The time has finally come to celebrate the hard work of fellow artistes, both young and old, in the past year. Nominated or not is not the matter; the ceremony is held to show appreciation to all artistes who have put their best in each and every production. The annual ceremony celebrates the excellence of each artistes' performance during the past year for the 21st time; and this will be its final showdown in Caldecott Broadcasting Center before Mediacorp's big migration.
With the ceremony being held at its highest form, who will be bringing back the top accolades of the Star Awards 2015? Toggle has placed their bets and so it's my turn, so who would win the gamble at the end of the day? Well, we will have to wait and see...
I have with me RM 1000 (RM stands from Malaysian Ringgit, my local currency), and now I am walking towards the Star Awards Casino to place my bet on 10 different boards. (I will bet RM100 for each category) How much would I fare in the lottery which will be announced tomorrow night? Well, I for one hope I wouldn't come back empty handed, really. This casino has given me enough surprises in the past few years, I wouldn't be surprised if they are planning for another surprise party this year. Oh well, at least we didn't see any awards having three winners this time - seems more legit this year, at least in my opinion.
BEST ACTOR 最佳男主角
RM 50 - Shaun Chen as Zhang Jia (The Journey: Tumultuous Times)
Shaun Chen is like the male version of Jeanette Aw; they both went through dog days where their acting was badly criticised, to the extent that they don't seem to have any talent at all. And now, both of them are finally showing their true colours to the audiences - the colour of being a great actor.
Shaun went through quite a lot I would say. His career was pretty much flat before 2013. He had his chances of taking on lead roles but his efforts were somewhat in vain as no one is there to see his improvement. However, things are changing this year; it seems to me that 2015 is Shaun's year. His portrayal as a kind-hearted and loyal hooligan impressed viewers all around Singapore and Malaysia. This is the first time where he successfully moulded a character of his own, with no one else's shadow beneath it. I can say that Zhang Jia is one of Shaun's breakthrough roles besides Lian Wending from Blessings. It was indeed a pity Jeanette didn't manage to garner this recognition last year despite her excellent performance in The Dream Makers, so I do hope Shaun can take back this award this time round.
RM 50 - Thomas Ong as Zhao Yaozong (Three Wishes)
Thomas Ong, a man who strives in his work but yet his hard work was never seen. If I were to use one word to describe him, I would say...underrated. He had the skills, he had the passion, but what he is lacking of, is a chance, a chance to shine in front of the viewers. His characters were usually dull and flat, there was nothing much for him to exercise his acting skills. Finally, his chance came; and undoubted, he nailed it. I really have nothing much to comment, all I have for him is praises. He indeed deserves the highest commendation of the performance category with his solid and convincing performance as a father who is prepared to do whatever it takes for the best of his children.
BEST ACTRESS 最佳女主角
RM 70 - Rui En as Qiu Xueqing (Against the Tide)
This was Rui En's first attempt on a villainous role, and I have to say, she has done a good job there. Xueqing seems like another ordinary role at the start, besides that fact she has these delusions about taking away the life of others of course. However, when the show reaches its climax, I would never forget that evil glance Xueqing has when her body was taken over by the evil side of her. That moment, I knew that glance was looking towards the Best Actress trophy. Well, you got it Rui En, you got it.
RM 30 - Yvonne Lim as Zheng Yongyi (World at Your Feet)
Remember when I previously written about the predicted nominations of the Star Awards? I predicted Jeanette Aw to be in, for her portrayal as Hong Minghui from The Journey: Tumultuous Times. Her performance was just right; not too spicy and not to sweet - but it has failed to win the judge's heart. If not she would be my dark horse of this category.
