Ms. Pastillas vs AlDub: ‘Showtime’s’ new gambit counters ‘EB’s’ winning move

NEW “real drama” could catch viewers’ fancy, as well. Twitter

For around two months now, “Eat Bulaga” has been ruling the noontime TV ratings with its daily “kalyeserye” “reali-TV” romance portion involving Alden Richards and new find Maine Mendoza as Yaya Dub. Its “love from a distance” tale has titillated many viewers, thanks to the well-meaning but overly strict opposition being put up by Yaya’s Lola Nidora (Wally Bayola).

Despite their best efforts to express their love and gain their “romantic freedom,” the old crone’s man-to-man guarding tactics have prevented the lovers from physically meeting, let alone hugging and kissing—so, they’ve had to make-do with singing “together separately” on their respective TV screens, writing notes to one another, etc.

After some weeks of “almost meeting,” the romantic plot conceit’s “kilig value” has palled on us—but, clearly not for the many viewers who still watch it from day to day—which is why the tattered tale keeps getting extended.

It’s obvious that nobody at GMA wants to kill or caponize the goose that’s been laying all those golden eggs—but, how much longer can the story be stretched out before more people huffily snort, ”Enough!?”

Meanwhile, over at ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime,” the rival show has been at loose ends, trying to figure out how to counter “EB’s” winning move.

To date, nothing has really worked—but, last Monday, “It’s Showtime” came up with its own “real drama” gambit, which could catch viewers’ fancy, as well:

A pretty girl quickly nicknamed “Miss Pastillas” asked Vice Ganda’s alter ego, Madame Virtud, how quickly she should recover from a broken heart and love again—and one thing led to another in the course of the “advice portion”:

Interest

A young man from Bulacan in the studio audience announced that he was smitten with “Miss Pastillas,” which gave Vice the ostensibly spontaneous notion to ask other guys to text their own interest—whereupon many did, including a faceless swain calling all the way from Bacolod!

—Whereupon Vice asked him if he was “interested” enough to fly to Manila the very next morning to meet his new crush on the show? The young man answered in the impulsive or impassioned affirmative—which thrilled and tickled everyone to bits!

So, last Tuesday noon, viewers awaited Bacolod Guy’s arrival with sustained excitement—but, the Momentous Meeting on the show was delayed, all too predictably, by— Metro Manila traffic!

The program tried to make-do by focusing more on Bulacan Boy, who had returned with flowers and kakanin—but, the delay took its toll in terms of “kilig value.”

Happily, before the telecast ended, Bacolod Boy did show up in time to finally hold “Miss Pastillas’” hand—but, their more extensive interaction had to be postponed to Wednesday.

—So, that’s what “It’s Showtime” has come up with, to date: A girl, two or more prospective suitors from different parts of the country, the prospect of the start of a new on-cam “real romance”—that’s it.

Will that be enough to “answer” “EB’s” winning gambit? It’s very early days to correctly respond to that key query—but, at least “It’s Showtime” has finally made its move, instead of just watching helplessly as the competition continues to rule over their shared time slot. Abangan!