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 11th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
If i were the NPC and the other organizations of press people, i would demand more than a public apology. By justifying in Startalk that it was meant to be a joke, then he really was irresponsible. Kung di nagreact ang mga principled and dignified press people, he will not realize how insensitive his joke was. Yun lng nga nababayarang press at mga duwag kay JDL ang di nagreact.
August 11th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
If joking about ‘ killing press people” is a sign of being a principled man, then we really have lost our values and integrity in the name of entertainment.
August 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
By hiring Joey to write in their newspaper, Ricky Lo and Philippine Star lost a reader in my person. What he did with MB should not be tolerated. It was the height of bad taste. He had long wanted to transfer and just made use of Dindo as a escape goat.
August 11th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Doon sa mga nagtatanggol kay Joey de Leon, think beyond your obvious biases. He can use his column in MB and all the time in EB to defend his show but for him to dare Inq7 and make a joke about killing press people is not a laughing matter at all.
August 11th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Huwag na kasi ijustify ang mali. The joke came at a time when he was very angry with the writer who wrote that EB was flop in LA. Saan ba nahuhuli ang isda? di ba sa bibig. What comes out of his mouth is what is inside his mind and heart. By justifying his obvious bad taste of a joke, his apology doesn’t come out as sincere. I guess he was just afraid to lose his job so he offered that apology.