EL GAMMA PENUMBRA. One of the Philippines’ four finalists on “Asia’s Got Talent.”
Only on Philippine TV: Even as the nation was reeling from Manny Pacquiao’s pugilistic “nonvictory” last week, two TV shows opted to go slap-happily comedic by featuring exclusive “interviews” with Pacquiao himself—or, more factually, with his comedic lookalikes!
ABS-CBN’s morning show featured “Manny Paksiw,” while GMA 7 hit the laugh track with “Manny Pa-cute”!
Unfortunately, both clones may have looked like the Pacman, but neither of them was very—funny?
“Asia’s Got Talent’s” finals on May 7 (performances) and May 14 (results) will be a predominantly Pinoy event, with four out of its nine final acts coming from here.
Leading the Pinoy bets is El Gamma Penumbra, the shadow-play troupe, which last Sunday copped the prized Golden Buzzer, which assured participation in the ultimate square-off.
—But, don’t count the other Philippine bets out just yet—soprano Gerphil Flores, child singer Gwyneth Dorado and the Junior New System dance crew, which amazed the studio audience when they performed—in high heels!
The jurors said they really didn’t have to go that far—but, the audience begged to disagree!
Aside from the four finalists, Pinoy participation in the regional tilt includes cohosts Rovilson Fernandez and Marc Nelson.
Refreshing Gretchen
Most of the time, show biz TV reporter Gretchen Fullido is a turn-off with her neo-Barbie look and frozen pose and smile.
Recently, however, we saw her do an “action” story without fussy outfit, hairstyle and make-up—and she looked quite refreshingly pretty!
We hope “the Gretch” takes her cue from this positive note and opts for a more natural look and behavior from here on in. Let sleeping Barbies lie in a box—where they belong!
Jamie Kennedy’s comedy show, “The Jamie Kennedy X-periment,” is back on the boob tube, with the host-comedian once more “hiding” behind a lot of make-up to play various characters who irritate hapless “victims” for comedic effect.
One time, he posed as a crazy driver who shocked his passenger by constantly crashing into trees, fences and such.
Next, the victim was a judge who had to decide a case involving two combative gay lovers. The victim may not have agreed, but a ferociously fun time was had by all!