‘Talentadong Pinoy’ revival is a work in progress

PADILLA. From action star to talent-search host

We caught the first telecast of TV5’s revived “Talentadong Pinoy” tilt last Saturday, Aug. 16, because we were curious to see how action star Robin Padilla would do as the talent competition’s new host.

Initially, the thought of Robin going into talent-tilt hosting doesn’t seem to be a good fit, but the proof of the TV pudding is in the viewing—so what really gives?

Alas, our initial concern turns out to be merited, because Robin’s performance as program host was too loud and big to be truly effective. On one hand, we appreciated Robin’s energy and involvement because they showed how much he believed in the tilt’s laudable goal of discovering hitherto unknown and unappreciated talents, and helping them come into their own as bankable stars.

On the other hand, he was just too intense and voluble to make the new show a naturally fun viewing treat. If the new host-emcee learns to play it lower and warmer, instead of being all over the place, both visually and aurally, he’ll do a much better job.

It would also help if Robin realizes the difference between real time and TV time. Last Saturday, he started the show too loosely and slowly, with a spiel that was too long and thus ended up robbing the new program of a really brisk and bracing start.

TV talents more informed about how to perform for the small screen know that, for televised competitions of this sort, “TV time” should come off as tighter and more compressed, thus helping to create and add to the illusion of a truly exciting start. We trust that Robin will quickly get the hang of this, and adjust his performance accordingly.

As for the other elements of the show, Mariel Rodriguez made a lovely cohost but was generally restricted to scripted spiels, thus limiting her effectivity.

The premiere show’s contestants were a generally interesting and even idiosyncratic lot, but there were few real standouts in terms of pure and undeniable talent.

So, we hope that the tilt’s talent scouts will redouble their efforts to discover real standouts, rather than just proficient performers with a sad or funny “back story” to tell, in order to get viewers to support them.