Kuala Lumpur, 8th March 2010 – Samsung Malaysia Electronics (SME) Sdn. Bhd. and Nippon Paint (M) Sdn Bhd (NPM) literally added colours to children’s lives by pledging RM10,000 and a new paint makeover to Rumah Sayangan, an orphanage in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur respectively.

The initiatives were part of the Samsung Corby Colour Me Challenge, a youth-inspired collaboration between the technology and paint giant to present art and designs students an opportunity to shine.

“The Samsung Corby Colour Me Challenge provided the young a platform to express their individuality and personality. Taking this initiative a step further, we hope to demonstrate to the children that the world is full of colours and to inspire them to never stop reaching for the stars,” said Sam Chen, Marketing Communications Leader, Mobile Phone Marketing, Samsung.

In addition, the winner of Samsung Corby Colour Me Challenge, Sashtri Vivekanandan, 22 from Raffles International College personally undertook the creative lead for decorating a wall in the home. The wall painting is based on the message of love and happiness using the bright happy colours of the Samsung Corby phone.

“Nippon Paint Malaysia is committed to bringing all the positive aspects of colour into the lives of every Malaysian. Colour and life go hand in hand. Colour inspires and triggers our emotions. Today, we have witnessed how something as simple as painting, gives back to the community in the most inspirational way,” added Ms Gladys Goh, General Manager, Nippon Paint (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

“The donation will help cover the children’s education, food, provisions, and other necessities for the home. We hope other organizations will take the lead from Samsung and Nippon Paint and speak to us on how to make an impact in children’s lives,” said Susan Looi, Managing Director, Rumah Sayangan. Ruman Sayangan currently accommodates 17 children.
Taking a leaf from Oscar Wilde, Chen quoted: “Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways. At Samsung, we believe the children is our future and we are happy to be a part of something meaningful”.

BROTHERS tells the powerful story of two siblings, thirty-something Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) and younger brother Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal), who are polar opposites. A Marine about to embark on his fourth tour of duty, Sam is a steadfast family man married to his high school sweetheart, the aptly named Grace (Natalie Portman), with whom he has two young daughters (Bailee Madison, Taylor Geare). Tommy, his charismatic younger brother, is a drifter just out of jail who’s always gotten by on wit and charm. He slides easily into his role as family provocateur on his first night out of prison, at Sam’s farewell dinner with their parents, Elsie (Mare Winningham) and Hank Cahill (Sam Shepard), a retired Marine.

Shipped out to Afghanistan, Sam is presumed dead when his Black Hawk helicopter is shot down in the mountains. At home in suburbia, the Cahill family suddenly faces a shocking void, and Tommy tries to fill in for his brother by assuming newfound responsibility for himself, Grace, and the children.

But Sam is not dead; he and a fellow soldier have been captured by Taliban fighters. In Afghanistan’s harsh, remote Pamir Mountains, Sam is subjected to traumas that threaten to rob him of his very humanity. At the same time that Sam’s sense of self is being destroyed overseas, Tommy’s self-image is strengthening at home. And in the grief and strangeness of their new lives, Grace and Tommy are naturally drawn together. Their longstanding frostiness dissolves, but both are frightened and ashamed of the mutual attraction that has replaced it.

When Sam unexpectedly returns to the States, a nervous mood settles over the family. Sam, uncharacteristically withdrawn and volatile, grows suspicious of his brother and his wife. Their familiar roles now nearly reversed, Sam and Tommy end up facing the ultimate physical and mental challenge when they confront each other. In the shifting family dynamics, who will dominate? And how will the brothers come to terms with issues of love, loyalty, and manhood-and with the woman caught between them?

8TV is an interactive platform for audiences united by a common desire for authenticity and self-expression. It is a hot-bed of creativity featuring original, local and international entertainment wrapped in interactivity. 8TV began operations on January 8th 2004 and transmits free to the entire West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Kuantan on the UHF band. 8TV also transmits nationwide via Astro Channel 708. It has chalked up impressive achievements within only its first year of operations, successfully producing the highly-rated Malaysian Idol™ series and also winning several Asian-level industry awards for creative excellence.

Since its inception, 8TV has achieved many milestones in the broadcasting industry such as carrying the ‘live’ broadcast of the ‘Grammy Awards’ and the ‘Academy Awards’, winning the broadcast rights for ‘UEFA Euro 2004’, Formula 1 and A1 Grand Prix with sister company, TV3, as well as staging two very successful seasons of the much anticipated Malaysian Idol™.

Strengthening its mark in the local network, 8TV continues to produce well-received in house productions such as Malaysia’s Most Beautiful, I Wanna Be A Model and the mother of all talent-search shows, One In A Million. Another hit amongst fans and viewers of 8TV is the Summer Live Concert, the annual Chinese concert that has attracted hundreds of thousands of fans featuring impressive line-up of international artists.

To add to the multiple winnings in the international and local creative awards scene such as the Phoenix Awards, Promax/BDA Awards and the Anugerah Skrin, 8TV recently secured themselves three awards in two different categories at the 2009 Phoenix Awards that was held in Singapore. In the Opening Credits or Titles for TV Programme category, Silver was awarded for work on the Shout! Awards 2009 promo, while silver and a bronze were bagged in the Campaign to Promote Feature Film or TV Series category. In the 2008 Phoenix Awards, 8TV won four awards in two different categories comprising of the TV Promotional and Film Advertising/Promotion.