However, this new mother has scored a chance to run for this prestigious award. It was only her third time running and she won it once back in 2007. I never expected her to be in; not because she didn't ace her character, but I thought her character was more like a supporting than a lead. That being said, her portrayal has a mother of two kids was incredible. It was real and emotional. She managed to handle the motherly love aspect in the best manner. And mind you, she has yet to be a mother back then. While the rest of the actresses have much to improve, I think she stand a chance if Rui En didn't win. After all, the judges love simpleton characters - just like how Chen Li Ping won over Ann Kok and Jeanette Aw in 2010 for her drama The Reunion Dinner.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 最佳男配角
RM 100 - Chen Hanwei as Hu Weiren (The Journey: Tumultuous Times)
Do I have to say anymore? Hello people, it's Chen Hanwei we are talking about! Chen Hanwei is one of the few actors and actresses which is able to make every role he took on seems like it was tailor made for him. But obviously, it wasn't. He was his own magician behind the curtains. He never fails to bring each of his characters alive - as though that character was not fictitious. Hu Weiren was one of them. He started off has a betrayer and he ended up a madman. Do you see any loopholes in the change? Of course not! Why? Because he made the change looked so natural. Besides, who would forget his 暗号 (secret password in Mandarin)?
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS最佳女配角
RM 80 - Joanne Peh as Zhang Huiniang (The Journey: Tumultuous Times)
She won 2 Best Actress trophies and both were actually very surprising. Though the first one was actually more deserving than the 2nd, where she won the accolade by playing a pampered and sassy young lady who yearns for a rich husband. Joanne might have won her 2nd Best Actress trophy by luck in 2012, where Ah Jie Zoe Tay and Ann Kok were tipped to be winners, but this year, she might finally win this Best Supporting Actress trophy just because she deserves it.
She had only four episodes and she started off so bland that you might think she is just there just because she is part of the first installment of The Journey series. But never would I forget the moment she shouted in hatred and fright when she ran towards the alley after she got raped in the Japanese kempeitai. Though the scene where she struggles on bed seems more like she is suffering from a stroke than being raped, but I think her acting was convincing overall. Plus, she had experience acting a rape victim in The Little Nyonya, and won an accolade for it, so this was actually a piece of cake to her.
RM 20 - Carrie Wong as Bai Lanxiang (The Journey: Tumultuous Times)
Carrie is the fresh face of the local entertainment industry. This was only her first year and yet she managed to garner a spot to run for this category. For that reason itself, she deserves a mention. I for one thinks that her portrayal as Di Yao and Scarlet was better than her portrayal as Bai Lanxiang, but I think she stands a small chance in winning this trophy. If the judges want her to be the next Fann Wong, then I have no doubt that this trophy would be hers. (Fann Wong won Best Newcomer and Best Actress in her first year of acting, and has never won any since then. Cursed maybe?)
BEST NEWCOMER 最佳新人
RM 80 - Carrie Wong (Against the Tide, The Journey; Tumultuous Times, SCRUM)
Maybe she loses out in the Best Supporting Actress category, but she definitely stands out in this category. She has shown versatility in her respective roles as her roles are mostly not as simple as people think. One acts like a tomboy and later got raped; the other was a lady but suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder with an evil side. How's that for a newbie? Great, ain't she? That's why she deserves to win.
RM 20 - Aloysius Pang (World at Your Feet, Against the Tide)
Aloysius was a child actor and his acting impressed me since he was a child. He did well in his respective characters as well and no doubt that both his characters were vastly different. But, do note that his character is not as challenging has Carrie's as Carrie's characters both have a different dimension respectively.
BEST DRAMA 最佳戏剧
RM 100 - The Journey: Tumultuous Times
Whether it is the wins or the nominations, this drama is one of the best dramas I have seen in the past year besides Three Wishes. The reason why it will win over Three Wishes you ask? Simple - the background, the story, the cast, the theme song, and everything else. Three Wishes is equally good but from the story and setting (time and place) especially, it has to take a step back. Adding on the total nominations and possible wins, this drama is definitely the Best Drama in 2015
As you know, I am Malaysian. I don't get to watch all the variety shows here. I have my sources but to download all of them, it will take lots of my time and space. So I am speaking from a view of pieces of episodes and some reviews of the show.
BEST VARIETY SHOW HOST 最佳综艺节目主持人
RM 60 - Pornsak (Joy Truck 2)
Joy Truck 2, the sequel to Joy Truck brings viewers to the deepest part of the unfortunates in Singapore. With such saddening stories week after week, Pornsak managed to host the programme with such confidence and closeness. From his words, you can feel that he understands the sufferers. And yet, with many actresses crying throughout the show, he managed to hold his tears back and host with the right and balanced emotions. Overall, his hosting indeed was the plus point of the show.
