Dear TVB...

[sunnydayz3]

Dear TVB,

I know you'll never read this, but as a disgruntled fan, I feel I've got to let my feelings be known, somehow. Maybe someday all my fellow disgruntled fans will join in and finally get you to fire the monkeys you've got working in your senior management, a.k.a. Stephen Chan and Virginia Lok.

Bart Simpson once said "It's hard not to believe everything TV says, because it raised us".

You know, you did have a role in raising me. You're the reason why I can speak Chinese fluently. Your subtitles are the reason why I can read and type Chinese today. Hell, Files of Justice is the reason why I almost went to law school. But... what happened?! You've changed so much over the last five years that I really do not know you anymore.

What happened to the thoughtful, intelligent scripts you once had? Where are today's The Greed of Man and Journey to the West? What happened to the memorable characters you once had? Where are today's Tsui Fei and Lok Tin Yau? Where are the recognition and opportunities for your talented ke-le-fes like Rain Lau, Ai Wai, and Akina Hong? Are all your talented Gen X actors dead? No, they're not. It's just you showed them your new-unimproved self by giving them moronic scripts when they're nice enough to return (Gallen Lo in When Dog Loves a Cat). Or you decided to let them go (Patrick Lam, Kong Wah). My vote's on the fact that they were smart enough to realize what you've become to play in your stupid sham of a game and instead decided to get married and/or crank out a couple of kids. Hell, some of them decided to spend some time getting a divorce instead. Ada Choi, Kenix Kwok, Michael Tao, Esther Kwan, Alex Fong... how I wish they would just kill your monkeys off.

Oh, don't get me wrong. You've rewarded us with some exceptions over the past 5 years (Triumph in the Skies, The Dance of Passion, Misleading Track, La Femme Desperado, The Master of Tai Chi)... but then the 2006 Awards Show happened. And it all went downhill from there. I should have known, when you crowned Kevin Cheng and Charmaine Sheh Best Actor/Actress, that TVB was headed towards its darkest time in history. Do you know why Dodo Cheng was the only one who correctly guessed that the questionably talented Kevin Cheng would win Best Actor for a series no one remembers anymore? It's because she has seen, first-hand, what TVB has become. You're not white, TVB. You don't have the resources nor talent to be the Golden Globes. I liked your witty skits and humorous hosting in your past award shows. Why did you have to fix something that wasn't broken?

Ever-optimistic, I decided to forget the 2006 awards ever happened and decided to count it as a silly indiscretion. Then came 2007... and with it came... what's that, folks? That's right: Heart of Greed. This series gave new meaning to the word "hype". Never, in my 10+ years of watching TVB, have I encountered such meaninglessly, undeserved hype. We all thought the hype was more than enough, but then you decided to let the stupid thing sweep the awards. You know... Bowie Lam deserved his Best Actor award. Roger Kwok deserved his. And to continue Bowie's and Roger's legacy - you give the 2007 award to Moses Chan? What the hell!? And then give everyone in the HOG party a piece of the pie, no matter how little they deserved it? The 2007 awards became little more than an incenstuous festival where TVB's PTP (Powers That Be) pat themselves on the back for fooling the audience for the second year in a row. Stephen Chan, you're nothing but a self-congratulating moron.

But thank the skies that I'm young, because with any luck, I will live to see the day that he no longer runs this circus. Maybe then TVB go back to what it was before. It's not too late.

Don't tell us you can't put on an intelligent, well-planned, moving show anymore. All you have to do is make sure Stephen Chan isn't holding the reins. You did that with Lydia Shum's memorial service. That redeemed the very little faith I had in you... until this year, when you decided to film Moonlight Resonance. Have you not tortured us enough!? Is there a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel?

Maybe we need to blame your senior management cadre. I choose to. I had never heard of Stephen Chan's name until 2005's over-hyped War of In-Laws. This man-devil is the reason TVB has morphed into this crap. He is fundamentally incapable of recognizing and/or promoting local talent... or is Hong Kong now so devoid of talented actors that TVB has to go overseas to find stars (Bernice Liu, Linda Chung)? Or better yet, focusing on people too lazy to go to acting school and instead joining Miss HK b/c they know the man-devil is stupid enough to go there looking for talent? Go back to your roots, TVB, and start recruiting from the Acting Academy. Tavia and Raymond are alumni and they're doing just fine.

