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If one word was needed to describe the TV year, it would have to be "blah". It wasn't a very eventful 2006 on the boob tube. There were a few highs - it seems there could have been more if people had just tried a little harder - and some rather dismal lows, but in the end, there was nothing particularly groundbreaking.
Shock & Swallow
Steve Irwin
The biggest shocker of all was the unfortunate demise of Steve Irwin. In a freak accident in September, the Aussie-born TV star and conservationist, who lived up to his name as The Crocodile Hunter owing to his questionable, hands-on approach to dealing with animals, was pierced through the heart by a stingray while filming at the Great Barrier Reef. Fans worldwide mourned the death of an Australian icon, while critics went on the "I told you so" tangent.
Christopher Lee
In less serious news, but no less eyebrow raising, Christopher Lee was arrested on suspicion of drink driving in October after the car he was driving collided with a motorcycle. After avoiding the media, Christopher finally spoke about the incident at this month's Star Awards, where he promised he would face up to the issue.
Zoe Tay
Oh, and Zoe Tay admitted to the nation: "I swallow." But get your minds out of the gutter, people, for the Queen of Caldecott wasn't talking about that. It was merely an advertising slogan for the Imedeen brand of beauty supplements, for which she is spokesperson. But we certainly did wonder ...
A Real StretchSingapore Idol Season 2
The debate over whether reality shows are still relevant raged on as usual, but is anyone other than the critics even listening? It's not just the programme producers that are keeping them alive. After much hype, Singapore Idol 2 made its debut in late May. The finale between Jonathan Leong and Hady Mirza bore striking similarities to that in the first season, when similarly long-tressed rocker Sylvester Sim and laidback soulman Taufik Batisah duked it out for the crown. Following in Taufik's footsteps, Hady took the title. But there was a noticeable loss of buzz around season two. Message to the production team and future talent: Try harder.
Amazing Race Asia
The Amazing Race Asia took off in November with muscleman Allan Wu taking on hosting duties. Any chance of Singaporean glory went out with the elimination of local reps Melody Chen and Sharon Wong. The US$100,000 ($154,000) prize is still up for grabs for the remaining six teams, but apparently, the name of the Asian game is nice, as opposed to aggressive.
Project Superstar Season 2
Project SuperStar 2 also kicked off in November, but whether it will be the rousing success the first season was is a big question mark. The chemistry among the Project SuperStar judges is second to none, but as the show is really about the singers, there's a burning question on everyone's mind. Namely, how to top the ratings bonanza that was season one, when blind busker Kelvin Tan Wei Lian emerged as champ?
Foreign Affairs
Lee Young Ae
Big names in TV-land - or biggish at least - descended on our sunny shores, but their visits only proved that sometimes it's better to just watch them on TV. Lee Young Ae, the star of the massive South Korean hit Jewel in the Palace, was here in April as a spokesperson for South Korean electronics brand LG. She was classiness personified, but granted no media interviews. So, no, we still don't know much about her, aside from the fact that she's a really good actress.
Jessica Hsuan
Hong Kong actress Jessica Hsuan popped into town in August to film the Channel 5 drama Parental Guidance with Adrian Pang. She was friendly and easygoing, but viewers will have to wait till next year, when the show debuts, to see if she sparks on screen.
Sexy, Naughty, Bitchy
Meanwhile, fashion industry newcomers Santino Rice (Project Runway season two's resident rebel) and Jade Cole (America's Next Top Model season six's uber-bitch) also stopped by. But if the media was hoping for the same kind of diva demands and hissy fits in person that made their TV personas so delicious to watch, they were disappointed.
A Series of EventsPrison Break
Fans of Lost and Grey's Anatomy were in for a treat as the second seasons of these US-made series proved as good or better than their first go-rounds, although the same can't be said for the dismal Desperate Housewives. Prison Break came to Singapore, after proving that a top-notch execution can lift even the silliest of premises. (Hello, Lost?) The prison theme drew in the male viewers, while the ladies tuned in for breakout star Wentworth Miller. In other words, the perfect formula.
Local TV
The homegrown comedies ABC DJ and The Yang Sisters - the latter starring Cheng Pei Pei - fizzled with audiences here. Meanwhile, Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd reached its swan-song season, something which left some viewers with mixed feelings. PCK is certainly an icon, though star Gurmit Singh seems to have moved on to other things long ago.
TV's Sweeties
In Chinese entertainment news, Felicia Chin and Elvin Ng look set to be the next big stars on Channel 8, assuming they play their cards right. We certainly don't mind because they're so, well, nice. And maybe a little boring too, but that certainly goes hand in hand with the year in TV, doesn't it? - TODAY
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