Battle of the noontime shows

By: Nestor U. Torre - @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:59 AM August 08, 2015

'BALLESTEROS. “Take no prisoners” musical number'

FOR A long time now, the competition for viewership between leading TV noontime shows, “Eat Bulaga” (GMA 7), “It’s Showtime” (ABS-CBN) and “APO Tanghali Na!” (IBC 13), has been escalating—but, in 2015, it’s been punched up to the next level!

Being the relative tyro, “It’s Showtime” has had to work harder. So, it’s come up with its current tilt, “The Funny One,” for new male comedians, a portion featuring pert child discovery, Xia, Vice Ganda’s “advice” portion, a “Sample Queen” talent competition—etc.!

For its part, “EB” has its good, old reliable “Pinoy Henyo,” its daily visit to a barangay —and, most recently, its spin-off “bawal na pag-ibig” running gag between Alden Richards and Yaya Du

—So, which show will the ratings race favor? Last Monday, the competition was made even hotter by “EB’s” inclusion of a “Super Sireyna” act which was “folded into” the noontime show’s other weekly gimmick, a talent tilt involving the show’s resident hosts, titled “Bulaga Pa More”—which included a “take no prisoners” musical number by Paolo Ballesteros—in signature drag!

As we kept switching from one show to the other, we found ourselves focusing more on “EB’s” unique combination of special attractions that day, so the contest ended up in GMA 7’s favor. On other days, however, “It’s Showtime” could end up on top.

—For instance, when “The Funny One” chooses its top winner today, it could garner maximum viewership!