Golden Bell awards for excellence in the fields of broadcasting and television were presented at a ceremony at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei May 16. Tears and cheers were interspersed throughout the proceedings as actors, producers and program hosts and hostesses went up to receive their awards. The refined stage manner and sophisticated commentary of the master and mistress of ceremonies, and the smooth organization of the three-hour program helped to give a new image of the Chinese in the 1980s as being humorous, vigorous, talented and creative.
In order to establish the authority of the Golden Bell awards, the Government information Office, the sponsoring organization, put in all its manpower and material resources to planning the event. Apart from installing a fair and impartial panel of judges, the GIO also invited foreign guests to attend the ceremony in the hope that it would attract maximum attention from the public. The GIO also intended that the awards would encourage workers in broadcasting and television circles to improve the standard of their programs.
In a brief opening speech, Dr. James Soong, director-general of the Government Information Office said: "Many people agree that television and broadcasting are the two greatest inventions of the 20th century. The introduction of the two media have helped to fulfil man's dream of making everybody in the world neighbors.
"Over the years, the transistor has replaced the vacuum tube, and color television has superseded black and white. The introduction of satellite techniques in recent years has accelerated the speed and quality of communications. But, no matter how technology advances, the dynamics of developing television and broadcasting still depend on human wisdom. It is this wisdom that enables spiritual life to be enriched and social conditions to be improved through broadcasting.
"The annual presentation of the Golden Bell awards in the Republic of China is aimed at recognizing in public outstanding workers in broadcasting and television circles. Through this activity, we hope to commend and encourage members of the broadcasting profession for their hard work in the past year. Finally, let us hope that this ceremony will help the development of the broad casting and television industries in the future."
After Dr. Soong's speech, the two emcees introduced Dr. Lilian Chao, who presented the first series of program awards. Introducing Dr. Chao, the emcee said in English "Your peaches and plums can be found all over the world." Dr. Chao hurriedly explained, also in English for the benefit of foreign guests: "In China, peaches and plums mean students. I do not want you to think that I am an old lady selling fruit." She was later presented with a special award for her contribution to broadcasting education. Wearing a traditional Chinese dress, the white-haired lady, beloved by all the people in the Republic of China said amid tears: "Although I am old and alone, I draw support from the fact that my students are all over the world. Their achievements are the source of my utmost happiness. Being a Chinese, an old Chinese, and a teacher of the Chinese people, I feel very proud and happy because I am respected and loved."
When Hsu Lu and Hu Shao-an, both renowned Chinese opera actors, appeared on the stage to present awards for the best radio and television drama series, Hsu was asked to announce the names of the programs in Chinese opera style. She received warm applause from the audience for her efforts.
Another climax came when Fan Yuan-yen, an anti-Communist freedom seeker who defected to Taiwan in his airplane, mounted the stage. Fan said that while he was in mainland China, he was a faithful listener to programs broadcast from Taiwan. "Many people living on the mainland also love to listen to programs broadcast from Taiwan, but they are not as lucky as I am," he said. He then turned to Teresa Teng, mistress of ceremonies and told her: "Your songs are very popular on the mainland. There is a saying: 'We dislike the old Teng, but we are fond of the little Teng of Taiwan'."
Invited from the U.S. by the GIO to present the award for best TV actor was John Ritter of "Three's Company" fame. He said: "Although the Pacific Ocean lies between the Republic of China and the United States, the people of the two countries are connected by an invisible golden thread. Whenever I think of the friendly people here, a bell inside me will ring." The award for best TV actor went to Li Li-chun of the Chinese Television Service, who appeared in a love story series.
Another popular TV star invited to attend the ceremony, Jack Lord, of "Hawaii Five-o", a program which has a wide following in Taiwan, greeted the audience with the traditional Hawaiian greeting of "Aloha!" After presenting the Golden Bell award for best TV actress to Hsiao Fang-fang of Hong Kong, Lord said: "Wherever I go in the Republic of China, the people treat me with friendliness and hospitality."
The ceremony ended with Dr. Soong presenting special awards to Jack Lord and John Ritter, and to representatives of singers and entertainers invited from Hong Kong, Singapore and Korea.
Forty-three Golden Bell awards for broadcasting and television stars and programs, two special awards and five commemorative awards were presented at the ceremony. No award was given for the best television news and public service programs and three other categories, reflecting the serious approach which the judges brought to their work. After the event, Dr. Soong said that the Golden Bell Awards ceremony is the embodiment of traditional Chinese virtues and therefore provides the best social education. In an expression of loyalty, Sanmao, a popular writer currently enjoying a trip round the world said that wherever she goes, she will have sweet memories of her beloved country, the Republic of China. In an expression of filial piety, all recipients of the awards shared the honor with their parents. Dedication to a career was shown when Lilian Chao received a special award for her patience in teaching English for 60 years. And it was an expression of modesty when those honored attributed their success to the cooperation and assistance received from their superiors and colleagues.
