The pandemic took a great toll on the local entertainment scene and production units across the industry were unable to evade the bluntest of its impacts.
As stern health and safety measures were raised by the government, live audiences are no longer allowed in the studio, and presenters and performers who are used to performing in front of a live audience, are suddenly clueless whether or not they are being appreciated.
Fortunately, guidelines are now institutionalized to allow noontime shows and similar productions, to carry out live shows with almost the same energy (albeit in the absence of studio audiences). Here’s a look at the best new and returning non-scripted tv shows, that have—one way or another—helped stay-in viewers cope with being stuck at home.
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA Network)
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho remains GMA Network’s highest-rated public affairs program and its biggest revenue-driver, and its stories usually get viral views on both YouTube and Facebook. Its creatively-exaggerated stories don’t seem to lose charm, despite the fact that it dwells on the same stories and gimmicks.
Among its regular features are people looking for their relatives, which usually ends up in a DNA result reveal, fascinating mysterious stories which often enlists the aid of the viral paranormal investigator, Ed Caluag.
The Voice Teens (ABS-CBN, Kapamilya Channel)
The impact of the pandemic and the network’s shutdown is probably best described by what happened to this singing talent show. While it managed to end with a still-decent episode, the original format of the show suffered miserably and was adjusted just so the network could cut the show as early as possible
Sunday Noontime Live! (TV5)
No, this isn’t the SNL you know, where actors do skits and gags. TV5’s sophomore venture into Sunday musical variety shows comes in the wake of ABS-CBN’s shutdown when most of its celebrity workforce became conveniently available.
Created in the mold of the longest-running musical variety show in the country, ASAP, the show assembles some of the brightest stars in the industry. The show has Piolo Pascual, Maja Salvador, Catriona Gray, and a very promising roster of regular young performers, to keep the show in perfect fighting form to confront ABS-CBN’s ASAP, and GMA Network’s All Out Sundays. Hot and sizzling dance performances and all-out vocal showdowns are regular features which audiences won’t have a hard time saying no to.
The Clash Season 3 (GMA Network)
The Kapuso flagship singing talent search, returned on October 3, without the presence of a live audience. Familiar faces are among the show’s top contenders, including Jennie Gabriel, who first got popular for her Tawag ng Tanghalan stint. It can be recalled that last year’s winner, Jeremiah Tiangco, also tried his luck in TNT, but failed to secure a semi-finals slot.
The season undoubtedly brims with new talents, but we’re still left wondering whether GMA Network will finally be able to produce a real recording star, whose song will climb the local music charts.
Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan (Kapamilya Channel, A2Z)
The beautiful idea of Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan is that gratefulness links every human being. Featuring heartwarming tales of gratitude of a group of people, whose lives are connected by some act of kindness, the show is truly revolutionary, in the context of news magazine shows.
Hosted by Judy Ann Santos, the show also serves as ABS-CBN’s act of gratitude to those who remained with the network, in spite of the dreadful challenges it faced this year.
Also a public service show, Paano Kita Mapapasasalamatan showcases heartwarming testimonials from different people and inspiring dramatizations of their accounts.
Iba ‘Yan (Kapamilya Channel, A2Z)
Iba ‘Yan practically serves as an outlet for ABS-CBN’s charitable efforts, but there is more about this public service show whose primary intent is to showcase extraordinary stories from ordinary people. Host Angel Locsin travels to communities and learns accounts from small people but with very inspiring stories of resilience, survival, among many others.
At the end of the show, Locsin tries to meet some of the interviewees’ basic needs and offers them the means to better their lives. Common laborers affected by the pandemic are usually the subject of the show.
It’s Showtime (Kapamilya Channel, A2Z)
Now on its 11th year, It’s Showtime has undoubtedly survived some of the most challenging moments any show of this format could face. It has survived the pandemic, the ABS-CBN shutdown, and just recently, the departure of the very same person who created the show.
The noontime show continues to house the country’s biggest singing talent search, Tawag Ng Tanghalan, and remains committed to serving its viewers quality entertainment. Its newest segments, Mas’ Testing and Hide and Sing, are among the most talk-about topics these days, online, proving that the show still enjoys a massive following even after ABS-CBN’s awfully-reduced free tv reach.
ASAP Natin ‘To (Kapamilya Channel, A2Z)
After being on-air for 25 years, ASAP goes through some revolutionary changes, following Johnny Manahan’s departure from the show to join another musical variety show on TV5. Manahan was among the pioneers of ASAP and served as its main director since 1995. With his exit, however, ASAP Natin ‘To is finally able to move into the more contemporary demands of a modern musical variety show.
Now directed by Joanne Laygo, who’s been with the show since 2018, massive renovations are introduced to the show. Production, lighting, and set design are particularly improved, and new groups are added to the show’s roster of talented artists.
Masked Singer Pilipinas (TV5)
Save for the uncreative and cheap-looking costumes of the contestants, Masked Singer Pilipinas remains a real delight when it comes to local reality-talent entertainment. Veteran talent show host, Billy Crawford, is the main presenter of the show, and that alone, strongly suggests that this show deserves your attention.
Performers are really good, I must say, and while the merits of those who sit at the panel of judges are terribly questionable, the massive talent of the masked singers, alone, is a sure deal breaker.
Amazing Earth (GMA Network)
The Kapuso Network has arguably a terrible record when it comes to informative shows that feature clips from foreign documentary shows. Amazing Earth is different.
Aside from the fact that this is hosted by Dingdong Dantes and not by some convicted plunderer, the show offers truly informative documentary clips that audiences who like this format will definitely dig. Local sceneries and tourist spots are also regular features.
