TV Guide: ABS-CBN and GMA Are Moving Around Old Shows and Premiering New Shows

There seems to be a wave of changes in the programming of ABS-CBN and GMA. Have you noticed the noontime block of ABS-CBN? They've pushed Showtime to a later time to accommodate a pseudo new entry, Kapamilya Blockbusters, and considerable shortened Pilipinas Win Na Win. So now, we have an 11:45 - 3:00 of Showtime and PWNW to battle it out with Eat Bulaga. They also moved Banana Split to an earlier slot, just right after Simply KC. It seems to me, they're still looking for this show's audience, but can't seem to kill it.

The network has also premiered its new Primetime Bida offering with Cristine Reyes's Kristine, which looks amazing by the way. In the coming weeks, Agua Bendita will be replaced by the kantaserye Sarah Geronimo-starrer Idol. Imortal, on the other hand, seems to be pushed back. By the looks of it, the earliest it can see light would be once Momay ends, and if Noah is bumped off to the pre-TV Patrol slot. (I've been hearing lots of good things from those who are part of the cast. It seems like it really is connected to Angel Locsin's previous teleserye, Lobo. I'll talk about that more once more buzz comes my way.)

GMA, on the other hand, will be introducing a new game show in the next couple of weeks. The show is Asar Talo Pero Laging Panalo and will be hosted by Edu Manzano, who formerly helmed the Game KNB slot that Showtime now occupies. From what I've read about the show, it seems like it's lifting some of the traits from the game show Distraction.We'll also be treated to a new season of Survivor Philippines, which will feature celebrities instead of regular people. They're also building up Glaiza de Castro, as a lead, with her new show, Grazilda, already in production and scheduled to start airing in October.

All in all, the latter half of 2010 seems to be heavier for both networks. As for TV5? They've been ramping up original content, as well. In fact, I caught a promo spot of a new show starring Ryan Agoncillo, as a crossdresser. It's title is Lady Dada.

Willie Revillame Will Definitely Have A New Noontime Show

The rumor mill is once again in full swing, trying to pin down where exactly Willie Revillame is headed to. What I'm sure of is that he's definitely planning a new show and the only question is where this new show will be aired. There have been reports that his camp secured a blocktimer agreement with TV5, but that's been disputed by TV5's management. The other options left would be in the other local channels, RPN9 and IBC13. It is doubtful he'll return to ABS-CBN, or GMA, currently the home of Eat Bulaga.

Alongside Revillame is a bevy of people behind the production of Wowowee, such as the show's business unit head, Jay Montelibano and choreographer, Anna Feliciano, and her ASF dancers. Aside from the two, there have been reports that half of the Wowowee staff has joined Revillame and supposedly, Revillame is paying their salaries, which are 20% higher than what they last received working in Pilipinas Win Na Win.

Is this connected with Mariel Rodriguez's indefinite leave from PWNW? Where will this new show air? Will Willie be able to capture the market of his now defunct show?

Willie Revillame was the host of hugely successful noontime show, Wowowee. But he was forced out of the show, when he challenged management to remove one of its other talents for supposedly deriding his show. Before Wowowee, Revillame hosted MTB, but was removed because of his penchant for using off color jokes. Even outside the spotlight, he continues to reap the benefits of his success with a loyal following from Filipinos living abroad to the masa market and his recent foray into real estate via Manny Villar's Vista Land.

The TMZ Clones: Tweetbiz and Dokumentado

Filipino networks have this penchant for copying shows from other countries. We've had clones of Dawson's Creek (ABS-CBN's Tabing Ilog), Dancing With The Stars (ABS-CBN's U Can Dance and TV5's Shall We Dance), and who could forget the many variations of the American Idol done by both ABS-CBN and GMA. From those competitions and occasional dramas, the networks have moved to include the entertainment reporting style of Americans.

If you watch some of the gossip shows, one would notice the similarities with Entertainment Tonight or the Daily Ten. But I think what has caught the Filipino's taste is the satirical gossip reporting of TMZ. To be fair, the original show is a riot, and the concept of making it seem like a conference of the gossip columnists on whether a story is worth a mention on TMZ's website transports us to a behind-the-scenes look on where the gossip is coming from. And of course, I have to mention the sound effects and side comments they always have when they throw the story up into discussion. It always cracks me up when they report on Justin Bieber, they always have this high-pitched voice doing the Bieber voice. Genius!

So what did the two shows copy and scrap? Read after the break!