Entertainment

8 Interesting Facts About Star Awards 2018 ‘Coz We Still Watch TV

2018-02-02 , 10:23 am

It’s early Feb and you know what that means.

That’s right; it’s time for… the Star Awards 2018!

Alright so maybe it takes place more than two months from now, but let’s disregard such an insignificant notion.

Anyway, yeah, the Star Awards 2018 is fast approaching, and like every other edition, there will be joy, speeches, heartbreaks, more speeches, hugs, many more speeches and perhaps even wardrobe malfunctions.

(Okay, maybe not the last one. The speech part is definitely true though)

Note: not what Elvin Ng really said. I think. Image: Video – Toggle

But I will stop rambling for now, because I’m pretty sure you’re not here to have a conversation with me. So without further ado, let’s commence…

The 8 interesting facts about this year’s Star Awards!

Because we still watch TV. #coldhardtruth #youreindenialifyoudenyit

When Duty Calls is dominating the scene

With Descendants of the Sun paving the way for army-themed shows all around the world, it felt only right that Singapore should produce its own version.

And that, it did. When Duty Calls, as the show’s called, is pretty much Singapore’s answer to the Korean hit, and it’s admittedly good.

The stats show too: the military-themed drama garnered a whopping eight nominations in this year’s Star Awards, three more than the closest serials, Mightiest Mother-in-Law and The Lead, which collected five nominations each.

Talk about domination!

Non-Mediacorp artistes are in the running too

No, you didn’t read that wrong. For the first time in history, Star Awards will be tweaking its regulations slightly to open up nominations to non-Mediacorp artistes.

According to 8Days magazine, the regulations were tweaked because the Awards wished to “recognise the contributions to local television more broadly”.

Well, we certainly don’t mind. This would make the Star Awards truly local, instead of well… Mediacorp.

First-timers

As it turns out, there are a number of first-timers in this year’s Star Awards. Six, to be exact.

Carrie Wong and Paige Chua, who scored their first Best Actress nomination, will be going head to head.

Desmond Tan, on the other hand, earned his first Best Actor nomination as tough guy Sergeant Loke in When Duty Calls.

Although you got to admit; that scene in which he chews on a raw fish merits an Oscar in itself.

Last but not least, Shane Pow and Marcus Chin will be competing for the Best Supporting Actor award for the first time, while local singer-actress Chen Mei Xin will be fighting for the Best Supporting Actress award.

The Evergreen Artiste award is packed with favourites

Now, lest you’re unaware, the Evergreen Artiste award is actually a pretty prestigious one.

In fact, I would personally rate it even higher than the standard ‘top accolades’ like Best Actor, Actress and such, simply because of the fact that it’s only awarded to “Mediacorp veteran artiste(s) who has (have) delivered an outstanding performance in their field of profession”.

Additionally, the artiste “must be over 50 years in age and has garnered over 25 years of performing experience in the industry”.

Not a small feat by any chance, if you catch my drift. Which is why I have so much respect for it.

And incidentally, this year’s contenders are pretty much top favourites.

Chen Shu Cheng

Hong Hui Fang

Marcus Chin

Xiang Yun

Zhu Hou Ren

Having witnessed these veterans on the screen for more than a decade now, I feel hard-pressed to even pick a favourite.

Although I might just give Chen Shu Cheng more slack, simply because he’s won it in 2016.

Gotta give chance to others, right?

Rui En’s not involved in the party

Having collected seven consecutive Best Actress nominations over the years, of which she clinched two, Ruin En has become near synonymous with the award of Best Actress.

Her impeccable performance as a tough cop in Unriddle 2 earned her a second Best Actress win in 2013. Image: 8Days

And after putting in a strong performance in this year’s Have A Little Faith, you would expect her to continue that trend, with perhaps even a third win on the line.

But alas, it’s not to be, as Rui En has been left out of this year’s Best Actress list.

Although admittedly, she did have a strong line-up to go against in this year’s edition, with the likes of Carrie Wong, Chen Li Ping, Paige Chua, Rebecca Lim and Zoe Tay taking the spots.

Which is kind of a pity, as it would have made her eighth year running to be nominated for the award.

Two industry veterans go head to head

Chen Li Ping and Zoe Tay… where do I start?

For one, they are both practical legends in the industry. Who could ever forget Chen Li Ping’s loveable role as Ai Yo Yo Lao shi, and Zoe Tay’s riveting role as Luo Qi Fang/Long Jia Jia in the Unbeatables?

For two, they have continued to dominate the industry. While actors and actresses have faded in and out, these two have survived the trials of time, and even managed to stay relevant.

Which will make this next point even more exciting, because apparently…

They will be going head-to-head with three other established actresses in this year’s Star Awards, where they will all be vying for the Best Actress title!