At the Promax Asia 2009 Awards, 8TV carried home the Silver award for best Public Announcement in its Merdeka Rasa Sayang ad, and was listed as the number 1 Choice for Youth Market in the Advertising & Marketing Magazine Category. 8TV also won two awards including a Gold for Project Superstar interstitials and Silver for The Sarah Connor Chronicles interstitial at the previous Promax/BDA Awards.

Apart from that, 8TV won Best Entertainment Show for Project SuperStar and Best Reality Show for So You Think You Can Dance (season 2) in the Anugerah Skrin 2008. In the Anugerah Skrin 2009 however, 8TV was nominated in five various categories including the Best Reality Show, Best Entertainment Show, Best Documentary/Magazine, Best Musical Show and Best Serial Drama, as well as Best Direction and Best Drama Series for the 2009 Asian TV awards.

Malaysians can watch local programmes on the 8TV website (www.8tv.com.my). All it takes is a broadband Internet connection for a desktop or notebook PC, and their favorite programme is simply a mouse click away, anytime, anywhere.

The shows will be available online for free within 12 hours of the programme broadcast on TV. Online viewers can also enjoy web exclusives, including behind the scenes, audition clips, live online events, and video promos.

No more missed episodes of local programmes with 8TV’s catch-up service, exclusively on www.8tv.com.my. If you’re always on the move, now you can even catch your favourite 8TV programmes on your mobile phone! Simply log on to mobile.8tv.com.my, click on 8TV for your favourite 8TV programmes .

Ladies and gentlemen,

As Malaysians, we have experienced our share of diseases and illnesses over the years. From diarrhoea, which according to UNICEF reports, causes 1.5 million deaths annually worldwide amongst children aged 5 years and below, to the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, which affects two children in Malaysia every hour, to the recent influenza pandemic that claimed the lives of 77 individuals in Malaysia last year. The more worrysome part is that in many cases, diseases such as those mentioned just now could have been prevented with the practice of good and correct personal hygiene.

Indeed, health professionals the world over agree that the practice of good personal hygiene is the single most effective measure towards the prevention of many of the diseases we face today. In this regard, we are reminded time and again of the importance of proper personal hygiene by the Ministry of Health and other parties, but how many of us actually take heed of this advice and put words to action? It starts with us – in our homes, our families, our schools, our offices and has to be part and parcel of our lives.

These are the reasons that prompted us at Lifebuoy to initiate the “Malaysia, Jom Lebih Sihat!” campaign, to encourage all Malaysians to lead a healthier life as well as to provide the underprivileged the opportunity to live with greater freedom from health problems through the provision of hygiene care product.

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is ironic that the group of people who need personal hygiene care the most are from the underprivileged group, such as the hardcore poor, those living in slum areas and those in rural areas, who cannot afford, or do not have access to proper hygiene care products. It is something that is so common and readily available to many of us that we very often take for granted. However, for the underprivileged group, having access to good hygiene care products becomes a luxury rather than the necessity it should be. At the very least, everybody deserves access to good, proper, personal hygiene.

With this in mind, it is my pleasure today to announce that through the “Malaysia, Jom Lebih Sihat!” campaign, Lifebuoy, will donate one soap bar to underprivileged Malaysian families nationwide with every purchase of Lifebuoy product during the campaign period. By the end of the campaign period, Lifebuoy targets to accumulate one million soap bars that will be distributed to the underprivileged Malaysians. We will be displaying a giant soap structure at the closing ceremony of the campaign in June. Consisting of 1 million soap bars, the structure is aimed at showcasing to the public a tangible representation of their support to the underprivileged community.

In this regard, Lifebuoy is very grateful to have on-board the Yellow House Society, HOPE Worldwide and Community Support Network as part of the group of social welfare organisations who will support us in the nationwide distribution of soap bars to the underprivileged groups. This partnership, I’m sure will not only help make this campaign a reality, but also a success.

In Malaysia, just like any other country in which Lifebuoy operates, our business leaves a significant impact on the community in which we operate. When we entered the Malaysian market in 2008, we also entered the homes and lives of Malaysians as well. This campaign reflects our continuing commitment towards the society and community, doing our part for 1 Malaysia, in doing what we do best – ensuring that all Malaysians, irrespective of creed, race, or socio-economic status, are happy and healthy at times of increased health risks.

We also believe that this campaign will provide an opportunity for Malaysian consumers to help others live a healthier life as they enjoy the goodness of the New Advanced Lifebuoy. Nevertheless, Lifebuoy is honoured and proud to have three Malaysian celebrities to give their sincere support as the ambassadors to this campaign. I personally believe that they as prominent figures in the society want to play their part to encourage Malaysian consumers to give their support in this campaign and to make this campaign a success.

Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of Lifebuoy, I once again would like to thank every one of you for your presence here today, that would really make a difference in creating a healthier and happier Malaysia. Together, let us as 1 Malaysia, do our part to make this campaign a success.

Thank you.

Petaling Jaya, 2 March 2010 – Lifebuoy, the world’s leading germ protection soap today launched its “Malaysia, Jom Lebih Sihat” campaign as its year 2010 resolution to encourage all Malaysians to lead a healthier life as well as to provide the underprivileged with the opportunity to live with greater freedom from health problems through the provision of hygiene care product.

The campaign, launched in conjunction with the introduction of the New Advanced Lifebuoy with Active5 Germ Protection Formula will run from March to May 2010. Lifebuoy will contribute one bar of soap to underprivileged Malaysian families with every purchase of Lifebuoy products from 1 March to 31 May 2010.