Sir Run Shaw Shaw, where are you? Can't you come back and fix this stupid charade?

TVB, is it that you just don't care anymore? If that's the case, just tell us, because then we will stop caring too.

[krazilinni]

nice post, i agree with alot of things u said..
just wanna point out some stuff...
TVB have always recruited actresses from Miss HK, most of our favs usually came from the miss HK....however, the acting skill bar seem to be super low now then what it was in the past for those ladies.

and also, don't forget HK was return back to mainland china at the end of the 90s, that probably impact things alot...and maybe thats why TVB have change...?

[MysticDust]

yes, I always find it funny when ppl get all worked up against miss hks starring in tvb series. After all, some of the most likeable ones were miss hks: ada choi, noel leung, etc.

[Trinie]

yes, I always find it funny when ppl get all worked up against miss hks starring in tvb series. After all, some of the most likeable ones were miss hks: ada choi, noel leung, etc.

Actually, A LOT of other actresses which came from the MS HK pageants besides just Ada Choi and Noel Leung were well liked. However, most of the newer ones are the ones that suddenly can't act. Some other examples of MS HK( and other contestants that came from the pageants but didn't win) that are highly loved actresses are:
-Angie Chiu-a veteran actress that is still popular today. She was 4th place in the first MS HK in 1973.
-Barbara Yung- was a contestant during the MS HK 1982 pageant
-Anita Yuen-MS Hk 1990, a very popular actress today
-Amy Kwok-MS HK1991, a pretty good actress
-Kenix Kwok- was one of the top 5 in the MS HK 1993 pageant
-Kathy Chow-she was one of the contestants in the MS HK 1985 pageant, a great actress
-Michele Reis-MS HK 1988, a very popular actress
-Shalin Tse Ning-MS HK 1985, was a very popular actress from the 80s.
-Maggie Cheung Man Yuk- Second place in MS HK 1993 pageant, a very popular actress
-Maggie Cheung Ho Yee-4th place in MS HK 1994 pageant, a very popular actress
-Cally Kwong-was second or third place in the 1982 pageant, a very popular singer
-Pauline Yeung-MS HK 1987, used to act for TVB and was popular for a period of time.
and so many more actresses that came from the HK pageant...
I think it started to go downhill after 1994. I used to enjoy watching MS HK pageants, but after 94 I started to not like it too much.... TVB is really going downhill....I heard that the great kung fu choreographer that used to work for TVB, Cheng Siu Dong now works for movies only... I don't think it is only the cast, but the great staff as well... How sad.. TVB just can't be like how it used to be anymore..... sigh... I miss the OLD days so much!!!

[ProtoM]

I applaud your effort for a well written argument about the mis-management of TVB excutives. Seriously i absolutely hate TVB now. The good ol' days were much better. I dont have a problem with them using actresses from the Miss HK pageant, but it is not good for them to promote these "actresses" that much until talent is proven.

[MysticDust]

