Storm in a Cocoon timeslot clashes with 2014 Winter Olympics
Guess what, Winter Olympics starts Feb 7th and ends Feb 23, so once again Steven's series clashes with yet another major world sports event. Surprise? Nope!
Darn! And here I was thinking that perhaps TVB would treat Steven better this time, since he did agree to return to do a series for them after that whole debacle with terminating his contract early. Guess not!
I hate to say this, but I can't help but be a little bit mad at Steven for allowing Catherine Tsang to persuade him to return to TVB to film a series, especially with him knowing how they are. With the success that he's been getting in Mainland with his two recent series, plus his own production studio, he absolutely didn't need to subject himself to this type of treatment. Argh....
llwy12: When I first found out that Steven would film a tvb series, I was more disappointed than mad at him but not anymore since listening to his numerous radio interviews at later dates, from which I gathered his having to film a tvb series was in fact part of his contract termination negotiation process.
To be fair, Steven did not say this in so many words, but piecing together his words from his numerous album promotion radio interviews, that’s what I deduced. That TVB had exacted from Steven a verbal promise at the time to collaborate with TVB in a different contractual form. Incredibly not only was Steven released from his contract prematurely but with impunity too. Given TVB’s pettiness and vindictiveness on everything, I’ve to say in this case TVB was truly and abnormally magnanimous towards Steven’s ‘offense’; an offense hitherto no other tvb artist had committed. Reportedly, C. Tsang since then had regularly reminded Steven of his verbal promise to TVB until he finally signed a one-time-only-contract to film just PP. (as opposed to a lengthier series-per-contract agreement)
In his recent news reports, Steven said TVB had invited him to film yet another series but he declined due to schedule conflict. It won't be until year end that he can even consider filming a tvb series. Judging by PP timeslot, TVB can't change its petty nature.
Thanks, tamaya. Perhaps 'mad' isn't the right word....the word you used -- 'disappointment' -- is actually more appropriate. But now that I read your thoughts about how filming a TVB series may have been one of the 'terms' that allowed Steven to terminate his contract early without punishment, then it makes complete sense why things turned out the way they did -- and if it's true, then I take back my earlier statement about being 'mad' / 'disappointed' at Steven for letting Catherine Tsang persuade him to return. If that's truly the case, then I do agree that Steven filming 1 series for TVB is a small price to pay for his freedom (as long as it's 1 series only of course...).
On this 2013 May 舊日的足跡 radio interview Steven publicly reveals for the first time why he came back to TVB on a one-series-per year contract with TVB to film PP- the main reason is because he had given his word to TVB executives (Tsang and Chan Fai Gong (Uncle 6's secretary then) at the time of his early termination negotiation with them that he would sign a different form of collaboration with TVB.
http://stevenma-fanblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/rthk-station-1.html scroll down to point #5.
Nobody really pays attention to the Winter Olympics anyway...it's more so the CNY season that might affect the ratings.
Also, just wanted to add that despite TVB 's well known mistreatment of Steven...TVB is still a good marketing vehicle for Steven Ma...coming back to TVB to film series every now and then can only help Steven maintain his popularity amongst the Cantonese speaking audience...I'm sure Steven is well aware of this...this is a win-win for both...you don't want to burn your bridges in the real world.
Not sure about HK tv audience, but, I'm a big, big fan of both the Summer and Winter Olympics. I, for one, will be glued to my tv to watch the upcoming winter olympics. Tis' true it is prudent for Steven to keep an open and good relationship with TVB, more importantly, fans love listening to Steven's real voice speaking Cantonese. But I can relate to llwy12's pov given Steven's years of mistreatment by TVB. Like the Chinese saying goes, 人在江湖,身不由己. I'm just going to enjoy Steven's new series, timeslot be damn.
@Anonymous: Well, the way I see it, the Olympics will definitely affect the ratings -- it's not really about whether people pay attention, but rather the fact that the Olympics only occur once every 4 years and is such a huge international event that people who aren't even sports fans may still tune in just to root for their own country's teams or just to get in on the action. If audiences had a choice between watching a one-time Olympic event or a television series that will come on again in the future (or can be viewed on TVB's own website anytime HK audiences want), the logical choice would be to watch the Olympic event (that's definitely how I would choose despite not being a sports fan at all).
Other than that, I do agree with the rest of your comment about TVB helping artists maintain their popularity in the HK / Cantonese-speaking market and also not burning your bridges (though I probably wouldn't care if I were in his shoes...but of course, that's just me). Tamaya put it best when she used the phrase 人在江湖,身不由己 to describe Steven's situation (which can also be used for many other artists' situations as well).
Tamaya, could you please translate 人在江湖,身不由己? Not sure what this means?
One thing I wanted to point out as well is that how many HK artists who have moved up north have truly been that successful?
