TVB 2004 Sales Presentation

[Sing Pao]

TVB held its annual sales presntation yesterday, showcasing its coming productions for 2004 to 1500 prospective clients and sponsors and with 70% of next year's advertising profits riding on these companies support, TVB laid on a lavish party at TVB City attended by executives and crew numbering over a hundred staff, including the top male and female artistes. The response from sponsors was strong despite TVB's announcement that rates would be increased by 8% in the coming year.

Presentations shown at the event included:
New series: "Dung Duk San Tam" (Stand Up Sleuth) - Dayo Wong, Ada Choi, Joyce Tang; "Shui Wu Mo Gan Do" (Water Margin Infernal Affairs) - Adam Cheng, Nick Cheung, Wong He, Joyce Tang; "Ching Chu Yu Nam" (From Blue Grows Green) - Bobby Au-Yeung, Michael Tao, Kenix Kwok; "Fong Sai Yuk Ngoi Sheung Hung Hei Goon" (Fong Sai Yuk Loves Hung Hei Goon) - Steven Ma, Shirley Yeung; "Miu Sau Yan Sum 3" (Healing Hands 3) - Louis Koo, Bowie Lam, Flora Chan
Big Shows: "Miss Hong Kong 2004", "2004 Athens Olympics"
External series: "Kung Fu Soccer" - Stephen Chow, "The Painting Spirit" - Michelle Reis, "Qianlong Dynasty"

Some of the artistes present at the show included: Steven Ma, Gigi Lai, Marco Ngai, Kenix Kwok, Joe Ma, Ada Choi, Shek Sau, Charmaine Sheh, Sonija Kwok, Roger Kwok, Moses Chan, Jessica Hsuan and Maggie Cheung.



[Sing Pao]

In the TVB calendar, Roger Kwok has been placed in January replacing Gallen Lo in the number one spot. Roger laughs: "There are twelve months in a year, does that mean that there are only 12 'brothers' in TVB? It may have been arrranged that way because my smile was so bright and sunny, so they placed me in winter to bring some warmth!" He says that being number one isn't so bad, but it would be even better if they could take turns to be the top dog say once every two or three years as he believes there will never be an eternal number once position in this world.

When asked about his confidence in next week's anniversary awards, Roger says that he is quite nervous but no matter if he gets the award or not, he has been happy from the beginning of the year to now because he is finally reaping the rewards of his hard work and his supporters have increased, if he gets the award, he will see it as an opportunity to thank those who have supported him. However the award is not affected by just one person, but as he has never had an award in the seventeen years he has spent in the industry, then even a small award will make him very happy.

http://www.singpao.com/20031113/gossip/476682.html

[Ta Kung Pao]

With suggestions from Gallen Lo that he should get the top award, Roger felt a little embarrassed and said that Gallen is his good elder brother. He says that if he does win the award, he will take his girlfriend on vacation to celebrate. Roger is up against some strong opposition and he thinks that Adam Cheng's character in "The Driving Power" could win the award. He feels little pressure because he has no reputation to live up to and with his recent popularity, his workload has increased and he is having to work very hard. He laughs that if he could choose, he would rather be the 'Enjoy' Top Dog who doesn't have to worry about volume of work increasing,

Roger is getting a little wary of everyone referring to him as "Number One" and says: "I must not think I am the Number 1 forever, that way there will be no room for improvement." Up until the time of press, Roger has not heard any news on plans to film a sequel to "Square Pegs" as yet.

http://www.takungpao.com/news/2003-11-13/UL-197157.htm



[Ta Kung Pao]

Charmaine Sheh appeared in a low back dress at yesterday's presentation and was asked about recent reports that she has fallen out with Maggie Cheung on the set of "Palatial Sins" and that she had announced that she was 'not afraid of Maggie'. In response to this, Charmaine says it is untrue and points out that this is the first time she has worked with Maggie and they share few scenes together and dont come into contact very much, in fact most of her scenes are with Bowie Lam and Gigi Lai.

Some reports have suggested that Charmaine was the one who 'let out gossip', but she says she has not seen this and will need to check it before she comments. As there are many female parts in the series, they had all been prepared for such gossip and she feels it is already late coming out. She says that they have all worked very well together. Does Charmaine feel aggrieved at being accused of gossiping? She says she feels helpless because she doesn't know if someone is maliciously trying to tar her, but she just wants to concentrate on her performance. However in order to stop the gossip getting worse, Charmaine will discuss this with the people involved.

http://www.takungpao.com/news/2003-11-13/UL-197164.htm




[Ta Kung Pao]

Maggie Cheung was asked about the incident with Charmaine and she responded saying she had no comment. When asked about whether they are both gossip-magnets, Maggie laughed that is because they are both pretty girls and great actresses, so they will create beautiful misunderstandings, In fact they have few scenes together and do not have much time to chat so maybe this is what has caused the rumours that have been blown up by the press. Despite the news, Maggie praises Charmaine for her hard work that is admirable. With reports that Charmaine has a cute voice and loves chatting with the men, Maggie does not feel that this is the case. In her mind, she finds Charmaine to be rather reserved and treats men an women the same as she is not a talkative person.

Also with recent reports that TVB executives Catherine Tsang and Tommy Leung have been at odds over the female lead role award going to either herself or Jessica Hsuan, Maggie says she is not very clear on this and feels that as an artiste, they just need to do their job to the best. Whether they receive an award or not is down to the time, place and people and getting an award is the flower on the silk (icing on the cake) so you should not wish for it so much.

During the interview, Jessica Hsuan was nearby and when the press asked them to have their picture taken together, Jessica happily joined Maggie saying they need to stand closer together to stop the press creating even more rumours.

http://www.takungpao.com/news/2003-11-13/UL-197161.htm



[Ta Kung Pao]

Moses Chan appeared at yesterday's sales presentation and was quickly asked about the news of his manager Clarence Hui owing him more than a million dollars and he replied candidly that after it had been revealed, there was some embarrassment. In fact the two have now severed their ties and the case has been passed to the lawyers to deal. He feels that the company has some financial difficulties. At the moment he is a free agent with no contractual obligations, but without a manager he has to arrange all his own work. Moses also reveals that having worked with Clarence for seven years, they have built up some respect despite the current situation, so he will not criticise him in public as he does not want to hurt anyone.

http://www.takungpao.com/news/2003-11-13/UL-197158.htm

More photos from the event:


http://the-sun.com.hk/channels/ent/20031113/20031113014130_0003.html
http://orientaldaily.com.hk/ent/ent_a13cnt.html