By the end of the 3-month period, Lifebuoy targets to accumulate one million soap bars that will be donated to the underprivileged groups nationwide. The distribution of soap bars will commence from June 2010 onwards with the support from HOPE worldwide, Yellow House Society and Community Support Network as part of a key group of social welfare organisations.

The campaign was launched at Sunway Convention Centre by Mr. Ainul Yaqin, Director of Home and Personal Care, Unilever (M) Holdings Sdn Bhd together with Mr. Darick Wong, Programme Director of HOPE Worldwide and Mr Law Gin Kye, President of Yellow House Society. Also present at the launch ceremony were three Malaysian celebrities – singer and actress Amy Mastura, former national cyclist M. Kumaresan, and TV personality cum actress Loo Aye Keng – who are also the ambassadors of the campaign.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Ainul Yaqin said, “It is ironic that the group of people who need personal hygiene care the most – are from the underprivileged group, such as the hardcore poor, those living in slum areas and those in rural areas, who cannot afford, or do not have access to proper hygiene care products. It is something that is so common and readily available to many of us that we very often take for granted. However, for the underprivileged group, having access to good hygiene care products becomes a luxury rather than the necessity it should be. At the very least, everybody deserves access to good, proper, personal hygiene.”

He continued, “This campaign reflects our continuing commitment towards the society and community, doing our part for 1Malaysia, in doing what we do best – ensuring that all Malaysians, irrespective of creed, race, or socio-economic status, are healthy at times of increased health risks.”

The launch ceremony also featured the unveiling of the results of Lifebuoy’s Human Volunteer Study, presented by Dr. Rajan Raghavachari, Lifebuoy’s Global Technical Project Leader. The large-scale clinical study was conducted on the effectiveness of Lifebuoy’s germ-protection care, resulting in 25% observed reduction in the number of diarrhoea episodes amongst participants, with 41% improvement in kids’ attendance to school without absenteeism due to illnesses.

In conjunction with this campaign, Lifebuoy aims to set a record for the first-of-its-kind giant soap structure, made up of the targeted one million soap bars, touted to be 2-storeys high. The giant structure will officially be unveiled at the closing ceremony of the campaign and will be displayed at the concourse of Sunway Pyramid for Malaysians to bear witness to the nation’s collective generosity in helping the underprivileged.

PICTURE CAPTIONS

Picture 1
From left to right: M. Kumaresan, Loo Aye Keng, Amy Mastura, Ainul Yaqin (Home & Personal Care Director, Unilever (M) Holdings Sdn Bhd), Darick Wong (Programme Director of HOPE Worldwide) and Law Gin Kye (President of Yellow House Society)

Picture 2
The celebrity ambassadors together with Ainul Yaqin, Darick Wong and Law Gin Kye posing the Malaysia, Jom Lebih Sihat! pledge

Picture 3
The celebrity ambassadors and Ainul Yaqin participate in a handwashing demonstration

Picture 4
The celebrity ambassadors posing the Malaysia, Jom Lebih Sihat! pledge with Lifebuoy products

About Lifebuoy
Lifebuoy is one of Unilever’s oldest brands, and has been sold in countries across the world since the 1890’s. Throughout its history Lifebuoy soap has been affordable to everyone, helping people to live with greater freedom from health problems. Today, more than 1.6 billion people around the world trust Lifebuoy products to protect them from germs. Lifebuoy, the pioneering soap, is a true embodiment of Unilever’s Vitality Mission: to help people look good, feel good and get more out of life. http://www.lifebuoy.com

Petaling Jaya - Beautiful beaches, colourful culture, amazing sceneries and mouth watering delicacies are just a meek account of the spectacular experiences you get, as Step Forward returns for its 6th season. This charismatic magazine series has been hauling in a huge following since it first premiered and is the highest rated local Chinese Documentary Magazine series aired. This season, expect to get your socks knocked off as Step Forward takes you on an escapade like none before - with diverse locations, fresh discoveries and a brand new host!

The show takes the “1Malaysia” concept to new heights as it introduces its fluent Mandarin speaking host Baki, and producer Mas Ayu, who are of Malay origin. Every week viewers will discover stories, history, multicultural flavors, gastronomic experiences, traditions, creatures, sights and sounds of this tropical wonderland, we identify as Malaysia. Along side the very enthusiastic and entertaining host Baki, will be a new guest host each week.

This 15 episode Mandarin travelogue with Bahasa Malaysia subtitles, caters to a vast audience as it enlightens in particular the urbanites, on the rich natural resources we embrace.

“Watching Step Forward somehow reminds me of how important the simple things in life are, how thankful we should be for the beauty that surrounds us, and for the peace and unity we have in this country, that a lot of us take for granted. This season viewers have so much to look forward to, lots of fun and lots to discover,” said 8TV’s General Manager, Ms. Lam Swee Kim.

Discover and be amazed by what this land has to offer in Step Forward season 6, as you make a date to experience the wonders of Malaysia, every Saturday, 9.30pm – 10.00pm, on 8TV or on Astro’s Channel 708. Don’t forget, you can also catch your other favourite 8TV programmes, by simply logging on to mobile.8tv.com.my via your mobile phone.

Randy Jackson

Alex Gillespie

PRESENTATION

Moderator Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for holding. Welcome to the American Idol interview call with Randy Jackson. I’d also like to remind you that today’s conference is being recorded. I’ll now turn the conference over to Alex Gillespie for opening remarks. Please go ahead.

