Wazzup, Wazzup: News served with humor

What’s up, Wazzup? 

That’s a question televiewers perhaps want to ask Wazzup, Wazzup, a news show in comedy format on Studio 23. How is it faring in the ratings game?

Answer: Wazzup, Wazzup recently turned two. And it’s very much alive and kicking.To give competitors a run for their money, the show has reformatted to suit its market: "those who love to hear news in a not-so-depressing manner," as the show’s big boss Leo Katigbak puts it.

Wazzup, Wazzup is now divided into two major segments: Wazz Hot and Wazz Cool. Wazz Hot features news spoofs scrutinizing current and public affairs. In Wazz Cool, hosts Vhong Navarro, Toni Gonzaga and Archie Alemania interview guest artists, bands and politicians. 

Wazzup, Wazzup executives believe that these latest developments make the show fresh, up-to-date and current. It also features specials on latest gimmicks, cool stuff, tips and watering holes.

The show is one of Studio 23’s station-produced programs and the station is happy at how Wazzup, Wazzup has fared in the last two years. It has broadened the network’s market and tried to veer away from its usual high-brow canned shows like Survivor, Amazing Race, Charmed, Smallville, Bewitched, Gilmore Girls, Lost and CSI.

Part of this effort are shows like Travel Time, Y Speak, Digital Tour, Breakfast, MYX, Men’s Room, Us Girls and Blog.

Many think Wazzup, Wazzup has surpassed its American TV counterpart, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart of The Comedy Central. People behind the show say theirs is an original Pinoy show. This is true because Wazzup, Wazzup is manned by three news anchors as opposed to Stewart’s one-man show. It has also never run out of upcoming and established bands performing on the show, reminiscent of Late Night with David Letterman of CBS. The witty repartee of Vhong, Toni and Archie keeps televiewers in stitches or at the edge of their seats. Aside from being a source of news in a humorous package, Wazzup, Wazzup has become a launching pad for TV talents.

Toni, who joined Wazzup, Wazzup when she was not yet a kapamilya star, is grateful to the show. Wazzup, Wazzup improved her hosting skills and gave her that much-needed self-confidence. Toni’s Wazzup, Wazzup stint has paved the way for bigger hosting assignments on A.S.A.P 06 and Pinoy Big Brother (Season 1, Celebrity Edition and the upcoming Season 2). It has somehow played a role in getting her TV, movie and recording contracts and commercial endorsements. Toni appeared in the sitcom My Juan and Only and movie D’ Anothers.

Another host, and now a Wazzzup, Wazzup alumnus is Drew Arellano. He now hosts his own travel program and co-anchors a morning show. Although Drew was first paired with Toni, it was the Toni-Vhong tandem that clicked on screen.

What’s their secret? "Spontaneity," says Toni. "Everything follows." They have worked comfortably since then. Besides, Toni is the female version of Vhong, and vice-versa.

Other celebrities who have graced the show were Bianca Gonzales, Jaja Bolivar (still with Wazzup), Ketchup Eusebio, Bianca Valerio and JC Cuadrado. They were called the Tadjocks, equivalent to reporters of news shows.

Bianca Gonzales was seen on Pinoy Big Brother’s Uplate and Update and Magandang Umaga Pilipinas. She hosts Y Speak and Blog. JC, a regular of Breakfast, hosts a dance show.

Among the Tadjocks, it was Archie who made a 180-degree turn. The reklamador of the group now anchors the show.

In keeping with its tradition of looking for upcoming TV hosts, Wazzup, Wazzup has Beach Bums competition. Winners are tapped to become the newest Tadjocks.