Box Office Showcase: Twilight, This Sunday, 12th June, 10pm!!!

Based on the novel by Stephanie Meyer, Twilight revolves around an ordinary girl named Bella and a not so ordinary boy/man/really-old man named Edward (p.s. he doesn’t age). Then you throw in some hot vampires, a hint of werewolves, some gripping action scenes and a love story and voila! You have Twilight!

It never fails to amaze us how the movie managed to garner such a huge fan base and made vampires cool again. Gone were the days where vampires freaked you out like Count Dracula! Nowadays, they seem to charm people and sweep us off our feet. Plus, look at how many vampire-related shows have sprouted out since [e.g. The Vampire Diaries, The Gates (showing on Saturdays, 10pm on Channel 5 by the way) & of course, the spoof Vampires Suck]

In Twilight, you have the good vampires and the bad ones. We wonder… if we were vampires, would we rather not drink human blood like the Cullens? Or would we rather be bloodthirsty vampires like James and his coven? Hmmm…

The Cullens:

From left to right: Jasper Hale & Alice Cullen, Rosalie Hale & Emmet Cullen, Carlisle & Esme Cullen, Edward Cullen & Bella Swan

James’ Coven

From left to right: James, Laurent, Victoria

And just a fun fact before we sign off, did you know that there’s actually a scene in the movie that makes reference to the original book cover? Look out for it!

So, be sure to catch Twilight in your Box Office Showcase this Sunday, 10pm!

Plus, 3 lucky viewers can stand to win a brand new camera worth $399 each!

Click here for more details

Brooke Elliott, “Jane Bingum”, Drop Dead Diva

Brooke Elliott – the bubbly star of television’s Drop Dead Diva — is as effervescent as an uncorked bottle of champagne.  Never mind that playing Jane – a brilliant attorney carrying around the soul of a deceased model named Deb inside of her – could drive a lesser thespian to drink, the 35-year-old Broadway musical vet  is juggling song and dance routines on the show while cooing over Deb’s  former beau who could have eyes for Jane – some day. Elliott’s fingers are crossed.

How do you keep those dueling divas in line?

In some ways it’s easier because I’ve lived with them longer, and in other ways it’s challenging because Deb’s not new anymore into Jane’s body. The first season was a lot of news and firsts and a lot of things were happening to Jane. Now it’s challenging to keep her moving and keep her interesting and to keep her developing and keep the audience still wanting to see that.

Well what fans really want to see is Jane with Grayson (played by Jackson Hurst).

I hope it happens!  (laughs)

So, you’re rooting for them, too?

I aaam! I aaam! Well, partly because I play Deb-Jane, so I know how it feels. (laughs) I know how much Deb loves Grayson.

 But wouldn’t Grayson have to fall in love Jane, not Deb, for it to really work?

It’s one of the things that I believe is a huge crux for Deb. She came from such a shallow place and such a place of judgment on people who didn’t look a certain way. Now that she doesn’t fit what her mind believes is perfect, that’s a huge thing to change the way you think about something — and Grayson’s going to have to develop in the same way for (he and Jane) to actually really belong together in the end.

From the very beginning, the show has had plenty of A-list guest stars. Was there anyone who left you star struck?

I was really star struck with Liza Minnelli, and yet she was so warm that that kind of like came down very quickly and I was astounded that I was just sitting there talking to Liza Minnelli like I would talk to anybody! And Delta Burke, I was a little bit like, Delta Burke! With all of them I’ve been a little star struck I have to admit. Gregory Harrison was so fun, and I used to have the biggest crush on him when he was Trapper John MD. We were sitting in the hair and make-up trailer, and I was like, I was really in love with you when I was ten. (laughs)

Your background is in musical theater. How different is it doing song and dance numbers for TV?

It’s been incredibly different because in theater you rehearse and rehearse and rehearse and rehearse and rehearse and rehearse, and then you put up that show polished. In TV it’s so funny the little rehearsal time. At first I was like, Oh nooo, we rehearse and rehearse and rehearse and rehearse and rehearse! (laughs) But it’s been fun to learn the differences.