Could you imagine it? Chen Li Ping will be going up against Zoe Tay for one of the most coveted awards in the show’s history!

Granted, there will be three other established actresses going for the kill, but if you take Chen and Tay’s ages into account…

It speaks a lot about their professionalism and acting chops.

Felicia Chin’s up for the running, but not for acting

Now, there’s no doubting Felicia Chin’s acting abilities. After all, she was the one who has given us relatable and memorable characters, time after time, again and again.

In fact, if anything, her already remarkable acting chops have only seemed to blossom over time, and she’s pretty much a stellar powerhouse in the industry right now.

Well guess what? She’s involved in this year’s nominations, again!

If you’re wondering, “That’s nothing new. Where’s the surprise?”, check this out:

She’s not up for the Best Actress award.

Heck, it’s not even for the Best Supporting Actress award.

Rather, she’s up for the Best Programme Host award, whose nomination she earned through the programme Going Miles, Spreading Smiles!

Yeah I know. Shocking stuff, isn’t it?

But if you think about it, it just makes her all the more impressive.

She’s like the complete package, you know. Can act, can host.

Unbelievable, really.

The nominations

And of course, as interesting as the facts above are, there’s no beating the actual lists.

So let’s get right down to it!

Best Drama Serial

Have a little Faith
Mightiest Mother-in-Law
My Friends from Afar
When Duty Calls
While We Are Young

Best Actor

Desmond Tan – When Duty Calls
Pierre Png – When Duty Calls
Romeo Tan – Life Less Ordinary
Shaun Chen – My Friends from Afar
Zhang Zhenhuan – Home Truly

Best Actress

Carrie Wong – My Friends from Afar
Chen Liping – Mightiest Mother-in-Law
Paige Chua – Mightiest Mother-in-Law
Rebecca Lim – The Lead
Zoe Tay – While We Are Young

Best Supporting Actor

Brandon Wong – My Friends from Afar
Chen Hanwei – The Lead
Chen Shucheng – Home Truly
Marcus Chin – Have a Little Faith
Shane Pow – When Duty Calls

Best Supporting Actress

Aileen Tan – Have a Little Faith
Bonnie Loo – Mightiest Mother-in-Law
Kym Ng – When Duty Calls
Mei Xin – When Duty Calls
Sheila Sim – 118 II

Best Variety Programme

Ah Ma Can Cook
I Love You Mum Challenge – A Gift for Mum
Oh My Heroes!
Take a Break!
The Love97.2 Breakfast Quartet

Best Info-Ed Programme

Fixer
Going Miles, Spreading Smiles
Little Maestros
National Flavours
Tuesday Report: #myconnectionsg

Best Newcomer Award

Chantalle Ng – While We Are Young
Hazelle Teo – Dear DJ
He Yingying – 118 II
Richie Koh – When Duty Calls
Zong Zijie – While We Are Young

Best Evergreen Artiste Award

Chen Shucheng
Hong Huifang
Marcus Chin
Xiang Yun
Zhu Houren

Best Programme Host

Felicia Chin – Going Miles, Spreading Smiles
Guo Liang – Voices
Kym Ng – Ah Ma Can Cook
Lee Teng – Fixer
Quan Yifeng – Unique Lodging

Young Talent Award

Damien Teo – The Lead
Isabel Yamada – The Lead
Tay Kay Zer Cruz – Home Truly
Toh Xin Hui – My Friends From Afar
Violet Raine Ong Yong Zhen – Mightiest Mother-in-Law

Best Theme Song

Dear DJ – ‘Shi Ai Ah, Ha Li’ performed by The Freshman
Dream Coder – ‘Wei Meng Xiang Shan Yao’ performed by Derrick Hoh
Life Less Ordinary – ‘Xiao Ren Wu Xiang Qian Chong’ performed by the cast
The Lead – ‘Chu Zhong’ performed by Tay Ping Hui
When Duty Calls – ‘Yi Gang Ke Gang’ performed by Desmond Ng and Kenny Khoo

It’s never too late to catch up

I’ll admit; I haven’t watched Mediacorp dramas ever since I got hooked on Western and Korean shows. After all, you’ll always choose the better quality ones to binge watch, wouldn’t you?

But I will still drop by then and again to check things out. For example, I made it a point to follow Li Nan Xing’s gangster teacher series (because he’s so cool) and the recent serial While We Are Young. And I gotta say:

Production’s improving!

So if you’re like me, who’ve pretty much sworn off Mediacorpse dramas, you might want to check the latest ones out. Because while Western and Korean ones are indefinitely cooler, there’s still nothing quite like home.

And what better way to relive your local memories, than to start with the upcoming Star Awards? 🙂

You can catch Star Awards 2018 on April 22, Sunday, 7pm, Ch 8. It will be followed by Star Awards 2018 – Post Show Party at 10.30pm.

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