The Talk Show Saga
During the SARS outbreak, to safeguard the welfare of medical workers, Cheng ruthlessly condemned his friend Ko Wing-man, former Director of Hospital Authority, in his talk show. In April 2003, Cheng called Lau Kai-hung, Assistant Director of Housing, a “dog official”. In June, according to sources, the government would renew Commercial Radio’s operating licence for three years only. In the summer of 2003, Cheng took leave from the radio operator until autumn. This was seen as a move to reconcile the parties concerned and help the Commercial Radio renew its licence for a normal six-year period.
On 1 May 2004, Cheng announced that he would take leave again on the grounds of pressure and was temporarily replaced by Allen Lee Peng-fei, Leung Man-to, Tony Tsoi Tung-ho and Ivan Choy Chi-keung as co-hosts of the talk show. However, Cheng was suddenly dismissed by Winnie Yu during his leave and was forced to quit the radio programme. Yu and Cheng confronted each other over the issue on a number of media occasions. Commercial Radio later dismissed Tsoi and Leung as well, and suspended Choy from his duties on the programme. In October 2004, “Teacup in a Storm” was replaced by a new programme called “On a Clear Day”.
Read more about this topic: Albert Cheng
Famous quotes containing the words talk and/or show:
“I stand in awe of my body, this matter to which I am bound has become so strange to me. I fear not spirits, ghosts, of which I am one,—that my body might,—but I fear bodies, I tremble to meet them. What is this Titan that has possession of me? Talk of mysteries! Think of our life in nature,—daily to be shown matter, to come in contact with it,—rocks, trees, wind on our cheeks! the solid earth! the actual world! the common sense! Contact! Contact! Who are we? where are we?”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“I wouldn’t interfere with the actual news itself, but TV is show biz, Max, and even the news has to have a little showmanship.”
—Paddy Chayefsky (1923–1981)