Timely ‘re-reminders’ for forgetful stars

From time to time, we remind erring or forgetful stars of their responsibilities to the viewing public, whose loyalty and adulation they tend to take for granted. Alas, show biz luminaries have such short-term memory that, after some months, they forget those reminders—so, they have to get clunked on the noggin, nagged to death, and “re-reminded” all over again!

It’s the season for such needlingly nagging notes, so let’s start cracking.

First, to our “charitable” stars, whose public acts of “generosity” are sometimes mistaken (?) for crass self-promotional gambits: To avoid such cynical reactions, please be reminded that your charitable act, birth anniversary lunch for the sick and needy, etc., should cost you at least P200,000!

Promotional purposes

That way, on the “small” chance that you are being generous for your promotional purposes, people will at least forgive you for doing so, because it’s cost you quite a lot!

We’ve had it up to here with stars and starlets who spend only P10,000 or P20,000 for a birth anniversary treat for their beneficiaries, not because their hearts genuinely bleed for them, but because it will make them look good—and promote their latest project!

Message re-received loud and clear?

Another nagging nota bene: Host-producers of TV magazine shows should not try to pull the wool over viewers’ eyes by pretending to do noble “public service” features, when all they’re really doing is earning additional income, in cash or kind, by selling specific products and services by way of so-called “sponsored features.”

Crassly commercial

They think they’re being clever and subtle, but the second they mention a product’s name or edit in a closeup of its brand name, they’ve betrayed their crassly commercial and financial intentions—and eagle-eyed viewers spot them for the hypocrites they are.

Fact is, quite a number of “iconic” TV people go in for this shabby ruse, including some “award-winning” ones—which is why we don’t give much credence to most TV honors (another word to the wise viewer).

In fact, there’s a supposedly altruistic TV show that telecasts only sponsored features—some 7 or 10 of them per telecast—and it wins “awards,” too! Go figure!

Personality vs character

Third: TV actors should know the difference between “personality” and “character” acting, and determinedly avoid the former, because it is not what acting should be about.

In personality acting, the star’s own personality is the key consideration, with the actor just playing himself, with very minor adjustments, from role to role.

In “character” acting, the star does something much more difficult and creative—he “disappears,” so that it’s the character he’s playing that is firmly in focus—and the thespic rewards are correspondingly much more substantial and gratifying.

Around 80 percent of our stars and starlets lazily favor “personality” acting, which explains why their portrayals are so predictable and boring. Time for a big change, everyone!