TODAYonline

45 and recounting

Which actor likes playing ‘weird’ roles? And who likes it best when it’s finally a wrap?

May Seah

may@mediacorp.com.sg

IT MAY not be the kind of reunion where you get to check out who’s now balding with three divorces under his belt, but this mega-reunion promises to be twice as extravagant. After all, would you expect any less from the illustrious, prolific Channel 8 on the grand occasion of its 45th anniversary?

On Sunday, MediaCorp TV Channel 8’s Anniversary Gala will be telecast live. Hosted by Guo Liang, Quan Yifeng, Dasmond Koh, and Michelle Chia, the show will recount all the significant and groundbreaking programmes in each of the categories of variety, drama, news, and current affairs.

And, of course, there’ll be song-and-dance routines, comedy sketches, and awards presentations, peppered with familiar faces from past and present.

Like any reunion, it’ll also be a huge nostalgia trip. Seeing all your favourite characters come alive again will undoubtedly take you back to a time when life was simpler and purer. It does for Rui En, who, despite being such an established actress, is still occasionally unnerved by what a significant role Channel 8 played in her formative years.

“When I was a little kid I would come home after school and watch Channel 8 dramas,” she told Today. “It’s surreal when I’m acting with people like Chen Hanwei, whom I’ve been watching since I was a kid.”

Go on, put on your tasselled moccasins and take a stroll down memorylane with these artistes. Catch theAnniversary Gala 2008 on Sunday at 7pm on Channel 8.

*****

ZHENG GEPING

21 years with Channel 8

My most vivid memories are of the changes of management! Change is good — I hope we’ll see more changes, like more openness in the Singapore media. The world is improving and we have to move forward. The industry ought to become more interesting.

I played a gangster in the drama Like Father Like Daughter. My character was good on the inside, but not all that clever. Instead of playing it as slapstick comedy, I used a serious style to portray a comedic part. To some it was a dangerous move, but it turned out a big success. I got a Best Actor award for that.

I could tell you more, but it’d take all day!

PATRICIA MOK

11 years with Channel 8

My most memorable time was the period I was doing Comedy Night. You can’t imagine how stressful it was because we recorded two episodes at a go in front of a live audience. We got to read the script only on the day itself — and it was always changing.

Jack Neo would come over and say: ‘That line don’t say.’ We’d reply: ‘Which line? No time already!’ Everything depended on the chemistry between us.

I love what I’m doing. I’ve told a lot people that every day when I wake up, no matter how tired I am, I feel very happy, and I look forward to the next day. A lot of people work for the sake of living. But you should work for passion.

KYM NG

12 years with Channel 8

I enjoyed my time at City Beat the most. It gave me a lot of exposure. I was watching it again the other day, and it brought back a lot of memories. All the hosts — Sharon Au, Bryan Wong, Lina Ng and I — had great chemistry. Miss Tan was my favourite character, and also the most difficult. She was a know-it-all. From golf to fishing to bowling to tea drinking — she was supposed to know everything. That meant a lot of info to memorise, and a lot of stress. I don’t know how I got through it!

The first project I did for MediaCorp was a period drama in which I played a prostitute. I was very shy because I was very new. Zheng Geping played my man — I can never forget that! He was very kind and patient, even though I kept wanting to laugh because it was so awkward ...

ADRIAN PANG

5 years with Channel 8

In the short time I’ve been with the station, I’ve only been involved in two productions on Channel 8. My favourite moment is when they finally call it a wrap!

It’s been a learning experience in many ways. Not least because I’ve learnt I should’ve paid more attention in Chinese class! I’ve been fortunate that whatever I’ve thrown out there has been met favourably. Viewers have been very forgiving with my shortcomings – but I could say that for my whole career!

I’m thankful to have a job and to be received well.

ZOE TAY

20 years with Channel 8

My most memorable moment was when I received the Best Actress award for the first time. I don’t even remember which year! (That would be 1996 for Golden Pillow, Zoe.) And also the Special Achievement award (1998). That was the year my dad passed away. He was the one who had always encouraged me.

Pretty Faces, The Unbeatables and Rising Expectations are shows that stand out in my memory.

I think that what we do is all about teamwork. We are the people in front of the camera, but there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.

Channel 8 is getting moremature, and improving a lot. I hope our programmes will travel further.

GUO LIANG

14 years with Channel 8

My strongest impressions are from the first time I started work in Singapore. They gave me two A4 pages’ worth of script, and I memorised all of it because I didn’t know hosting was like filming — the scene could be cut and shot several times.

So, I recited the entire thing from memory. The director was shocked. He’d never seen anyone get it right on the first go. He still talks about it today!

There was another occasion when one of my eyes was swollen. You know, the kind that people say is because you’ve been peeking at naughty stuff ... I thought I’d be sent home, but they told me to go ahead. So I wore a pair of shades. I think I’m the only one who’s ever worn sunglasses live! The audience never said a thing — I think people were more forgiving back then!

MICHELLE CHIA

(arguably) 26 years in showbiz

My favourite show on Channel 8 used to be the one with Wang Sa and Ye Feng. We’d record it, and I’d watch it again and again and re-enact it with my cousins.

I started acting at the age of six, with commercials and children’s programmes. It was a fun experience and I had a good time with the other kids. The most difficult part was the long hours, but it was usually during the school holidays.

The most memorable project I worked on was Sword and Honour, because it was my first show in China, and it really opened my eyes to the culture. I played a girl who had to cross-dress to protect herself. At the time I was only 19.

CHEN HANWEI

20 years with Channel 8

I’ve noticed that they assign me all the weird characters! I’ve played a crazy person in A Life of Hope, a sissy in My Lucky Charm and a nerd in Love Me, Love Me Not. It makes me feel very excited — I really like weird characters. I like to create a new image for each show.

Most recently, I played a HIV-positive person in By My Side. Since I’m not really an Aids patient, it was very difficult to imagine (what it must feel like to be one). I did a lot of research — talking to patients, being in close contact with them. It’s very interesting because as actors, we get to do things that ordinary people would never do.