TVB Entertainment News

It was reported that Hawick Lau, who has been successful with his career in mainland China, has been offered RMB 200,000 per episode (approx. USD 32,671) to star in Wong Jing's latest TVB drama, "Across Heaven and Earth".

As reported on Apple Daily website, the amount was twenty times more than his original salary with TVB ten years ago, which was only around HKD 10,000 per episode (approx. USD 1,289), signifying the success of the actor, who has been recently listed at number 49 in Forbes' China Celebrity 100 List.

Sources claimed, "Not only did he receive a much higher salary than before, he also had the VIP treatment while he was in Hong Kong. He filmed only eight hours a day and was provided a modified mini-van to take him home daily."

Meanwhile, "Across Heaven and Earth" also stars Liza Wang, Angie Chiu, Edwin Siu, and Kenny Wong.

Hawick will be playing the role of Cho Chi Yuen, the second son of businesswoman, Kwan Yeuk Nam (Liza Wang) who was driven to steal the company from his brother Chi Wang (played by Kenny Wong) when the latter tried to incarcerate him.

Fala Chen recently denied rumours that she left the TVB Anniversary Lighting Ceremony early due to being upset.

Apple Daily website reported that the actress, who joined the cast of "Will Power" on stage, was allegedly asked to stand on the side, despite her role as the lead actress since she is no longer a TVB artiste.

At the event held at TVB City, Fala was asked regarding her position on stage, to which she answered, "No problem. I am just happy to see my colleagues again. I will be coming back to attend the series' promotional events, but anything that comes after that may need to be scheduled."

She also denied that TVB has approached her to sign with them, and stressed that her appearance has nothing to do with her contract.

However, Fala was spotted leaving the ceremony before it ended, triggering speculations that she was actually upset with TVB's treatment of her at the event.

Fala has since denied the rumours, and revealed that she had already notified TVB regarding her early exit due to other engagements.

Meanwhile, the TVB Anniversary Lighting Ceremony 2013 was criticised for going against the tradition and holding a live broadcast that resulted in many mistakes made by the stars involved, including the host, Nat Chan.

Ruco Chan and Ankie Beilke had rumors after collaborating in TVB series Brother's Keeper and are often flirting on Weibo. Ruco praised Ankie for her wisdom and beauty. He uploaded a photo and said: "Why didn't I fall in love with her!" But, yesterday Ruco expressed in a telephone interview that he and Ankie are just friends. Ankie praised Ruco back that he's handsome, a gentleman and has a good heart. Asked if they are dating? She smiled sweetly: "We are both busy people, let's see how it goes. We are very good friends and keep in touch. (Ruco's English isn't great, will it improve because of you?) He's always writing in English. His English isn't bad. My Chinese isn't good, we have a good exchange. (Any chance to develop further?) Haha!" She disclosed she's busy shooting the film Wishing Tree, a film produced by her mother Ankie Lau. Asked if she'll save a role for Ruco? She said: "Of course I hope so too, but he may not have time on his schedule." A few days ago, she and Michelle Yim were at Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree for outdoor shooting of the film and took advantage of the moment to make a wish herself. She expressed she's very happly to work with Michelle. "Her acting is so natural, she has no NGs." Her mother Ankie Lau is grateful to have her good friend's support: "Many good friends like Michelle Yim and Eric Tsang immediately agreed to help me when I asked. They even told me to let them know when I get all the scheduling done."

Last night the TVB Anniversary Lighting Ceremony 2013 was held at TVB City. The cast of anniversary series Will Power and The Hippocratic Crush II as well as currently airing Brother's Keeper, Telling Maria 2 and Voice of the Stars attended. The artists in attendance included Moses Chan, Wayne Lai, Tavia Yeung, Kenneth Ma, Lawrence Ng, Fala Chen, Eliza Sam, Ruco Chan and Linda Chung appeared in their costumes. This year's Miss HK winners Grace Chan and Sisley Choi kicked off the lighting ceremony with TVB Chairman Norman Leung.

This year, TVB didn't follow traditions and decided to do a live broadcast of the ceremony which resulted in many mistakes from the artistes. Even the MC Nat Chan made some mistakes. Ronald Law had a singing and dancing performance, but got off the beat. Linda Chung and magician Louis Yan forgot their lines when introducing the show.

