Eat Bulaga!

''Eat Bulaga!'' (), formerly ''Eat... Bulaga!'', is a noontime Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Produced by TAPE Inc., it is the longest running variety show in the Philippines with over 13,000 episodes. Originally hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, Chiqui Hollman and Richie D'Horsie, it premiered on July 30, 1979. Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, de Leon, Jimmy Santos, Jose Manalo, Allan K., Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Pauleen Luna, Ryan Agoncillo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, Baste Granfon, Maja Salvador and Miles Ocampo currently serve as the hosts.

Overview

Radio Philippines Network (1979–1989)

Production Specialists, Inc., a company owned by Romy Jalosjos, came up with an idea of creating a noontime show for Radio Philippines Network. Antonio Tuviera pitched that Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon would be the "perfect" hosts for the show. At a meeting at the InterContinental Manila, Tuviera made an offer to them which was accepted.

''Eat Bulaga!'' premiered on July 30, 1979, with its pilot episode filmed in RPN Live Studio 1 in Broadcast City. Chiqui Hollman and Richie D'Horsie also served as the original hosts. The theme song was written by Vincent Dy Buncio and Pancho Oppus, while melody was composed by Vic Sotto and musically arranged by Homer Flores. During the show's first few months, it was in the brink of cancellation due to competition and lacked of advertisers, despite having their advertising rates reduced to ₱750 and the hosts' lack of salary for six months.

De Leon said that he, Tito and Vic didn't sign a contract with the show, when they were offered to become hosts. Vic Sotto said that he accepted the offer and would stop, once he had money to buy a personal vehicle. De Leon also said that the show was supposed to be a short-term employment. After 2 years, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and de Leon decided to stay with the show. The show gained top-rating status in 1980 with the segment "Mr. Macho." Production Specialists later handed production to TAPE, Inc. In 1982, Coney Reyes joined the show as the newest host.

During the People Power Revolution, the show went off the air from February 27, 1986, to March 1, 1986, as the transmitter of RPN had been shut down. In 1987, Aiza Seguerra joined the show after ''Little Miss Philippines''. The show left Broadcast City on December 2, 1987, and transferred to Celebrity Sports Plaza on December 3, 1987. The network was also beset by periodical change of management, leading to Tony Tuviera's decision to conduct negotiations with then-fledgling network ABS-CBN to eventually transfer the show.

ABS-CBN (1989–1995)

In 1989, ''Eat...Bulaga!'' moved to ABS-CBN under a co-production agreement due to problems brought about by the sequestration of RPN. On February 18, 1989, the show premiered on ABS-CBN and was staged at Araneta Coliseum, with a TV special titled ''Eat... Bulaga!: Moving On''. After its transfer to ABS-CBN, the show started airing from ABS-CBN Studio 1 at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center. During the show's special occasions, they were allowed usage of the network's Studio 2 as a venue. The show's tenth anniversary was held on September 23, 1989, at Araneta Coliseum. In 1991, Ruby Rodriguez and Rio Diaz became regular co-hosts. In 1994, ABS-CBN attempted to buy the airing rights of the show from TAPE Inc. Antonio Tuviera and Malou Choa-Fagar rejected the offer, leading to the network giving an ultimatum to the show to leave the network in January 1995.

GMA Network (since 1995)

In 1994, the show moved out from ABS-CBN Studio 1, and returned to Celebrity Sports Plaza, as preparation for the show's transfer to GMA Network. A contract signing between TAPE, Inc. and GMA officials was held at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila on January 19, 1995. The show premiered on GMA Network on January 28, 1995, with a TV special titled ''Eat... Bulaga!: The Moving!''.

Toni Rose Gayda, Allan K., Samantha Lopez, and Francis Magalona became hosts in 1995, and Anjo Yllana in 1998. In 2000, ''Eat Bulaga!'' became the first to give away millions on Philippine television. The show introduced "Laban o Bawi" to its audience and it became an instant hit. In May 2001, Magalona was removed from the show following his arrest due to drug possession. Janno Gibbs served as his replacement. After his acquittal from the drug charges and subsequent rehabilitation, Magalona returned in 2002. In April 2002, the ratings of ''Eat Bulaga!'' surged following the popularity of the SexBomb Dancers and the segment ''Sige, Ano Kaya Mo? Sakmo!''. The 25th year celebration of the show was aired on November 19, 2004, from Expo Pilipino. It won the Best Entertainment (One-Off/Annual) Special at the Asian Television Award in Singapore on December 1, 2005. The presentation, titled ''Eat Bulaga Silver Special'', was broadcast on November 27 and 29, 2004.

