Tomorrow, GMA’s long-running showbiz talk show ‘Startalk’ will move back to Saturday afternoons after a near five-month experiment with a Sunday timeslot. However, the return of ‘Startalk’ to the Saturday slot is just one of several moves made by the network’s management in hopes of reinvigorating its weaker weekend lineup, one in which I will discuss in another article.
Now here’s the big question: Did GMA make the right call in moving ‘Startalk’ back to Saturdays, or did they make a serious mistake?
Back in January, ‘Startalk’ was moved to Sundays in order to challenge ABS-CBN’s ‘Buzz ng Bayan’. GMA hoped that the move of ‘Startalk’ to Sundays will give ‘Buzz ng Bayan’, then formerly known as ‘The Buzz’, some serious challenge, as GMA’s previous Sunday showbiz talk shows like ‘S Files’, ‘Showbiz Central’, and ‘HOT TV’ were unable to match the success of ‘The Buzz’.
Then on May 18, the Kapamilya network decided to bring back ‘The Buzz’ in time for the show’s 15th anniversary. In addition, original hosts and ‘Startalk’ alumni Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda returned to host the show, and were joined by Toni Gonzaga. For the first time ever, the two original ‘Startalk’ hosts in Boy and Kris were up against the program they used to host, now with Butch Francisco, Joey de Leon, Ricky Lo and Lolit Solis as the hosts.
But after just two weeks, GMA decided to move ‘Startalk’ back to its familiar Saturday slot, effective May 31. Perhaps it is the fear of getting upstaged by Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino, whose egos are as big as their hosting skills. Or perhaps it is because ‘The Buzz’ had been a consistent ratings winner against ‘Startalk’ in its timeslot, even during the period where some viewers were upset about the format and the hosts of the now-defunct ‘Buzz ng Bayan’. But whatever the reason, ‘Startalk’ seems to be at its best on Saturdays, and for GMA, they seem fine with it.
And while some folks agreed that moving ‘Startalk’ earlier would give them a head-start in reporting the latest showbiz news, the fact is, ‘Startalk”s departure leaves a big hole in GMA’s Sunday afternoon lineup. Not even the upcoming dance show hosted by Marian Rivera, as some of the tabloids have reported, would seriously contend against ‘The Buzz’ or any other Kapamilya show on Sundays.
In short, it was a big mistake for GMA management to place ‘Startalk’ back to the Saturday slot. They not only refused to compete against Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda’s show (in the process surrendering to them too soon), but also left its Sunday afternoon slot prone to ABS-CBN’s consistent dominance.
The decision to move ‘Startalk’ back to Saturdays is something that GMA would like to regret. Instead of giving ABS-CBN a more competitive program, they simply retreated. Where is the ‘Puso ang Una (Heart comes First)’ that the station talks about?
In the end, this only shows that GMA, despite the fact that they are called the ‘Kapuso network’, have little heart whatsoever in making their programs as competitive as possible. Now whether or not ‘Startalk’ will be better off airing on Saturdays remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: as long as Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino are with ‘The Buzz’, ‘Startalk’ will never go head-to-head with that said program.
Starting this Sunday, GMA will bring back the Japanese show Tales of Horror on the old time slot of Startalk. Obviously, The Buzz on ABS-CBN and the PBA games on TV5 will get more ratings.
Kap’s Amazing Stories, meantime, moves to 10:45 am also starting this Sunday competing with the Donaire-Vetyeka fight on ABS. My Love from the Star marathon moves to 11:15 am followed by Sunday All-Stars at 1:15 pm, True Horror Stories at 3:15 pm and Tales of Horror at 4:45 pm.
Thanks for the information, James “Double Oh Boy” Ty.
Next week:
Startalk vs. It’s Showtime/Ipaglaban Mo!
Joey de Leon on Eat Bulaga said ‘Startalk’ tomorrow will be at 3:30. Baka may isa pang programa na ieere in between Eat Bulaga at Startalk.
Maybe Tales of Horror muna before Startalk.
It’s TALES OF HORROR tomorrow. Pero this is temporary until Marian Rivera’s new dance show gets the go-signal to be aired.
Pero what will be the filler show in between EB and Startalk? Sabi kasi ni Joey de Leon 3:30 yung Startalk.
By the way, Picture Picture moves to Sundays at 6 pm starting tomorrow right after 24 Oras
Weekend.
Ralph, I don’t know about the show in between EB and Startalk. It’s either Tales of Horror din or someone else other than Francis M will make the “switchover.”
We’ll watch na lang later.
Are you in favor of Picture Picture moving to Sundays beginning tomorrow? It will be up against Goin Bulilit.
One game show each on weekdays is better than two on the same day. Yes it is good.
What about Kap’s Amazing Stories now at 10:45 am? Sunday All-Stars now begins at 1:45 pm.
It’s the best timeslot for the program, since it’s more of an educational one.
GMA should just put shows from weekdays in order to let them have a strong weekend line up. Look at how ABS does. They also put PBB during weekends which is kind of good also
Unfortunately, wala silang reality show. And viewers may get tired watching teleseryes everyday.
Ralph, GMA made a lot of cuts in the Garfield movie last night. It ran for only a little over an hour. Regarding no reality shows on GMA, you’re right. No wonder the station really sucks. Imagine, Sunday All Stars being aired so late in the afternoon on Sundays! Jennylyn Mercado did a sexy dance number obviously to boost SAS’s ratings.
