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SINGAPORE: We celebrated 44 years of nationhood not long ago, but what does it mean to be Singaporean?
Well, forget annual reviews and financial forecasts and gross domestic population currency whatsits. The essence of a nation is in its social character; and there's no better reflection of our society's values, aspirations and idiosyncrasies than our very own locally-produced TV shows.
From HDB heartland stories to semi-historical dramas, our consciousness was shaped by what we grew up watching on the telly. And through our rose-coloured glasses, no new blockbuster will ever be as good as an old-school tour de force like The Awakening or Flying Fish.
This was back when men were men and children were children and Xiang Yun was queen.
Which is why they really ought to repackage these classic Singaporean shows into DVD box sets. Not only will they be great as history lessons, they would make great Mid Autumn Festival gifts.
Here's what we would like:
THE AWAKENING
No survey of Singapore television would be complete without this heavyweight. Not only was this 1984 series Channel 8's very first blockbuster drama, it was also produced in conjunction with our 25th National Day.
Historical implications aside, we got to see a very young Xiang Yun and a very young Huang Wenyong make googly eyes at each other.
The Awakening also featured an iconic landmark in Singapore television: The first on-screen kiss between Chen Shucheng and Huang Peiru. Bet you didn't know Shucheng was such a stud!
Synopsis: An epic series spanning generations, the show charted the Chinese Singaporean experience from the first settlers from China who built the country's foundations through to the Japanese Occupation, the struggle for independence, and the nation-building, economy-developing years.
It is the turn of the century, and Ah Mei (Xiang Yun) and Ah Shui (Huang Wenyong) are two immigrants who arrive in a foreign land. Little do they know that they are to become the ancestors of a new people: Singaporeans.
There will be blood. There will be tears. There will be sweat - frankly, quite a lot of sweat. But rest assured there will also be happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.
Special Features:
- A behind-the-scenes featurette detailing how set and costume designers collaborated to achieve the look of early Singapore.
- Press clippings that give an overview of the field day that the newspapers had over the death of chastity on local television in the 1980s.
- A gratuitous mini-docu on Shucheng's sex appeal.
TRIPLE NINE
Bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when Triple Nine comes for you?
The year was 1995. Triple Nine was Singapore's first attempt at an English-language police drama. It propelled James Lye to swoon-worthy pin-up boy status and, later, in Season Two, Robin Leong as well.
And who could forget Wong Lilin and Chong Chia Suan grimacing for all they were worth while wielding shiny guns?
Synopsis: The trials and tribulations of Singapore's finest are collected here for your cathartic enjoyment. Low crime doesn't mean no crime, okay?
Special Features:
- The lengthy process of Mark Richmond getting into character to play the emo, angst-ridden Inspector Herbert De Souza. It would be rated PG and involves booze, razors and Nietzsche.
- A special mockumentary, Hanging Up The Uniform: Life After The Force, about what your favourite Triple Nine police officers are up to after retiring their badges and handguns. Will Sgt Leong ever eat popiah, again?
- An extensive photo gallery of James' patented one look: "I'm scowling, but you know you want me."
THE RA RA SHOW
Because this show aired such a long time ago, everyone seems to remember that it was crude and "racy", but no one actually remembers what went on in it.
"It was just funny lah. Hilarious," said Ra Ra star Kumar. "People still ask me about the Ra Ra Show. They tell me about how they grew up with that and how they would like it to come back. But it was a long time ago - I can't remember anything."
Concurred cast member Karen Tan: "That was so LAST TIME!"
Time we refreshed our memory, then - for better or for worse.
Synopsis: What happens when you put Singapore's foremost drag queen, skinniest comedian and most famous TV housewife together? Why, the Ra Ra Show, of course!
Singapore's version of Saturday Night Live showcases the talents of Kumar, Mervyn Chew and Koh Chieng Mun, together with performances by local and visiting artistes. It's ra-ra-rambunctious! As character Bibik Belachan would say: "Sit down and pay attention!"
Special Features:
- The Not-So Little Nyonya. A step-by-step process of transforming Mervyn into the perfect Peranakan auntie.
- Thanks For The Memories, a featurette of the cast of the show reminiscing about the good ol' days, set to a background of crickets chirping and white noise.
- Chieng Mun and Andrew Lim sit down and discuss their creepy incestuous relationship - going from gormless lovers in Ra Ra to mother and son in Under One Roof shortly after.
- TODAY/yb
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