Actually, A LOT of other actresses which came from the MS HK pageants besides just Ada Choi and Noel Leung were well liked. However, most of the newer ones are the ones that suddenly can't act. Some other examples of MS HK( and other contestants that came from the pageants but didn't win) that are highly loved actresses are:
-Angie Chiu-a veteran actress that is still popular today. She was 4th place in the first MS HK in 1973.
-Barbara Yung- was a contestant during the MS HK 1982 pageant
-Anita Yuen-MS Hk 1990, a very popular actress today
-Amy Kwok-MS HK1991, a pretty good actress
-Kenix Kwok- was one of the top 5 in the MS HK 1993 pageant
-Kathy Chow-she was one of the contestants in the MS HK 1985 pageant, a great actress
-Michele Reis-MS HK 1988, a very popular actress
-Shalin Tse Ning-MS HK 1985, was a very popular actress from the 80s.
-Maggie Cheung Man Yuk- Second place in MS HK 1993 pageant, a very popular actress
-Maggie Cheung Ho Yee-4th place in MS HK 1994 pageant, a very popular actress
-Cally Kwong-was second or third place in the 1982 pageant, a very popular singer
-Pauline Yeung-MS HK 1987, used to act for TVB and was popular for a period of time.
and so many more actresses that came from the HK pageant...
I think it started to go downhill after 1994. I used to enjoy watching MS HK pageants, but after 94 I started to not like it too much.... TVB is really going downhill....I heard that the great kung fu choreographer that used to work for TVB, Cheng Siu Dong now works for movies only... I don't think it is only the cast, but the great staff as well... How sad.. TVB just can't be like how it used to be anymore..... sigh... I miss the OLD days so much!!!

That's what the "etc." is for my friend. lol. But seriously, great list and I agree, the newbies are currently terrible in the acting department. Hopefully, they improve in the future. I think I read somewhere that, in the old days, after some of the contestants decided they want to start acting, they actually take a crash course in tvb acting academy or something (am I wrong?). Do they still do that or does tvb just throw them onscreen and ignore the fact that they are stiff?

[Ken Cheng]

TVB used to operate its own acting academy. New actors always went through the academy, and spent years in minor roles, before they graduated into major roles IF they proved to have the right combination of acting chops, stage presence, and charisma.

Chow Yun Fat, the "Five Tigers" of the 1980s...just about any great TVB actor of that era that didn't come through movies (i.e. 1950s and 1960s veterans) went through the academy. I hear it closed down at the end of the 1980s, though, so that explains much...

[wargods]

TVB used to operate its own acting academy. New actors always went through the academy, and spent years in minor roles, before they graduated into major roles IF they proved to have the right combination of acting chops, stage presence, and charisma.

Chow Yun Fat, the "Five Tigers" of the 1980s...just about any great TVB actor of that era that didn't come through movies (i.e. 1950s and 1960s veterans) went through the academy. I hear it closed down at the end of the 1980s, though, so that explains much...

No, the academy is still operating.

Check this out:
http://zh.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...B7%B4%E7%8F%AD

[MysticDust]

yup, I recall an article saying that Raymond Lam, Tavia, and Ron Ng were in the acting academy at the same time, so they are close friends, so I think it's still in operation. I am just wondering if the new miss hks have to enter the academy or do they just go straight to the acting studio. Cuz, it seems that some of the new ones become tv hosts really quick (but then, I don't follow tvb closely enough to know for sure).

[kidd]

That's what the "etc." is for my friend. lol. But seriously, great list and I agree, the newbies are currently terrible in the acting department. Hopefully, they improve in the future. I think I read somewhere that, in the old days, after some of the contestants decided they want to start acting, they actually take a crash course in tvb acting academy or something (am I wrong?). Do they still do that or does tvb just throw them onscreen and ignore the fact that they are stiff?

Nowadays, tvb will let them become visiting students (旁听生) in their actor training class i.e. they are not full time students, but they will attend the classes to learn skill.
Secondly, not all contestants were given crass courses in the old days. I remember Tse Ling (a former Miss HK winner and TVB lead actress) said that she was never given any training and just thrown into acting straight away after winning the title.

[sunnydayz3]

nice post, i agree with alot of things u said..
just wanna point out some stuff...
TVB have always recruited actresses from Miss HK, most of our favs usually came from the miss HK....however, the acting skill bar seem to be super low now then what it was in the past for those ladies.

and also, don't forget HK was return back to mainland china at the end of the 90s, that probably impact things alot...and maybe thats why TVB have change...?

Yeah, that's what I meant - should have put it in my argument. A lot the older actresses who I like are from Miss HK. I'm just tired of the "new crop" of Miss HKs getting so much promotion and opportunities when they haven't even proven anything yet.