A. Gillespie : Good morning, good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us. Sorry about the slight delay. I’m going to put Randy Jackson on the phone. Just a reminder that American Idol starts next week, we have a two night premiere on Tuesday, January 12th and Wednesday, January 13th. If you have any follow-up questions, please feel free to contact the Idol PR team and we’ll be happy to service you. We have photos posted on our Fox Flash Web site, so feel free to go there and download those as well. Without further ado, I’m going to introduce Randy Jackson.

R. Jackson Hello. How are you guys? How are you doing?

Moderator We’ll go first to Michael Weinfield with the Associated Press.

M. Weinfield Randy, after all these years of listening to these auditions the first few weeks, are you growing more inpatient with the contestants who obviously can’t sing but just want their 15 minutes?

R. Jackson You know, that’s one of the best questions I’ve had in quite some time. And, yes, I am growing a little impatient with that because you know, look, you’ve watched the show. You know what the show is. You see every year somebody great wins the show, the top three or four or five or top ten people are all usually great singers and you just wonder what are they seeing that I’m not seeing? It’s like we’re not on the same page here, so, yes, I am getting a little impatient with that.

Moderator Next we have Antonia Blyth with US Weekly Magazine.

A. Boyth So can you just tell us a little about working with Ellen and what that’s been like, maybe give us an anecdote about how her and Simon are getting along.

R. Jackson Listen, next week, which is Hollywood Week, will be our first time really sitting down with her because she didn’t do the auditions on the road. We had guest judges. We had many great ones, including Mary J. Blige, Victoria Beckham, Joe Jonas and Katy Perry, and Shania Twain and so on and so on, but she’s great. We’ve had a relationship for a long time. I’ve known her for quite some time, so has Ryan Seacrest. So we’re really good friends with her. I think we’re going to have a very funny, interesting season ahead of us. There will be a lot of laughs.

A. Boyth How was it working with Victoria Beckham?

R. Jackson It was cool. I gave her the nickname Lady V, so hopefully she goes out into the world and uses that, but it was cool. I think all the guest judges on the Idol auditions gave a different perspective because they’ve all been performers with different types of music and go on stage and record and everything. So she was actually really cool.

Moderator Next we have Erica Futterman with the Rolling Stone.

E. Futterman With all the…guest judges you just referenced, obviously Paula is not going to be among them. What do you miss most about working with her?

R. Jackson The Paula thing is really near and dear to my heart. She’s one of my best friends. I talked to her a couple of days ago. We speak all the time. The whole thing started with me, Ryan, Simon and her, so she’s one of our best friends and she still is. I miss that. We look down the table sometimes and go, wait a minute, where’s Paula? I expect to hear something from my left ear and I go, wait a minute, that doesn’t sound like Paula. So it’s going to take a little getting used to, but we’re really sad about that. But welcoming Ellen to the fold is a good look. She’s funny. She’s charismatic. She’s really cool. She’s my home girl from Louisiana like me, which we love Louisiana, right? So it’s going to be a very interesting, funny, different season Idol, season nine.

Moderator We’ll go to Katie Byrne with MTV News.

K. Byrne I saw a quote in Entertainment Weekly that Ellen was saying that if Simon ever left the show that she would be out, too. I know there are a lot of rumors going around. What’s your take on the rumors about Simon possibly leaving after this season?

R. Jackson You know, I really don’t know. Until I really hear it from him, I’m not going to believe any rumors or anything. There are so many rumors and speculation about everything going on. The thing that I’ve just been saying is that we have an exciting, very different season nine going on to the show. I think it’s the best talent show that there is and I’m just looking forward to the season because the rumors just get so wild and crazy, you just don’t know what to believe.

K. Byrne Right, and I know you were saying that you loved working with Paula. There’s also talk that Paula might be up for a spot on the U.S. X Factor, one of Simon’s other shows. Would you like to see her back in her judging seat for that?

R. Jackson Yes. Look, she’s one of my dear friends, so I wish her the best in the world. I know that she’s going to be back in something in a huge way because she’s mad talented. The thing that I always say about this genre or about anything in the music entertainment side is expect the unexpected. You never know.

Moderator We’ll go to Brittany Kaplan with CNN.

B. Kaplan So we’ve seen on the cover of Entertainment Weekly and Wall Street Journal today that Ellen is calling Simon mean, which is a big surprise. Everyone is calling him mean. But is this going to be new? Is this going to keep going where everyone is calling him mean again? Is he really mean or is he just a big teddy bear behind the scenes? Is this going to be ongoing?

R. Jackson Look, he’s not really mean. I love his phrase. You can quote his phrase, “I don’t mean to be rude, but.” He’s honest from his perspective. Sometimes it’s maybe a bit harsh, but some people call that real. I don’t know if he’s meaner than he’s ever been. I’m not sure I would call it mean. I would just call it very stern.

B. Kaplan Are they going to have the same relationship and dynamic, do you think, as he and Paula did? Or do you think it’s going to be a little bit different?

R. Jackson Oh, no, it’s definitely going to be a different dynamic, I mean completely different people. Ellen is different than Paula. She’s going to interact with Simon and interact with me and Kara very differently. It’s going to be a very interesting, wild, crazy, exciting season, I think.

Moderator Next is Andrea Dresdale with ABC News Radio.

A. Dresdale We’ve been talking a lot about the judges and the dynamics between you all and the panel, but there are the contestants and there’s some singing.

R. Jackson I like you! I like you!

A. Dresdale Why don’t you tell us a little bit about the kind of contestants so far? Have there been any trends, and what are you eyeing? I know that you recently were quoted as saying you really hope a girl wins this year. Are there a lot of promising women?

