Astro on Demand TVB Awards 2013

Astro's award ceremony has typically been seen as the precursor to TVB's awards. Check out the stats for how well Astro has predicted the TVB results.

Voting link here (Only Malaysians can vote.)

Here is the nomination list, along with my picks (in blue italics) and predictions (in bold):

Best Series
Inbound Troubles, Seasons of Love, A Great Way to Care II, Slow Boat Home, A Change of Heart, Awfully Lawful, Triumph in the Skies II, Always and Ever, Sniper Standoff, Brother's Keeper, Will Power, The Hippocratic Crush II

Notable Omissions: Friendly Fire is actually ranked third in ratings as of now.
Winner: Triumph in the Skies II


Best Actor

How do I vote for myself?

Roger Kwok (Inbound Troubles)
Wong Cho Lam (Inbound Troubles)
Bosco Wong (A Change of Heart)
Francis Ng (TITS2)
Julian Cheung (TITS2)
Ron Ng (TITS2)
Ruco Chan (Brother's Keeper)
Edwin Siu (Brother's Keeper)
Moses Chan (Will Power)
Wayne Lai (Will Power)
Kenneth Ma (The Hippocratic Crush II)
Lawrence Ng (The Hippocratic Crush II)


Notable Omissions: Bobby Au-Yeung; Michael Tse would be on the list if he hadn't left TVB.
Winner: Julian Cheung


Best Actress 

Just hand the award over and no one gets hurt.

Sharon Chan (Friendly Fire)
Nancy Wu (Seasons of Love)
Louise Lee (Reality Check)
Niki Chow (A Change of Heart)
Joey Meng (A Change of Heart)
Fala Chen (TITS2)
Myolie Wu (TITS2)
Esther Kwan (Always and Ever)
Kate Tsui (Sniper Standoff)
Linda Chung (Brother's Keeper)
Kristal Tin (Brother's Keeper)
Tavia Yeung (The Hippocratic Crush II)

Notable Omissions: The Beauty at War ladies
Winner: Linda Chung


Best Supporting Actor

I need some trophies to use as weights.

Edwin Siu (A Great Way to Care II)
Vincent Wong (A Change of Heart)
Pal Sinn (Awfully Lawful)
Him Law (TITS2)
Patrick Dunn (TITS2)
Pierre Ngo (Always and Ever)
Ben Wong (Always and Ever)
Louis Yuen (Brother's Keeper)
Jason Chan (Will Power)
Benjamin Yuen (The Hippocratic Crush II)

Notable Omissions: Louis Cheung in Brother's Keeper
Winner: Him Law



Best Supporting Actress
Samantha Ko (Friendly Fire)
Ivana Wong (Inbound Troubles)
Angela Tong (Inbound Troubles)
Christine Kuo (A Great Way to Care II)
Mandy Wong (A Change of Heart)
Grace Wong (Awfully Lawful)
Nancy Wu (TITS2)
Elena Kong (TITS2)
Rebecca Zhu (Always and Ever)
Eliza Sam (Sniper Standoff)

Notable Omissions: Really loved Selena Li in Awfully Lawful
Winner: Nancy Wu


Most Promising Actor
Jason Chan, William Chak, Sammy Shum, Matt Yeung, Benjamin Yuen

Notable Omissions: Fred Cheng - though he hasn't been prominent in dramas yet
Winner: Benjamin Yuen


Most Promising Actress

I've got my eye on the prize.

Priscilla Wong, Elaine Yiu, Grace Wong, Rebecca Zhu, Eliza Sam

Notable Omissions: Christine Kuo - not that she deserves a nomination, but she's supposed to be heavily promoted
Winner: Eliza Sam

Actually I love the bear more than Sam.

