TERRIBLE and suffocating.

Those were the uncomfortable filming conditions local host and actor Guo Liang had allegedly complained about during the shoot for Table Of Glory to an evening daily. The outburst from the usually reserved actor came as a bit of a shock.

So, what’s up with the flare-up? In the report, he said the sports hall where filming took place was suffocating.

The executive producer of the drama, Ms Lai Lee Thin, was also quoted in the article as saying that MediaCorp did not switch on the air-conditioning in the hall to save costs.

According to Ms Lai, rental of the sports hall cost $1,000 for five days. Usage of the air-conditioning would cost another $1,000 a day.

Guo Liang admitted to The New Paper that he did say that the air-conditioning wasn’t turned on and that the crew had it worse than the cast.

Fresh air

The crew could not leave the hall for fresh air when they were not needed for filming, unlike the cast.

But he insisted he wasn’t complaining, or angry. He told The New Paper that he’s not one to complain about bad working conditions.

“I’ve gone without sleep for 48 hours, flying from Singapore to China to film overnight, then back to Singapore,” he said.

He also had to film the period drama Legend Of The Condor Heroes, currently showing on Channel U, in 38 deg C heat in China. To top if off, he had to wear metal armour, a mock fur coat, a wig and fake moustache.

“Whether it’s filming in a stifling sports hall or under extreme heat, it’s just part of being an actor. As an artiste in Singapore, all I care is having a job I love and a platform to showcase myself,” he said.

But Ms Chong Yen Ling, the Lianhe Wanbao journalist who wrote the article, told The New Paper that the actor was obviously frustrated when he spoke about the filming conditions, judging from his body language and dark facial expression.

Ms Chong also said that she felt Guo Liang was speaking on behalf of the crew because he felt sorry for them. So did he get in trouble with his employer over this incident?

The actor said MediaCorp called him up over the report the day after it was published, but said he wasn’t taken to task over it. “I wasn’t punished nor was my salary reduced. And see, I still have a lot of TV programmes!” he said.

Indeed he has. Apart from Table of Glory, he also has two new variety shows – My House Husband’s Journal and Go Live!

An effeminate Guo Liang takes centre stage in My House Husband’s Journal on Channel 8 every Friday at 8pm.

He said of his first light-hearted role-play: “I have to be sissy but still a straight man. How difficult is that? For the first time in my years as a host, I had six NGs (no-good takes)! I’ve never had NGs before.

“I cringe when I see myself on screen... I still think it’s disgusting!” Nevertheless, he’s pinning his hopes on this breakthrough role to get him nominated for Star Awards Best Variety Show Host next year.

The 16-year veteran is also nominated in the category this year for CelebriTea Break and in the category Best Info-Ed Programme Host for Breaking Barriers. While on the topic of the 15 nominations The Little Nyonya garnered, he turned serious and was even frustrated.

The fact to him is, The Little Nyonya is very popular and well-liked by the public. He said: “I think this is a very stubborn way of thinking, and a scary one. A drama gains success and popularity, and with it, financial gain and recognition. And then people think it’s unfair.

“People ask why the drama has received so many nominations. But why can’t it?”

This article was first published in The New Paper.