TV host-comedian Joey de Leon surprised viewers of his weekly talk show, “Startalk,” when he made one dare after another as he fumed over a report published in the tabloid Balita that his noontime variety program for 29 years, “Eat Bulaga,” was a flop in its recent US show.
In his article, “Bakit Nag-Flop ang Eat Bulaga sa US?” published on July 29, Balita entertainment editor Dindo Balares claimed a GMA-7 executive, whom he did not name, confirmed the show was indeed a flop. However, if one thoroughly reads the article, the author merely referred to second-hand sources in his statements and that he did not witness the event himself in Los Angeles, California.
The taped “Eat Bulaga” US show, billed “Eat Bulaga Grand Fiesta sa US”, which was aired last Saturday on GMA-7 apparently wasn’t a flop. Footage of the show revealed the venue, the LA Sports Arena, was jampacked. Even a California state senator, Leland Yee, was shown on stage declaring July 19, the day of the US presentation, as “Eat Bulaga” day.
This blog writer however is inviting anyone who attended that particular show to comment and give their own crowd estimates.
Because of what was apparently a false report, Joey fumed and called Dindo a liar. He then urged Dindo to come clean and name the GMA-7 executive who confirmed the seeming falsehood.
“Mapapatawad ko lahat yon na sabihing pangit ang show niyo. For 29 years, sukang-suka na ako sa ‘Eat Bulaga,’ okay lang, personal na opinion niyo yan at nangyayari pa yan. Pero sa isang event na tapos na, binaligtad mo, nagsinungaling, galit ako sa mga sinungaling. Dalawa lang naman ang kinagagalitan ko dito eh, ang sinungaling at mandaraya,” Joey told his “Startalk” co-hosts Butch Francisco and Lolit Solis in the live interview last Saturday.
If Dindo could name the GMA-7 executive, Joey said he would forget Dindo’s “transgressions” and even offer him a once-in-a-lifetime gift.
“Hinahamon kita. Bibigyan kita ng ticket sa eroplano papuntang Estados Unidos, first class o business class for two para makasama mo ang dyowa mo. Isang linggong stay sa kahit anong hotel sa Amerika, sagot ko with pocket money na $5000. Sabihin mo lang sa akin kung sino ang GMA executive (na yon),” Joey added.
The biggest surprise came when Joey turned the tables on GMA-7, which he said regularly invites Dindo to its press conferences and functions.
“May nag-kumpirma sa akin na uma-attend ka sa mga presscon dito sa GMA. Eto ang hamon ko pati sa GMA. Pag inimbita niyo uli ang taong yan, mag-re-resign ako sa lahat ng shows ko sa GMA.” Joey emphasized.
Joey previously resigned as entertainment columnist of the Manila Bulletin, Balita’s sister publication, over Dindo’s article.
As of this posting, Dindo remained silent over Joey’s charges.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:27 am
joey is a principled person. he is his own man. the problem with the media in PI to much press freedom. and we can count media people who are NOT receiving grease money. media people can malign anybody for a FEE, that’s the fact of life. rarely, you read a balance news in PI where both parties are interviewed it’s normally a one sided news. once published and the reputation of the mentioned person has been tarnished that’s the time they’ll get the side of the accused. Pity, isn’t it! but that’s how MOST of the media people in PI works.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:28 am
I watched the Eat Bulaga L.A. show and I would say it was a dream come true watching them in person. I don’t know why someone would write something that is not true at all. Eat Bulaga was really successful in its L. A. show. I can attest to that because I was there.
I am hoping that Eat Bulaga will also have a show in San Diego CA.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:21 am
Eat Bulaga is very entertaining and for the past 29 years, I have been following their show. I grew up with Eat Bulaga from my college days until now that i am a grandmother. No one can beat the way they host a show. They are very professional even if you see all of them joking with each others, like playing and you feel that everyone is having a good time. Every day for me is not complete without Eat Bulaga. Joey is so full of humor and wit that if you can’t catch up with him, you are lost. He has a way with jokes that only Joey can deliver. Match that with Vic’s charisma, their tandem is really a blast.
I look forward to watching them until I die. MORE POWER TO EAT BULAGA!
August 10th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Nobody can put a good man down. JOey maybe childish sometimes (which we are) but he is still the best. Nobody can beat Jeoy de Leon.
Yung mga OA na press poeple who reacted on “joke segment” sa EB ay pikon pala. kaya nga JOKE eh. Ano takot kayo sa sarili nyong multo? Puro mali naman mga sinusulat ninyo. Accept the fact that majority of the press are envelopmental. ACDC (attack collect detroy/defend collect) namna kayo. Hmmm maybe you need more envelopes from GMA or EB.
More power to Joey at hindi mo kalevel yang mga OA na press people. My relatives and friends her in LA. supportS Joey de Leon. MABUHAY ANG EAT BULAGA!
August 9th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
matagal na kitang gustong mag-resign dahil tumatanda kang paurong. obvious sa madla na naiinggit ka ibang network. why not accept defeat and do wha’ts right? your voluntary resignation is surely welcomed to the whole media industry.
joey, what you instill for public is a hatred against your insecured whims and lies. mali ka na nga, sinisiraan mo pa sarili mo.
masyado kang sensitive dala ng iyong pagka-senior citizen. yes, you may retire as you please. pronto!
aihihihi!!!
baklita