SINGAPORE - LIKE a plate of really famous highly-recommended-on-television chai dao kueh, The Carrot Cake Conversations is initially served up looking invitingly delectable, but ends up disappointingly below expectation by the third mouthful.

Four strangers’ lives collide two days before Christmas in Singapore over fried carrot cake and conversation. There’s Kate (Danielle O’Malley), the failed American actress in transit on the way to New Zealand; Daniel (Alaric Tay), the trader with an unfaithful wife; Matthew (Adrian Pang), the rich man cum hotel owner; and Ruth (Andrea Fonseka), the Geylang streetwalker who really wants to be Singapore’s first blues singer.

Directing from his own script, Michael Wang valiantly attempts detailed observation, trying a tad too hard to be disarming and insightful. But what the first-time director tries to cover dramatic turf with effort, he lacks in wit, sharp writing and endearing multi-dimensional characters.

The script comes across as self-indulgent and pedantic, full of idle prattle and unrealistic, it-only-happens-in-movies contrivance - the bulk of which concerns life’s perennial woes like dreams, fears, hope and loss. On repeat.

While Pang and Tay rise above the plodding storyline with commendable performances, the two female leads, unfortunately, get increasingly annoying.

Yes, there are a few inventive slice-of-life moments, and a whole lot of potential. However, too much of that potential is unfulfilled, and its sluggish pace ultimately makes it unsatisfying fare. -

Channel News Asia

SINGAPORE: Sunday was a beautiful day for TV junkies in Singapore.

That’s because it saw the launch of not one but two brand new MediaCorp channels: Okto and Vasantham.

At the Launch Extravaganza held at the MediaCorp TV Theatre on Sunday, the new Vasantham was unveiled in a show that celebrated the history and evolution of Indian broadcasting in Singapore together with more than 100 local artistes and award-winning Kollywood playback singers Krish and Neha Bhasin.

Vasantham is Singapore’s first full-fledged free-to-air Indian channel.

Viewers can now enjoy nine hours of programming daily instead of the previous two-and-a-half hours’ worth.

What’s more, the number of locally produced and acquired programmes has also doubled. There will be food programmes, infotainment series, daily long-form drama serials, four live programmes a week and five movies a week.

Okto is the bigger, better, newly improved Kids and Arts Central rolled into one dynamic channel.

Its new features include interactive programmes catered to all demographics, such as oktoLIVE! at 8.30pm every Tuesday. This is a youth magazine programme produced, scripted and run by the students of Singapore Polytechnic, and gives viewers their say on live television.

For the first time, kids’ programmes will be on prime time (7pm to 9pm). Kids can also look forward to watching the “oktoriginals” (locally-produced programmes) My Classmate, Dad (starring Mark Lee) and Cosmo & George (starring Gurmit Singh and Andrea De Cruz).

Connoisseurs of art here will appreciate that FilmArt is now shown on Saturdays as well as Sundays, at 10pm.

Oktoriginal film art productions include Pulau Hantu, which stars Adrian Pang and Hong Kong father-and-son team Richard and Carl Ng, and Squirks, a magazine programme hosted by Hossan Leong.

There’s more jolly good news: On Mondays at 11pm, okto has a “Retro Belt” featuring favourites such as Mind Your Language and ‘Allo ‘Allo.

“It’s an exciting moment for many of us”, said Lim Suat Jien, Managing Director of TV12, of the launch of the two new channels. “Our viewers can look forward to more choices and variety.”

She added: “These channels will strengthen our connections with the Indian, kids and arts communities.”

For more information about tuning into okto, visit

Channel News Asia

SINGAPORE : It’s time once again for you to let your fingers do the talking - pledging support with SMSes and phone calls. No, this isn’t yet another TV competition, this is the star-studded “President’s Star Charity” show, which will be held on October 12.

This year’s show, themed The Singapore Cabaret, will be hosted by Adrian Pang and Michelle Chia, and features music and dance from nearly 90 performers, including MediaCorp artistes Kym Ng, Fiona Xie and Tay Ping Hui, as well as veteran singers Rahimah Rahim, Veronica Young and Anneke Gronloh.

And to celebrate Singapore’s multi-racial ethnicity, it will be done in English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and Hindi.

But just why a cabaret theme?

“We thought, hey, let’s do something nostalgic, because we haven’t seen this kind of thing for quite a while on TV - you know, songs from the ’50s and ’60s,” said the show’s executive producer, Julie Sim-Chew, at a press conference yesterday. “People will probably recognise the songs, and it could be an interesting show, going back to our roots of live performances.”

At last year’s show, President S R Nathan appeared onstage to recite verses from Desiderata backed by an 80-strong choir. This year, he’ll make a repeat appearance, this time with classical ensemble Tang Quartet and Cultural Medallion winner Tan Kian Por, revealed Julie, although she was tight-lipped about what he might be performing.

But the performer shouldn’t be the basis of your donation, said the show’s co-host Adrian Pang. “I believe that whether it’s a musical item or a stunt … at the end of the day, people will be motivated to give because they want to help those in need, not because someone sang very well.”

All proceeds will go directly to this year’s 31 President’s Challenge beneficiaries, including Child at Street 11, Sanctuary House and the Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled.

Catch the live telecast on MediaCorp TV Channel 5 on Oct 12, 7.30pm. Those who wish to donate can call 1900 221 8821/22/23 for S$5/S$20/S$100 donations. The phone lines will close on midnight, Oct 18. -

Channel News Asia