The Dream Makers

The latest Channel 8 drama to occupy the 9pm time slot on weekdays is essentially a show within a show. Starring Zoe Tay and Chen Liping as frenemies, The Dream Makers was produced to celebrate half a century of Singapore television as well as Channel 8's 50th anniversary.

Expectations for this drama should be higher than average. That's because Mediacorp is making something which it is most familiar with. The drama also sees artistes like Vincent Ng and Dawn Yeoh making their comebacks after a long long time.

As expected, females are the mainstay of the cast. Actresses Jeanette Aw, Rui En and Rebecca Lim plus veterans Tay and Chen are what keeps the show going. Aw's on-screen boyfriend Qi Yuwu and Tay's good buddy Chen Hanwei are nowhere near to take some spark off the women.

The most interesting character in the show should be the one by Jeanette Aw. In the drama, she is a third-tier actress with first-class acting skills (the complete opposite in reality) hoping to make a mark after three years of anonymity. Standing in her way is Dawn Yeoh who is the TV station's Ah Jie.

Aw's character attempts to make her breakthrough via unscrupulous and conscienceless moves. Despite the depth of the character, it is predictable that Zhao Fei Er (Aw's role) will go on to gain fame and become a big star. Then, her relationship with her long-time boyfriend will take a turn as she becomes more and more materialistic.

Another entertaining character is the crazy Fang Tonglin played by the cool Rui En. Like Jeanette Aw, Rui En portrays a character that is the complete opposite of herself in reality, oops. It is awkward to see Rui En jumping around with exaggerated facial expressions in the show but at least she managed to pull it off.

Her partnership with Dennis "Auntie Lucy" Chew as siblings is one of the brighter sparks in the show. The chemistry between both was strong enough to showcase the love-hate relationship they share where one is a director at the TV station while the other is an entertainment reporter. Both have made a pact not to reveal their relationship at work due to the nature of their professions which makes things hilarious whenever they are with a mutual acquaintance.

If you have an interest in media production, mass communications or just the glitz and glamour of showbiz, this is one show which you should not miss. Beyond the scenes of TV station employees at work, the show within the show lays out the fact that everyone is a storywriter and director. The script we write and the scenes we direct determine the lives we lead.