TV Shows that Deserve
a PH Version
by Abu Poblete

Don’t you just envy  foreign reality shows that are, well, much better than what we have? You know the Philippines will love other more exciting  TV fare than Survivor Philippines, The Voice Philippines, or Deal or No Deal. GMA 7 has shown the way with its Pinoy counterpart of Lip Sync Battle.

Here’s a reminder to all TV networks: Pinoys loved exciting and unique reality shows like Pinoy Fear Factor, Takeshi’s Castle, and Extra Challenge. Don’t shy away from bizarre entertainment. Here are 8 of the many really weird hits that will surely pull in ratings.

8. Rupaul’s Drag Race

How it goes: For those in the dark, Rupaul’s Drag Race is a reality show by Logo that’s a cross between Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model. But here’s the catch, the contestants are (drum roll with glitters thrown around, please) drag queens! Yeah you read it right, drag freakin’ queens fiercely battle it out in every episode to become America’s next drag superstar. Through the show’s mini and major challenges, the personality and drag designing skills of contestants are put to the test. But really, it’s the outrageously sassy cat fights between the country’s best drag queens that makes the show one of America’s guiltiest pleasures.

Why a Pinoy version is a good idea: With our creativity and beki language, Pinoy Drag Race will create a sequined pandemonium.

The show’s script will be filled with lines like “Ayyy ateng, Pagoda Wave Lotion naako sa Lucresia Kasilag na iteng! Pero keri boom boom pow kasi mukha naman siyang chimney cricket kesa ‘kin! Kaloka!!” Even Rupaul’s dreaded eliminator line “Sashay away” will be translated as, “Atey, away!” “Kung ‘di ka enlababo sa sarili, how mo naman la lavida loca ang ibey?!?” Jon Santos can really hit the mark here.

7. Cheaters

How it goes: Crime stakeouts are fine spying on a cheating mateis just a LOT more riveting.This is exactly what Cheaters is all about,but with a little more pizzazz: it’s real and it’s on TV. The show’s full of manic lovers who just want to take revenge on their cheating partners. What better way than to cruelly shame on worldwide TV?

Why a Pinoy version is a good idea: Pinoys love the juicy and controversial trope of two-timers in their daily TV sessions. This is because in our boring lives, we get a kick from watching hot women bitch-slap each other.

6. Dero!

How it goes: Dero! runs on a very simple recipe:  take a bunch of clueless game contestants and scare them out of their wits. The fear-induced dementia is produced by having the hapless victims answer random trivia questions while simultaneously suffering unnerving torments, like: being tipped over at a 90-degree angle; getting spun into a cocoon of toilet paper or being slowly pinned to a corner by a retracting floor.

The brilliant combination of hilarity and sheer fright is guaranteed to warm any sadistic heart.

Why a Pinoy version is a good idea: Because seeing mindless terror in others  is just what we need to for us to LMFAO.

Dero! is even a milder version of the other  Japanese shock-gag shows.Filipino TV can typically overdo them.

5. Running Man

How it goes: Running Man‘s seven members go everywhere and anywhere in Korea to do physical dares, mental stunts and they’re all outrageously awesome, like their legendary name tag challenge, face-off cream bombs, face blowers, the Tru-Gary show, among others.

RM has been one of Korea’s best variety shows. The show sounds really basic, but what’s special about it is its diverse cast and the running inside jokes that are so funny that you get in on them soon enough. RM also takes in celebrity guests who get mercilessly tricked and roasted. And can we just have a moment of silence for the awesomeness that is Yoo Jae Suk?!

There is nothing more intense than the name tag challenge.

Why a Pinoy version is a good idea: It’s going to be hard to find the same perfect mix and chemistry as the original seven members especially since the Pinoy masa humor is really different from Korea’s. But if someone’s willing to search the entire country just for the perfect mix, RM will definitely take local variety to a whole different level.

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