Diverse reactions

We caught a number of TV shows last month that elicited these diverse reactions:

The most attention-calling “character” comeback this season is Aiko Melendez’s strong kontrabida turn on “Reputasyon.” Aiko has acquired the physical and psychological heft to forcefully play such a “nasty” character – and she goes to town with the opportunity to remind viewers that she’s still very much around.

We hope, however, that Aiko’s latest gambit won’t lead to her being typecast as a TV-movie meanie. That’s the problem with succeeding at anything in local show biz – producers and viewers get fixated on you in that type of role, and you’re “sentenced” to play mere variations of it until the day you expire – or die of boredom.

Empathetic reaction

Meanwhile, a telecast of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?,” with Vic Sotto as gamemaster, got a viscerally empathetic reaction from us – because we “won” P600,000!

Well, not really, but we were able to correctly answer all of the questions up to that point in the game, whereas the actual contestant decided to be “prudent” and went home with only P400,000.  Still, not bad for an evening’s “work” – and profitable excitement.

Of course, we were happy for the lucky, brainy fellow, but we were also quite pleased with ourselves for doing even better – even if we ended up with no actual winnings. (Most other times we watch the show, we get bumped off much earlier.)

Questions

Which makes us wonder: Are the questions asked on “Millionaire” getting to be too “easy”? That may not necessarily be a bad thing, because we’re all for contestants going home with a huge pile of loot. We’re just asking.

Another thought: How would Vic fare on the show – as a contestant? Hmmm, maybe “Millionaire” should come up with a special edition to that effect, with Vic’s winnings going to charity. That special telecast should be hosted by –Winnie Monsod!

Finally, what about a follow-up switcheroo? The next week, Winnie should be made a contestant – so she could win a million bucks for her favorite charity. Fun!

P.S. Somebody at home whispers, “While you’re at it, why don’t you volunteer to become a contestant? That way, you can afford to take us to that place in Italy, the Amalfi Coast, that you’ve been raving about for years?” Uh, gee thanks, but with the kind of luck at games we have, we’ll probably win only enough money to take our relatives to – Cainta!