In 2006, the SexBomb Girls left the show due to a dispute with the show's producers. They were replaced by EB Babes in August. In March 2007, the SexBomb Girls returned to the show and would later leave in 2011. In September 2007, de Leon started an on-screen fight with Willie Revillame, which led to the Hello Pappy scandal.

On March 6, 2009, Francis Magalona died due to leukemia, and a tribute episode was held the following day. Ryan Agoncillo joined the show later in 2009 and the show's 30th anniversary special ''Tatlong Dekads ng Dabarkads'' aired.

In 2014, Lenten drama specials returned and an annual awards ceremony, the ''Dabarkads Awards'', was first held.

In July 2015, the love team AlDub started along with the segment '' Kalyeserye''. The show tripled its Mega Manila and nationwide television ratings and became a daily trending topic on Twitter worldwide. The show held 10 out of 10 highest-rated episodes in 2015. The show held a benefit concert at the Philippine Arena on October 24, 2015. Dubbed as '' Tamang Panahon'', its hashtag #ALDubEBTamangPanahon reached 41 million tweets, becoming the most used hashtag within 24 hours on Twitter. The segment ''Kalyeserye'' concluded on December 17, 2016, with a total of 400 episodes.

On December 8, 2018, the show moved its live studio location to APT Studios in Cainta, Rizal. In March 2020, the admission of a live audience in the studio and production were suspended due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The show resumed its programming on June 8, 2020. In 2020, Anjo Yllana and Ruby Rodriguez were let go from the show. On October 2, 2021, Maja Salvador joined the show to host the new segment ''DC 2021''.

Cast

* Tito Sotto
* Vic Sotto
* Joey de Leon
* Jimmy Santos
* Jose Manalo
* Allan K.
* Wally Bayola
* Paolo Ballesteros
* Pauleen Luna
* Ryan Agoncillo
* Ryzza Mae Dizon
* Alden Richards
* Maine Mendoza
* Baste Granfon
* Maja Salvador
* Miles Ocampo
* Ruru Madrid

