Sammul Chan & Michael Tao Bash TVB

TVB brought many actors and actresses to fame, but many of them left the company in the end. The main reason? Dissatisfaction.

Once as one of the young actors TVB are promoting, Sammul Chan decided to leave the company last August after working for them for 11 years. He made a recent television appearance and talked about his reasons behind leaving the well-known television station. He saw people from his generation like Raymond Lam and Bosco Wong are being promoted but not really himself.

"A youngster is working hard, and is acknowledged by the audience. Others already received some awards, but I'm still standing at the corners, not even a nomination."

In fact, Sammul thought of signing the management contract with TVB, which would make him a biological child of TVB, but he didn't get a satisfying pay raise. The company couldn't even agree on a small raise (under 100).

"They also wanted me to sign a 10-year long contract, but no change in salary," he said. "Fighting for these slight changes, not worth it."

Now he is "free," the actor can do more on his own, including using Cantonese to speak on Cable TV and he described that as "feeling fresh air." As for others are not renewing their contract, he disclosed it's natural if they are not happy working.

Not only Sammul is speaking out, the "housewives killer" Michael Tao is also commenting on TVB's system. He disclosed he once signed a 2-year contract with TVB to film 20-episodes per year. He waited several years and finally shoot "Sisters of Pearl." There were still 10 episodes left when the contract ended and that was when TVB wasn't being reasonable to him.

"They told me to unconditionally extend the contract for 6 months, like a freebie to TVB," he said. "I felt it wasn't reasonable. Why would I have to take their fault?"

In the end, TVB paid the 10-episodes salary to the actor. Then several months later, TVB have a drama they want him to star in. But they require him to pay back the 10-episodes pay first.

"This is a just unacceptable!," he expressed.

Source: Oriental Daily  / By: KAY @ Kay's Entertainment

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[Updated Pics] TVB Puts Bus Hostage Crisis in New Drama

Filming the scene

The Manila Bus Hostage Crisis

Although it's been more than half of a year since the Manila Bus Hostage Crisis happened, but it's still a pain to most Hong Kong residents.

A dismissed Philippine National Police Officer hijacked a Hong Kong tour bus and took the Hong Kong tourists as hostages in an attempt to resume his previous position as a police officer. Eight hostages were dead in the end, and some of the other hostages are now facing long term injuries from the incident.

TVB's new drama "Flying Tigers"/"Special Duties Unit" (tentative name) starring Joe Ma and Jessica Hsuan was filming a bus hostage scene yesterday, very similar to the Manila hostage crisis. The scene is about Kenneth Ma, who plays the villain, takes over a tour bus and demands the police to release his wife (JJ Jia). He goes crazy when he knows his injured wife dies.

The scene is similar to the hostage crisis happened in Manila, Philippines last year. Not only it's also a bus hostage crisis, it's also similar in which the hostage taker is emotion-driven by the fact his close family member is held by the police force.

Actors filming the scene was not so willing to film this scene. Jessica Hsuan is worried this part would rub salt into the wound of victims from the real hostage crisis. Kenneth Ma, whose role resembles the real hostage taker, expressed he has no control and can only follow the script.

As one of the hostages in the scene, Christine Kuo believes the screenwriter just wants to show the message the bad can't win the good and didn't purposely try to relate it to the unfortunate incident. Her boyfriend in the drama Oscar Leung thinks similar stories have been seen in other movies; it's just now everyone is being more sensitive to it.

Source: Oriental Daily  / By: KAY @ Kay's Entertainment

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Chilam Cheung Invites Big Guests to Last Show

Chilam Cheung's last show of his 2011 concert ended yesterday. In order to provide a good show to his fans, not only he worked out hard to build muscles, he also invited some starry guests to the final show.

Good friends Cecilia Cheung and Aaron Kwok were invited as performing guests. Haven't sing for a long time, Cecilia felt nervous when she performed with Chilam and at one point she forgot lyrics. As one of the heavenly kings in the 90s, Aaron dance-battled with Chilam on stage and they performed Aaron's classic song "Never Ending Love."

The most surprising guests at the final show were Maple Hui and Chilam's 4-year-old son Morton. Maple was once Chilam's rumored girlfriend, as they were partners in singing the classic love duet "Modern Love Story". Haven't met up for nearly 20 years, Chilam and Maple still have a good chemistry and Maple praised Chilam still looks handsome, just like 20 years ago.

After Chilam sang with Maple, a clip of Morton singing was played and Morton was brought to the stage to his dad. Surprised to see all this, Chilam held his son in his arms and asked him some questions and was a little "mad" in the end.