R. Jackson Yes, because the thing is the last couple of seasons boys have won. So I said that at this last season, scratching my head going, dude, where are the girls? Where have all the ladies gone, come on, what are we doing? I think there’s some really talented girls that showed up this time. I also think that what changes the show from year to year are the contestants that we get. And it’s smart of you to really pinpoint that because this year, you would have thought there would have been a lot more theatrical, a lot more Adam Lambert or Kris Allen types that would have showed up for the auditions. But that’s not what happened at all this time. Usually whoever wins or comes in one and two, that next season of auditions you have a lot of those kinds of people. It’s almost like there was a signal to everyone at home that was like them, now it’s time to try out for American Idol, but it didn’t happen like that this time. So I think we have a very interesting, unique cast that’s really only unique to this season nine. I think it’s going to be really, really exciting and very different.

A. Dresdale So what kind of musical trend are you seeing? Are there people who are really influenced by Lady Gaga or are they singer/songwriter types?

R. Jackson No, I think all the Lady Gaga and all those people, you need the stage and you need a whole performance and props and different outfits to do that. I think what is really interesting to me is I think, this season we have some really good bona fide stand-in-your-shoes singers. So without all the props or all the affectations or any of that stuff, so I think it’s very interesting. It’s going to be different to see how it pans out and who stands the test of time because sometimes these contestants that you think are great, once they get actually on the show and the show is running and they’re on live TV, some of them crumble with their nerves and everything. But we got some really bona fide singers this time, I think.

Moderator We’ll go to Jessica Herndon with People Magazine.

J. Herndon Talk to us about some of the guest judges that will be on the show this year, specifically Shania, Neil Patrick, Katy, Joe Jonas, what were their strengths as judges?

R. Jackson Listen, they all brought something different to the table. The first few you’re going to see on Tuesday starts in Boston with Victoria Beckham. People know her fame from the Spice Girls. They probably know more of it as being Mrs. David Beckham. These are all performers in their own right that have achieved high acclaim and massive success in the entertainment field. I think they all brought something different. I think you’ll see even their judging styles are a little different. I think Simon has said he thought that people were a little bit more in the Fear Factor zone of Mary J. Blige just because of her presence. She’s like that kind of demanding artist. I think all of them, I think Shania brought something different, I think Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne brought something really different and unique. I think surprisingly for some people, they probably would be surprised at what Joe Jonas’ input was and also Neil Patrick Harris and Kristen Chenoweth. So they all gave a different perspective.

What I like about the guest judges is that they all come from some singing, live performance background, so they know what it’s like. So it was a really good audition season, I have to tell you.

J. Herndon Getting a little bit more specific, when you say Katy and Avril were different, I’m sure they were different than, say, like Neil Patrick’s style. In one or two words, how would you describe their difference?

R. Jackson I think what people don’t expect is, they don’t expect these artists that have these huge pop careers to really, really know what they’re doing and what they’re talking about and what’s going on because I think people lose sight of that. They just get involved in the hit song. If you sat down and really, and you watch Katy or you watch Avril or any of these people that we had as guest judges, you realize that their success is based on, that they actually know what they’re doing. They actually know how to critique because in order to make it to any of these levels where a Katy or Avril, for instance, have made it, you have to be able to critique yourself first, so that you improve. So I think it’s an eye opener because I think people take for granted that well, they just had a hit song, whatever, what do they know. But they actually really know what they’re doing. It wasn’t an eye opener for me, but I think for a lot of people watching, they’re going to realize and go, wow, they really are cool. They really do know what they’re doing.

Moderator Next is Andrea Reiher with Zap2It.com.

A. Reiher Can you just talk a little, was there a particular city that stuck out for you as being just a real hot bed, gave out a lot of golden tickets or conversely one that was maybe was a little thin on the ….?

R. Jackson I have to tell you for me I thought Orlando was really strange, just in terms of the talent and who came out and what was going on there. I thought it was a little strange of a place, but I think Dallas was good. I think surprisingly Atlanta was actually really good. I’m just saying surprisingly because I know it’s the hometown of Ryan Seacrest, little dig, all fun and games. But I actually think probably Atlanta was one of the standouts for me, actually. Dallas was really strong as well, I felt.

Moderator We’ll go to Richard Huff with the New York Daily News.

R. Huff You mentioned Paula being a friend and the whole Simon speculation stuff. Has that been a distraction at all to you folks as you went through these cities and now even when we’re still talking about Simon?

R. Jackson I don’t know if it’s definitely been a distraction, certainly not for me. But I think just in terms of the show, I’m sure it’s pretty much a distraction because I think people get a little sidetracked with that. As someone mentioned on the call before, there are contestants. Wait a minute, this is a singing competition. Wait a minute! What is this really about? Not to belittle what we do because I think the show is completely about the four of us judges and Ryan and also the contestants. But let’s also focus on what we’re judging and what the actual more meat of the show really is, so it’s about finding that next superstar talent.

Moderator Next we have Darla Atlas with the Dallas Morning News.

D. Atlas I wanted to follow up a little bit on the fact that you said Dallas was one of the standout cities. Can you describe some of the people that you saw or why it stands out in your mind?

R. Jackson I think the funny thing is that we never know which cities are going to turn out to be where there’s going to be more of a broader range of talent. I think Dallas definitely showed and proved for me this time, you may talk to some of the other judges and they may differ, but I think Dallas and Atlanta were two standouts for me because you never really know what to expect because I can remember times that we were in Texas that it wasn’t good. I can remember times like the first season and it was amazing because we found the lovely, majorly talented Kelly Clarkson. It goes in and out. I can remember a time in Houston when we thought, what are we doing here, man?