Of course, no diva is complete without her wardrobe – do you have input on Jane’s drop dead gorgeous looks?

Actually, I do hold very strong opinions about what she wears, and there are certain places where I want her to be sexier and so we lower the cut on things. On her blazers, I like little ruffles on the skirts. We have this one, I call it the kicky skirt, and it’s got a little billowing thing in the back —  I looove my kicky skirt! And I like her to have those little embellishments that make her Deb in Jane’s body, and not just Jane because Jane was rather plain in her choices and so while I still need to wear suits because I’m a lawyer, I like Deb’s influence on that.

And your fashion influence as well?

I’ll admit I am a girly-girl. I like my makeup and my hair things and my fun little girl thing. So that’s a part of Deb that I’m completely one-on-one with.

Catch Brooke as Jane with Deb’s soul in Drop Dead Diva; it airs on Thursdays at 11:00pm. Live love and love life as the show takes you on a journey called life!

Drop Dead Diva Season 2!

The critically acclaimed hit series, Drop Dead Diva, returns tomorrow with all-new episodes featuring unbelievable storylines and surprise guest appearances. 

Named by USA Today as one of the ‘fabulous female performers of 2009’ and by Entertainment Weekly as a ‘breakout TV star, Brooke Elliott will capture your heart with her winning performance as a shallow model-in-training, Deb, who dies in a sudden accident only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane.

At the close of last season, Deb was ready to let go of her past and embrace her new life as Jane. But the unexpected arrival of Jane’s “secret” husband Ethan at her doorstep left her with more questions than ever. To make matters worse, Jane may be disbarred after breaching client attorney confidentiality when, against the firm’s advisement, she reported her client for fraud.

Faced with a new love triangle and the uncertainty of her career, Jane must, once-again, chart out a new future for herself. Why must life be so unfair to the beautiful people?

Catch the premiere of season 2 tomorrow at 11:00pm and feel free to unleash your inner diva!

Live to Dance with Paula Abdul!

We have all seen Paula Abdul perform her sultry dance moves in her music videos including to her hit song Opposites Attract. Ok, there are plenty of people that would say that she was out danced by an animated cat but the good people of CBS have seen fit to let Paula judge their latest reality television show, Live to Dance.

She will be joined by fellow judges Travis Payne and Kimberly Wyatt. Travis is famous for working on Michael Jackson’s, This is It, while Kimberly is known for her stint with the larger than life girl group The Pussycat Dolls. Kimberly also has had some panel experience on the UK series of Got to Dance, which is a similar format to the upcoming show. Australian Andrew Gunsberg will host the show after he appeared on Australian Idol, Take 40 Australia and The ConTest in his homeland.

Get ready for more Paula Abdul kookiness along with some great dance performers. Live to Dance premieres tomorrow at 10:00pm. 

Exclusive peek of the full interview Grandmaster Alaric Tay with the cast of Kung Fu Panda 2!

Never-been-seen footage on Channel 5!  Watch Grandmaster Alaric Tay’s interview with Kung Fu Panda 2’s Master Tigress and Master Po in full.  We promise you’ll be tickled!  Angelina Jolie and Jack Black were… 🙂

And check out how amused Gary Oldman was to meet our Grandmaster!  Gary Oldman plays the evil Lord Shen, a new addition to Kung Fu Panda 2.

Animation Event: Kung Fu Panda – Po & Shifu

Kung Fu Panda is a story about a lazy panda named Po that will leave you laughing all night long! After all, who could resist an adorable furry panda! Filled with a vast array of characters from all over the animal kingdom (e.g. Panda, Crane, Viper, Snow Leopard and many more!) and voiced by a star studded cast, Kung Fu Panda will surely knock your  socks off and give you a good laugh on a Sunday night!

Here’s an introduction to two of the characters, Po & Shifu!!!

Jack Black comes to our screens as a Panda! The voice of a panda that is.

Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of kung fu around, which doesn’t exactly come in handy while working every day in his family’s noodle shop. When he’s unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality and he joins the world of kung fu to study alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five.

