Katy Perry
Fans of TV singing tilts are looking forward to the revival of “American Idol” early this year, with Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan sitting as judges.
But, even before “AI” 2018 starts telecasting, a new singing competition, “The Four: Battle for Stardom,” has already unreeled on Fox, with Sean “Diddy” Combs, DJ Khaled, Charlie Walk and Meghan Trainor doing the mentoring and vetting.
What makes the new tilt different from the competition on TV, which also includes “The Voice” (its 2018 season starts holding its Blind Auditions on Feb. 28)?
“The Four” initially fields four “prejudged” singing standouts, who have to “defend” their slots from other standouts, who then have to “defend” their slots from another batch of ambitious star-wannabes.
At the tilt’s finals, the last survivor will be named an iHeartMedia “On the Verge” artist.
So, it looks like “The Four’s” format will make it a more “combative” competition than the other tilts—something like the “six seats” semifinal round on “The X Factor,” with contestants serially getting replaced by increasingly “better” bets, until the scary “musical chairs” round is finally over.
‘Online exclusives’
Also debuting this season are “online exclusive” shows on GMA 7’s YouTube channel. The “trendily experimental programs” are “Adulting with Atom Araullo,” “#Goals with Gabbi Garcia” and “Fact or Fake with Joseph Morong.”
Atom’s show helps millennials face up to the responsibility of being a young adult earning his or her own keep, and living alone.
Gabbi’s program is youthful and “kikay,” focusing on looking good, being trendy and hip and with-it when it comes to shows and the music scene.
As for “Fact or Fake,” Joseph seeks to help viewers to more discerningly vet the many sources of information or dis-information now flooding the traditional and social media.
If these shows click with viewers, they could lead to many more YouTube channel-accessed programs that will exponentially multiply TV fans’ viewing options!
Sharon’s 40th anniversary
Last Jan. 7, Sharon Cuneta was feted on “Asap” on her 40th anniversary in show biz. It was the right time to celebrate, because her current prospects have been boosted by her 2017 hit film, “Unexpectedly Yours,” with Robin Padilla.
It’s given her the opportunity to recover her career’s momentum and dynamism and, with her continuing battle of the bulge, has firmed up new film offers to revive her other popular movie love teams, with Richard Gomez and Aga Muhlach.
It’s also heartening to hear Sharon in better voice now that she’s physically trimmer and has less weight to carry.
That’s why she should keep losing her excess poundage, so she can really get back to singing and shooting trim!
Robin has also benefited from the success of his reunion film with Sharon. He’ll be visible on TV this season as a judge on “Pilipinas Got Talent”—and he’s also slated to star in a TV rom-com series, “Sana Dalawa ang Puso,” with Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap.