Game
Show Fever p.2
Identity Crisis
With
these game shows now airing, one can get a bit confused on which rule
is applicable to which show. Simply put, however, they are all just
quiz shows with one given object - each contestant has to answer questions
correctly to win the cash prize (which are large by Philippine standards),
amidst the high-techy set and game consoles.
Joining rules are also
similar - one has to call a certain hotline, answer a few questions
and get randomly selected.
Nevertheless, they claim to be somehow
different.
Game K N B? takes pride in its concept that is "100% Filipino,"
as described by Aquino. "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and The Weakest
Link are British," she adds. "Game K N B? was specially created for
a Filipino audience, so we're patterning it after what Filipinos want
in their game shows."
Each host also portrays a different personality.
Manzano was regarded to be too "stiff" in The Weakest Link, compared
to De Leon in Millionaire who's "easy, relaxed and spontaneous," says
college student Odie Lopez, as stated by Brizuela in his article.
Brizuela adds, "seeing Manzano in a suit, sans that grin and those
clever punch lines, can be unnerving sometimes."
Aquino, on the other
hand, is said to be "too loud," as commented by a Game K N B? first-time
viewer Jasmine Garcia. "She seems to be shouting even with her mic
on. I bet she'll lose her voice by the end of 3 episodes."
What's In A Game
But what are with these quiz shows that suddenly caught
the Filipino's fancy, making most networks actually reformat their
prime-time programming?
Millionaire's executive producer, Veronique
del Rosario, believes that the show "has all the elements of a top-rating
program," as put by Salterio in her article. Del Rosario explains,
"It's like watching a tele-novela, you never get satisfied with one
episode, so you keep looking forward to the next one and the one after
that."
Del Rosario further adds, "the show is also interactive. People
in their houses or offices try to outwit each other in answering the
questions. It's the format which holds the audience to watch the show."
Sunny Santiago, an avid Millionaire viewer from Quezon City attests
to that. "My family suddenly developed this habit of gathering around
the TV to watch Millionaire," she shares, "and we actually have fun
betting on the right answers."
Aquino further says that her show
is "challenging, because [not only] your brain will be put to work,
but your heart will also - you're not doing it for yourself, but for
the people you love."
New Pinoy Taste
Although most Filipinos welcome
the variety brought by the sudden quiz show outbreak, some are not
keen with the idea.
"Where is the Filipino's sense of originality?"
groans Santiago. "The networks should strive to provide their viewers
with original concepts that may give high-rating shows tough competition,
instead of simply mimicking what viewers currently favor."
Anyhow, as these well-faring game shows have proven,
Pinoys are slowly shifting
their viewing choice to more exciting and mind-challenging educational
programs. This change has surprised a lot of people, as they always
thought that the soap opera, or more fondly called the tele-novela,
still rules the Filipino masa's viewing habits.
Certainly, the Filipino
taste, no matter how predictable it may seem, remains a constant mystery,
most especially for the networks who constantly need to conceptualize
new program formats to please their viewers. From soaps, to anime,
to soaps again, to game shows, one can't help but wonder when and
what the next TV fad will be.
Meantime, take your pick from these
quiz shows, and get your heart and mind racing along with the rest
of the Pinoys in front of their tubes. =)
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