Getting what we wish for

For years now, we have been urging TV producers to come up with a new talk show for Edu Manzano. True, Mr. Manzano is adept at hosting a wide range of TV program types, but we submit that his best suit is talk-show hosting.

That’s because the format can make full use of his unique knack for combining humor and sensible patter, something which only a few other people have.

So, you could imagine our delight when we heard that TV5 finally heeded our nagging pretty-pleases and unveiled its new talk-magazine showcase for Edu, “What’s Up, Doods?,” on Sept. 14.

During the pilot telecast, Edu shot the breeze with a range of guests, but he clearly enjoyed best his “flirting” interview with Georgina Wilson—well, that’s Edu for you. To her credit, Ms Wilson gave as well as she took, so a good “good time” time was had by all!

The pilot show’s mix of diverse topics and guests was OK, but we think Edu’s new program will really come into its own if it opts to feature just one or two exceptionally idiosyncratic and loquacious guests each week, like Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Winnie Monsod, Tessie Tomas, Mitch Valdes, Kris Aquino, Maricel Soriano (hmm), Vilma Santos (hmm, again), Fritz Ynfante, Nikki Ross and Ali Sotto.

Expectedly, they will hold forth in their own “colorful” way, so Edu will have to huff and puff up with them—or even to (colorfully) outtalk them (if at all that’s possible)! That way, his show will hit a higher, heartier level that should leave the insipid and predictable competition far behind.

‘Tropa Mo ’Ko Unli’

Another new TV5 show, “Tropa Mo ’Ko Unli,” didn’t fare as well on its debut telecast last Sept. 14, despite the presence of the estimable likes of Ogie Alcasid and Gelli de Belen.

What was the problem? The gag show had too many other resident comics, some of whom weren’t really funny types, but starlets who tried to summon up their hidden funny bone—and failed.

TV5 really should stop making this program a showcase for its younger build-up starlets, because it just clutters up the proceedings and makes the program lose its comedic oomph and focus.

It similarly shouldn’t try to breathe new life into old comic features, like “Battle of the Brainless.” Granted, “Brainless” was really funny during its first incarnation years ago, but its new version on “Tropa Mo ’Ko Unli” is old, cold and excessively referential.

We hope that, with some more tweaking, fewer cast members and fresher gags, the new program will fare better in the subsequent telecasts. After all, Ogie and Gelli are proven laughsmiths, so their new starrer should be a success—if they aren’t required to drag so much excess baggage along with them!

At his previous home studio, Ogie clicked as a comic partly due to the fact that he and Michael V. appeared to be “symbiotically” suited to one another—like a pair of Siamese twins without the physical point of fusion—and confusion!

Now, he has to see if he and Gelli can find another way to tickle the TV5 audience’s collective funny bone—by first tickling their own!

Since Gelli has her own brash and brassy take on comedy, their new tandem could click, but finding that new sweet spot might take time. Well, let’s give them all the time they need—and, tickle away!