RM 40 - Quan Yifong (Black Rose 2)
I think I need not say more about Miss Quan here. Black Rose 2 was one of the variety shows in which I watched from top to end. Her role play of different character not only amuses me, it also made me more focused onto what is discussed within the show. Not to mention, her impersonation was the most realistic one among the rest. No wonder she stands out among the others of being the only one nominated from this show. Also, she garnered a nomination in Asian TV Awards last year in the Best Performance in a Comedy for this show as well.
BEST VARIETY SHOW 最佳综艺节目
RM 50 - Food Source 4
'Nuff said, I think this show is totally underrated. From my records, even though its previous seasons managed to top the viewership charts, they failed to become the Best Variety Show. Truthfully speaking, I not only enjoy the show (for the food), I also love the facts portrayed through the show. Not to mention, this show goes around the world just to trace the source of specific food - how is that easy? The producers have to find sponsors and the writers have to research on the food facts - it was definitely not easy overall.
RM 50 - Joy Truck 2
The show goes around Singapore to showcase the lives of the unfortunate in Singapore. Their goal is to bring Joy to these people and their hopes are that citizens will help them by donating or maybe giving them some physical and mental support. That being said, I think this show deserves recognition as it is there for a great meaning.
BEST INFO-ED PROGRAMME HOST 最佳资讯节目主持人
RM 60 - Quan Yifong (Where to Stay)
Here you are again, Miss Quan. Why is it her? She shows her truest self when hosting this show. What you see is truly the Quan Yi Fong you would see everywhere. She never tries to hide her true self - she will show both her good and bad sides no doubt. She laughs at the name of the chief villager - it's just so her! And because of that, she make things a little more entertaining than usual. And she gets along very well with her host family as though she was part of them. And remember the part she tried to do a deed by putting away her own trash? Funny, but that's her - truly her. That's why she is here. Period.
RM 40 - Ben Yeo (Meet My Family 2)
Okay, I have to speak the truth; I never had the chance to see Meet My Family 2. But from my research, Meet My Family is a show where the host visits different families in Singapore and tries to uncover the art of communication between parents and children. Ben has always known to be the children's favourite so I believe he must have done well here.
BEST INFO-ED PROGRAMME 最佳资讯节目
RM 50 - Where to Stay
Why is it a great show? With only a few minutes of the first episode, my eyes were glued to the screen. Why? This is because showcases the lives of villages and outskirts located overseas as well as lives of the cities overseas. In each episode, viewers get to compare the different between the said village life and the said city life. You get know learn both about city lifestyle and village lifestyle one shot, and with the comparison, you would learn how to appreciate what you have back home. That's why it was a great show!
RM 50 - A Taste of History
As a Malaysian, I have to thank this show for showcasing the best of Singaporean food as well as their respective origins. Learning the stories behind certain areas in Singapore, such as Katong, Teochew Street and so on, really makes me interested to learn more about Singaporean history. Besides that, this show is an ultimate food and street guide for tourists visiting Singapore, so I definitely have to place my bet on this.
So my bet on the Star Awards Show 2 tomorrow! What about yours?
Stay tuned to Star Awards 2015 Show 2 tomorrow (26 April 2015) at 5:30 P.M for the Walk of Fame and 7:00 P.M for the Awards Show. and 10:30 P.M for the Post Show Party
Programme schedule:
Star Awards 2015 – Show 2
Date: 26 April 2015 (Sunday)
Date: 26 April 2015 (Sunday)
Walk of Fame:
Time: 5pm to 6.30pm (LIVE on Singapore Channel 8)
Ceremony:
Time: 7 to 10pm (LIVE on Singapore Channel 8 and Malaysia Astro AEC HD)
Post Show Party:
Time: 10.30pm to 11.30pm (LIVE on Singapore Channel 8)
Time: 5pm to 6.30pm (LIVE on Singapore Channel 8)
Ceremony:
Time: 7 to 10pm (LIVE on Singapore Channel 8 and Malaysia Astro AEC HD)
Post Show Party:
Time: 10.30pm to 11.30pm (LIVE on Singapore Channel 8)
