Allegations of bribery at TVB resurface
HONG KONG: TVB executives have again been accused of handing out acting awards to actresses in return for their compliance with signing on for longer contracts.
Much of the flak for the supposedly dubious TVB Anniversary Awards were aimed at Best Actress Natalie Tong and Best Supporting Actress Rebecca Zhu.
Stoking the allegations were actresses who had “surprisingly” lost, including favourite nominee for Best Actress Jessica Hsuan, and Elaine Yiu, who was frontrunner for the Best Supporting Actress award.
Despite her shock defeat, Jessica sent Natalie a congratulatory message.
She also told newsmen: “It does not matter who wins. Everyone has her own fans.”
As for the bribery allegations, Jessica said: “It is normal and it happened to me when I won an award in 1999.”
Referring to a speech in which intense rivalry at TVB was alluded to, Jessica said that is normal in every industry.
Added Jessica: “Tommy
It is normal and it happened to me when I won an award in 1999. Jessica Hsuan, actress
Leung taught me lots of stuff and arranged the role depending on the suitability and not because we get along. “It has been 20 years since I acted as a villain.”
On whether TVB would adopt a viewer voting system, Jessica reckoned that it is unlikely that the awards would be totally decided by viewers alone. As it stands, the votes of peers and studio executives decide the winners.
On her plans for this year, Jessica said: “I shall be filming if there is an appropriate script.”
Jessica added it is unlikely that a third series of Line Walker would be filmed, now that the character portrayed by Moses Chan had been exterminated.
On whether Kenneth Ma could have a role in the series, Jessica said they would not be acting as an on-screen couple.
Added Jessica: “Earlier, I did make use of you (newsmen) to suggest either Julian Cheung or Louis Koo (for male lead), and I guess the sequel may be produced next year instead.”
Meanwhile, Rebecca Zhu has been busy promoting TVB’s new series, The Forgotten Valley.
Asked point-blank if she had signed a long contract in exchange for the award, she said: “It is just gossip and I had signed a long contract before winning the award. Before the ceremony, I had voted for Mandy Lam. So I was very surprised to have won.”
However, Rebecca acknowledged that she is still a relative newcomer in showbiz.
She added humbly: “I shall put in more effort and I hope everyone will point out my flaws so that I could improve.”
Elaine Yiu, who had lost out to Rebecca, said she was not disappointed.
Added Elaine: “I had voted for Mandy Lam based on the Come Home Love: Lo and Behold sitcom because she has been in showbiz for 17 or 18 years. She deserves an award.”