Old and the new

For today's column, I want to talk about something that's related to showbiz but also resonates with my generation and the ones before it. I'm referring to the big event on TV last Saturday, July 1, when Filipino audiences witnessed some sort of a historic TV moment.

It was the showdown of three noontime shows, heralding a new era in the battle for noontime viewership. Amid this reshuffle, the veteran trio --Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, also known as TVJ-- established a new home on TV5. Meanwhile, their closest yet distinct competitor, ‘It's Showtime’, with its colorful ensemble led by Vice Ganda, found its new home on GMA’s GTV.

TVJ's popularity is indisputable, a fact made clear last Saturday with their new program, 'E.A.T.', dominating both the ratings and online viewership. Having won the love and admiration of millions over 44 years through their popular former noontime show 'Eat Bulaga', TVJ has secured an enviable position in the hearts and minds of Filipino viewers.

But as I watched TVJ enter their new studio to the applause and teary-eyed reactions of their live audience, I couldn't help but notice that the trio is indeed ageing, prompting questions about the future of noontime television.

One fundamental lesson in life is that the old must give way to the new. Nostalgia alone can never carry the present and the future. But this does not have to be the case when the old knows how to navigate the new environment and create a viable transition with their relevance still intact. I’m quite confident that TVJ has this in mind and has the requisite wisdom and talent to excel in this context.

TVJ on E.A.T. is certainly nostalgic and heartwarming, given their long history and deep connection with their fanbase, including my generation of viewers. In an industry as fickle and fast-paced as entertainment, the seasoned trio of TVJ have proven time and again that their charm, humor, and camaraderie are enduring. Yet it’s also a reminder of the inevitability of change and the relentless march of time. Despite their popularity, even TVJ, like all celebrities of yesteryears, will face the inevitable.

The question then arises: How will they recalibrate their roles to stay relevant amid the inevitable rise of new stars? As someone who has been a TVJ viewer since my childhood days, I see that the changes we are witnessing now also bring the challenge of how the trio of Tito, Vic, and Joey will retain their relevance in an era brimming with YouTube influencers, fresh talent, and rapidly-evolving viewer preferences.

The next succeeding years of TVJ under a new network will, I think, see continued success as the trio transition into mentorship roles. They have been doing it with much success during the past few years --with their wealth of experience, taking young talents under their wing, and fostering a new generation of stars who could carry forward their legacy while being open to fresh and modern sensibilities.

I hope they won't follow the path of another great host in Philippine television, the late German "Kuya Germs" Moreno, who clung to the past glories of the "That's Entertainment" era from the late 1980s to early 1990s, seemingly refusing to accept the march of time and the inevitable changes that occur.

We're eager to see how TVJ reinvent their show, merging their rich history with modern themes and technologies. It will require stepping outside their comfort zone and maintaining a strong connection with their audience, demonstrating humility and the readiness to learn and adapt.