ABC launches new shows

ABC challenges broadcast competition with a variety of programs launched this month, and even more interesting locally produced shows to kick off this November.

Topping the list is the new local dance sensation, Shall We Dance, which premieres on Nov. 6, Sunday at 9 p.m. Hosted by Lucy Torres-Gomez, Shall We Dance, pairs a celebrity with a professional dance partner for a rigorous dance-reality competition.

Dances will be picked from any of the International Dance Sport Categories: Ballroom, Latin and Social Dance. Expect performances in Swing, Cha-Cha, Jive, Samba, Salsa, Tango, Rumba, Mambo, Waltz and Foxtrot. Pairs will be judged by a panel of experts (comprised among others by Edna Ledesma, grand prize winner Latin Dance Senior Category, Blackpool, England; Audie Gemora of Trumpets; and choreographer Maribeth Bichara) and also by the studio audience, with one couple getting the boot each week.

Apart from the dances, the show also offers celebrity gossips, behind-the-scenes training and contemporary music performed by a live 10-piece band.

The first pairs vying to become the first monthly finalist are Philippine National Dance Sport finalist Jennylyn Manansala paired with Gardo Versoza; Davao’s pride Norwille Damasin with JC Parker; 2004 Hong Kong International Professional Dance Sport Council champion Michael Gualvez with Angelu de Leon; and VIP dancer and belly dancing instructor Ana Rodalin Palma with Onyok Velasco.

Another first is ABC’s showbiz game show Blind Item premiering Nov. 5, Saturday at 8 p.m.

The show gives away a million-peso jackpot prize for the most knowledgeable contestant in the ins, outs and in-betweens of Pinoy show business, its stars and the intrigues about them. Hosted by John "Sweet" Lapus, Blind Item goes down to different barangays to scout for 15 showbiz geniuses who will compete in the studio for an episode.

Contestants will then climb the "chika" ladder (the three elimination rounds) with only one contestant getting the chance to answer the one million-jackpot question at the end.

Entertainment reporters and celebrity tattlers provide showbiz blind items for contestants to mull on during the elimination.

On public service, broadcast journalist Martin Andanar provides practical survival tips and stories to learn from S.O.S. (Stories of Survival, premieres Nov. 3, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.) From earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, super typhoons, and fire breakouts, Andanar equips viewers with information and trivia on coping with catastrophes. On the other hand, ABC’s Maverick Relova and Ariel Villasanta of Misadventures of Ariel and Maverick will host two outrageously radical TV treats: Totoo TV (premieres Oct. 31, Monday at 11 p.m.), a hilarious satire on serious political and social event in an irreverent and post-modern pseudo-investigative news program, and Wala ’Yan Sa Lolo Ko (premieres Nov. 3, Thursday at 8:30 p.m.), which features amazing records caught on video, and other interesting trivia.

Adding to that line up are four US reality shows which just launched this month on ABC (Mondays to Fridays at 10 p.m.): The Apprentice Season 4, The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, Rockstar: INXS, and So You Think You Can Dance, plus the station’s other recent offerings like Ali, Tuesdays at 11 p.m., Mumbai Thrillers, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., and National Geographic, Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Also watch out for the live telecast of the 2005 Miss World Pageant in December.