TVJ premieres first episode of noontime show 'E.A.T.' on TV5
TV5 and TVJ Productions have finally premiered the first episode of its new noontime show tentatively titled "E.A.T."
The show's premiere on Saturday, July 1, was aired live from the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong City.
It splashed into the TV screens of its fans, dubbed "Legit Dabarkads," with performances from the former Eat Bulaga hosts Paolo Ballesteros, Jose Manalo, Maine Mendoza, Wally Bayola, Ryan Agoncillo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Carren Eistrup.
TV legends Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon—collectively known as TVJ—made their grand entrance later in the show, with a short look-back on their journey from being the pioneers of Eat Bulaga up to the trio's transition to TV5.
In their media conference with TV5 executives last June 21, TVJ said that they will "surprise" fans with the title of their show on its Day 1. True enough, the trio announced that they are using "E.A.T." as the show's title. However, they implied that this would likely change as they are still fighting for the right to continue carrying the name "Eat Bulaga!" for their new show.
"Dabarkads, inaantay pa namin ang pag-uwi ang pangalang itinawag sa amin for almost 44 years," Vic said at the end of the show. "Sa ngayon, Dabarkads, ang mahalaga, sama-sama kami, sama-sama tayo, may nagkalinga sa amin sa panahon na hindi namin alam kung paano at kung saan kami dadalhin ngg tadhana."
"Ang title po namin ay ang title kung ano ang alam niyong tawag sa main," he continued. "Ipinapangako po namin na E.A.T.—everyday ang tawanan."
"E.A.T.—ito ang tunay," Tito added as Joey chided, "E.A.T.—Eto ang true."
Vic and Joey also said that "E.A.T." could mean "Eto ang tadhana" or "Eto ang title."
Quoting iconic lines from the theme song of Eat Bulaga, Tito and Vic promised fans that they will not stop inr "pagbubulaga" and giving "isa't libong isang tuwa" to its strong supporters.
"Kaya buong bansa, buong munda, E.A.T., everyday always together," Vic concluded.
Apart from the title reveal, E.A.T.'s pilot episode featured funny skits and groovy song numbers from the entire cast, including Petra Marlund's September and VTS & Company's Rock Baby Rock, which got the audience dancing the afternoon away.
Adding more dazzle to Saturday's show is the appearance of "Megastar" Sharon Cuneta, which she promised to her Instagram followers on Friday. The premiere singer-actress lit up the stage along with TVJ, with her performance of Rey Valera's Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko and her own 1994 hit Butuing Walang Ningning.
As the show was ending, Vic told viewers that they have prepared for more segments in the show that fans can look forward to in the coming days.
"Umpisa pa lamang ito. Magkikita pa tayo sa 'Eatery ni Miss Tapsi' at maraming portions pa kayong aabangan," he said.
The launch of TV5 and TVJ's E.A.T. comes a month after the trio left Eat Bulaga on May 31 following a feud with its producers, Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc.).