D. Atlas So when you look back on all your seasons on the show when it rolls around again to start the audition process, do you have to psych yourself up, like here we go again? Or is it always new enough that it’s exciting again?

R. Jackson I think it’s always new enough for me that it’s definitely exciting again. As I say, not knowing what to expect, you go into these cities. I think the first city you’ll see on Tuesday is Boston. When we were there, we fell into our groove. It takes us a while because we’re not together all the time, even though Simon, Ryan and I are the best of friends and we see each other off season a lot and we hang out a lot. But it’s like riding a bike. You just jump back on, you’re like, dude, this is it. Yes, what?

D. Atlas I’m looking forward to seeing the show, thank you.

Moderator We have Mark Perigard with the Boston Herald.

M. Perigard You were just talking about Boston. I wanted to press you on that if I can get a sense of what we’re going to see in that premiere in Boston here.

R. Jackson Well, let me just tell you something, absolutely breathtaking, beautiful scenery you’re going to see because it’s a very beautiful city and the place that we shot, it was just breathtaking views. But Victoria Beckham was with us there and it was surprisingly a good town for us. We figure out the east coast, sometimes we do New York. We’ve done Philly, DC, and this time Boston. But it was actually surprisingly good. We didn’t know really what to expect. Boston being for me because I’m a musician as well as a producer and songwriter, but having Berkeley School of Music and that kind of heritage and the Eastman’s and all that kind of stuff going on there, you just expect this virtuoso talent. I thought Boston was really, really, really good.

M. Perigard Does that mean we’ll see a lot of golden tickets?

R. Jackson I don’t know about a lot of golden tickets, those tickets are hard to come by. You have to show more than just the talent for those tickets. But I think there were quite a few golden tickets from Boston.

Moderator We’ll go to Jolie Lash with Accesshollywood.com.

J. Lash So speaking of contestants, how about Adam Lambert and what he has gone on to do, what did you think of his AMA performance and how he’s eclipsed your winner, Kris Allen, there?

R. Jackson Adam is a giant personality. He’s unbelievably talented. The AMA thing, I guess, was something that he wanted to do and try. An artist is really left up to their own ideas of how they want to do things and whatever. I think he’s a big personality. He’s a far bigger, probably, personality than Kris, but I think they’re both equally talented. Kris obviously won for a reason. You’ve got Allison, she has her record out, too. I wish them all well and the best. They’re all immensely talented, Danny Gokey, we had a lot of talented kids this season.

J. Lash Who do you think we’ll be seeing more from in the future from that bunch?

R. Jackson I don’t know. I think probably those four that I mentioned in some facet you’ll be seeing a lot from, Adam, Kris, Allison and Danny.

Moderator Next we have Rodney Ho with Atlanta Journal Constitution.

R. Ho I wanted to get a little more detail about Mary J. Blige. You mentioned the fear factor there. Did you really get a sense, was she really that tough on the contestants or did she just—

R. Jackson No, she wasn’t that tough, but Mary is a serious stand-in-your-shoes performer. She is not a performer that is going to use a lot of props to make her show or make you enjoy the show better. You’re really going to enjoy her voice. I was just driving in the car the other day and her version of One with Bono came on the radio. You’re talking like that, like you’re not seeing different, weird outfits or weird dance moves. It’s not about that. She’s the stand-in-the-shoes kind of singer, so I think a lot of kids that came in know that and they were like, whoa, this is Mary J., do you know what I’m saying? We have to show and prove now. It was just good. It was a good thing. It was good thing for these kids to step up and rev up to.

R. Ho It’s interesting, you’re only seeing a small sliver of the people who actually try out. Do you think the producers sometimes just mess with you guys by bringing in ten bad singers in a row just to drive you guys crazy?

R. Jackson I often sit there sometimes and think somebody is playing a trick on me. Somebody is trying to drive me out of my mind.

R. Ho They’ve never owned up to it, I’m sure.

R. Jackson No, they never would, trust me, dude.

Moderator We’ll go to Pat Healy with Metro Newspapers.

P. Healy Are there any specific themes you’re looking forward to with the new season, any crossover with the kids from Glee or anything crazy like that?

R. Jackson I often look more forward every season now, probably from the fifth season on, I’m really interested to see the kids sing current music. Because winning this show or coming in wherever you come in in the rank of the top ten or whatever, the only thing that you know for sure is you’re going to get a shot to go up against your contemporaries. So I’m loving hearing them sing their contemporary songs trying to do it better than them and have put a new twist, a new spin on it or whatever to see how they stack up in the real world today. So I’m always looking forward to that every season now from season five on.

P. Healy Is there anything that you guys have set as parameters yet or does that go—

R. Jackson Yes, we have a couple of interesting wrinkles. I think you will like a lot of the themes.

P. Healy Can you give us any clues?

R. Jackson Watch on Fox starting January 12th.

Moderator We’ll go to Gina Scarpa with Realitywanted.com.

G. Scarpa Let me ask you a question about someone like a Chris Daughtry, an Adam Lambert and a Carrie Underwood that really becomes a big household name. How early in the competition do you feel like you see them as being standout performers?

R. Jackson I’d like to say honestly for me, I saw Adam day one the day he auditioned. I saw Kelly Clarkston day one the day she auditioned; Carrie Underwood, day one, the day she auditioned; Chris Daughtry day—I think these people, I truly believe that stars are really born. I think they’re definitely cultivated and you can help them manifest into bigger and brighter stars, but I think those things are born. I think you know when you hear them that they have something special and some kind of unique persona.