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Of course with every student, there has to be an awesome teacher. This time, he takes the form of a Red Panda. I bet most of you were thinking he was a raccoon! 🙂

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Two time Oscar Winner Dustin Hoffman voices Shifu, the wise guru who trained the legendary furious five! Now, his mission is to find the prophesized Dragon Warrior and train him to defend the people from Tai Lung!

While initially resistant (who could blame him, no one expects a Panda to be able to master kung fu), Shifu takes Po under his tutelage and trains him to become the prophesized Dragon warrior!

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So, remember to catch to Kung Fu Panda in your Animation Event, 22^nd May, Sunday, 7.45pm, only on Channel 5!!!

Alaric Tay meets the cast for Kung Fu Panda 2!

Kung Fu awesomest Panda is back!

Channel 5 is the official TV channel for Kung Fu Panda 2 and I, Alaric Tay has the grand honour of travelling to Hollywood to meet the director and the various masters of Kung Fu Panda 2!

We thought it would be a good to dress to impress and so on the morning of the junket  in Los Angeles, I was up at 6 getting ready to become Grandmaster BakXu.

The international press was quite intrigued by my kungfu master outfit.  I think I had a French, Vietnamese, German, Australia, Columbian, and even a reporter from Chengdu interviewing and taking photos with me.

So there, free international exposure.  It pays to be OTT sometimes.

Aussie presenter, dunno-whats-his-name, from Channel 9 (or was it 4? Darn my crappy kungfu memory!!!) trying to get his blackberry camera to work. “Come on matey, Stop muckin around and start shootin!”

…That Chinese fella whose not supposed to be in the shot!!!

We got to work once we arrived at Dreamworks Animation Studios. Of course, PO was there to greet us when we arrived, so we did a little sparring. It’s obvious who won…

So it seems that Dreamworks Studios is one of the top 10 companies to work for in America as rated by Forbes magazine. And one of the reasons? They conduct FREE Yoga classes for employees during lunchtime!!!

During lunch, I had the chance to hang out with PO, (alone, this time!). He was having girlfriend problems and was seeking my advice.

Then of course, I had the chance to interview the cast of the show!!!

Jack & Angelina (Yes, we’re on a first name basis, and they call me KungFu Master!) were super friendly and down-to-earth. No airs whatsoever.   You should see their faces when they saw me walk into the room.

Unfortunately, Due to behind-the-scenes logistical constraints, I did not manage a picture with Jack and Angelina. It happens, so no sweat.  But I did manage to get one with the very epic, Gary Oldman!

I must say, for an actor who takes on such dramatic roles, he sure has a good sense of humour.

Click here to see their reaction of my grandmaster outfit!  Stay tuned to this blog for some exclusive peeks of my encounter with Angelina Jolie, Jack Black and Gary Oldman! I promise you will be tickled!

After lunch was the press conference. We didn’t really need to stay but I thought what the heck, we’ve come this far, might as well stick around to see if there was anymore interesting stuff that we could shoot. There wasn’t. :s

From left to right: Dreamworks Chief Executive, Jeffrey Katzenburg; Angelina Jolie plying Tigress; jack Black playoing PO; Gary Oldman playing Lord Shen, and Kung Fu Panda 2 Director, Jenifer Yuh Nelson.

But jack Black gave me some air time during the press con. Like 3 seconds worth. He was answering a question posed to him and he suddenly said, “I’m sorry, I can’t remember the question cos I’m really distracted by the Kung Fu Master sitting on the fifth row.” To which everyone turned to look at me. I struck a GongXi FaCai pose, the crowd laughed. Gary Oldman laughed the loudest!  I think he got a real kick out of seeing a real Kung Fu Master. Hahahaha!

Here’s a little story about Jennifer Yuh Nelson. Her progression in the Kung Fu Panda franchise is pretty awesome. She was an animator on the first Kung Fu Panda, doing the anime 2D flashback sequences.  And she did such a good job conceptualizing and realizing it, she was asked to direct the second installment!  Certainly did doing the Asian community proud! 🙂

Click here to find out who Jennifer thinks will win if all the Kung Fu masters have a duel!