As for the standing positions, Nat Chan and Dodo Cheng were in the center, followed by the cast from the two anniversary series and then the Brother's Keeper cast. But as Will Power's lead actress, Fala Chen, is no longer a TVB artist, thus she just got a position on the side next to Ruco Chan. Fala was asked whether she thought TVB was being too reall? She said: "Nope, I'm happy to see my colleagues and its a lively atmosphere. I will be coming back again later for the series first promotional event. Anything after, we will have to schedule it. (No longer a TVB artist, feels different?) Nope, feels the same. It has nothing to do with the contract. (Sign the contract in exchange for TV Queen?) No such thing. Awards and contracts are two separate things. (Has TVB actively tried to get you to come back?) Not recently. We've just been discussing the series promotions." But, Fala left the ceremony before it had ended.

This year's TV King battle is probably between Moses and Wayne. Wayne said: "Well no, there is still Sam Gor (Francis Ng) and Cool Mor (Chilam Cheung). Although I'm not sure if TVB will do audience voting this year, this is a big factor in determining the winner." Moses said he feels pressure competing with Wayne, but it also gives him a driving force. He praised Wayne: "He has the style of a King and I'm.... (Want another good news by getting an award?) I'm already very happy this year. Hope what you said comes true!"

Also, Patrick Tse was at the ceremony and gave Dodo Cheng and Marie Tsang a hug. He also took pictures with the Miss HK winners. This year he participated in the TVB Anniversary preparation show, did he request for beautiful female companions? Patrick said: "You want me to die! I have a girlfriend."

Bosco wong attended an event in Tsim Sha Tsui and when speaking of the rumor that he and ex-girlfriend Myolie Wu got back together, and Myolie's good friend Nancy opposes because she thinks Bosco is too much of a playboy? Bosco expressed: "Why are there so many rumors? This is old news. (Any chance of reconciling?) No such thing. Work is my priority now." He expressed he has only encountered Myolie at work.

Recently Bosco and Niki Chow won "Best On-Screen Couple" at the Singapore TVB Awards. As for his good partner Niki finally found a rich boyfriend, Bosco laughed: "Congrats to her. Now that she found a good boyfriend, hurry up and get married." However, when asked about Raymond Lam's rumor that he's opening his own artist management company, Bosco had no idea: "I have a few companies myself, that's not a big deal."

Yesterday Kate Tsui, Eliza Sam, Steven Cheung and the rest of the cast of TVB series Sniper Standoff attended the promotional event. The cast played games on stage, but when Kate was asked to have two guys lift her up, so she can make a shot, she declined because she was wearing a short shirt and kept saying, "can't do it" and then added, "it's too dangerous!" Miki Yeung took over for Kate, who also had shorts on. Steven didn't hesitate to lift rumored girlfriend Eliza Sam up with the help of Nathan Ngai.

In the series, Kate has many action scenes, but all of her explosion scenes didn't do anything to her. Not even the most severe explosion could kill her, Netizens crowned her as the 'superwoman' and made a video with all her explosion scenes in the series. However, Kate didn't know how to smile and sighed she feels helpless that the Netizens still can't accept the story line. "I feel a little unhappy because we put in so much effort into filming the series, all those difficult scenes, and I did a lot of research myself. I watched foreign TV series and I just feel helpless the audience can't accept it. I hope they will slowly accept a series with an original story again!"

Kate's costume from the series had also been a hot topic lately, Netizens were saying its illogical for a Madam to be wearing high heels on duty. Kate expressed she discussed this matter with the producer and director: "I have a friend who is an actual Madam, she wears high heels while at work. We did all our homework and I hope the audience can show some understanding for us! (Next time wear a bikini?) I'm an old lady, leave that for the young women! I think I'll scare away the audience and get even more complaints. I'll break records!"

A few days ago Steven and Eliza were spotted shooting a hand-holding scene, which sparked rumors between them. At the promotion, the two did not avoid one another and took pictures together. Eliza laughed: "We are still in our costumes, proves the success and I just think of it as promotion." Steven dragged Eliza's other rumored boyfriend, Alan Wan, into the water and joked: "Alan and I are the actual pair! He didn't come today, I kind of miss him!"

Earlier Linda Chung was injured from Tiger Cubs II filming, but she still went back to work for TVB new series Big Pharmacy's sales presentation filming. Although Linda was still bandaged up, she said she's better, but her parents were very worried. Her father felt bad for her and cried. "He said I looked like a live fish falling on the ground. My mom said she saw a huge bruise on my forehead, but luckily that was just make up."

Netizens said Linda's acting in Brother's Keeper is too exaggerated. Yesterday she expressed she had not been affected by those comments and expressed she referenced American singer Taylor Swift's character and added the English phrases "Oh My God" and "Really" into her lines.