There’s intense competition in the noontime slot, with ‘EAT’ leading, fronted by the original hosts of ‘Eat Bulaga.’
It’s been two and a half months since Paolo Contis started hosting the revamped ‘Eat Bulaga!’, and he’s thrilled that their show now has a 25-minute commercial load.
“Nakakatawa noong opening namin, yung pagkatapos ng commercial break, di ba?” Paolo shared during a chat with some members of the media on August 13, 2023, at their look test for their movie ‘Fuchsia Libre,’ where he’ll be co-starring with John Arcilla. “Paupo ka pa lang, e. ‘Last one! Last one!’ Di ba? Ngayon, nakakapagbanyo na ako! Ha-ha-ha! Nakakapag-CR na ako pag commercial break. So alam mo yun? Maganda siya, e. Maganda yung feeling.”
The ratings for the noontime shows ‘Eat Bulaga!’, ‘E.A.T.’, and ‘It’s Showtime’ are now very close.
“May lamang na point 1, point 2, normal naman yun. Kumbaga feeling ko naman, pag tiningnan mo in general, kung advertiser ka, hindi na siya masyadong magkakalayo, di ba?” Paolo commented. “So ano ngayon kung number 2 ka?”
How has he been after his daily routine changed due to his sudden hosting stint on ‘Eat Bulaga!’?
Paolo quickly responded, “OK, OK. Sanayan lang talaga. Nung una, talagang pagod. Yung boses mo, nawala. Pero… very fulfilling siya, e. Ako sa totoo lang, enjoy na enjoy ako sa ginagawa ko. Alam naman ng Sparkle yan, alam ng GMA yan, pangarap kong maging host.
“Nagkaroon pa nga ng time, di ba? Ewan ko kung natatandaan ninyo, nagko-host ako kay Kuya Wil [Willie Revillame]. Kasi gusto ko talagang ma-experience ang pagho-host. Sadly, sa circumstance na ganito siya nangyari.”
How did he feel when ‘Eat Bulaga!’ first beat ‘E.A.T.’ in TV ratings, especially since he was abroad at the time?
“Oo! Kahit na, I’m still part of the show, di ba? Regardless kung absent ka man or what, Paolo calmly responded.
“It’s very important sa morale ng mga co-hosts mo, na kaya mo na siyang gawin, ika nga. ‘Di ko naman sinabing kailangang matalo, di ba? Pero at least makatapat ka man lang nang maayos. Katulad ng sinabi natin, yung ratings naman, it’s not that bad anymore. Advertisers are coming in.
On July 19, ‘Eat Bulaga’ reportedly garnered 4.12% average program rating versus ‘E.A.T.’s’ 3.79% on TV5, and ‘It’s Showtime’s’ total of 2.76%—1.81% on GMA Network’s GTV channel and 0.95% on A2Z based on ratings provider NUTAM.
“People are starting to watch. Nakikita naman nila na nag-e-enjoy rin kami. Tingin ko, malaking bagay na nakikita na ng tao yung rapport, e, di ba? Mas kalmado na kaming mag-host. Siyempre nung una, medyo, ‘Hghghghhrrgh…’ di ba?! Ako, para akong robot! ‘Grhhhhrddggg!!!’
“Ngayon medyo ano ka na, di ba? Relaxed ka na.”
Many have noticed that the hosts of ‘Eat Bulaga’ are livelier and have more engaging banter, besides the larger prizes compared to when they started two months ago. Many are also hoping that the show’s improvement will continue, especially since it’s helping many people.