Moderator Next is Joey Guerra with the Houston Chronicle.

J. Guerra You’re dogging Houston, man.

R. Jackson It was so funny, man. Houston was so funny that time we were there. It’s one of our fondest memories for lots of reasons. Listen, we have to come back, man. That’s all it means. We have to come back.

J. Guerra That’s what I’m saying. I told Simon that last season you have to come back to Houston.

R. Jackson Yes, we’ll make it back there, man.

J. Guerra My question, I know we’ve been talking a lot about Ellen, but I think one of the concerns that I think a lot of the harder core fans have is what she’s going to bring to the show, actually, as a judge because you obviously have the experience of being a musician. Simon has been in the industry. Kara is songwriter. But what do you think specifically Ellen is going to actually bring to the show?

R. Jackson I really, really think, and I know it’s been talked about a bunch and what she’s going to do and how she’s going to judge and all of this. I think her being just a die-hard music fan and loving music and just being a really smart, talented person herself because she’s a performer and entertainer as well, so she knows about performing and entertaining because this is how she’s made her career and a very amazingly successful, great career. So she knows about that and her loving music, I think she’ll give the expertise from being a fellow entertainer that’s hugely successful where all of these kids want to go. They want to be entertainers, as well as great singers.

I think she’ll give that lay person at home view. That somebody sitting there saying I know about entertaining and this, but you guys may think these vocals aren’t good. But I actually thought it was really good. So I think she will give the home viewer a real voice to be on the judge’s panel.

J. Guerra Right, we have to see you back in Houston soon.

R. Jackson Dude, let’s do it.

Moderator We’ll go to Lori Acken with the Tribune Media Services.

A. Gillespie Just to let you know, we only have time for a couple more questions.

L. Acken As the TV ads are showing right now, a number of Idol’s past contestants and winners have really in a short amount of time achieved remarkable, remarkable things. I was watching television with my husband and he wondered outloud whether because some of them are from really small towns, whether these people would have eventually found fame. Or is American Idol is that bottle that captured that lightning at that moment? What is your take on that?

R. Jackson I think American Idol is that lightning that captures the moment for those that can’t. This show is definitely a rocket ship to the top. If you wanted the quickest road to stardom, even though it’s immensely difficult because you’re in front of 25 million, 30 million people a night and they’re judging you twice a week and you have us judging you very harshly and sternly, so you’re putting your soul before the public, but I think it’s the rocket ship to the top.

Now is it the only rocket ship? No, somebody like Jason Razz didn’t need it. Fallout Boy didn’t need it. Lady Gaga or Beyoncé, they didn’t need it. But for those that need this boost that didn’t have it all quite together, and what I mean by all together, those people that got signed, those bands and all those artists that I mentioned came in with hit songs that were undeniable because that’s the insurance for a label when they sign and ….has great talent and great possibility, they still need to have that hit song that’s almost like the, if you will, the collateral. So, yes, these people never would have been discovered unless they could have pulled it all together. And it’s hard to pull it together in a small town with not knowing who, what to find a hit song and nobody is paying attention to you. So yes, they needed the show.

L. Acken You’ve got some people who really validated the show, some really impressive things.

R. Jackson Yes, we were very blessed and very proud, actually, of every one of them.

Moderator We’ll go to Anthony Jones with AHN Media.

A. Jones I have a question. This is American Idol’s ninth season now. Its popularity has just been unwavering year after year. But do you think it’s something that can fade or do you see an end to it at least for you at some point?

R. Jackson Wow, that’s a big, loaded question. I think Idol is the best show of its kind ever. I think it can go on for quite a long time. I don’t know when the end for that is. I haven’t really thought about my end for it. I’m contracted for quite a, a couple more seasons. So it’s really hard to predict, but I think the show can really go on for a long time. I think it’s the best certainly music reality show that’s ever been a music TV show.

A. Gillespie Our last question, Kathy.

Moderator That will come from Marc Wilkofsky with the Soap Opera Weekly.

M. Wilkofsky We’ve learned that Carrie looks for artistry and Simon doesn’t want a karaoke or cheesy nightclub act, but what are you personally looking for in a performance?

R. Jackson I’m looking for the big three. The big three to me is you have to have undeniable talent. You have to have something that makes you unique and you have to have some star persona.

A. Gillespie Great, thank you, everybody, for joining us.

R. Jackson Thank you so much.

Spider-Man:  Summer 2012

Culver City, CA –  Peter Parker is going back to high school when the next Spider-Man hits theaters in the summer of 2012.

Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios announced today they are moving forward with a film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises.

The new chapter in the Spider-Man franchise produced by Columbia, Marvel Studios and Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, will have a new cast and filmmaking team. Spider-Man 4  was to have been released in 2011, but had not yet gone into production.

“A decade ago we set out on this journey with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire and together we made three Spider-Man films  that set a new bar for the genre.  When we began, no one ever imagined that we would make history at the box-office and now we have a rare opportunity to make history once again with this franchise. Peter Parker as an ordinary young adult grappling with extraordinary powers has always been the foundation that has made this character so timeless and compelling for generations of fans. We’re very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter’s roots and we look forward to working once  again with Marvel Studios, Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin on this new beginning,” said Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me.  While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job,” said Sam Raimi.

“We have had a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration and friendship with Sam and Tobey and they have given us their best for the better part of the last decade. This is a bittersweet moment for us because while it is hard to imagine Spider-Man in anyone else’s hands, I know that this was a day that was inevitable,” said Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, who has served as the studio’s chief production executive since the beginning of the franchise. “Now everything begins anew, and that’s got us all tremendously excited about what comes next.  Under the continuing supervision of Avi and Laura, we have a clear vision for the future of Spider-Man and can’t wait to share this exciting new direction with audiences in 2012.”

