TVB Could Not Afford Eason Chan as “Voice of Stars” Judge?
It has earlier been reported that TVB has invited Eason Chan (陳奕迅) to be one of the judges in the singing competition, Voice of Stars <星夢傳奇>. However, due to TVB’s strict guidelines and Eason’s busy schedule, the collaboration did not materialize.
Eason was been a judge in Chines talent program, The X-Factor <中國最強音>, since April this year. TVB had originally hoped to bank on his experience as a judge in the similar Voice of Stars, which premiered this week. TVB reportedly only offered Eason $500 HKD per episode for his travelling expenses, compared to his multi-million RMB appearance on The X-Factor. TVB could only pay Eason according to the program’s strict guidelines set.
Furthermore, Eason was busy preparing for his upcoming concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum and could not find the time to appear in the show.
Rising Popularity of Singing Competitions
Singing competition reality shows have been gaining popularity in mainland China recently, resulting in a demand for veteran singers to appear on the shows as judges. When The Voice of China <中国好声音> was aired last year, judges including Na Ying (那英), Harlem Yu (庾澄庆) and Liu Huan (刘欢) earned 20 million RMB as remuneration. By the time the second season was rolled out, big names such as A-Mei (张惠妹) were being offered as much as 1 million RMB for each episode.
As for The X-Factor, besides Eason, judges like Lo Ta Yu (罗大佑) and Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) were paid from 60,000 RMB for each episode.
It is thus not surprising then that TVB wished to jump on the rising popularity of such singing competitions and heighten the entertainment factor by featuring its own artists. TVB Director of Production, Sandy Yu (余咏珊), admitted that Voice of Stars is based loosely on mainland counterparts.
Pseudo-Reality?
Voice of Stars has been plagued by scandals since its filming in May this year. Before the competition began, an insider revealed that the results were already decided and the list of finalists were fixed. The auditions were merely part of the show, to prevent any calling of unfairness. He went on to further reveal the list of finalists as Edwin Siu (萧正楠), Vincent Wong (王浩信) and Grace Wong (王君馨).
Judges Eric Moo (巫启贤) and Dominic Chow (周启生) often ridiculed each other on the show, leading to much awkwardness. However, it was reported that the bickering was planned to make the show more interesting. The judges’ harsh criticisms have caused controversy as well. After Becky Lee’s (李璧琦) performance, her voice was described as having a “dry ice effect”. Eric said sarcastically, “Stop spraying! The temperature will affect the singing!” which led some to think that Eric was mocking TVB.
Source: 21CN.com
This article is written by Karen for JayneStars.com.
What!?!? Is it a typo?!? 500HK!!
Haha $500 sounds right. Tvb use to ask guests to show up without any pay. That is long ago and that is how tvb and the big record labels got into fight.
HKD500 is a joke but the remuneration paid by Mainland China are equally as crazy.
No, not a typo…that amount is right in line with how cheap TVB is. But hey, if we think about it, at least getting $500 is better than getting only a red envelope with a piece of paper inside with words of encouragement written on it (that’s what alot of the artists who filmed all those ILHK movies for TVB got…).
What’s new, TVB?
dont want to see him on tv anyway
I don’t like that Eason, his absence or no show will actually help the ratings. If he is on set, I will not be one of the viewers.
Agree!
$500HKD traveling expenses per episode? I guess Eason has to travel by bus from his hotel/home from China to the Lo Wu, go through immigration and then take the subway near TVB studios and run the rest of the way to the studio and then do the same going back…
why china’s x-factor even considers zhang zi-yi? O.o
Yeah IKR! I thought acting is her forte..
HKD 500 has to be a typo – how can they even offer this rate?
it is ridiculous
Why did they use Sally Yeh? Yes she is a famous singer back in the days but on the show she acts like a cougar that tends to favor the male contestants. Plus her Chinese is so bad what she says doesn’t really make sense.
Sally yeh is better than Eason chan! For this kind of tv show!
I’m not really like Eason Chan….is he that good?? seems so popular now days. he has been given title god of songs and I don’t think he has reach that level, Jacky Cheung is the best for me, he is the true legend 🙂
TVB has been a big joke lately, heck, for the last 5 or so years since the ending of Moonlight Resonance. Their demise is getting closer and closer. Within a span of the next 10 years, they will no longer be on top in Southeast Asia. “Triumph in the Skies 2” will determine the nail on the coffin for them. Agree or disagree, you know it’s true.
I did watch hk the voice 1,2 and 3. Somehow this season 4 really ridiculous. Competition within the actors and actresses. Zzzzz. It’s just a performance being put up by tvb only.
I think the point of the competition for actors and actresses is to give them a chance to make a break into the singing business. TVB pays really cheap so they want to increase their income. This is one of TVB’s way of payback, by giving them a chance to prove themselves.