Who copied from whom?

No copying!

That’s not your classroom teacher reminding you to keep your eyes off your seatmate’s test paper.

It’s actually ABS-CBN telling TV5 — through their now very busy lawyers — that Willie Revillame should not copy the format of Wowowee in the new evening game show Willing Willie.

In retort, Channel 5 finally unleashed its fury, after 15 years — and through various management changes — by hitting back via Paparazzi how it had been screwed up many times over by other networks that had copied and stolen show formats that it had conceptualized in the past.

No less than TV5 president Rey Espinosa pointed that out (from his Makati home where an OB van had been set up) — armed with research materials prepared by his assistant.

Channel 5, which was reopened by Edward Tan in 1992 (after being dormant since the declaration of martial law in 1972), finally cried ouch!

Although the network has the facts ready on hand, the viewer doesn’t really need a good TV historian to recall show concepts that originated on Channel 5, but eventually found their way to other stations.

There was Eezy Dancing that Channel 5 started in 1997. But in time, ABS-CBN also had its Keep on Dancing, which lasted even longer since Channel 5 back then was known as “the fastest canceling network.” (Shows that didn’t make it were instantly meted the death sentence so that management doesn’t continue losing money over non-performing programs.)

There was also the case of Tropang Trumpo that became Bubble Gang on GMA 7 and, for a short while, Going Bayabas on Channel 13.

Strictly speaking, Channel 5 can’t claim either that the idea of Tropang Trumpo originated in their station. The pre-martial law ABS-CBN had already done that in the 1970 Super Laugh-In. Of course, that format of a gag show first came from the American TV show Rowan & Martin’s Super Laugh-In in 1968.

And then there’s the case of Talentadong Pinoy, the germ of which had mutated into so many other shows in both rival networks. But then, Arnold Clavio and Ali Sotto can also claim that they popularized, if not coined, the street word “talentado” in their DZBB radio show three, four years ago.

This only shows that it’s difficult to prove that a particular network had copied this and that format. And ABS-CBN, of all stations, has the nerve to point an accusing finger. After all, didn’t it pirate in 1987 Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez from GMA 7 where they were hosting Penthouse Live? Channel 2, of course, didn’t use the title Penthouse Live, but they had Pops and Martin doing the same format in a show that had been called Twogether.

Martin and Pops were actually just part of that huge exodus from GMA 7 to ABS-CBN since Edu Manzano and his Not So Late Night show was also one of the recruits.

Perhaps ABS-CBN should just let Willie go. All these legalities being thrown at Willie are actually helping him and Willing Willie gain public sympathy. Stop before he becomes totally the underdog.

I never thought I’d one day use this showbiz cliché: Let’s all move on. I don’t understand why ABS-CBN seems to be crying over spilt milk over a host and a program that never really succeeded in toppling Eat, Bulaga!.

There are so many stars in the showbiz firmament. And Channel 2 still has some of the best talents — on cam and even behind the scene. It has the reach, technical expertise and is capable of churning out truly glossy programs that are of world-class quality.

ABS-CBN can always build up another star. I have faith that they can find a talent even better than Willie Revillame. And this time, the network should learn how to prune early enough the horns of whoever will be the new discovery.

Like what I already said in this column one time, Willie was a product of the ABS-CBN manufacturing company. The network made him — and made him that way.

Let this be a lesson to all — not only for TV stations, but even for parents raising young kids or maybe a mentor tutoring his ward: If you create a monster, then be prepared to get scared.

Meanwhile, pass your papers and let’s get on with our lives.