"Are you sleepy?"
"Yes."
"You haven't seen daddy for a long time, right?"
"Yes."
"Do you miss daddy"
"..."

Chilam once again said touching things to wife Anita Yuen on the stage. In the first show, he thanked Anita for bringing him a family and a son. Now in the final show, he made a promise to her.

"We didn't even take wedding photos," he said. "I'm owe her a wedding gown. I promise you, let's do this again when we are sixty."

Source: ON.CC / By: KAY @ Kay's Entertainment

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Kelly Lin Weds BF Chris Young in Maldives

Wedding rings

Another Taiwanese actress weds!

Actress Kelly Lin Hsi Lei held a simple wedding today in Maldives, marrying 39-year-old boyfriend Chris Young (Yang Chen 楊晨). The couple invited 30 people to the ceremony, including the actress' good friend Shu Qi, who attended the wedding despite she has work the next day.

Lin's husband Young is a clothing businessman based in California, US. He moved to the states with his parents in mid-80s and studied in University of California, just like his wife. The couple only dated for 6 months before tying the knot, which sparked reporters' interesting in whether the bride is pregnant. However, Lin's manager denied, stating "absolutely not pregnant."

The 37-year-old actress has starred in many films throughout the years and most of them are Hong Kong films. She has been nominated "Best Actress" in several award ceremonies, including the Hong Kong Film Awards and Berlin Film Festival.

Source: Apple Daily / By: KAY @ Kay's Entertainment

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Chilam Cheung Declares Love to Wife on Stage

Chilam Cheung's first individual concert was held this week. The first concert since he debut 20 years ago, Chilam invited good friends Grasshopper and Charlene Choi to the show as performing guests. His wife Anita Yuen and son Morton were also present to support.

April 1st is the day when pop star Leslie Cheung passed away and in remembrance of him, Chilam impersonated Leslie at the show. He sang Leslie's song and imitated his moves. During the performance, he even took off his shirt and showed off the six packs that he worked very hard on.

Chilam also talked about his love life on stage and his "declaration of love" to wife Anita touched many. Dated her for 20 years, he said he felt pressured in the beginning because he was often asked when would they break up, tie the knot, or divorce; but he didn't regret making the relationship public.

"Many people objected me opening it up, it's like ending a career for idol singers. But I think it's all worth it," he said. "I'm very lucky that I can find a family in the showbiz. Thank you for giving me a family and a child!"

His touching words touched Anita and her eyes started to get teary. The funny thing was, Christine Ng, who was sitting next to Anita, was more emotional and cried already.

After he thanked his wife, Chilam then said he is thankful to have his son Morton. While he was singing a personal song he wrote for Morton, photos of Morton when he was just born and as a baby were shown on the screen.

Source: Mingpao, ON.CC / By: KAY @ Kay's Entertainment

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Raymond Wong With Wife & Son Kayden

The baby photo is here!

Raymond Wong welcomed a baby son earlier this week and he named the new born Kayden. He disclosed he was in the delivery room with wife that day and it was a very memorable moment.

"I almost cried along with her," he said. "My wife was had a c-section for me. Really is unforgettable."

The new dad expressed the new life motivates him to have new goals and earn more money. Although he is quite prepared for the baby, but he has been busy these days.

"I haven't slept for two days!"

By: KAY @ Kay's Entertainment

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[Correction] Raymond Wong Welcomes Son Kayden

Congratulations!

Since Raymond Wong announced he is a dad-to-be at last December's TVB Anniversary Awards, people have been guessing the gender of his first child. Most people guessed it would be a boy because of the masculine English name Kayden. And they're right.

The actor's wife gave birth to a 7lb baby boy on March 23. Other TVB colleagues have been giving their blessings to the new dad, including TVB high executive Virginia Lok. His good friend Raymond Cho also knew about the news and expressed he already gave the newborn a present already.

Currently filming a new drama with Niki Chow, the 35-year-old daddy persisted in announcing this good news next week. He didn't confirm it today but sounded happy over the phone.

"I will accept your congratulation!"

Because it's mistaken he welcomed a daughter yesterday, Raymond confirmed it today his wife actually gave birth to a son.

"I don't want to bother my wife, so I didn't want to talk about it and didn't say whether it's a boy or a girl. I really don't mind actually."

He said he will be releasing the baby photos to the media by next week.

Source: Oriental Daily / By: KAY @ Kay's Entertainment

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