Article posted July 10, 2008
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It’s not every show that gets to last for a year or more. So for its first anniversary, ‘Showbiz Central’ hosts ponder on what made them successful, and what more people can expect from the show. Text and Photos by Jason John S. Lim.
When Raymond Gutierrez was picked as a host for a showbiz-oriented talk show, a lot of people were skeptical. Just like how they were skeptical that Showbiz Central would last this long.
But both have proven that they can meet expectations—and go beyond it.
“I think our first year was more of a test,” Raymond says. With a new set of hosts, a younger packaging and faster pacing, the show was really an experiment to see if they could last a year. “After this, I think we’ve proven na kaya na namin.”
John Lapus, a very late addition to the program that Showbiz Central replaced, is just very happy and thankful that his current show is being supported by loyal viewers. “Talagang dugo, pawis at lahat ng hirap ay tinodo na namin sa programang ito, [and it’s] not just me. [Pati] ang iba pang mga hosts, so as the staff and the technical team of Showbiz Central, and the creative team as well. We are so thankful.”
Pia Guanio is also thankful for the viewers, and she admits that they were a lot shakier when they were starting out. Another retention from the now defunct S-Files, Pia explains that when Showbiz Central initially aired, they weren’t as confident.
“And I think we were a lot more serious, too,” she recounts. “This time around, we’re just more relaxed. [But we’re] not trying to be people we’re not. We’re just really being ourselves and doing the job.”
Making it work
Rufa Mae Quinto attributes their success to the personal differences of the hosts—and their unpredictability: “Nakikita eh, iba-iba ang attack: may jologs, may sosyal, may serious, may comedy—every week, hindi iisang attack.”
Mo Twister agrees with this. “What’s really nice about the group we have here is: we do gossip, we’re doing an entertainment show, but we’re so human in the dressing rooms, we don’t really talk about things that are so overly showbiz. So our chemistry is perfect, kasi we know so much about each other’s lives,” he says.
“I think that’s our definite edge,” Pia concludes. “If you compare [us to other] shows, we’re really worlds apart. We have a more fun, much lighter approach to [intrigues], because it’s entertainment news. It’s not really hard news; it’s not really about natural disasters or anything like that. It’s just something that’s supposed to entertain and inform at the same time. And if possible, make people laugh and happy.”
“May balance,” Rufa Mae adds. “So ang ending niya, masarap panoorin.” This, the comedienne says, is not an easy task for any of them—from the hosts to the staff—because they have to go to work on a Sunday.
The Segments
“Abangan nila, mas buwis-buhay na ‘yung Don’t Lie to Me dance numbers ko,” Sweet teases, “every week ‘yan, patindi ng patindi!”
Sweet explains that he doesn’t actually have regular dancers, so the dances differ from week to week. There are times that the whole number would be new: “[Minsan] nagre-review na lang kami ng mga dancers.” But usually, he says, he tells them what he wants to do and they give him their suggestions.
“Minsan nga naloloka sila, kasi may isa-suggest silang step—mas gusto kong mas higitan pa.”
Mo, on the other hand, has an idea for his Central Jury segment: “Maybe on the killer question, if they choose to seal it—they have to pay it back. By doing consequences, something like eating something horrible. Or you know, if you’re a girl, taking off your top. No, I’m just kidding! You know, something like that; it’s either you answer the question or you get penalized.”
More thanks, more to come
“Expect bigger and better things sa Showbiz Central,” Raymond says. He also promises they will make sure to always be updated “in terms of showbiz news, in terms of celebrity news—we’ll make sure we have it every Sunday.”
Pia jokes, “We don’t want anything to be preempted. [But] you can be sure it’s going to be along the same lines, where you can have fun while being informed about your favorite artistas.”
Rufa Mae adds that because of the show’s recent successes, bigger challenges await them. And that means they’ll definitely be putting more effort into the show. She even divulges a realization that without showbiz intrigues, “walang awareness ang tao sa show business.”
Meanwhile, Mo says that people can expect them to improve on everything—especially now that they’ve survived the year. “I think every TV show naman, as much as possible, per week you’re trying to improve, to get better. So you can on expect better things.”
Tune in on Showbiz Central every Sunday afternoon after Tasya Fantasya. Afterwards, talk about the issues and the show itself at the iGMA Forums with fellow fans!
Not registered yet? Register now and you may get the chance to Regine Velasquez herself on July 28, 2008!
And don’t forget! You can get the latest and most-updated chikas through TXTclusives! Just key in TXTCLUSIVES ON on your mobile phones, and send to 4627 for all telcos. Or keep in touch with host Raymond Gutierrez instead! Just key in RAYMOND on your mobile phones, and send to 4627, also for all telcos. (Message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. This service is exclusively for the Philippines only.)
