MEDIUM RARE
Three’s a crowd, three’s company. For Tito-Vic-Joey three’s a charm. Though 44 is more like it. That’s how long they’ve been together as partners, longer than many marriages. It’s no laughing matter that their Monday-to-Saturday noontime show, which they host (or used to host until May 31), packs in lots of laughs and entertainment, but for three stars, each a celebrity in his own right, not to lose sight of their solidarity while maintaining their individuality, is a unique gift in the tinsel-and-tinfoil world of television. What has kept TVJ together this long? I asked Helen Gamboa, aka Mrs. Tito Sotto, and she replied, “Real friendship and brotherly love.” Someone professionally familiar with the group elaborated on her answer: “Loyalty. Family. They’re men of their word. With or without a contract, if they said they would, they will. They’re old-school in that way. Promises and commitments are more than just a piece of paper.” A 50-year-old fan of the three summed it up: “Mr. Tony Tuviera, their discoverer who has kept faith with them these many years, from RPN9 to ABS-CBN and finally GMA, deserves the credit for their professionalism and flourishing as a brand.” Funny, but has the reader ever heard the trio’s fans call them Tito Vic at Joey? Everyone but everyone calls them Tito Vic en Joey. Their show, Eat Bulaga on GMA, has just suffered another loss. A statement posted on June 1 is to the effect that “all the hosts, writers, sales, production, and camera men followed suit after TVJ’s resignation.” TAPE, producers of the show, said they were “saddened by the turn of events” but promised to continue giving viewers of the No. 1 noontime variety show great fun and a grand time. Which shows on the same time slot will be stepping up to the plate? According to GMA, TVJ’s home for the last 28 years, the contract with the blocktimer is still in force, good for another year. In the meantime, how long can the network keep running replays? TVJ are mum on their next move. The rumor mill buzzed with speculation that TV5 of Manny Pangilinan was prepping an offer, followed by the government channel openly inviting them to transfer to PTV4. Eat, Bulaga! – who’ll win?