If you look at artists like Ada Choi, Benny Chan, Patrick Tam, Frankie Lam etc - these HK artists have often been relegated to 2nd lead or even 3rd tier roles. Whilst these type of roles may have raked in a lot of money for them, it has also seen their popularity decline. This is why I feel that it would be wise for HK artists to still return to TVB and film series every now and then. It's just a smart move to make in this industry. If you look at it from this perspective, these well seasoned artists can also "use" TVB as well...(*ahem* = Chilam).
Jiang Hu=originally means the martial arts world in wuxia, but now can also connote a work/social circle, a concrete jungle, or society as a whole.
人在江湖, 身不由己= "Out in the jiang hu, one can't always be the master of one's own fate"; (you can't always do what or as you like - compromises are inevitable in life )
Your following comment is a good e.g of the saying: "it has also seen their popularity decline. This is why I feel that it would be wise for HK artists to still return to TVB and film series every now and then. It's just a smart move to make in this industry." --- despite their reluctance or having their principles compromised to do so; also 'wise' and 'smart' are debatable.
Who’s to say the above mentioned artists’ popularity would not have declined had they stayed with TVB? TVB wants them back now because of their huge mainland fans – Ada’s mainland fanbase is huge as is Benny Chan’s before Rose Chan’s scandal, and Lawrence Ng’s too. Don’t know about Patrick Tam and Frankie Tam – were they very popular before they left tvb to begin with? Maybe the 1st lead roles no longer interest them cos' they have done those kinds of roles already, like in the case of Ada in Zhen Huan.
Chilam’s popularity case is an exception rather than the norm with ex-tvb artists filming tvb series; what about Gallen Lo in his two bombed return tvb series, Lawrence Ng in the recent doctors’ series, Ada and Sheren in Beauty at War, and Eddie Cheung etc? Did the tvb series boost their popularity overall, or did their mainland popularity in fact help boost the popularity of their young co-stars and the series? I'm glad Steven got paired with Tavia and not some newbies that TVB wants to promote.
Steven left TVB because he was mistreated by TVB so why go back for more same old same old mistreatments? Would Storm in a Cocoon really boost up his popularity? Obviously not – given the timeslot. So why bother going back to film a tvb series that may or not may boost popularity in HK but that he would most likely be buried by HK tabloids in negative negative press and baseless rumors?
In the end it all comes down to what the artists themselves are looking for in life/career and what their life/career priorities are, hence I disagree with your usage of ‘wise’ and ‘smart’ to the artists’ personal decisions.
To read my more indepth thought on this topic, goto http://stevenma-fanblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/editorial-2014-tvb-calendar.html
Darn! And here I was thinking that perhaps TVB would treat Steven better this time, since he did agree to return to do a series for them after that whole debacle with terminating his contract early. Guess not!
ReplyDeleteI hate to say this, but I can't help but be a little bit mad at Steven for allowing Catherine Tsang to persuade him to return to TVB to film a series, especially with him knowing how they are. With the success that he's been getting in Mainland with his two recent series, plus his own production studio, he absolutely didn't need to subject himself to this type of treatment. Argh....
llwy12: When I first found out that Steven would film a tvb series, I was more disappointed than mad at him but not anymore since listening to his numerous radio interviews at later dates, from which I gathered his having to film a tvb series was in fact part of his contract termination negotiation process.
DeleteTo be fair, Steven did not say this in so many words, but piecing together his words from his numerous album promotion radio interviews, that’s what I deduced. That TVB had exacted from Steven a verbal promise at the time to collaborate with TVB in a different contractual form. Incredibly not only was Steven released from his contract prematurely but with impunity too. Given TVB’s pettiness and vindictiveness on everything, I’ve to say in this case TVB was truly and abnormally magnanimous towards Steven’s ‘offense’; an offense hitherto no other tvb artist had committed. Reportedly, C. Tsang since then had regularly reminded Steven of his verbal promise to TVB until he finally signed a one-time-only-contract to film just PP. (as opposed to a lengthier series-per-contract agreement)
In his recent news reports, Steven said TVB had invited him to film yet another series but he declined due to schedule conflict. It won't be until year end that he can even consider filming a tvb series. Judging by PP timeslot, TVB can't change its petty nature.
Thanks, tamaya. Perhaps 'mad' isn't the right word....the word you used -- 'disappointment' -- is actually more appropriate. But now that I read your thoughts about how filming a TVB series may have been one of the 'terms' that allowed Steven to terminate his contract early without punishment, then it makes complete sense why things turned out the way they did -- and if it's true, then I take back my earlier statement about being 'mad' / 'disappointed' at Steven for letting Catherine Tsang persuade him to return. If that's truly the case, then I do agree that Steven filming 1 series for TVB is a small price to pay for his freedom (as long as it's 1 series only of course...).
DeleteOn this 2013 May 舊日的足跡 radio interview Steven publicly reveals for the first time why he came back to TVB on a one-series-per year contract with TVB to film PP- the main reason is because he had given his word to TVB executives (Tsang and Chan Fai Gong (Uncle 6's secretary then) at the time of his early termination negotiation with them that he would sign a different form of collaboration with TVB.
