
@kolo my grandma got married when she was 14. had like 5 kids when she was 20.
Maybe Timothy and Tsui Wing should have swapped roles. Tsui Wing doesn’t look like a grandpa.
@funnlim 1st wife is just so brainwashed.
another good drama after exorcist meter in a short time from tvb. i enjoy this drama every minute. normally i dont like watching drama that are set in that era. but this drama captivates me with the storyline that is fast paced, original and suspencefull. good cast of actors/actresses and most of them have delivered a good performance. even grace did it well. she has improved a lot in my opinion.
@kolo
i agree, this is another good drama from tvb. not a super big cast and normally i don’t like drama from this era. the trailer about an all-female ensemble captured my attention and decided to give it a try. i like the fact how they portrayed that it was a male chauvinistic society but also slightly paradox the stupidity of men back in that era how they relied on women to do all the work to feed them and not having any common sense. i think the brains behind this show are trying to convey the message that female are as capable as male and those who fail to see are just too stubborn, stupid and obnoxious.
i like him! he is def one of few good actor at TVB.
Look like lots of good comments on this show. i might give it a chance.
It’s hard for me to fathom when I read people are complimenting that TVB made a good drama.
@anon HAHAHA I agree. I did really enjoy The Exorcist’s Meter, so I’ll probably give it a try. TEM was my first TVB drama after like a 4 year hiatus because I just gave up on TVB altogether.
U@lyu310 I too agree. TVB reminds me of Elvis Presley’s manager colonel Tom Parker. Once the money’s coming in, to hell with how the actors feel about the badly written, produced and directed scripts. They do not utilize the full talent men like Timothy Cheng bring to the table. They were always a studio run by ruthless, money grubbing individuals.
In more recent years, they’ve become more shallow and are focussing more on pretty faces. Most of their actors are former models or contestants in Mr Hong Kong. The actresses are contestants from beauty pageants and models. No emphasis is placed on whether these men and women can act or not, and they can’t act, More often than not.Unfortunately, there are viewers who only languish on physical appearances, and TVB
Powers that be think all viewers are like that. Fortunately I have been lucky to discover, right here at Jaynestars, that there are those who like a drama based on substance, depth, a great plot and one that that moves you to tears, laughter and have you on the edge of your seat, regardless of what the characters look like. One that makes you anxious for the next episode. In other words, a good drama. TVB has not been known for that, so it is refreshing when they do make a decently good one.
@bubbletea “In more recent years, they’ve become more shallow and are focussing more on pretty faces”
Sorry to burst your bubble(tea) but that has always been the case in every single entertainment industry. So I don’t think it’s fair to only hold TVB accountable for that. If Chow Yun Fat wasn’t tall he wouldn’t have been given a chance to start at TVB (I love CYF but he isn’t a natural talent when it comes to acting, he worked hard for it and polished skills throughout the years).
@peanutbutterjelly thanks for the heads up. You are right. Looks have always been the high point of all the studios, all over the world. However, they did let in some actresses and actors who did not have the *look*. An example….Angelababy. She was butt hurt ugly when she first started acting. Nowadays, an actress starting out who looks like that would be dismissed, unless she got major, and I mean major plastic surgery. Now it is a hundred percent all about the *look*. I should have explained myself better.
@peanutbutterjelly
Yeh. There has been countless interviews from former classmates and TVB teachers that Chow Yun Fat was as wooden and non talented as they come when it comes to acting, to the point where he was so close to getting dropped. Looks and timing are very important. Back in the early 1980s there was a shortage of lead actors with many switching to other stations so more opportunities were given to aspiring actors/actresses. Nowadays TVB have the monopoly and looks are important for the initial opportunities. However, TV series have become more advanced and there are online forums and social media posting critiques and reviews. Even the best looks won’t ensure unlimited opportunities. The likes of Grace will still have to keep improving otherwise will be eventually filtered out. Even in ‘the Forgotten Valley’ it looks evident that TVB have reduced her role and have not included too many scenes that requires strong acting. This is a good method slowly build Graces’s confidence and experience. Simply throwing her into another ‘Captain of Destiny’ where she is the centre of attention would be career ending.
@lyu310 Though at the same time, let’s not forget that TEM wasn’t originally TVB’s idea, since the script resulted from a contest open to all TVB employees where the winner received a cash prize and got to see their story idea made into a series. So in a sense, let’s not be too quick to heap praise on TVB for TEM’s success because if it had followed the ‘traditional’ path, the series might have fared a similar fate to all the rest of TVB’s run-of-the-mill formulaic series. This is also why I caution against getting too excited over TEM’s sequel, as there’s a huge chance it will be nowhere similar to the original even if the characters are the same and the story continues from where the previous one left off.