Former cast

* Adolf Garalde
* Aicelle Santos
* Aiko Melendez
* Ai-Ai delas Alas
* Aileen Damiles
* Aiza Seguerra
* Aji Estornino
* Alden Richards
* Alfie Lorenzo
* Ali Sotto
* Alicia Mayer
* Amboy Valdez
* Amy Perez
* Ana Marie Craig
* Angela Luz
* Anjo Yllana
* Ariana Barouk
* Ariani Nogueira
* Atong Redillas
* BJ Forbes
* Bababoom Girls
* Babyface
* BakClash Divas
* Bea Bueno
* Becca Godinez
* Bessie Badilla
* Ronaldo Joseph Joaquin as Bikoy Baboy
* Bonitos
* Boom Boom Pow Boys
* Boy Katawan
* Broadway Boys
* Camille Ocampo
* Carmina Villaroel
* Ces Quesada
* Charo Santos-Concio
* Chia Hollman
* Chiqui Hollman
* Chihuahua Boys
* Christelle Abello
* Christine Jacob
* Ciara Sotto
* Cindy Kurleto
* Coney Reyes
* Cumbacheros
* Daiana Menezes
* Danilo Barrios
* Dasuri Choi (최다슬)
* Dawn Zulueta
* Debraliz Valasote
* Derek Ramsay
* Dencio Padilla
* Diana Zubiri
* Dindin Llarena
* Dingdong Avanzado
* Dingdong Dantis the Impersonator
* Donita Rose
* Donna Cruz
*E-Male Dancers
*EB Babes
*Echo Calingal
*Edgar Allan Guzman
*Eileen Macapagal
*Eisen Bayubay
* Eric Quizon
*Felipe Tauro
* Francis Magalona
*Fire (Ana Rivera & Soraya Sinsuat)
*Frida Fonda
*Gabby Abshire
*Gemma Fitzgerald
* Gladys Guevarra
*Gov Lloyd
* Gretchen Barretto
* Halina Perez
* Helen Gamboa
*Helen Vela
* Herbert Bautista
*Ho and Ha
*Illac Diaz
*Inday Garutay
* Isabelle Daza
* Iza Calzado
*Jaime Garchitorena
* Janice de Belen
*Janna Tee
* Janno Gibbs
*Jaya
*Jenny Syquia
* Jericho Rosales
* Joey Albert
*John Edric Ulang
* Jomari Yllana
* John Prats
*Joyce Jimenez
* Joyce Pring
*Juannie
*Jude Matthew Servilla
* Julia Clarete
*Julia Gonowon
* K Brosas
* Keempee de Leon
*Kevin
*Kidz @ Work
* Kim Idol
* Kitty Girls
* Kris Aquino
* Kristine Florendo
* Kurimaw Boyz
* Lady Lee
* Lalaine Edson
* Lana Asanin
* Lana Jalosjos
* Lance Serrano
* Lani Mercado
*Larry Silva
*Leila Kuzma
*Leonard Obal
*Lindsay Custodio
*"Long Tall" Howard Medina
*Los Viajeros
*Lougee Basabas
* Luane Dy
*Lyn Ching-Pascual
*Macho Men Dancers
*Macho Men
*Jinky "Madam Kilay" Cubillan
*Male AttraXion
*Manny Distor
*Maneouvres
* Manilyn Reynes
* Marian Rivera
* Maricel Soriano
*Mark Ariel Fresco
*Maureen Wroblewitz
*Mausi Wohlfarth
* Michael V.
* Michelle van Eimeren
* Mickey Ferriols
*Mike Zerrudo
* Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski
*Millet Advincula
* Mitoy Yonting
*Music Hero Band
*Nadine Schmidt
* Niño Muhlach
* Nova Villa
*OctoArts Dancers
* Ogie Alcasid
* Onemig Bondoc
*Patani Daño
* Patricia Fernandez
* Patricia Tumulak
* Pepe Pimentel
* Phoemela Baranda
* Pia Guanio
*Plinky Recto
* Pops Fernandez
*Priscilla Monteyro
*The Quandos
*Rachel Ann Wolfe
* Rading Carlos
* Randy Santiago
* Rannie Raymundo
* Raqi Terra
* Rey de la Cruz
* Rey Pumaloy
* Richard Hwan
* Richard Merk
* Richie D'Horsie
* Rio Diaz
* Robert Em
* Robert Ortega
* Robin da Roza
* Rosanna Roces
* Roxanne Abad Santos
* Ruby Rodriguez
* Ruffa Gutierrez
* Ryan Julio
* Sam Y.G.
* Samantha "Gracia" Lopez
* Sandy Daza
* Santa Mesa Boys
* Sarah Lahbati
* SexBomb Girls
* Sharmaine Suarez
* Sharon Cuneta
* Sherilyn Reyes
* Sheryl Cruz
* Shine Kuk( 국선영)
* Sinon Loresca
* Sixbomb Dancers
* Solenn Heussaff
* Stefanie Walmsley
* Steven Claude Goyong
* Streetboys
* Sugar Mercado
* Sunshine Cruz
* Taki Saito
* Tania Paulsen
* Tanya Garcia
* Teri Onor
* Tessie Tomas
* Tetchie Agbayani
* That's My Bae
* Toni Gonzaga
* Toni Rose Gayda
* Tuck-In Boys
* Twinky
* Universal Motion Dancers
* Vanessa Matsunaga
* Vanna Vanna
* Val Sotto
* Valentin Simon
* Valerie Weigmann
* Vicor Dancers
* Victor "Tenten" Mendoza
* Vina Morales
* WEA Dancers
* Yoyong Martirez
* Zoren Legaspi

Ratings

According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the show had its highest rating on October 24, 2015, with a 50.8% rating during the ''Tamang Panahon'' special.

Spin-offs

The first regional version of the show, '' Eat Na Ta!'' premiered on November 12, 2007. While ''Eat Na Ta sa TV'' premiered on November 24 of the same year. It served as a pre-programming for ''Eat Bulaga!'' in Visayas until 2008.

Internationally, SCTV aired ''Eat Bulaga! Indonesia'' on July 16, 2012, and later '' The New Eat Bulaga! Indonesia''. ''Eat Bulaga! Indonesia'' concluded on April 3, 2014, while ''The New Eat Bulaga! Indonesia'' ended on August 8, 2016. In 2019, ''Eat Bulaga! Myanmar'' started development.

See also

* List of accolades received by Eat Bulaga!

References

External links

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{{AlDub

1979 Philippine television series debuts
ABS-CBN original programming
Filipino-language television shows
GMA Network original programming
Philippine variety television shows
Radio Philippines Network original programming
Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Television series by TAPE Inc.