HONG KONG –  It must be awful to be Kenix Kwok now. She was considered the top contender for the Best Actress award this year at the TVB 38th Anniversary Show. But last Saturday, she had to stand on the sidelines again as she was piped at the post by veteran actress Liza Wang. 

In the lead-up to the event, a war between the two had taken place in the press, with the 35-year-old actress suggesting that Liza should win the Guang Hui Award, which is to honor senior actors. 

Liza, who's 58, retorted that she's still too young for that. But if there was any bad blood, it was well camouflaged. 

Looking resplendent in her white dress, fur shawl and feathered hat, Kenix walked on stage hand in hand with her reported rival before the announcement of the winner. 

Kenix, who has been with TVB for 12 years and who married fellow actor Frankie Lam last year, seemed unfazed by her defeat. She even smiled as Liza gave her acceptance speech. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Liza said: 'I was quite relaxed at first. But everyone started saying I had a good chance, so I became quite nervous!' 

The big winners at the bash were undoubtedly Life Made Simple and War Of In-Laws, where Liza played a domineering mother-in-law. 

Life Made Simple won two awards, for Roger Kwok and Angela Tong. It garnered Best Actor for Roger, who reprised the role of the dull but lovable Ah Wang, but in a modern setting.

Angela Tong, who was visibly overwhelmed and close to tears thanking her mum and dad, walked away with the award for Best Supporting Actress for Ah Hao, a female character who looks ugly. 

During Roger's acceptance speech, he thanked his girlfriend, actress Cindy Au. He did not do so when he won Favorite Actor in 2003. He said: 'Everyone thinks I have a good temper, but only she knows the truth.' Now that he has won, does he intend to propose to her? 'Whether I win or not, I'll propose. But definitely not tonight,' he said. 

In addition to Best Actress, the hugely popular War Of In-Laws won Best Series, Most Improved Actor and Best Promotional Clip. 

Bosco Wong, who won Most Improved Actor, said that while he wanted the prize, he didn't expect it this year. 

The actor, who has been with TVB for six years, said: 'After one year I was very tired. 'But winning this trophy is like getting my batteries recharged!' 

Another nominee who had been making headlines was Joey Leung, who was up for Best Host for popular variety show Minutes To Fame. He was also one of the nine hosts for the night. 

He had been widely-tipped to win this year, but was photographed making out with last year's Miss Hong Kong runner-up Queenie Chu in a car. 

Instead, the award went to veteran Carol Cheng, who was wearing a skin-tight outfit when Michael Hui presented her with the trophy. 

Joey, whose girlfriend is actress Margaret Chung, was evasive at the rehearsal the day before. When asked whether he felt the scandal would affect his chances, he said he preferred to 'look to the future'. 

Minutes To Fame did well, however, grabbing Best Variety Show and Most Creative Show. 

DIFFERENT  

The format for this year's anniversary show awards differed from previous years'. For one, there is no longer a Favorite Partnership award for the acting pair with the most chemistry. And instead of the tag 'Favorite', the names of the awards were replaced with the more conventional 'Best', like Best Actor. 

Producers also voted for the first time. Previously, only votes from the top management and viewers were counted. Producers made up 20 per cent of the voters, with TVB's top management and viewers comprising 50 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. 

The trophies cost TVB HK$1.6 million ($350,000). And TVB paid HK$6m for all prizes - including a car and a house - for the games played by the artistes during the show. 

2005 TVB 36th ANNIVERSARY AWARD WINNERS