12.31.2009

Year in Review: Color on the Litmus Paper

2009

Time passes by so fast that right now, I don’t even know what to do with myself. People on the other side of the globe have already celebrated and went through their countdown for 2010. On my side of the world, I’m eagerly yet nervously waiting for the clock to strike midnight and it definitely feels like being “on the verge of eternity”. I have never felt like this before that I start to wonder what element in 2009 or maybe 2010 is making me this anxious. Am I keen to get away from 2009 and restlessly hoping 2010 would come sooner, hoping 2010 would be a better year in which the world might be a brighter place? Or am I scared to approach the closing of another decade, afraid to become older and get burdened with more responsibilities?

From the very bottom of my heart, I think I sincerely want 2010 to hurry up and begin. Next year marks a very important point in my life because I will finally graduate, but I also foresee my drama experience to be much more impressive than all years past with upcoming shows like Pu Song Ling, Righteous Sea of Heroic Love, and COPS. Nevertheless, before moving on to a new stage in life and promising entertainment, I think it’s important to look back at 2009 and see what it has done, whether for me or you.

For the first time in my TVB history, I watched at least 10 episodes from each of the 21 dramas TVB churned out this year–including the two warehoused series, excluding the sitcoms and ICAC–and completed 18. I’m rather stunned at this discovery. Two years ago, I only managed to complete 2. However, before writing this review, I asked myself to name every title from TVB I’ve seen this year in 5 minutes and without looking at any databases or resources. I could sadly name only 8.

  • A Bride for a Ride
  • Beyond the Realm of Conscience
  • Born Rich
  • E.U.
  • In the Chamber of Bliss
  • Rosy Business
  • The Gem of Life
  • You’re Hired

There’s no way my memory is that horrible, especially when I know I have a semi-photographic memory. I think the best explanation is the other 13 dramas are simply forgettable and with them in the mix, TVB in 2009 measures a pH of 7 on the litmus paper (I’m a nerd, I know) and that 7 means 2009 was good while it lasted but now that it’s almost over, the end result is neutral. It’s not a year to keep in one’s heart.

Now, for my breakdown and commentary.

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Filed by Annisa under Blog, Reviews, TVB. Last Edited on January 14, 2010. 8
12.06.2009

TVB Sales Presentation: 2010

SP-2010 (1)

Show Sales Presentation Clip ▼

Capturing attention immediately with fast-paced, gory vengeful action and ending with a bang, the possibility of TVB actually living up to its “Good Show” motto is high in 2010. The overall feeling of the sales presentation is grand. Other than a miss here or there, many shows appear promising. I am excited!

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Filed by Annisa under TVB. Last Edited on January 4, 2010. 2
12.05.2009

TVB Anniversary Awards: 2009

Sales 2010

How many words are there to describe satisfaction? I’m content, pleased, happy, fulfilled (?), and wholeheartedly accept winners from this year’s exciting TVB 42nd Anniversary Awards. That was all I needed to make me smile on my special day. Now, read on to see what happened and who won!

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Filed by Annisa under TVB. Last Edited on January 28, 2010. 0
11.28.2009

TVB Anniversary Nominations: 2009

2009 (1) There is approximately one week until we find out the results to this year’s TVB 42nd Anniversary Awards, which will broadcast on December 4, 2009. With the ever-raging voices of fans supporting almost the same batch of nominees, it will be interesting to see whether TVB decides to listen to the masses or continue with their we-don’t-care favoritism tactic. Of course, the latter has a higher chance of happening, as we all should know by now, but last year’s awards proved that to be somewhat wrong. Perhaps, a miracle will light upon us this December.

Although TVB increased the number of nominee slots and changed the date of their usual anniversary broadcast in order to make way for beloved grand productions Beyond the Realm of Conscience and throw in Born Rich as a side treat, there is still some time before we witness the consequence(s) to this decision. Everything may turn out warm and fuzzy and everyone goes home happy. Everything can get "burned to ashes". We’ll see. But the fact that Beyond finishes airing right before the awards show gives it a much bigger advantage over Born and no, I’m not forgetting Rosy Business. However, do you really think Rosy has a chance? Do you? TVB changed the "rules" for a certain reason, and that reason is certainly obvious.

