Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

1983 1 Month 26 Day.

There are less than three weeks until the Lunar New Year.

The entire Hong Kong Island was immersed in a busy and festive atmosphere. Red lanterns hung in the streets and alleys, the Lunar New Year markets were bustling with people, and even the air was filled with the aroma of fried dumplings and sesame balls.

However, for the Hong Kong television industry, this Lunar New Year is destined to be a fierce and cutthroat battleground.

Clearwater Bay, TVB City.

The conference room on the top floor of the administration building was filled with smoke, and the atmosphere was so heated that it seemed to ignite the air.

Uncle Shao sat in the chairman's seat, his usual cigar between his fingers, but today his face was no longer gloomy as it had been for the past six months. Instead, it exuded a confidence and domineering aura of being in control of the whole situation.

Just a week ago, the power struggle by the TVB board of directors was finally resolved.

The Li family, which owns a significant number of shares, along with several other minority shareholders, attempted to force the resignation of Uncle Shao by using the pretext of the Chan brothers' embezzlement of public funds for stock speculation.

But Uncle Shaw was, after all, a tycoon by birth and shrewd. He decisively sold off some of Shaw Brothers' overseas assets and, together with several friendly GG (Growth Enterprise) companies, raised funds by transferring next year's GG rights at a low price. This not only covered the losses but also allowed him to acquire the shares of two minority shareholders, thus suppressing the Li family's power with absolute control.

"Everyone."

Uncle Shao flicked his cigarette ash, his gaze sweeping over every executive and producer present. "The internal strife has been quelled; now it's time for us to reclaim our lost ground."

"In the past year, we have been severely suppressed by ATV over there."

Uncle Shao's voice was deep, yet it carried an undeniable authority. "The Legend of Sword and Fairy, ATV Shopping, and that damned Vampire Diaries... Lu Chen, that young man, is indeed quite capable. He made TVB lose face, and the average ratings once dropped below 40%."

"But!" Uncle Shaw slammed his hand on the table. "TVB is TVB! We have the best actors, the best producers, and... Mr. Jin Yong's best IP!"

"Tianlin, show the film to everyone."

Wang Tianlin stood up with a radiant face and walked to the projector.

As the film reel rotated, a magnificent scene appeared on the huge projection screen.

That is the lone smoke rising from the desert, that is the bow drawn to shoot an eagle.

Immediately afterwards, Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng's passionate and soaring singing voices filled the conference room:

"A vague dream seems to have occurred before, stirring up waves in my heart..."

On screen, Guo Jing is honest and upright, while Huang Rong is charming and lively. Gone are the simple indoor sets of the past; this time, TVB has truly spared no expense.

"We increased the budget three times for this 'Legend of the Condor Heroes'!" Wang Tianlin proudly pointed to the screen. "The total production cost reached a whopping six million Hong Kong dollars! All the outdoor scenes were filmed on location on Lantau Island, and all the costumes and props were custom-made by the film crew!"

"We're aiming to rival ATV's 'Chinese Paladin'! This time, we're going to show the audience who the true pioneer of Hong Kong dramas is!"

Although the filming process was fraught with setbacks—such as the misappropriation of funds that nearly brought the production to a standstill, and the lead actor almost collapsing due to the immense pressure—thankfully, these veteran TVB actors and behind-the-scenes elites persevered and managed to bring the series to fruition.

The screening has ended.

Thunderous applause erupted in the conference room.

"Fantastic! The visuals, the quality—this is definitely going to win!"

"That actress is practically Huang Rong reincarnated! She's so incredibly lifelike!"

"ATV is doomed this time! Their current drama, 'Reincarnated,' is alright, but compared to this, it's child's play!"

Indeed, ATV's currently airing "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" is a rare gem, maintaining a prime-time rating of around 50%. However, it is no match for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," which is based on a Jin Yong novel and boasts such a high-quality production.

Release date set.

Uncle Shao waved his hand, setting the time for the final battle.

"January 23, 1 PM prime time."

"I want all the audiences on Hong Kong Island to watch only my films this Lunar New Year!"

……

At the same time.

Kowloon Tong, Broadcast Drive, Asia Television (ATV) Building.

In the general manager's office.

Lu Chen sat on the sofa, holding a cup of hot tea, listening to General Manager Huang Xizhao's report.

"Boss, the information is accurate."

Huang Xizhao put down the phone, his expression somewhat complicated. "TVB has set a release date. 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Iron-Blooded Loyalty' will premiere this Sunday, January 23rd, at 1 PM. Shaw Brothers is serious this time; the production cost is said to be as high as six million, and it's being filmed on location."

"Boss, things are a bit tricky..." Huang Xizhao hesitated for a moment, "Our 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' is good, but it's already halfway through its run, and the audience's interest has worn off. Besides, we're facing off against Jin Yong's 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes,' a big-budget production like that, I'm afraid..."

As a veteran in the television industry, Huang Xizhao is all too aware of the influence of "Jin Yong dramas" in the Chinese-speaking world; it's practically a nuclear weapon-level IP.

