Now that his transfer to GMA Network has been confirmed, King of Talk Boy Abunda has revealed the list of celebrities that he would like to interview when his all-new show is launched sometime in January 2023.
On top of his wish list of subjects to interview is Kapuso artist and socialite Heart Evangelista who has been in the news lately because of reported issues about her married life with Sen. Francis 'Chiz' Escudero.
"I would like to do an interview with Heart only because her story has no clear narrative yet. I don't know if I can do an interview with her," Boy said during a "homecoming" conference with entertainment media at the Astoria Plaza Hotel in Pasig City.
"Heart is special to me. I remember when she was just starting, she became one of my students in hosting and we became friends after so many years. We have not seen each other for a long time. We were supposed to see each other sometime during the elections but it has not happened. (She) has an interesting story," Boy observed.
If he's unable to get Heart, Tito Boy said he has " another option."
" I'd love to be able to do a fun interview with Marian (Rivera)," he bared.
"I'd love to do Maine (Mendoza) and Arjo (Atayde) together," he added. " I'd love to be able to do the younger artists na hindi ko pa masyadong kilala. The Julie Anne San Joses, the Barbie Fortezas. They were in my class because when I was with ABS-CBN, I would give hosting classes for GMA artists, so I knew them from that engagement."
There are a few other stars that are "high on my list," Tito Boy disclosed. "I'd love to be able to do Carla Abellana. I'd love to interview Alden. He's an old friend of mine and I've known him even before he got into the business. Tom Rodriguez. The sexy Dennis Trillo. I'd love to do an interview with Jen (Jennylyn Mercado), Paolo Contis and many others."
The Philippines' King of Talk said he is still in deep discussion with the GMA team on what new approach to take, considering that the media landscape has changed ever since his last showbiz talk show with GMA, Star Talk, 23 years ago.
Boy noted that he would like to "invent interview tools and discover interview styles" like the one using the "mahiwagang salamin" or magic mirror that he's been famous for.
"We are asking ourselves what's our equity, what can we offer so that people will watch us? We are in the questioning stage because this has to be done well," he added.
Boy revealed that the first person he called after signing the contract with GMA was his good friend, noted broadcaster and Kapuso executive Mike Enriquez.
He added that the full details of his new talk show still has to be finalized, but it "should happen in January, maybe third or fourth week."
"We are still talking whether it will be a daily or weekly show. I would like weekly but daily is also good provided it has a shorter format," he noted.