Perhaps GMA should improve its Sunday programming by: 1. Getting a new host and format for Kap’s Amazing Stories. 2. Bringing Startalk back to Sundays. 3. Bring Imbestigador back to its old format and return Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho to its old timeslot. 4. Remove those Tagalized movies.
Kap’s should be gone altogether, and should be renamed with a new host but keep the same format. And yes, GMA should not feel scared of Boy and Kris.
Also, I would like to welcome a merger between Alisto and Imbestigador. The old format of the latter is now used in the former, and it would be better if both will merge as one program. And yes, KMJS in its old timeslot will be much better.
It’s also ironic, Ralph, that GMA aired the first installment of Transporter last night. The third one was shown on ABS-CBN a month ago.
What’s your thoughts on the sexy dance numbers of Jennylyn Mercado on SAS and Kim Chiu on ASAP yesterday?
Kim’s number is more impressive, kasi nasa labas at basang-basa siya.
Jen’s performance was primarily for her endorsement deal with Belo Medical Group. She also guested in Vampire ang Daddy Ko.
What’s your comment on GMA making a lot of cuts on the Garfield movie last night?
Kapamilya Blockbusters is a waste of time. One hour dedicated to movies is not good. Kung documentary na lang ang inere sa timeslot na ‘to, that would have been great.
GMA aired a replay of Out and Proud last night but it was on News TV at 9:30 pm after Kings of Restoration. News TV then aired another episode of Kings of Restoration after Out and Proud at 10:30 pm before I Witness.
Oh well. And what are your thoughts on one commenter here claiming that TV5’s reformat of news programs is because News TV is getting stronger in viewership?
News5 is a little bit weak and disorganized pero I don’t believe in what that commenter says about News TV having more viewers. Imagine, Kings of Restoration aired in Tagalog?
And regarding News TV’s Sunday programming, I think they should air the Shakey’s V League games live every Sunday instead of those old movies and Koreanovelas. GMA needs to spend for a sports OB van.
These are the thoughts of one commenter of mine when comparing TV5 and GMA News TV, two obviously different stations:
‘I think Gma news tv will overtakes TV5 in tv ratings and in 3rd place.
‘ang mission din yata ng news tv , di lang kumita o para sa news and public service, ay talunin ang tv5 sa 3rd place’.
‘isa ring dahilan na nababahala rin ang tv5 sa paglakas ng news tv, at ang matindi at di maganda sa news tv, ang top rated shows pa nila noon ay ang takilya blockbuster, na di naangkop sa news channel na most watch sa buong araw’
‘at pinapansin ng tv5 ang paglakas ng news tv kaya tinapatan ito. ng mga news’.
The Ateneo win in the V-League even trended yesterday despite the absence of a live broadcast. V-League definitely needs a live broadcast.
And yes, a sports OB van is what GMA needs. May ambition pa silang iere ang isang upcoming regional semi-pro league soon.
I saw that comment as well. Obviously, he is pro-GMA despite all the shortcomings of the Kapuso Network.
Jen Mercado’s dance number was obviously done to imitate what Kim did although in fairness, Jen didn’t get wet. But Jen’s performance was an imitation of G Force’s White Shirt Love.
Incidentally, Geleen Eugenio is SAS’s choreographer. G Dapat of G Force is better.
Yes, G Force, one of the best backup dance groups in the country. Sila ngayon yung on-demand na grupo.
Addlib Dance Group performs on both EB and SAS but they’re not that well known. Bea Alonzo’s sexy dance on ASAP to promote Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon was better.
Well-planned lang ang ABS. And they got the best dance ensemble in the country to prove it.
Talagang well planned ang ASAP, to be precise. Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and Zsa Zsa Padilla are the ones really carrying ASAP. SAS has no one to lead them with Ogie Alcasid no longer with GMA while Regine Velasquez stepped down as judge. Janno Gibbs is not as hot as he used to be although he composed the theme song of Dading starring Gabby Eigenmann.
The 2 Bautistas, Christian and Mark, are the ones carrying SAS but they can’t hold a candle to Martin and Gary. They left ABS kasi they were being outshone by Jed Madela and Sarah Geronimo. The presence of The Voice finalists also made it difficult for Mark and Christian to really shine.
Parang tagasalo na lang ng ‘laos’ na talents ang GMA.
Rachelle Anne Go also felt that way so she moved to London to join Miss Saigon. In contrast, GMA stars like Toni Gonzaga and Iza Calzado are getting more opportunities in ABS since they left GMA.
ABS knows how to handle their talents well. Angel, Iza and Toni had career rebirths with the said network. The same cannot be said for Kapamilya talents joining the Kapuso network.
Christian and Mark left ABS because they felt that they were getting less exposure compared to Sarah. Sad because ABS discovered them when they were starting out as singers.
Sayang naman.
ABS-CBN kasi had too many reality singing contests and usually, their winners end up moving to ASAP after the contest is over.
May surplus na ang ABS-CBN in terms of talents because of their reality shows. Unfortunately takot ang ilan na mag-move to other stations for fear of mismanagement.
In 6 weeks time, Startalk will celebrated its 20th year in Philippine TV but a very special announcement will aired in this episode.
Will ST be follow the suit of The Buzz? Find out then.
Should be interesting.