">This is the sanitized version of an earlier entry I made. I wanted to be honest and straight to the point risking to be called biased and unconstructive but I had to think again. Since I have friends working in GMA and ABS-CBN, I recalled the earlier entry and sanitized it for the purposes of keeping my job and friendship. So here we go.
">
mso-fareast-font-family:"Tw Cen MT";
mso-bidi-font-family: "Tw Cen MT";
">1."> ">Name Game – Size Does Matter
">
">In a business where size matters (and who said it didn’t?), getting the right name franchise is as important as getting a high rating. Pinoy Idol (and its predecessor Philippine Idol) is a popular franchise from Fremantle. British Idol and American Idol are its popular counterparts from the other side of the globe. Dream Academy, on the other hand, is a franchise of Endemol.
">
">The ABS guys had to drum up the show since PDA had little awareness. Latching on the popularity of its “Big Brother” PDA had a slow start as it went head on with Philippine Idol on ABC5. Fortunately for PDA, some of PBBs popularity was rubbed of to them. Following the same format, same gimmick, same host and same treatment, PDA became an instant hit. Vicarious mellow drama and controversial love angles proved to be important recipes of success. It had the charm that Pinoys dearly loved.
">
">ABC 5 on the other hand was taking matters seriously. It showed that it’s got talent more than fluff. ABC5 though working doubly hard still had much to prove in the ratings department and production values. While it was a little entertaining, it lacked charm and charisma.
">
">With Pinoy Idol moving to GMA now (and claiming to be the very first- denying its origin and starting clean slate), the games have changed. GMA prepared long and hard to beat the competition that was PDA.
">
">Both shows have just started so this is still quite inconclusive but I am quite sure that this sets the trend more or less. For its first month of airing Pinoy Idol and PDA went head on.
">
">Pinoy Idol gets some point for being the first to air. But one cannot help but feel that some of its execution and segments feel very done (very GMA, and a little PBB at that). Maybe I may not have been watching enough TV or GMA but I feel that there’s not enough buzz on the show. Perhaps aside from their usual tactic of getting PDI and tabloids to write about them and cross guesting, there’s a dearth of publicity elsewhere. PDA on the other hand followed the same pony trick it used for PBB. And having a veritable winner and runners up before, PDA has a certain edge already. And we’re seeing the same drama already as Yeng and RJ had before.
">
">PI made a drastic attempt to cover the show as many times as possible like how PDA does. Which leads me to my next point…
">
mso-fareast-font-family:"Tw Cen MT";
mso-bidi-font-family: "Tw Cen MT";
">2."> ">Casting is Everything
">
">In movies and commercials, casting the right talents is a must. That’s why we have casting calls and casting directors. In the movie Incredible Hulk, Edward Norton and Liv Tyler were perfectly cast. His villains were also incredibly cast. Robert Downey was also perfectly cast as Iron Man. Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox were all perfectly cast. Point is, casting the right hosts, judges and talents need to be impeccable.
">
">The thematic appeal that seems to work so well in as far as name-show association is also driving the popularity of PDA. PI is just another American Idol done in the vernacular. I wish that they could really assimilate it more into the Pinoy Culture. Now that could be their winning edge.
">
">Raymond Guttierez as host
">
">He reads off the idiot boards quite well. The problem is the idiot board holder is not able to keep up to the pace of his reading. This or he really is very prone to having dead air. Let’s admit it, he is the boy version of Ruffa. Close your eyes and you will think you actually are listening to Ruffa.
">
">His co-host Karyll and Rhian Ramos
">
">Boring. Dead-air galore. I am just referring to Karyll. I have yet to see Rhian. Kayll hosts like she is talking, reding the spiels and introspecting all at the same time. She likes making these short pauses and sing-song tones that do not really help in enlivening a program that’s aired during dead hours.
">
">Nikki Gil and Toni Gonzaga are seasoned performers
">
">Both of have them have had serious hosting jobs. I actually expect them to really deliver. Nikki Gil hosts ASAP and is a VJ. Toni is busy with hosting gigs every night with PBB (before) and ASAP, too. Both are good. Nikki though could still improve – I am not sure if its drama but her opening spiels are always boring. I am wondering why she starts off always with almost unenthusiastic openers and sad looking eyes. Maybe its drama but it could get quite annoying.
