Chuan Enlai accepting the award on Michelle Chong's behalf at the Asian Television Awards 2012

And to spice things up a little, what's an awards show without an urban legend (read: The Oscar Curse) of its own? Award nominee and The Noose actor Chua Enlai who was present at the event without his fellow nominated Noose co-stars, tickled us pink with a conspiracy theory that he came up on his own.

Drawing references from the past three years' winners in the Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress category, he pointed out that they were all coincidentally absent from the event when they bagged top honours. Enlai jokingly deduced before the show, "You must not be present to win the award. And I will definitely not be winning an award tonight."

Urban legend or not, Enlai's little prophecy came true and The Noose team continued its winning streak in that category with Michelle Chong bagging the prestigious award this year.

In a phone interview with xinmsn after the ATA 2012, Michelle attributed her absence to a prior work engagement at the French Film Festival dinner. There are talks to bring The Noose back for its sixth season next year, according to the show’s producer Sebastian Leang, but Michelle told xinmsn that she will unfortunately be sitting out of the well-loved Ch5 series due to her busy schedule.

"I will be doing my movie starting from March next year and I won't have time for it," she explained.

So does the actress-turned-director find it a pity that the acting award came only after her move into behind-the-scenes?

"It's a little ironic 'cos I'm leaving The Noose but I think this is a nice farewell souvenir for me. I'm really grateful to the judging panel and The Noose family. And this is definitely a progression for better things to come -- more quality works, more quality projects and hopefully more entertainment and fun to bring to the audience."

For the full Asian Television Awards 2012 winners’ list, please visit the official website.