In terms of Forgotten Valley – can you believe that reporters are already asking the production team (specifically the scriptwriter) if they are going to make a sequel? Like really? But I guess nowadays, TVB series don’t have to be well-received or even have high ratings to garner a sequel / spinoff / additional content. Look at Heart and Greed – that series’ ratings in HK sucked and was heavily criticized left and right (a sign that it wasn’t well-received by HK audiences), yet there is now BOTH a movie version and stage version in the works…go figure!
@llwy12 I do wonder how much of the idea in TEM translated into final screen? Could be just a taxi driver who can see ghosts.
Don’t get too overexcited about ‘the Forgotten Valley’ please! Like I have mentioned before, it is just a very poor, simplified, shorter version of ‘Dance of Passion’. The cast is much more inexperienced, the script is much weaker and predictable and the dialogue is a lot more simple. However ‘the Forgotten Valley’ is still watchable because nothing else is on and ‘everyone likes Raymond’. The rest of the male support cast are likeable too plus some of the women cast. Overall, this is a very good series to kill some time but not a deep thinking series for educated, thoughtful viewers.
Do people actually still like this after the ending? This is my contender for worst TVB series. I wish I was kidding. I can’t believe I liked the first couple of episodes, after watching the ending I feel dirty.
@peanutbutterjelly
Usually at the start of the year after the awards, TVB would release a cheap forgettable series and this year is no exception. It’s a happy ending which is accepted with open arms but certainly too good to be true. If narrow minded, traditional villagers can change completely overnight then this world can become a much better place. I don’t think any of the actors/actresses can be happy with their screentime and character development in the series. Not surprised at all that Louisa and Cilla have ran after the completion of this. Max Cheung has done well again. Raymond has been unlucky that he has not been given a main lead in a mega anniversary series yet. His biggest ones have been under Wayne Lai in ‘Overacheivers and The Confidant’. His big opportunity was ‘Captain of Destiny’ but fell ill and Tony Hung took over and we knew how that turned out.
@jimmyszeto This is touted as a female empowerment drama yet it screws over the female cast the most in terms of writing and story development.
Raymond Wong’s performance here is serviceable though nothing earth shattering and I don’t care about his character. I liked him most in ‘Bottled Passion’. Grace Chan is really not that bad but god, her character is frustrating to watch.
People here won’t agree with me but I honestly think, all things considered, this drama is even worse than Bet Hur which, don’t misunderstand me, is a pile of sh*t but at least it never pretended to be anything more than what it’s presenting to us: ridiculous and tasteless.
Forgotten Valley on the other hand pretends to be about something, pats itself on the back for the premise and lazy its ways through the tvb formula. Which would be fine and just yet another run-off-the-mill bad tvb drama that I can forget about in two days… but then they had to have the kind of ending that makes my blood boil and everything just so much more nauseating to digest.
@peanutbutterjelly
Raymond is decent in most series. The inner pain he showed in Bottled Passion was brilliant, the villain role in Overachievers was decent and he was great as the caring husband/father in Swipe Tap Love. There’s never a WOW factor about Raymond but he is very likeable and I would think a ratings guarantee. Like I said though, it’s early in the year and the cheap series are always broadcasted first because these are chosen by TVB as non awards potential. Raymand unfortunately has another one of these cheap series coming up in “Apple Colada.”
@peanutbutterjelly I agree with you and I haven’t seen Bet Hur. But I do like the last episode. I like to see the main villain arriving and punished everyone. That’s equality.
@funnlim I wish Raymond’s character actually cut his dad’s arm off.
The last villain feels like a cop out from TVB because they don’t want to make the dad evil… Which he already is in my eyes.
I actually liked the last episode. But the ending was too happy that all sins were forgotten. But it was at least a complete ending. In the end no one leaves the village. I mean they did leave literally but they went back. This time for good reasons but from ep 1 everyone seems stuck there.
The head villager having a laugh and apologising at the end definitely makes up for the attempted murder and burial of Jeannie. His apology definitely makes the drug rape acceptable and forgivable. The men have redeemed themselves for Jeannie burning herself alive. If I was Raymond I would still punch his dad‘s face in till he is out cold..
@jimmyszeto Completely agreed. From a narrative and thematic perspective he is the true villain and embodiment of the patriarchy of the show and should die in a fire. Yet we get a surprise antagonist the last goddamn minute and the fact that he tried to burn four women alive just two episodes ago got swept under the rug? What kind of nonsense is that? Seriously, the more I think about this show the angrier I get.
Jeannie’s character would be rolling over in her grave if she actually had a body left.