">
">Billy Crawford needs to catch up
">
">Yeah, he is no host. He is a singer slash dancer. But then he accepted this hosting sting (that got the ire of Kuya Germs) and he needs to prove that he is much better than fast talking Ryan Agoncillo. Unfortunately, he still fumbles. He actually called one of the scholars BILLY. Hello, Billy?!!!
">
">Judging the Judges
">
">It’s Jolina, Ogie and Wyngard versus Ryan, Joey Reyes and Kitchie Molina. Following the mold of AI, they got a (has been) performer, a manager and a record producer. That’s fine but these people are no Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
">
">I feel that PI lacks credibility in the judging department. Their judges are not as popular and credible as their American counterparts. You tell me. I remember sayng no to Jolina like several times before when she was being peddled to ou show. Credible judging was everything.
">
">On the other hand, Ryan Cayabyab by name alone stands out. He may not be a chart topper but he has produced classics that we’re all proud of. Kitchie Molina is a seasoned vocal coach. I am always surprised with her tricks and tips to improve the voice. That’s really vocal coaching. And Joey Reyes provides the “star value” tips and projection. They also get musical ingénues to judge stage performances. Louie Ocampo, Hajji Alejandro and Girlie Rodis judged the other night.
">
">PDA has a clear edge on this department. By mere credibility and expected reliability they know they need to follow the formula.
">
mso-fareast-font-family:"Tw Cen MT";
mso-bidi-font-family: "Tw Cen MT";
">3."> ">Stars are cast; not born
">
">Going back to casting, getting the right contestants is the most important factor. The mix now have been changing. Before, we would only see the talented getting in the show. That or see the most good looking English speaking or taglish-touting casts. That again or we see the true blue Pinoy. Now, there seems to be an unwritten rule on getting talented but not so good looking, good looking but with mediocre talent, fil-am, OFW and provincial beauties (to be strict about this, we see talents hailing from regions where networks are the weakest and the strongest).
">
">The formula is both strategic and appealing to the masses. Strategic because this almost guarantees higher ratings on a network standpoint, that we know. We also know that this selection process also removes the biases and creates an atmosphere of “equality and fairplay” and finally, strategic because the votes will be divided. The moneyed regardless if their bets are half-wits or not will always vote for their bets.
">
">Appealing because we will always love winners and underdogs. Enough said.
">
mso-fareast-font-family:"Tw Cen MT";
mso-bidi-font-family: "Tw Cen MT";
">4."> ">Production Values
">
">At this point, both have advantages. PI has Danny Tan on the helm directing their musical numbers. PDA has teacher Manolet and their ASAP team doing vocals and production number.
">
">On stage design, PI follows the franchise design. Sleek and simple- with the focus on the contestant as evidenced by the center stage. The judges are placed on the side (different from AI where the judges are seated in front of the stage). The construction may not be as clean as its American but its fine. It may be a function of the camera dolly shots, it’s not as wide as I hoped it to be. The set design lacks panache. And the Coke designs have been altered with Lipton –uhm, WTH?
">
">On PDA, they make use of the big “concert hall” as its venue. The whole concept of stepping out of the academy to the concert hall makes it look grand. The whole opening of the backdrop is actually very concert-like. Nice touch. And most shots are taken wide so you have the feeling that there is bigness (literally and figuratively) in the show. The judges have been elevated on the other side and it feels the same as PI.
">
">On lighting and gloss, PDA is still the runaway winner. GMA still lacks the color and brightness that we Pinoys have always loved.
">
">And on the script and spiels, well, the script of PDA is better-written. Maybe the delivery does it because if you think about it, both sound very contrived.
">
">In the end, I enjoy watching PDA more as I feel the mentorship and tutelage angles of the show are really helpful and beneficial. Stars are not born. They are trained. They have to realize their talent, break away from it and learn the basics.
">
">My only question is, do we really need to see so much drama in a talent show?
">
">
">
No comments:
Post a Comment