Every weeknight, Wazzup Wazzup hosts Vhong Navarro, Toni Gonzaga, and Archie Alemania deliver news with a twist. They've been doing the comical shoulder brush for three years now and they show no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Dancer-turned-comedian Vhong can't believe that they have lasted for this long on the air. "Kami rin po nagtataka dahil experiment lang po kasi ito ng Studio 23. [Susubukan] yung news na may gag...na may twist. Parang nakakatuwa kasi three years, parang hindi kami makapaniwala na aabot kami sa ganito."
Of the three original hosts, only Toni and Vhong have remained with Wazzup Wazzup. Former co-host Drew Arellano transferred to the Kapuso Network's sister station, QTV-11. He was replaced by Archie, who was previously a tadjock or a spoof newscaster.
When asked to identify the advances made by the show for the past three years, Toni observed that their confidence and skill in reporting has improved remarkably. "We're more confident when it comes to interviewing a lot of politicians. That's one thing na naimprove sa aming tatlo. We are more confident when also delivering news.
"We are comfortable in each other, with the set, and everyone. Parang feeling na rin namin na newscasters talaga kami, [parang] mga reporters. Pagdating namin sa set, alam na namin kung anong gagawin namin. ‘Yong familiarity meron na kami nun."
Ferry Trinidad, executive producer of Wazzup Wazzup, gives his own insights about the development of the show through the years: "Itong balita na ‘to ay hindi lang s'ya basta balita. Dinedeliver ito in such a way na matatawa pa rin tayo kahit mabigat ung balita. At the end of the day, nakapagbigay kami ng ligaya sa bawat Zupista na nanonood sa Wazzup."
FOR THE LOVE OF WAZZUP. Archie narrates amusing anecdotes about his stint as a tadjock reporting from the field. "Muntik po akong mabugbog. Pinalabas po ako sa House of Congress. Kasi po nagta-tumbling ako d'on habang nagsession po sila, pinalabas po ako. Inescort pa po ako palabas ng building. Tapos muntik pa akong mabugbog."
Members of the entertainment press are skeptical about his tale. Archie insists: "Totoo po. Totoo po. Ang kasama ko po yung SP [segment producer], pinatambling po ako sa loob ng Congress. Ayun pinalabas po ako. Muntik pa akong mabugbog kasi po ininterview ko yung mga kababaihan nung eleksyon. E, mali po yung nabitawan ko, imbes na spaghetti strap... ang nasabi ko T-back."
He also recalls the time when someone angrily brought out a gun and tried to intimidate them during a taping. "Hindi pa po nagsisimula yung interview namin, kasi ang tema po dapat kukuhanan namin si Keanna sa bahay n'ya habang natutulog. So, nakapantulog siya. Nakita ni...sabi niya ‘Ayos na ba yung itsura mong damit na ganyan?'
"Nag-aaway na sila. Mamaya naglabas [yung guy] ng maleta, maliit, binuksan. ‘Ano? Sige! I-roll n'yo yung camera. I-roll n'yo,'" narrates Archie. He did not disclose the name of Keanna Reeves's partner who was a hothead.
After three years of doing the comic news routine, Toni tells PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that she still feels the need for more training.
"When I transferred to ABS-CBN, nagkaroon ako ng invitation to do the news and current affairs. Nakakatuwa. Ininvite ako to do the Star Patrol. E, I think I still need a lot of preparation and training [before] I really get into news and current affairs."
WAZZUP SUMMER ZUPISTAR 2007. The hip show Wazzup Wazzup celebrates its third anniversary with a search for the ultimate news comedy Wazzup Summer Zupistar, which started last April 16. The wannabes will face four major challenges: the news comedy sketch/gag, musical comedy, celebrity/politician spoof and a stand-up comedy. Finally, after five weeks of grueling challenges and eliminations, the ultimate Wazzup Summer Zupistar will be announced live on May 18.
The show's executive producer Ferry Trinidad explains the criteria for judging: "It's 50% judges plus 25% text votes and 25% management decision. Every week, may mga jurors, mga guest judges na na magja-judge sa VTRs na ginawa ng mga Zupistars."
Meet the wacky finalists of Wazzup Summer Zupistar:
1. Baby Glow Brito
a.k.a. "Little Big Zupistar"
2. Camille Castello a.k.a "Sossy
Zupistar"
3. Carvey Favis a.k.a. "Zupistar
Cutie"
4. Coolai Concepcion a.k.a.
"Rainbow Zupistar"
5. Imma Lopez a.k.a.
"Prankster Zupistar"
6. Jose Sarasola a.k.a.
"Loverboy Zupistar"
7. Kaye Padilla a.k.a. "Red Hot
Zupistar"
8. Tikoy Caballero a.k.a.
"Chinoy Comedian Zupistar"
Click MORE PICTURES to view photos of the eight finalists.