TV shows: Which ones do you love, hate?

TV plays a big role in our lives. It has such a great influence that even during the last elections the most effective endorsers were the TV personalities. Sadly though our present TV programs tend to entertain more than inform and educate. I understand that our TV networks have to make money but being such a powerful medium TV stations should exercise prudence when choosing which shows to air. I believe that they should try to mix in more positive and educational programs so that they can help in increasing the level of maturity of the Filipino televiewers.

GIL MIGUEL PUYAT, businessman: I enjoy watching the BBC Channel because their shows are rather straight to the point and their news program is factual in its reporting.

I know that many people are addicted to soap opera shows but I think that these shows should be abolished because they don’t have happy endings. There should be more educational TV shows instead.

MARIDEE H. CHANYUNGCO, civic-minded lady: Aside from the news on Channel 21, I enjoy the true-to-life stories hosted by Mel Tiangco on GMA 7. I switch to the sports channel to watch golf because I get tips on how to improve my game.

I’m of the opinion that too much sex and violence on TV is not good for a young audience. TV networks should exercise prudent supervision on their programming.

CELIA SILANG-CRUZ, GM, Artemis: I enjoy watching Discovery Channel. Anyone from kids to adults learn a lot from this station.

There is a large market in the country for imported teleseries dubbed in Filipino. But these should be abolished as they are killing our local TV shows. Local writers and producers should come up with quality shows if they want viewers to patronize them.

ATOM HENARES, businessman: The Sopranos has a good story line and interesting characters. Among reality shows, I like Blind Date and the 5th Wheel for being sexy and fun! The Ultimate Fighting Championship is intense and unpredictable. The Asian version Pride is even more gripping because it is in Japanese!

Simple Life with Paris Hilton and company should be trashed. The show is pretentious, showcases spoiled brats and pokes fun at people who live ordinary but productive and noble lives.

ANTHONY YUPANGCO, entrepreneur: Iron Chef at ETC cable channel is one of my favorites. It’s a cooking competition wherein a guest chef challenges one of the three Iron Chefs with a given theme ingredient in under 60 minutes including plating.

TV is for everyone, so I would be judgmental if I said that I wanted any TV shows cut. Besides, variety is the spice of life.

LILA ALMARIO, shoemaker: The shows I love watching usually make me laugh, or at least relax, like – Just Shoot Me, Friends, Wolfgang Puck’s Cooking Show, Top Gear on BBC, Sex and the City – not only are these shows entertaining, I get to catch the fashion of the times! (Remember how everyone was wearing padded shoulders a la Alexis Carrington during Dynasty days). And of course, everybody loves Oprah for her feel good programs.

I wish For Love or Money would stop airing. It is so pathetic having to watch all those young men and women having to emote as if they were in the throes of desperation, lust and/or greed.

MANDY DELA RAMA SANTOS, businesswoman: I enjoy watching The Today Show with Matt Lauer and Kattie Couric. I like the show’s format as it is what a morning show should be. It is very informative and entertaining. I think the show Wazzup Wazzup should be abolished. Talk show hosts are absolutely irritating.

PENK CHING, cake stylist: The shows that I watch are in Da Ai station on Channel 55 of SkyCable. It’s a Buddhist compassion relief program of the Tzu-Chi Foundation which is based in Taiwan. After a long day of hard work, the show provides me with spiritual nourishment. The message of the different shows in the station makes me realize how blessed I am and encourage me to share my blessings with others. I don’t encourage people to watch wrestling shows because these are violent and have negative effects on the kids.