Best On-screen Couple
Roger Kwok & Joey Meng (Inbound Troubles)
Louis Cheung & Ivana Wong (Inbound Troubles)
Bosco Wong & Niki Chow (A Change of Heart)
Francis Ng & Fala Chen (TITS2)
Julian Cheung & Fala Chen (TITS2)
Ron Ng & Myolie Wu (TITS2)
Him Law & Nancy Wu (TITS2)
Bobby Au-Yeung & Esther Kwan (Always and Ever)
Ruco Chan & Linda Chung (Brother's Keeper)
Kenneth Ma & Tavia Yeung (The Hippocratic Crush II)

Notable Omissions: Sammy Leung & Sharon Chan in Friendly Fire
Winner: Kenneth Ma & Tavia Yeung


Best Theme Song
Edwin Siu - A Great Way to Care II
Hubert Wu - Karma Rider
George Lam - Triumph in the Skies II - huh??
Pierre Ngo - Always and Ever
Joey Yung - The Hippocratic Crush II

Notable Omissions: Bosco Wong - A Change of Heart
Winner: Joey Yung - The Hippocratic Crush II


Favourite Character Award (There's usually 10-15 winners for this award)
Friendly Fire - Sharon Chan
Inbound Troubles - Wong Cho Lam, Roger Kwok, Ivana Wong
Reality Check - Louise Lee
A Great Way to Care II - Alex Fong
Bullet Brain - Natalie Tong
Beauty at War - Ada Choi
Slow Boat Home - Raymond Wong, Aimee Chan
A Change of Heart - Michael Miu, Bosco Wong, Niki Chow, Joey Meng
Triumph in the Skies II - Francis Ng, Julian Cheung, Fala Chen, Myolie Wu, Ron Ng, Nancy Wu
Always and Ever - Bobby Au-Yeung, Esther Kwan, Pierre Ngo
Sniper Standoff - Michael Tse, Eddie Cheung, Kathy Chow, Kate Tsui
Brother's Keeper - Ruco Chan, Edwin Siu, Linda Chung, Kristal Tin
Will Power - Moses Chan, Wayne Lai, Christine Ng
The Hippocratic Crush II - Lawrence Ng, Kenneth Ma, Tavia Yeung, Him Law, Mandy Wong

Notable Omissions: None - just about everyone who's anybody got nominated
Winners: Kenneth Ma, Tavia Yeung, Ruco Chan, Edwin Siu, Linda Chung, Bosco Wong, Ron Ng, Nancy Wu, Julian Cheung, Myolie Wu
Winners: Mandy Wong, Kristal Tin, Wong Cho Lam, Francis Ng, Fala Chen


Best Programme Host
Maria Cordero (Shop & Chop)
Johnson Lee (Office of Practical Jokers)
Eric Tsang & Co. (Super Trio Maximus)
Tony Hung & Priscilla Wong (Pilgrimage of Wealth)
Carol Cheng & Amigo Chui (The Voice of Stars)

Notable Omissions: Luisa Maria Leitão for Telling Maria 2
Winner: Eric Tsang & Co.


Best Variety Show
Shop & Chop, Office of Practical Jokers, Super Trio Maximus, The Voice of Stars, Pilgrimage of Wealth

Notable Omissions: Telling Maria 2
Winner: Super Trio Maximus


Best Informative Programme
From Hand to Art, Pilgrimage of Hope, Hong Kong So Blessed, Sidewalk Scientist, Xtreme Marathon

Notable Omissions: None
Winner: Pilgrimage of Hope



Success Rate = 18/27 (67%)

TVB Calender 2014

Love the sports theme! Feels so energetic and refreshing. The number for each month is hidden in the pictures. Can you find it? :)

January: Priscilla Wong, Mandy Wong, Sire Ma, Christine Kuo, Natalie Tong, Ron Ng, Bosco Wong, Linda Chung

February: Louise Lee, Nancy Sit, Johnson Lee, Skye Chan, Astrid Chan, Louis Yuen, Wong Cho Lam, Lau Dan

March: Michael Tse, Raymond Lam, Kate Tsui, Dayo Wong, Eliza Sam

April: Matt Yeung, Matthew Ko, Edwin Siu, Carol Cheng, Moses Chan, Tavia Yeung, Chris Lai, Fred Cheng

May: Ben Wong, Kevin Cheng, Charmaine Sheh, Roger Kwok, Jason Chan

June: Evergreen Mak, Tsui Wing, Ruco Chan, King Kong, Natalis Chan, Tony Hung, Eric Tsang, Lawrence Cheng, Ronald Law, Eddie Kwan, Patrick Dunn