[Picture Caption]
1. The Golden Bell award is the highest honor in broadcasting and television in the Republic of China. 2. In his opening speech, Director-general of the Government Information Office, Dr. James Soong. encouraged workers in broadcasting and television to make every effort to enhance the social function of the two media. 3. This simple but attractive stage set was designed by Nieh Kuang-yen.
1. The top TV child performer award goes to Hu Chia-wei (in white). 2. Li Li-chun receives the award for best TV actor. 3. Chang Wu-hsiung makes a victory gesture as he receives the best TV audio award. 4. Chen Ni, popular for her sweet voice, wins the title for best TV singer. 5. Best TV directing award goes to Huang l-kung. 6. Master of ceremonies Li Chi-tsum was also the winner of the award for best TV variety show host.
1.2. Emotional moments as Dr. Lilian Chao and singer Li Pei-ching (in wheelchair) receive special awards. 3.4. Hsiung Lu-Yang, hostess of "60 Minutes" is honored as best TV news program hostess. Li Yen-chiu of the Chinese Television Service was winner of best TV news announcer. Both expressed their gratitude to their colleagues working behind the scenes. 5. Sanmao, a popular writer residing abroad, attended the ceremony at the invitation of the GIO. 6. Fan Yuan- yen, an anti-Communist freedom-seeker, presents the special audience broadcasting award. He said he was motivated to escape from mainland China to Taiwan by listening to radio programs broadcast from the ROC. 7. John Ritter of the U.S. program "Three's Company" presents the best TV actor award. 8. Jack Lord of "Hawaii Five-O" acknowledges the audience's applause with the Hawaiian greeting "Aloha!"
1. Singing and dancing performances were included in the ceremony. 2. Yu An-an of the Hong Kong Rediffusion Television sings an American song. 3. Miss Kim Hee Hook of the Korean Mun Hwa TV Radio Broadcasting Corp. sings a medley of Korean folk songs. 4. Miss Rahimah Rahim and Miss Sally Chia Soo Chin of the Singapore Broadcasting Corp. sing songs in Chinese, English and Malay. 5. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lord. 6. Mr. and Mrs. John Ritter sitting in the audience at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
In his opening speech, Director-general of the Government Information Office, Dr. James Soong. encouraged workers in broadcasting and television to make every effort to enhance the social function of the two media.
This simple but attractive stage set was designed by Nieh Kuang-yen.
The top TV child performer award goes to Hu Chia-wei (in white).
Li Li-chun receives the award for best TV actor.
Chang Wu-hsiung makes a victory gesture as he receives the best TV audio award.
Chen Ni, popular for her sweet voice, wins the title for best TV singer.
Best TV directing award goes to Huang l-kung.
Master of ceremonies Li Chi-tsum was also the winner of the award for best TV variety show host.
Emotional moments as Dr. Lilian Chao and singer Li Pei-ching (in wheelchair) receive special awards.
Emotional moments as Dr. Lilian Chao and singer Li Pei-ching (in wheelchair) receive special awards.
Hsiung Lu-Yang, hostess of "60 Minutes" is honored as best TV news program hostess. Li Yen-chiu of the Chinese Television Service was winner of best TV news announcer. Both expressed their gratitude to their colleagues working behind the scenes.
Hsiung Lu-Yang, hostess of "60 Minutes" is honored as best TV news program hostess. Li Yen-chiu of the Chinese Television Service was winner of best TV news announcer. Both expressed their gratitude to their colleagues working behind the scenes.
Sanmao, a popular writer residing abroad, attended the ceremony at the invitation of the GIO.
Fan Yuan- yen, an anti-Communist freedom-seeker, presents the special audience broadcasting award. He said he was motivated to escape from mainland China to Taiwan by listening to radio programs broadcast from the ROC.
John Ritter of the U.S. program "Three's Company" presents the best TV actor award.
Jack Lord of "Hawaii Five-O" acknowledges the audience's applause with the Hawaiian greeting "Aloha!".
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lord.
Singing and dancing performances were included in the ceremony.
Yu An-an of the Hong Kong Rediffusion Television sings an American song.
Mr. and Mrs. John Ritter sitting in the audience at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
Miss Kim Hee Hook of the Korean Mun Hwa TV Radio Broadcasting Corp. sings a medley of Korean folk songs.
Miss Rahimah Rahim and Miss Sally Chia Soo Chin of the Singapore Broadcasting Corp. sing songs in Chinese, English and Malay.