The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 01:50 AM PST

RTM brightens up with an array of fresh, contemporary programmes.

HOST Kuah Jenhan confessed that he only watches RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia) channels, TV1 and TV2, when the remote control runs out of battery and he has no way to change the channel.

Paired with the effervescent Adibah Noor, Kuah candidly shared his perception of the public broadcaster during the RTM Media Screening 2013 at Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, last week.

As blunt or direct as his statement had come off, this is undeniably the very sentiment shared by many viewers of RTM.

The Secretary General Of The Ministry Of Information Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf readily acknowledged this and had drawn up a plan to ensure RTM remains a worthy contender when it comes to entertaining Malaysians with high quality content.

"RTM has been with us for the past 50 years and it is still going strong, standing tall and ready to take on another 50 years and beyond," he said, determined to take RTM to greater heights.

To do this, Kamaruddin began by introducing the evening's theme "Breaking Perception". Apart from engaging a new rating system that helps the broadcaster better understand its viewers and their viewing habits, he said viewers can expect a line-up of brand-new, riveting programmes that will have many on the edge of their seats.

Here's a look at some of the shows heading to TV1 and TV2 this year:

Hollywood's finest

If you think RTM isn't catching up with the latest shows from Hollywood, think again. The science-fiction thriller Alcatraz and fantasy cop drama Grimm both aired in the US just last year and is now showing on TV2 at Fridays, midnight and Mondays, 12.30am respectively. Meanwhile, Emmy-nominated crime series Justified that made its debut in 2010 is also airing on TV2, Tuesdays, 1am.

But the most highly-anticipated series slated to join RTM's line-up has got to be the 2012 sequel to the 70s soap opera hit Dallas. The show picks up where it left off in 1991 whereby J.R. Ewing (the late Larry Hagman) was shot. As it turns out, the ruthless oil mogul survived and is back to reclaim his power. In the meantime, his son John Ross Ewing III (Josh Henderson) is trying to prove his worth to his father by starting a drilling project. However, things get complicated when Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe), Bobby and Sue Ellen Ewing's adopted son, returns from his studies on alternative energy in Asia and raises his concerns on the family's projects.

To top it off, RTM will also be airing Hollywood hits such as Mr & Mrs Smith, Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, Avatar and all six episodes of the Star Wars Saga during TV2's Friday to Sunday, 10pm programming belt in May.

Korean flavour

For South Korean drama addicts, RTM is serving up three exciting titles! Bachelor's Vegetable Store is an inspiring true story based on entrepreneur Lee Young Suk's successful business venture, turning a humble vegetable stand to a 33-store nationwide franchise.

Meanwhile, in Ojakgyo Family, the Hwangs are a bunch of happy-go-lucky people living on a country farm in the outskirts of Seouls. But one day, the family discovers a shocking revelation after a visit from a mysterious rich girl: their treasured family farm isn't theirs.

Finally, Color Of Woman focuses on the rivalry between two careerwomen. To get ahead in a cosmetic company, one believes in working hard and putting her PhD education to good use while the other is banking on her charm and good-looks.

All three shows aired in South Korea just last year and have begun airing every Friday, 5pm, under TV2's Kristal segment.

The homegrown edge

On the local front, RTM has roped in some of the nation's most popular actresses to entertain viewers. Queen of television drama Rozita Che Wan is currently starring in Chef Cinta, which started airing just two weeks ago on TV2, Mondays to Wednesdays, 1.30pm. The show revolves around a love affair between a junior chef at a prestigious hotel and his manager.

The second season of Evolusi KL Drift is also expected to swing by TV2 sometime in April after a successful run last year. The Fast And The Furious-style local series is centred on friends Zack and Sham who shares a passion for drift racing.

And with more than two million Facebook followers, Malaysian sweetheart Lisa Surihani will dazzle audiences in Maskara this April on TV1. Said to be inspired by Marc Cherry's Desperate Housewives, look out for other local beauties like Nasha Aziz, Anzalna and Andrea Abdullah.

Exclusive live telecasts

From sporting action to the country's biggest political event, TV1 is bringing viewers live coverage of the current Malaysian Super League 2013, the upcoming Le Tour De Langkawi 2013 in February, the biennial Sea Games 2013 from Myanmar in December, and not forgetting the long-awaited 13th General Election.

RTM has purchased a new election reporting system that costs over RM2mil in an effort to provide viewers with the most comprehensive coverage of the election.

Red FM deejay to shave for charity

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 05:25 AM PST

Red FM deejay to shave his head for charity.

TERRY from The Red Fix (Mondays to Fridays, 4pm to 7pm) has been known to lend a helping hand whenever possible. This year, he is "baldly" stepping forward to assist in raising funds to support families living with cancer patients.

In conjunction with World Cancer Day on Feb 4, Terry will be participating in "Bald and Beautiful," a fund-raising event held to aid families with children battling cancer. The event happens on Feb 3 at Waikiki Bar, No1, Lorong Sultan, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

At the charity event, Terry will be going bald with the public generously sponsoring him for the cause. To date, more than RM2,000 has been pledged towards Terry.

Come join Terry as Azura holds his hand while he gets his head shaved.

Tune in all next week to The Red Fix (Mondays to Fridays, 4pm to 7pm) to learn more on how you can sponsor Terry and help support families coping with cancer patients.

The big Grammy trip

Elsewhere, it's the Grammy buzz at Red FM! Today, during The Red Breakfast Show, the winner of Red FM's 60 Seconds To The Grammys was announced. Listeners were able to be part of the show as two finalists faced-off to win the coveted prize of a priceless Grammy experience. The show was streamed live through the newly-revamped Red FM website. The finalists were judged on their creativity, showmanship and passion by a panel of experienced judges.

To learn more and also share in the winner's experience, stay tuned to Red FM and keep yourself logged onto red.fm as the Grammy experience is documented through video and phone calls. The winner will be back on-air once again after returning from the trip of a lifetime to share all the juicy details.

For more info, log on to (red.fm). Join the Red FM Malaysia Facebook fan page on (facebook.com/redfm.my) and follow us on Twitter @iloveredfm. Red FM is owned and operated by The Star. Red FM's Station Frequencies: Taiping, Kedah, Perlis & Pulau Langkawi: 98.1FM, Georgetown and Seberang Perai: 107.6 FM, Ipoh, Perak: 106.4 FM, Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan and Tapah: 104.9FM, Kuantan, Pahang: 91.6 FM, Batu Pahat and Melaka: 98.9FM, Johor Baru and Singapore: 92.8FM.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Khamis, 24 Januari 2013