July: Shirley Yeung, Queenie Chu, Timmy Hung, Sharon Chan, Chin Ka Lok, Samantha Ko, Grace Chan, Rebecca Zhu

August: Koni Lui, Vincent Wong, Oceane Zhu, Him Law, Vivien Yeo, Oscar Leung, Tracy Ip, Jessie Sum

September: Jack Wu, Stephen Huynh, Benjamin Yuen, Raymond Wong, Amigo Chui, Myolie Wu, Kenny Wong, Sammy Shum, Carlos Ng, Koo Ming Wah

October: Joey Meng, Esther Kwan, Bobby Au-Yeung, Nancy Wu, Wayne Lai, Flora Chan, Michelle Yim

November: Eddie Cheung, Michael Miu, Lawrence Ng, Maggie Siu, Liza Wang, Ada Choi, Kristal Tin

December: Elaine Yiu, Florence Kwok, Joe Ma, Sonija Kwok, Elena Kong, Louisa So, Lin Xia Wei, Kenneth Ma

All images from TVB.com

Official Poster for Bounty Lady

Comment: Really looking forward to this! I'm currently re-watching To Catch the Uncatchable and Dayo Wong is seriously hilarious! Bounty Lady will be released on November 25. 

Guessing Game - Mixed Bag

Can you guess the dramas these pictures came from?

(Play the first guessing game here)

Hints:

First row
1. Valentine's Day series
2. Paired with Linda Chung
3. She was the young version
4. His first leading role

Second row
1. "How many decades are there in life?"
2. Chinese calligraphy
3. Government Flying Service
4. He has a rapid aging disease

Third row
1. IV (Roman numeral)
2. TVB-CCTV collaboration
3. A policeman's best friend
4. Death once more

Answers are posted here.

Answers from previous game:

Myolie: When a Dog Loves a Cat, A Chip off the Old Block, When Rules Turn Loose, In the Eye of the Beholder
Moses: The Dance of Passion, 4 in Love, Healing Hands III, Fly With Me
Bosco: The Gem of Life, The Price of Greed, War of the In-Laws, Dicey Business

Guessing Game

Can you guess which dramas these pictures came from?

Hints:

Myolie

1. It's raining _____________
2. You're just like your father (idiom)
3. A legal drama
4. Beauty is ______________

Moses

1. Think yellow
2. A MK guy and an international superstar
3. His first drama
4. Superwoman

Bosco

1. Glittering jewellery
2. A group of con artists
3. Boscolie
4. Roll the dice

Answers are posted here. Have fun! :)

TVB Sales Presentation 2014

Read the synopsis for each series!

The Returnees Category

Bounty Lady - Dayo Wong must have agreed to film for TVB only on the condition that he gets to kiss all the ladies in the series. Set to air in December 2013.




M Club - Another lucky man. Lawrence Ng gets to pick whichever of the 7 former TVB actresses he wants.




Apostle Walker - Charmaine Sheh is back and Raymond Lam takes enough time away from his BB to film this series. Raymond will be an undercover cop. There will be conflict between the police and ICAC, featuring Michael Miu, Sammy Leung and Sharon Chan.

Property Protector - The return of Steven Ma, reunited with familiar partner Tavia Yeung. The story revolves around a family silk business.

The Just-for-Laughs Category

Vinegar Lady - Him Law and Ron Ng fight over Myolie Wu. Then who does Eliza Sam get?




Mr & Mrs Bean - Eliza gets Bosco Wong of course!




Inbound Troubles II - Roger Kwok and Joey Meng have both expressed that their roles are very surprising.

The Overcoming Challenges Category

Big Pharmacy - The pharmaceutical factory owned by Linda Chung's family closes down. Now Linda must support her family, fight against epidemics AND deal with a love rectangle.

Walk With You - Myolie Wu is a blind girl, who receives unconditional support from boyfriend Moses Chan.




The Wayne Lai Category

Eunuch Five Tigers - Spin-off from The Confidant. The story takes place after the fall of the Qing Dynasty.




Water Hair and Powder - Joyce Koi is an opera singer who performs as a male character. She is at a lost about how to love in her daily life, leading to problems in her relationship with Wayne.




