Chip off the old block

LUIS Manzano: Game to go.

For years now, Luis Manzano has been cohosting all sorts of TV shows. But in the minds of some televiewers the key question remains: Does he have it in him to become as good a game and talk show host as his dad, Edu?

Well, last week at least, the first part of that question was answered in the positive when Luis hosted the game show “Deal or No Deal.” He turned out to be a fair enough game show host, so there’s hope that, in due time, he could do even better at his latest “sideline.”

Like Edu, Luis is a fun-loving guy, and that helps keep his new show light, and sometimes even droll. He is still a bit too laid-back, however, so his game show’s pilot telecast sometimes sagged in terms of energy and tempo.

Worse, the celebrity contestant, Carmina Villaroel, was too giddy and all over the place, a veritable bundle of nerves, and Luis couldn’t quite rein her in and re-establish the show’s proper focus and timing.

In the future, the new game show master should realize that while the program should come off as a fun romp, it should also contain enough subliminal shaping and underscoring to keep the level of tension and excitement constantly on the rise.

It is not enough for the host to be perky and entertaining.  He also needs to keep a tight grip on the proceedings and on his guest contestant, so as to make sure that the program’s “rising active” is clearly defined and sustained.

Viewers do not need to know that all this is taking place behind the scenes. In fact, they should be blissfully unaware of it, so they can go with the seemingly unstructured and fun flow of the game.

Hosting as craft, art

Hosting a game show well is both a craft and an art, which is why so few TV personalities emerge as masters of the genre. Thus far in his TV hosting career, Luis has relied on his sardonic sense of humor to get by with passing marks, if not actually flying colors, but a game show requires handling that is more meticulous and psychologically savvy.

Well, Luis is not a knee-jerk talent, so if he applies himself and continues to learn the intricacies of his new calling, he should be able to get his act together soon. It would also help if he is given more interesting and less erratic celebrity contestants with whom to interact. Great game show masters can work with anybody, but talents relatively new at the craft should be helped by way of a more astute choice of stars as guests in their show.

Some promising “interactors” who come to mind include Willie Nepomuceno, Mitch Valdes, Tessie Tomas, Aiza Seguerra, Behn Cervantes, Robert Seña, Lorna Kapunan, Ali Sotto, Ogie Alcasid, Michael V, Isay Alvarez and Tirso Cruz III.

Of course, when he’s finally ready, Luis could get as his ultimate celebrity contestants (separately, of course) his own parents, the source of his lively set of performing genes—Vilma Santos and Edu Manzano.