No matter what, show your support, congratulate winners when the time comes, rage as much as you want. But remember, talent is talent. Awards don’t necessarily change that unbendable truth and with that, my picks follow …

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Filed by Annisa under TVB. . 4
11.27.2008

TVB Calendar: 2009
Raymond Lam, Bosco Wong, Linda Chung, Kate Tsui Lee See Kei, Susanna Kwan, Michelle Yim, Nancy Sit, Kiki Sheung Roger Kwok, Michael Miu, Charmaine Sheh, Sonija Kwok
Joe Ma, Sunny Chan, Myolie Wu Shirley Yeung, Lai Lok Yi, Kenneth Ma, Yoyo Mung, Selena Li Steven Ma, Patrick Tang, Anna Yau, Kenny Wong, Sharon Chan
Kevin Cheng, Ron Ng, Tavia Yeung, Aimee Chan, Natalie Tong Fala Chen, Yoyo Chen, Suki Tsui, Vivien Yeo, Leanne Li, Koni Lui, Nancy Wu, Tracy Ip Christine Ng, Adam Cheng, Sheren Tang, Micheal Tse, Mandy Cho
Bernice Liu, Maggie Siu, Gallen Lo, Bobby Au Yeung Bowie Lam, Moses Chan, Ada Choi, Gigi Lai Liza Wang, Matthew Ko, Stephen Huynh, Benjamin Yuen, Edwin Siu, Jason Chan, Amigo Chui

From a photographical perspective, I would say either TVB was trying too hard to be creative or too little that everything turned out to be overly simplistic. (Were they trying to save costs on background settings or what?!) Based on more than half of the calendar shots, the primary colors are black, white, and red. The calendar would have looked much more complete, harmonized, and dazzling if the other shots had been done in a similar fashion. But that’s just me and my shutter bugs being too cynical for our own good.

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Filed by Annisa under TVB. Last Edited on October 25, 2009. 0
11.25.2008

TVB Sales Presentation: 2009

SP-2009 (1)

Links to actual presentation clips and translations are after the jump.

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Filed by Annisa under TVB. Last Edited on December 6, 2009. 0
11.16.2008

TVB Anniversary Awards: 2008

2008 (1)

While the nominations were ridiculous, the winners turned out fantastic. TVB finally played fair for a change and gave the awards to most, if not all, of the deserving people. The awards this year are highly satisfying for the fans. There isn’t much to rage over, making TVB 41st Anniversary Awards a rather joyous celebration. Now, read on to see who won!

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Filed by Annisa under TVB. Last Edited on November 12, 2009. 1
8.22.2008

TVB Calendar: 2008
Jason Chan, Linda Chung, Raymond Lam, Vivien Yeo, Matthew Ko Liza Wang, Sunny Chan, Bobby Au Yeung, Susanna Kwan, Esther Kwan Yoyo Mung, Frankie Lam, Chin Kang, Kenneth Ma, Lai Lok Yi
Bosco Wong, Bernice Liu, Wong Hei, Tavia Yeung, Michael Tse, Amigo Choi Kate Tsui, Moses Chan, Wong Cho Lam, Sammul Chan, Koni Lui Kenny Wong, Suki Tsui, Ron Ng, Nancy Wu, Stephen Huynh, Fala Chen
Christine Ng, Adam Cheng, Patrick Tang, Ong Yi Hing Tracy Yip, Anne Heung, Winnie Yeung, Mandy Cho, Shirley Yeung, Sonija Kwok Gigi Lai, Bowie Lam, Sheren Tang, Sharon Chan, Natalie Tong, Macy Chan
Steven Ma, Ada Choi, Michael Miu, Selena Li, Maggie Siu, Sharon Luk Charmaine Sheh, Jessica Hsuan, Roger Kwok, Kevin Cheng, Anna Yau, Queenie Chu, Leanne Li Angela Tong, Elaine Yiu, Raymond Cho, Joe Ma, Myolie Wu, Gallen Lo

This calendar owns! Probably one of the more creative and better group calendar in TVB history. If the faces don’t attract, the background will and that’s what counts. The overall feeling the calendar exert is one of happiness and festivity, which always make it warm and fluffy to look at when it’s on my wall.

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Filed by Annisa under TVB. Last Edited on October 25, 2009. 0
8.22.2008

TVB Calendar: 2007
Anna Yay, Elaine Yiu, Bowie Lam, Charmaine Sheh, Leanne Li, Amigo Choi, Nancy Wu Adam Cheng, Sammul Chan, Jessica Hsuan, Joe Ma, Liza Wang, Sherman Tang Sunny Chan, Linda Chung, Kenneth Ma, Selena Li
Yoyo Chen, Ron Ng, Charmaine Li, Matthew Ko, Winnie Shum Steven Ma, Melissa Ng, Roger Kwok Lai Lok Yi, Vivien Yeo, Kate Tsui, Stephen Huynh
Bernice Liu, Gigi Lai, Natalie Tong Kenny Wong, Fala Chen, Bosco Wong, Francois Huynh Sheren Tang, Christine Ng, Anne Heung, Kevin Cheng
Vin Choi, Eric Li, Sharon Chan, Charlse Szeto, Yoyo Mung Ngo Ka Nin, Myolie Wu, Joel Chan, Sonija Kwok, Tavia Yeung, Raymond Lam Raymond Cho, Shirley Yeung, Angela Tong, Bobby Au Yeung, Ada Choi, Moses Chan
     
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Filed by Annisa under TVB. Last Edited on October 25, 2009. 0