Business Battle - Wayne Lai, Ron Ng, Kenny Wong, Johnson Lee


The Incompetent Law Enforcement Category

Tiger Cubs II - More guns, more masculinity and more explosions that never kill anybody.




Good Bad Person - Roger Kwok is a lawyer, Ron Ng is a police officer. Can you tell who's good and who's bad?




Sky Eye - Watch out for that gun in Tavia's hand! She collaborates with Ruco Chan, who plays a computer programmer. The drama also includes TVB's newest star, Fred Cheng.




Battle Again Tomorrow - Lawrence Ng and Kate Tsui are correctional officers that develop a May-December relationship. KK Cheung and Joyce Tang will have a relationship line as well.

The Hippocratic Crush II Promo Clips

Overview, Official Poster, Theme Song

Promo #1


Promo #2


Promo #3


Promo #4


Promo #5


Promo #6


Promo #7


Promo #8


Promo #9


Promo #10


Extended Trailer

Sniper Standoff Review

This is Casual TVB's 200th post! Yay!



Producer: Kwan Wing Chung

Genre: Police, action

Cast: Eddie Cheung, Michael Tse, Kate Tsui, Kathy Chow, Eliza Sam, Alice Chan

Plot: 
Kate Tsui jumps from more explosions than I can count. Kathy Chow survives a head shot. Michael Tse casually lets bullets whiz by him, while the foreign president's whole family can dodge bullets in sync. No, this is not Matrix 4, just Sniper Standoff.

And the SDU team? Oh look, here they come, rushing in after the damage has been done.

Review:

If, from Tiger Cubs, you got the impression that the SDU was invincible, Sniper Standoff will show you that they are not. They are made to look so incompetent that it's almost laughable. From beginning to end, they are out-witted by a single person, and even in the end, they did not catch the bad guys based on their own merits. If these are the so-called "best of the best", I cannot imagine what the worst will look like.

The plot is full of holes and inconsistencies. It's not just in the details, like why Kate is chasing down criminals in 5-inch high heels. The scriptwriters overlooked more fundamental errors. What about the fact Kate pointed a gun to someone's head in public? How can Eliza Sam shoot down a criminal against orders and receive no disciplinary action, whereas Michael got the boot over a similar incident?

What I do like about this series is the fast pace. There are lots of exciting action scenes: bullets flying everywhere, explosions, car chases, etc. The plot is also moving along quickly. All the cases fit together into the larger story; there is no dwelling on irrelevant sub-plots. Although the plot itself is bullet-ridden, at least the story, taken as a whole, felt like a coherent story instead of a mash-up of randomness.

Michael Tse has unfortunately become Laughing Gor in all his roles now. His character is pretty much the same as Laughing Gor, except he works for the triads this time. Kate Tsui is also in her typical role as police officer for the n^th time. However, she does a good job in the emotional scenes in the latter half of the series. Eddie Cheung has a stoic character, but he manages to bring out the personality of the character. Kathy Chow just looks old. I was looking forward to see her character's change for the bad, but it was unsatisfyingly short and incomplete. Eliza Sam is unsuitable as a sniper as she lacks the tough demeanour. I'm glad there wasn't a heavy focus on her. That being said, I would have loved to see better development of the character itself. She spent more time whining about not being able to participate in real missions, rather than actually proving herself capable of being a real SDU. Alice Chan, in a similar position as Friendly Fire, is less attractive here, with toned down seductiveness and evilness.

Conclusion: Watch with half a brain and just enjoy the action. 

Rating: 3/5

P.S. Someone actually compiled a video of all the explosions Kate has survived (link)


Related posts:
Tiger Cubs vs Sniper Standoff
Overview - Sniper Standoff
The Police Career of Madam Kate

Tiger Cubs vs Sniper Standoff

OCTB Madam - Jessica Hsuan vs Kate Tsui
 


SDU Senior Inspector of Police - Joe Ma vs Vincent Lam




SDU Station Sergeant - Savio Tsang vs Eddie Cheung
 


First Female SDU - Mandy Wong vs Eliza Sam
 


Snipers - Oscar Leung & Vincent Wong vs William Chak & Nathan Ngai




The Double Dippers (ie. in both dramas) - William Chak and Raymond Tsang
 


Tiger Cubs Review
Sniper Standoff Review