Yesterday TVB chairman Norman Leung was asked if TVB will hire those HKTV artists whom were laid off? He said: "We will have to see if their work fits with TVB. It depends on whether it is necessary, if so TVB welcomes them back. We have many executives in the company, and the administrative staff switches here and there. We accept this fact, and there is no say that the cannot come back. The most important is being able to contribute to TVB."
Asked if he thinks this TV license issue is a black market operation? Norman Leung frankly expressed he does not dare to criticize the government. Norman expressed the two new free-to-air licenses were issued to large corporations, which is absolutely big competitors to TVB and encourage employees to make better programs.
Charmaine Sheh: "Never give up hope, everyone has expectations, just as long as you have strengths, there is nothing to fear. (Are you worried about your good friends Catherine Chau and Bryant Mak's prospects?) No worries, they are hard working artists. There will be a TV station who needs artists."
Fala Chen: "I'm more concerned about my former TVB colleagues. I'm very concerned about their prospects. (Recommend them to join iCable or Now?) I'm a junior, they should know how to handle it."
Chilam Cheung: I saw the news and didn't feel good. I am part of TVB, I have mixed feelings. As an artist, I want to shoot TVB series, but I'm also part of the audience.
Priscilla Wong: I have some friends working at HKTV, two of them have been laid off. They have a whole family to raise. As an employee in the TV industry, I hope everyone has a job. The HK TV industry is not easy, most important is to find jobs. (Help your friends to get into TVB?) I hope I have that ability too."
Felix Wong frankly expressed HKTV's failure to get their license is truly disappointing and hopes the government can explain the "death sentence". As for 300+ employees getting laid off? Felix said: "I would call it peaceful disband because there was no license to begin with nor was their normal operations. Disbanding is best for everyone. (How does this impact you?) Nope, I signed a per-series contract and all my work was done. I'm actually more worried about the 800+ employees." Felix disclosed his daughter Adrian Wong signed a 2 year contract, but is not in a hurry to find a back up.
Frankie Lam expressed when he learned the bad news, his jaw dropped completely. He said: "The chief said its all fair and public, but later said some things cannot be publicized. This government is contradicting."
Ha Yu does not have a contract with HKTV, so he is not worried, but asked if he'll return to TVB? He laughed: "That's all on TVB."
Leila Tong said: "Ricky Wong still has the heart and has faith on what he's doing. At first, I joined HKTV because I thought they really had sincerity and unanimous ideals. Regardless, I will not regret my decision."
Yuen Wah hasn't filmed a series with HKTV yet, he was initially scheduled to start shooting next month, but it was suddenly cancelled. He said: "I haven't received notice on the lay offs yet. I just think there some kind of black operation going on in the government this time and that they were just too harsh."
Deno Cheung & Al Wai Considers Changing Professions
Former TVB green leaf actor Deno Cheung left TVB after being with them for 18 years, and went over to HKTV. Yesterday Deno expressed he's helpless and stuttered he might consider changing professions: "I initially thought there was a lot of hope in being an actor, but now I'm getting strangled. I still have an 8 month contract with HKTV, I don't want to think about the prospects and I've thought about going into construction before." Asked if he'll have financial difficulties? Deno helplessly said: "Yes. Thanks to the government letting me apply for public housing."
Al Wai, also a former TVB artist, expressed the worse case scenario is to change professions. Al Wai disclosed Ricky Wong apologized to him, but Al is still positive and feels it is not Ricky's fault. "I was prepared to fight the war when I went to HKTV. There are causalities in wars, I don't think its that bad. There are two new TV stations, perhaps there are more opportunities."
Former TVB artist, Eddie Li, expressed he's grateful of Ricky Wong. "At my old company (TVB), I was eating 'tree bark', I had to compete with thousands of people, but at the new company (HKTV) it is a little better. I get to eat 'congee', at least this is something humans can consume and can be filling. I want to thank ricky Wong, thank you Mr. Wong for keeping me full. Respect."
Beniji Teared Up When Heard Bad News
Benji Chiang spoke to his manager on the phone about HKTV not being able to get their license and when he saw Ricky Wong in tears during the press conference, he teared up as well. he said: "Put so much effort into it and when I heard the news, I felt so sad and down. This TV license issue can really cause some artists to disappear in the HK TV industry forever. I still have 6 months left in my contract and the money I earned from filming their series before, I already used it to make music. If I don't have income in the future, I will use the money I saved before for living. My father (Paul Chun) comforted me. My sister (Lesley) is overseas now and knows about the issue and has very complex emotions."
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