Second chances for Vhong and Wally

NAVARRO. Will he win over his fans once more?

Quite unexpectedly, this is turning out to be the season for controversial personalities who’ve stopped appearing on TV to stage tentative comebacks, hoping and praying that viewers will give them a chance to redeem themselves after the strong winds of scandal ruffled and rattled the sails of their careers.

First to try to make it again is “Eat Bulaga” comedian Wally Bayola, who figured in a video sex scandal with a female dancer. Before that dastardly deed, Bayola was flying high with his comedic partner, Jose Manalo, and they even did a couple of movies together.

Well, the infamous sex video nixed all that, and Wally has had a lot of time to come to his senses and realize that popularity can’t be taken for granted and can’t be flouted with impunity.

Now properly chastened, Wally has been seen again of late on “Eat Bulaga,” but in what we may describe as very small, incremental “doses,” starting with just a sheepish physical presence, to see if viewers are in a forgiving mood (the welcoming can come later)!

Well, the signs appear to be positive thus far, because he has rejoined the “EB” team that goes out on visits to barangays, to dispense cash and goodies to lucky residents. To date, Bayola’s participation has been restricted in terms of focus and impact—but, it’s a start.

Will Bayola’s comeback bid prosper? It depends on how viewers “read” his sincerity in atoning for his “sins” and winning their favor and approval all over again.

In the past, other “fallen stars have tried but failed to convince viewers to that effect, but a few, like Maricar Reyes, have beaten the odds and are acting on TV again. Will Wally be as fortunate?

Final thought on the subject: If Wally is indeed forgiven, what about the dancer who figured with him in the notorious sex video—will she also be given a second chance and work on TV again? It stands to reason, don’t you think?

Even bigger comeback

An even bigger “second chance” comeback story that’s currently playing on TV these days is Vhong Navarro’s bid to rejoin his “Showtime” family again, after being compelled to go on leave for weeks after being beaten up by friends of his alleged rape victim.

Charges and countercharges have been flying all over the place as both parties vigorously make the public believe their respective and radically divergent versions of the same events.

Now that Vhong has recovered from his injuries, however, it’s key for him to resume his hosting chores on his noontime show as soon as possible, not just to keep his career viable, but also to psychologically show that he’s no pushover.

Yes, it’s a tough challenge to be chatty and funny when you know that many viewers are analyzing and weighing everything you do and say, but it has to be done, or you can kiss your hard-earned career goodbye.

So, on “Showtime” two weeks ago, Vhong resumed his hosting tasks, looking none the worse for wear, but admittedly still tentative and a bit “off” his usual perky chatter and banter. A week later, however, he was  much more in the groove, and even enjoying himself.

However, when we tuned in to the show again, Vhong wasn’t present and accounted for. Did somebody have a change of heart? Still later, however, he once again resumed his cohosting chores—this time, more confidently, and with his comedy mojo in full display again.

Incidentally, Vhong wasn’t the only absentee cohost on the days when he was a no-show: Kim Atienza and Karylle also didn’t show up.  It was interesting how the show made up for their absence: During its opening number, people wearing huge masks of the missing hosts’ faces were included in the lineup of singing and dancing stellar personalities!

Do you think this could be a sign of things to come on TV? Will stellar “stand-ins” now be par for the telecasting course? —Let’s hope not!