In the past, most Miss HKs started out as either hosts or smaller bit parts in series (Ada Choi, even Charmaine Sheh started out as a supporting cast member). But since the 2000-ish, Miss HKs have been getting lead parts and they are not living up to the expectation. That's what annoys me.

[sunnydayz3]

yup, I recall an article saying that Raymond Lam, Tavia, and Ron Ng were in the acting academy at the same time, so they are close friends, so I think it's still in operation. I am just wondering if the new miss hks have to enter the academy or do they just go straight to the acting studio. Cuz, it seems that some of the new ones become tv hosts really quick (but then, I don't follow tvb closely enough to know for sure).

Yes, Ray and Tavia were both from the same graduating class in the academy. But Ron Ng wasn't (same year, different major) - he was actually a dance major in the academy, not an acting major (like Michael Tse).

Two 'new' TVB actors from the academy are: Chris Lai Lok Yi and Kenneth Ma,

Bosco Wong was actually discovered on the street by some TVB senior executive and started out as a host.

Holy... for the life of me I can't think of any 'new' actress who isn't some pageant queen (Bernice Liu, Linda Chung, Fala Chen, Kate Tsui, Suki Chui, Vivian Neo, Myolie Wu, Sonija Kwok, Shirley Yeung, Charmaine Sheh, Michelle Ye ... all pageant girls).

No, Miss HKs don't have to enter the academy.

[sunnydayz3]

Some other alumni of the academy (this is from their alumni website) include:

1990
- Sunny Chan
- Rain Lau

1991
- Louisa So

1992
- Athena Chu

1995
- Lau Ho Cheung

1998
- Chiu Woon

http://www.hkapa.edu/asp/drama/drama...electyear=1990

[sunnydayz3]

Oh, Nancy Wu is also from the academy. Probably explains why she isn't promoted though she can act, she's pretty, and she looks good with a lot of the young TVB actors. TVB just hates people with talent, don't they?

[krazilinni]

" TVB just hates people with talent, don't they? "


lol that's actually very funny.

[kidd]

Some other alumni of the academy (this is from their alumni website) include:

1990
- Sunny Chan
- Rain Lau

1991
- Louisa So

1992
- Athena Chu

1995
- Lau Ho Cheung

1998
- Chiu Woon

http://www.hkapa.edu/asp/drama/drama...electyear=1990

Please note that these actors are alumni of 'The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts', not TVB acting Academy. It's different from the class Raymond and Tavia took. 'The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts' is a proper college.

Here's some excepts from their 'about us' page

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, established by Government Ordinance in 1984, is one of the leading institutes of higher arts education in Asia. It provides professional education, training and research facilities in the performing arts, theatre and entertainment arts, film and television. Its educational policy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions and interdisciplinary complementarity.

Academic programmes are offered by each of the five Schools from post-secondary Diploma level up to Bachelor Honours Degree level. The Academy was granted degree awarding status in 1992 following an accreditation by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation. The Degree programmes of the Academy are externally validated by that Council.

[kidd]

Yeah, that's what I meant - should have put it in my argument. A lot the older actresses who I like are from Miss HK. I'm just tired of the "new crop" of Miss HKs getting so much promotion and opportunities when they haven't even proven anything yet.

In the past, most Miss HKs started out as either hosts or smaller bit parts in series (Ada Choi, even Charmaine Sheh started out as a supporting cast member). But since the 2000-ish, Miss HKs have been getting lead parts and they are not living up to the expectation. That's what annoys me.

Most Miss HK nowadays also start from small bits. The following actress has done support roles before being given lead roles. Tracy Ip is still play supporting actress eventhough she's Miss HK 2006. Kate Tsui has also played supporting roles first.

Btw, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk's acting sux big time in a series she starred with Leslie Cheung back in the 'good old days'.

This has always been TVB's policy since long time ago. Miss HK has always get a quicker break than normal actors.