Deletehttp://stevenma-fanblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/rthk-station-1.html scroll down to point #5.
Nobody really pays attention to the Winter Olympics anyway...it's more so the CNY season that might affect the ratings.
ReplyDeleteAlso, just wanted to add that despite TVB 's well known mistreatment of Steven...TVB is still a good marketing vehicle for Steven Ma...coming back to TVB to film series every now and then can only help Steven maintain his popularity amongst the Cantonese speaking audience...I'm sure Steven is well aware of this...this is a win-win for both...you don't want to burn your bridges in the real world.
Not sure about HK tv audience, but, I'm a big, big fan of both the Summer and Winter Olympics. I, for one, will be glued to my tv to watch the upcoming winter olympics. Tis' true it is prudent for Steven to keep an open and good relationship with TVB, more importantly, fans love listening to Steven's real voice speaking Cantonese. But I can relate to llwy12's pov given Steven's years of mistreatment by TVB. Like the Chinese saying goes, 人在江湖,身不由己. I'm just going to enjoy Steven's new series, timeslot be damn.
Delete@Anonymous: Well, the way I see it, the Olympics will definitely affect the ratings -- it's not really about whether people pay attention, but rather the fact that the Olympics only occur once every 4 years and is such a huge international event that people who aren't even sports fans may still tune in just to root for their own country's teams or just to get in on the action. If audiences had a choice between watching a one-time Olympic event or a television series that will come on again in the future (or can be viewed on TVB's own website anytime HK audiences want), the logical choice would be to watch the Olympic event (that's definitely how I would choose despite not being a sports fan at all).
DeleteOther than that, I do agree with the rest of your comment about TVB helping artists maintain their popularity in the HK / Cantonese-speaking market and also not burning your bridges (though I probably wouldn't care if I were in his shoes...but of course, that's just me). Tamaya put it best when she used the phrase 人在江湖,身不由己 to describe Steven's situation (which can also be used for many other artists' situations as well).
Tamaya, could you please translate 人在江湖,身不由己? Not sure what this means?
ReplyDeleteOne thing I wanted to point out as well is that how many HK artists who have moved up north have truly been that successful?
If you look at artists like Ada Choi, Benny Chan, Patrick Tam, Frankie Lam etc - these HK artists have often been relegated to 2nd lead or even 3rd tier roles. Whilst these type of roles may have raked in a lot of money for them, it has also seen their popularity decline. This is why I feel that it would be wise for HK artists to still return to TVB and film series every now and then. It's just a smart move to make in this industry. If you look at it from this perspective, these well seasoned artists can also "use" TVB as well...(*ahem* = Chilam).
Jiang Hu=originally means the martial arts world in wuxia, but now can also connote a work/social circle, a concrete jungle, or society as a whole.
Delete人在江湖, 身不由己= "Out in the jiang hu, one can't always be the master of one's own fate"; (you can't always do what or as you like - compromises are inevitable in life )
Your following comment is a good e.g of the saying: "it has also seen their popularity decline. This is why I feel that it would be wise for HK artists to still return to TVB and film series every now and then. It's just a smart move to make in this industry." --- despite their reluctance or having their principles compromised to do so; also 'wise' and 'smart' are debatable.
Who’s to say the above mentioned artists’ popularity would not have declined had they stayed with TVB? TVB wants them back now because of their huge mainland fans – Ada’s mainland fanbase is huge as is Benny Chan’s before Rose Chan’s scandal, and Lawrence Ng’s too. Don’t know about Patrick Tam and Frankie Tam – were they very popular before they left tvb to begin with? Maybe the 1st lead roles no longer interest them cos' they have done those kinds of roles already, like in the case of Ada in Zhen Huan.
Chilam’s popularity case is an exception rather than the norm with ex-tvb artists filming tvb series; what about Gallen Lo in his two bombed return tvb series, Lawrence Ng in the recent doctors’ series, Ada and Sheren in Beauty at War, and Eddie Cheung etc? Did the tvb series boost their popularity overall, or did their mainland popularity in fact help boost the popularity of their young co-stars and the series? I'm glad Steven got paired with Tavia and not some newbies that TVB wants to promote.
Steven left TVB because he was mistreated by TVB so why go back for more same old same old mistreatments? Would Storm in a Cocoon really boost up his popularity? Obviously not – given the timeslot. So why bother going back to film a tvb series that may or not may boost popularity in HK but that he would most likely be buried by HK tabloids in negative negative press and baseless rumors?
In the end it all comes down to what the artists themselves are looking for in life/career and what their life/career priorities are, hence I disagree with your usage of ‘wise’ and ‘smart’ to the artists’ personal decisions.
To read my more indepth thought on this topic, goto
http://stevenma-fanblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/editorial-2014-tvb-calendar.html
And of course, "successful' has different definition and meaning to different people.
Delete