[Ta Kung Pao & The Sun 29/05/07]

"Heart of Greed" Reaches Finale Week - TVB Pledge to Reunite Cast in New Series

TVB series "Heart of Greed" will be airing its final episode on Friday and a celebration party was held yesterday for the cast and crew, attendees included Lee Si Kei, Ha Yu, Susanna Kwan, Tavia Yeung, Bosco Wong and Linda Chung as well as executive Catherine Tsang, who promised that the cast would be reunited once again for another production, saying that no-one would be left out.

The hype around the series keeps on growing and ratings last week averaged 35 points, peaking on Thursday at 40 points, pulling in 2.5 million viewers. As well as opening the champagne to celebrate, they also took a guess at the finale ratings to pass 48 points. As for the steady rise in viewers, Tavia and Linda were both very happy. Tavia has decided together with Bosco to take everyone out for a buffet, whilst Linda will be chipping in with Raymond Lam to pay for karaoke. As for the pledge from Catherine for another series together, they all joined together and said: "That would be the best!"

Catherine also wished Bosco good look for the Thailand release of his series "Devil's Disciple" in Thailand as Bosco and Kevin will be flying out to promote the show and record the Thai theme song tomorrow. Bosco says: "I have to do 20 interviews in 3 days, so I have to take over ten outfits. Fortunately I have my sponsors to help me out." As for another series with the "Heart" cast, Bosco says: "Of course I would like to film this, the best would be to carry on the theme of food! (But isn't it boring seeing you paired with Tavia again?) So next time we should have a big swap around and Ha Yu should be paired with Fala and I will be paired with Susanna. (Why don't you choose Fala?) We have had rumours so it would be boring. I'd like a change even if it is with Linda!"

With the ratings peaking when Susanna's 'Sai Kai' divorced Ha Yu in the show on Thursday, even beating Dai Kai's death scene, this proves her popularity has risen a lot. She says happily: "I am really happy, although people scold me every day, I am still happy."

She indicates that she is not being scolded in the streets, but in the internet forum polls, where netizens will talk about every scene and say to her: "Sai Kai, stop it now! Sheung Joi Dak is tricking you, please return to Dai Bau!" She feels that it is rare for a series to attract viewers' concern in this way and it is down to several elements, including the script, the roles and the media coverage.

As for her episode even beating Si Kei's big scene, she says: "The opening is very important because it has caught the viewers' attention and the ratings keep getting better. (Are you hoping for a new record in the ratings?) I am confident, but as for how much, I hope we will be as good as 'Jewel in the Palace' and 'War and Beauty'."

In order to celebrate the ratings, Susanna and Ha Yu will be taking everyone out for dinner. Asked if she would like an award at the end of the year? She says: "I have not really thought about awards, I am already very good and for people to say I am performing well is already an award for me, so if I do receive one, then it will be a bonus. (Is this your representative piece?) I daren't claim it to be, because I am just a high school student when it comes to filming series. I can just say it was a very memorable production and I will continue to sing." As for the original cast being reunited, she is very supportive, but hopes that it will be a longer series as 40 episodes is too short.

Following the success of airing the finale to "Jewel in the Palace" in a shopping centre in the past, the malls of Hong Kong have been fighting for the right to air the finale to "Heart" in their precints on Friday. TVB sold these rights to the highest bidder and it was Tsuen Wan's Discovery Park that won. They will also be hosting a special abalone banquet in the centre to mark the occasion. Although they lost out, Hollywood Plaza will be airing some other episodes this week on a 250 inch screen and will also be holding some promotional events and lucky draws to win abalone prizes. With rumours on the internet that the show will have two endings, producer Lau Ka Ho denied this yesterday.

http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/07/05/29/UL-743198.htm
http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/07/05/29/UL-743196.htm
http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/ent/20070529/20070528232236_0000.html



[Ta Kung Pao & The Sun 29/05/07]

No Rumoured Boyfriends at Charmaine's Birthday Party

Yesterday was Charmaine Sheh's 32nd birthday and her manager arranged a birthday party for her the night before at a Causeway Bay bar. Many showbiz friends were there to celebrate with her, including Jordan Chan, Kenny Bee, Bobby Au Yeung, Gallen Lo and Michael Miu, but rumoured boyfriends Benny Chan and Ron Ng were nowhere to be seen. As Charmaine did not have to work on her current series "Steel Lips Silver Teeth" that night, she stayed out from about 11pm until 4am and although she was wearing sunglasses when she left, she did seem to be a little drunk.

Charmaine attended her celebration wearing a white top and silver hotpants and as well as receiving flowers, she was also given some beer and two boxes of whisky and of course a birthday cake, in fact there are reports that she received 3 cakes and also 99 roses. When she was waiting outside and saw the reporters, Charmaine indicated she was afraid of it raining, but she was thankful to her friends for attending as she has received a lot of gifts. Asked what her birthday wish was, she says she wishes for good health and to just let love run its course. She also hopes for some good scripts. Asked if Benny has called her with his greetings, she just said goodbye and entered the venue again.

Timmy Hung attended with his girlfriend, but did not have a gift for Charmaine as he joked that Charmaine did not give him anything either. Gallen and Al Wai gave her a blank cheque for her to fill in, whilst Michael laughed the best present for her would be to make her drunk.

http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/07/05/29/UL-743194.htm
http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/ent/20070529/20070528231752_0000.html



[Ta Kung Pao 29/05/07]

Mandy Cho Shares Skincare Tips

Mandy Cho has been the spokesperson for Squina skincare products for a few years and yesterday she took part in a promotion where she joined the bosses to whip up some facial mixture with an egg whisk.

Talking of skincare tips, Mandy says she is very careful of her skin because she tans quite easily. When the weather is hot, she will just a lot of moisturising facials because her skin is quite dry. Asked if she will be filming series again, she says she has been negotiating with the company, but she will just be hosting some lifestyle programmes on Pearl for now. She says that at first she did enjoy filming series, but then she felt it was hard work and it gave her bags under her eyes. As for hosting, she feels she is a beginner. As for the Miss Hong Kong pageant underway again. Mandy says she has been watching and there are a few who are quite outstanding. She feels that the most important thing for a Miss hong Kong is to smile, be yourself, try not to be too nervous and use more facials. She favours 'Gigi Lai Lookalike' and 'Flora Chan Lookalike' this year because she feels their appearance is quite sharp. As for the four overseas contestants being so-so, Mandy feels that as an overseas contestant herself, maybe they have just not been crafted yet.

Company boss Ms Chan indicates that Mandy has been their spokesperson now for three years and they have increased her fee each year because she is a good girl. She asked Mandy to represent them because she is intelligent and very innocent, so her contract is worth nearly $1 million. Ms Chan says she is looking for a new spokesmodel now and is in discussions with some models, but is looking for someone with a healthy image.

http://www.takungpao.com.hk/news/07/05/29/UL-743203.htm



[The Sun 28/05/07]

Miss Hong Kong Contestants Film Clip in the Cold

The 16 contestants for the Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2007 braved a yellow rainfall warning yesterday to continue with their training and filming at TKO TVB City. The girls appeared in their uniform casualwear, but the air conditioning in TVB City was very cold and they had to bring their own coats to wear to avoid catching a chill. Also after their hair and make-up restyling, the girls have improved their appearances significantly.

http://the-sun.on.cc/channels/ent/20070528/20070527231832_0000.html