Wanted: A talk show for Edu Manzano
Late last year, I expressed my disappointment at Edu Manzano's comeback vehicle on TV, GMA-7's "Asar Talo, Laging Panalo." That show's format relied on mindless gimmickry (distracting contestants who were TV performers with supposedly juicy tsismis about them) to entertain viewers. Edu was not given too many opportunities to display his gift of gab and sense of humor that impressed me on "Game Ka Na Ba?". I also chided him for reneging on his promise during the election period not to return to the entertainment world whether he won or not for vice president.
Well, time heals all wounds. I take that back. Edu is a show biz personality and no one ever retires from this business. I mean look at Dolphy and Eddie Garcia. They're still at it after more than half a century. The good news is that GMA eventually cancelled "Asar, Talo" and gave Edu a more suitable game show that highlights his considerable talents.
Doods now hosts "Family Feud" weekdays at 10:30 a.m. on GMA-7. This is the local version of the US game show with the same title once hosted by Richard "The Kissing Bandit" Dawson where two families try to guess the top answers given by 100 respondents to different questions. It's not as interesting as "GKNB" but it must be doing well judging from the endless commercials.
For instance, on an episode that I watched recently, one of the questions was "Anong mga bagay ang binebenta sa harap ng eskwelahan?" The contestants were the relatives of GMA starlets Sheena Halili and Chariz Solomon. The success of a game show depends not only on the host but also on the guests. Sheena and Chariz livened up the proceedings by their hyper behavior. It also helped that Sheena's rumored boyfriend Rocco Nacino was in the audience so Edu kept teasing her about him.
The fun part came when the guests came up with wrong answers. To the question, "Name vice presidents of the Philippines?," someone answered "Salvador" to which Edu remarked, "Si Phillip o si Leroy?" Another family member mentioned Cory Aquino. Obviously, she was not around during the Edsa revolution.
Edu was a competent host, explaining the rules clearly and moving the show along at a fast clip. Although he does a good job on "Family Feud," what he should really be doing is a late night talk show.
There are already such shows on politics and current events hosted by Karen Davila, Pia Hontiveros, Anthony Taberna, Arnold Clavio, etc. Of course, we have lot of gossip talk shows about the entertainment world. However, we don't have the kind popularized by guys like David Letterman, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien.
Edu did have such a show many, many years ago. It was called "Not So Late Night with Edu" on GMA-7.
Unfortunately, today's networks don't seem to believe that such a show could attract advertisers. Jojo Alejar does have "Jojo A. All the Way" on TV 5 but his jokes fall flat most of the time.. Edu's repartee is more intelligent and unpredictable. I experienced this myself when I interviewed him several years ago:
Question: Do you sleep in the nude?
Edu: "Only when I'm in other people's houses. I'm kinda shy when I'm at home. You know, iyung mga kasambahay mo, baka makita ka. At least sa ibang bahay, they're very careful to keep the door closed."
Question: Which talent would you like to have?
Edu: "I wish I was a singer. Talaga. It's so emotion-filled e. Have you heard my voice? I actually tried enrolling at the UP College of Music but they turned me down. Actually, they're paying me P2,500 a month to stay away. I don't want to besmirch the reputation they have built. Sabi nga nila, not everybody wants to be an actor, but everybody wants to be a singer. I subscribe to that. Actors can't face a mirror and act and expect to find great happiness, but singers can sing with their eyes closed and achieve a certain blend of euphoria or depression. That's why I love the emotion that music draws."
He can be serious too.
Question: Are you afraid of growing old?
Edu: "I'm afraid of growing dumb. I'm scared of senility. You know, I'm so scared of not being able to make any kind of a contribution, you know, iyung I just don't want life to pass me by. But growing old, no. On the contrary, I've come to realize a lot of other things. I've matured by leaps and bounds in the past couple of years."
That's the kind of banter the audience will hear if a network revived Edu's talk show. How about it, GMA 7?