"Old Huang, have a seat."

Lu Chen put down his teacup, pointed to the chair opposite him, and said, "Stop spinning, it's making me dizzy."

"Boss, I'm in a hurry! We need to think of a solution!"

"A solution?"

Lu Chen smiled, a sly glint in his eyes. "Who said we were going to compete with them on TV dramas?"

"Huh? What else can we compete on besides TV dramas?" Huang Xizhao was taken aback.

"Old Huang, what do you think is more appealing to Hong Kong residents than watching TV dramas these days?" Lu Chen asked.

"A beautiful woman? A celebrity?" Huang Xizhao asked tentatively.

"No," Lu Chen turned around, took a coin out of his pocket, flicked it gently into the air, and caught it.

"It's money."

"To be precise, it's the hope of getting rich overnight."

Lu Chen's eyes gleamed with insight into human nature. "Hong Kong is currently in a period of uncertainty regarding negotiations. The stock market is volatile, the property market is sluggish, and established trading companies like Hongkong Land and Jardine Matheson have gone bankrupt. Life is tough for ordinary people."

"At this point, Guo Jing and Huang Rong's love, though beautiful, is like the moon in the sky. What we want to give them is sixpence on the ground, and... a million sixpence."

Lu Chen fiddled with the coin and asked, "How's the preparation for that new segment going?"

Huang Xizhao's eyes lit up instantly when this was mentioned.

"Everything is ready! According to your plan, we started secretly building the studio half a month ago, and we even found Huang Laoguai as the host..." Huang Xizhao said, then realized something, "Boss! Did you already know that The Legend of the Condor Heroes would air at the beginning of the year, which is why you ordered us to prepare this program?"

“That’s right,” Lu Chen nodded. “Since Uncle Shao wants to make a big splash that day, let’s play along.”

"Pass the word down."

Lu Chen's tone became sharp, "Starting tomorrow, I want every corner of Hong Kong covered with posters of our new program, whether it's newspapers, radio stations, bus bodies, or telephone poles on the street."

"Tell all the citizens of Hong Kong."

Stop watching TV and come get your money.

"Top prize – one million Hong Kong dollars!"

……

1 month 17 day.

Just as TVB was still overwhelmingly promoting "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" as "the pinnacle of Jin Yong's martial arts novels,"

A bombshell has exploded in Hong Kong's media circles.

Oriental Daily News, Sing Tao Daily, Ming Pao... the front pages of all ten of Hong Kong's best-selling newspapers featured the same image:

A black background image.

In the center is a huge, golden question mark.

Below is a line of bold red text:

Do you want to become a millionaire?

[January 23, ATV, Hong Kong-wide auditions begin!]

Immediately afterwards, ATV's TV program began broadcasting the program around the clock.

No celebrities, no special effects.

There was only a dark studio with a spotlight shining on the table.

On the table, a pile of banknotes was neatly stacked.

One bundle is ten thousand.

One hundred bundles.

It piled up into an alluring mountain of gold.

The narrator spoke in a highly inflammatory voice:

"One million can buy a shop in Causeway Bay; it can allow you to travel around the world three times; it can save you fifty years of hard work."

"It's right here now. Answer fifteen questions correctly and you can take it!"

All you need is your wisdom, and all you need is the courage to come.

"All Hong Kong residents are welcome to register! No requirements! No fees!"

"January 23rd, the millionaire title awaits you!"

boom--!!

The entire island of Hong Kong was in an uproar.

Inside the tea restaurant.

"Hey! Old Zhang! Did you see the trailer for that new ATV program? One million! Really?"

"It's definitely true! Don't you know Lu Chen, the big boss of Golden Harvest? He's rich! A million is nothing to him!"

"Then I have to sign up! Even though I'm not very well-educated, I know a lot! That guy said the questions are all very simple!"

In the farmers' market.

"Oh my, Mrs. Wang, are you going to queue up too?"

"Yes! I heard the registration point is on Broadcast Drive. I'm taking my son to try! What if he gets in? Then I won't have to haggle over prices at the market anymore!"

In the office building.

"Stop working! Stop working! Quick, help me look at this question! It's supposed to be a mock audition question!"

"The boss is here!"

"Even when the boss arrives, we'll have to wait a while! I'm figuring out how to get that million!"

In just one day.

The phrase "millionaire" has become the most frequently used word in Hong Kong. Everyone is eager to participate in the program, answer questions, and win a million-dollar prize.

As for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes"?

I'm sorry, although Guo Jing is very handsome and Huang Rong is very beautiful, could they give me a million?

No.

What the hell am I supposed to watch then!

In an instant, the topic of conversation on the streets, in teahouses and taverns, shifted from "How good is Guo Jing's martial arts?" to "How would you spend a million if you had one million?"

ATV's hotline was overwhelmed with calls, and long queues formed at the registration desk. Some people even went out overnight with their bedding to queue up, just to get a spot in the audition.