“Spider-Man will always be an important franchise for Sony Pictures and a fresh start like this is a responsibility that we all take very seriously,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures.  “We have always believed that story comes first and story guides the direction of these films and as we move onto the next chapter, we will stay true to that principle and will do so with the highest respect for the source material and the fans and moviegoers who deserve nothing but the best when it comes to bringing these stories and characters to life on the big screen.”

Hokkien Drama
My Family, My Love
Broadcast Day/Time: Monday – Friday, 6pm – 7pm
Broadcast Date: 30 December 2009 onwards
Language: Mandarin
Total episode: 200 x 60 minutes

Starring: Liao Jun, Fang Wen Lin, Liu Zhi Han, Chen Guan Lin

My Family, My Love, a 200-episode Hokkien saga that chronicles the tribulations of a respected county governor who fathers an illegitimate child and struggles to keep his family united, will join the ranks of 8TV programme lineup from 30 December, 2009. The show is aired from Monday to Friday at 6:00pm.

As the title suggests, the drama is a heartfelt family drama about sacrifices, betrayal and unconditional love that will reduce one to tears.

The story revolves around an honorable and law-abiding county governor, who is forced to resign from his post in order to keep secret the existence of his illegitimate daughter.

The resignation is unexpected, and heralds a bitter fight for the post among members of his family. The former governor now finds himself fighting to keep his family together and in the process realises that the key to this lies with his illegitimate daughter. But how can this deep, dark secret from his past now be the only thing that could help him keep his family from falling apart?

“My Family, My Love is an epic saga that is deeply moving. This is yet another one of our Hokkien offerings that our viewers will surely enjoy coming home from work every day to watch,” said 8TV’s General Manager, Ms. Lam Swee Kim.

The drama series stars Liao Jun, Fang Wen Lin, Liu Zhi Han and Chen Guan Lin.

8TV can also be viewed on Astro’s Channel 708.

Now, you can also catch your favourite 8TV programmes on the go, simply log on to www.mobile.8tv.com.my  on your mobile phone and enjoy!

Grand Brilliance or now known as Primeworks Studios Sdn Bhd is in search for 30 pairs of twins in celebrating the launching of new films for year 2010 that will be shown in the cinemas.

With the cooperation of Line Clear Motion Pictures, a new film titled “2 HEARTS 1 SOUL” under the directive of Prof. Madya A Razak Mohaideen, will be out to the moviegoers starting January 28, 2010.  To celebrate the promotion of this film, its time that  Malaysian twins to emerge themselves to the public together with the well known twins, our national footballers, Aidil Zafuan and Zakuan Adha.

Prof Razak with  real life inspirations on the life of Siamese twins Ladeh and Laleh from Iran had put his courage in processing this new movie projecting a new approach in carrying out the story. To those who were born as normal or Siamese twins could feel the director’s determination and soul in his approach producing this film “2 Hearts 1 Soul”  so that an exact message is delivered.

This film is about the life of a pair of female Siamese twins conjoined at the head for 21 years who felt that they should be separated when they felt they have different directions in life. Nonetheless the risks always made their parents restless.  Due to the courage of the twins, an operation to separate them should go on.  Reading the core of this film will definitely made you to analyse the feelings of those involved facing this crucial moments especially the said Siamese twins.

So, to liven up the appearance and purpose of this film in conveying the lives of Siamese twins to the Malaysian community.  Grand Brilliance is proud to invite 30 pairs of Malaysian twins to appear together with the artistes who are behind the success of this film “2 Hearts 1 Soul”, namely Fouziah Gous, Yasmin Hani, Fahrin Ahmad, Iqram Dinzly, Mustapha Kamal, Ziela Jalil and many others at the Film Gala Night on January 13, 2010 at the Golden Screen Cinema(GSC. Tropicana, Damansara.

This invitation is definitely an honour to twins who have been and inspiration to make this film and it will definitely bring the community closer to the real life of those who are born as twins.   We have a lot of unsolved questions in mind either positive or negative towards twins especially Siamese twins.  Nevertheless, have we ever think or sometimes feel that they also human beings created by God that we should value? Because their birth to this world brings smiles as we ponder on the greatness of the Almighty.

This gala night especially to celebrate pairs of twins present,  also giving them the opportunity to own variety of special gifts for the best and interesting attires.  This is the time for you to show the public the extent of your closeness with your twins and the awareness of the public of your mutual feelings.  So its of no surprise that this film is titled “2 Hearts 1 Soul” because two hearts can also be different to mould the soul in order to experience a perfect life.

To those twins aged 13 years and above who are interested to join the gala night, please send in yours and your twin’s pictures, passport size together with personal details to Primeworks Studios, Unit Filem & Drama, Tingkat 2, Seri Pentas, Persiaran Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama 47800, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.  Any queries, please contact direct to 03-77266333.  You can also browse our official website Hot FM www.hotfm.com.my for further information on this special invitation.

Only early participation will be given chances to you and your twin to be selected amongst the 30 pairs of lucky ones who will join the artistes of 2 Hearts 1 Soul  to appear on the gala night.  The selections will be made by Grand Brilliance and special invitees that will be broadcasted on television stations and radios under the patronage of Media Prima Berhad, newspapers, magazines and also through our website.  So do not waste this golden opportunity because this could be your chance to be the most popular pair of twins.