Meeting all the Kung Fu masters of Kung Fu Panda 2 in Hollywood was fun, but it is time for me, Grandmaster Bakxu to head back to Bukit Timah hill.  Till the next adventure beckons!

The Gates: Vampires and Werewolves and Witches, Oh Dear!

When you’ve got vampires and werewolves in the mix, you can expect some bloodshed. And add a dash of witches to the mix and we have a series with supernatural elements that worked well in the new series, The Gates. Lets meet our cast of supernatual characters:  

Claire Radcliff – is the perfect Gates housewife and mother on the outside. On the inside she is a vampire and wife to Dylan Radcliff, made by him decades ago. Claire is having a hard time adjusting to concealing her vampirism. She has urges to drink human blood even if it means accidentally killing someone.

Dylan Radcliff – is a highly successful entrepreneur with a savory lifestyle. He is alsoa vampire and husband to Claire. He wants to assimilate into the human life at The Gates and does that by gathering blood for his family to drink from his company.

Brett Crezski – smart, good-looking, athletic and a football star in  the Gates Academy. Add werewolf to that list!  His mother doesn’t want him “running” or participating in the normal werewolf activities out of fear that he will be caught and killed.

Devon Buckley – ex-wife of The Gates owner Frank Buckley, she owns a local day spa in The Gates and is a witch. Some call her two-faced. Some call her enterprising. But everyone calls her a powerful force within The Gates. She is the bad witch!

Peg Mueller – like Devon, Peg is a witch and Devon’s former teacher. Unlike Devon though she is using her witchcraft to genuinely help the supernatural residents of The Gates which makes her  the good witch. 

Andie Bates –  a classmates of Charlie’s and Brett’s ex-girlfriend.  Her mother was not human, but a Succubus and Andie is now turning into one as well.

Leigh Turner – One of Nick’s deputies at The Gates Police Department. She seems to be a genuinely nice and caring person but she is not entirely human. Lets just say her heart is not in the right place.

With so many characters on board, The Gates looks set to be intriguing week after week. The Gates premieres tomorrow on Channel 5 at 10:00pm! Let’s all be sugar, spice and everything nice and welcome them to the neighbourhood.

The Gates – Premiering on 14th May

If you took pretty much every aspect of the Twilight franchise and tossed it into an episode of Desperate Housewives, the hybrid that would manifest itself would probably look something like The Gates. 

The show primarily follows on the Monahans and their move from their life in Chicago to a picture-perfect planned community filled with vampires, werewolves and witches. Lets get to know the characters on the show, let us bore your with the human characters first:

Nick Monohan – is the new Chief of Police in The Gates. He moves in with his family in order to start a new life from his detective work in Chicago, which ended when he shot a man. He takes his job wayyyy too seriously and feels wayyyy too guilty about everything. Like take a chill pill dude and and for your info … slacking is not as easy as it looks.

Sarah Monohan – wife of Nick. She thought she had moved into Wisteria Lane only to discover the housewives are more from True Blood and Charmed! She needs “gurlfriends” who will have her back.

Charlie Monohan – son of Nick & Sarah. Your usual teenager at the start of the show but does not remain all “normal” by the end of it.  

Marcus Jordan – member of The Gates PD for a year now, which is nearly the record for police officers. In other words, he has no other skills to land another job.

 

Frank Buckley – owner of The Gates. He secretly records residents for their dark secrets (maybe as a form of blackmail). His current wife, Vanessa has a lot of bite.

These are just the humans; we still have the vampires, werewolves, witches and a succubus to introduce. The Gates premieres on Saturday (14th May) at 10:00pm on Channel 5. Let’s all be sugar, spice and everything nice and welcome them to the neighbourhood.

FREE Teh Tarik for YOU this coming Wednesday, 18th May, 12:30pm-1:30pm!

Free Teh Tarik on 18th May, Wednesday, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm!*