And what's with the hate for Stephen Chan? Stephen Chan is just one of the executives. He does not decide all the policies in TVB. So far, I see the policy for actors promotion didn't change. Miss HK has always has better chance in getting lead roles (get your facts right before blaming everything on Stephen Chan). The most obvious change now is actually the script. It's less daring and more family friendly, has more lecturing about moral value. But, this can't completely be blamed on TVB. Even harmless family-friend series get complaints from complain-happy audience. TVB is a commercial company. Audience is their bowl of rice. So, they have to do things to keep these HK audience happy. If not, the HK audience will complain again and Broadcasting Board will give TVB warning and it might affect advertising revenue.

Btw, do you know that it's Stephen Chan who brought the multi-talented Wong Cho Lam from the children's program department to film series?

[kidd]

Holy... for the life of me I can't think of any 'new' actress who isn't some pageant queen (Bernice Liu, Linda Chung, Fala Chen, Kate Tsui, Suki Chui, Vivian Neo, Myolie Wu, Sonija Kwok, Shirley Yeung, Charmaine Sheh, Michelle Ye ... all pageant girls).

No, Miss HKs don't have to enter the academy.

Please name the lead actresses from the 90's that graduated from TVB acting class.

[sunnydayz3]

Most Miss HK nowadays also start from small bits. The following actress has done support roles before being given lead roles. Tracy Ip is still play supporting actress eventhough she's Miss HK 2006. Kate Tsui has also played supporting roles first.

Btw, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk's acting sux big time in a series she starred with Leslie Cheung back in the 'good old days'.

This has always been TVB's policy since long time ago. Miss HK has always get a quicker break than normal actors.

And what's with the hate for Stephen Chan? Stephen Chan is just one of the executives. He does not decide all the policies in TVB. So far, I see the policy for actors promotion didn't change. Miss HK has always has better chance in getting lead roles (get your facts right before blaming everything on Stephen Chan). The most obvious change now is actually the script. It's less daring and more family friendly, has more lecturing about moral value. But, this can't completely be blamed on TVB. Even harmless family-friend series get complaints from complain-happy audience. TVB is a commercial company. Audience is their bowl of rice. So, they have to do things to keep these HK audience happy. If not, the HK audience will complain again and Broadcasting Board will give TVB warning and it might affect advertising revenue.

Btw, do you know that it's Stephen Chan who brought the multi-talented Wong Cho Lam from the children's program department to film series?

Oh, I agree that Stephen Chan has done some good stuff and he does have business saavy. He couldn't have been this successful if he didn't have some level of intelligence (he is articulate, seems approachable, and does have an eye for talent, sometimes).

But put it this way, before I knew who Stephen Chan was (I probably first heard of him around 2004), I at least still thought there was some kind of "guessing" game to be done before the awards shows. Now it seems that every award is predictable - not only by the audience, but the actors themselves can accurately guess who will win the major awards.

Stephen may not decide all the policies at TVB, but he is surely responsible for a lot that has happened since he's taken over the reins. I heard of Virginia Lok long before I ever heard of Stephen and TVB was a bit more respectable or at least seemed to not hype everything up under her management.

Since when has TVB hyped up a series so much that it organizes a massive banquet to "eat dinner and watch the finale with the audience" (Heart of Greed and Moonlight Resonance)? Since when did the TVB try too hard to become the Oscars/Golden Globes at its awards show? All the flash and glamour and hype - it's too much of a change, and a bad one in my opinion. I just want to see what happens if Stephen Chan were not at the top.

As for the Miss HKs... I think that's a tradition to continue on and on and on, long after Stephen Chan leaves.

I can only think of one 90s actress who's taken a lead role who graduated from the academy, and that's Louisa So. Unless Athena Chu has led a TVB series before? Not sure.

I wonder where Akina Hong and Florence Kwok are from?

[sunnydayz3]

Please note that these actors are alumni of 'The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts', not TVB acting Academy. It's different from the class Raymond and Tavia took. 'The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts' is a proper college.

Here's some excepts from their 'about us' page

Really!? Wow, I didn't know that. I always assumed whenever they talk about 'acting academy' they're referring to the HKAPA.

So how long has TVB's acting academy been in operation? I assume that most of the older actors who said they're from the acting academy, they mean the HKAPA?