DREAM.BELIEVE.SURVIVE

This is a bit late.

I don’t need to know that Araneta Coliseum was filled with thousands of shrieking-poster-carrying fans for the Starstruck Judgement last February 1, nor I don’t need to know that that particular show garnered a 42 percent ratings as opposed to ABS-CBN’s “24” with an 11 percent to convince me that, indeed, Metro Manila and the rest of the country have been caught by the Starstruck frenzy. I only need to know that my two roommates whose only concern on TV is the score of their favorite NBA or PBA basketball team, have hurry home Sunday evening in order to catch the Starstruck Judgement Night. And not only that, despite having to work the following day, they waited until 12 midnight when the result was announced.

Why did Starstruck become so popular, so popular that ABS-CBN, great copycats assholes (ok, pasensya na! Just got carried away) that they are, was for forced to shelved their copied version “Star Circle Quest” until the frenzy of Starstruck will somehow mellow down? This is my observation.

First, this is relatively an original concept. Yes, this is patterned from the American Idol in the US (which was patterned after the Pop Idol in UK), but for the Philippines it is. Yes, there are “Star in a Million”, Search for a Star” and the likes, but all of these are looking for singing stars. Starstruck is an artista search for those who can act, dance, sing, or host.

Second, for fourteen weeks at five days a week, these finalists have been part of that boob-tube at primetime. You saw them struggle to find their moves with Douglas Nierras as they do dance workshop and have a taste of his “artist tempter”, you saw them trying to impress the opera singers with whatever singing voice that they have, you saw them trying to come up with the expectations of Gina Alajar in her acting workshop. You watched them everyweek and you will make your guess who will be voted out by Friday. You saw them honed whatever talent or star quality that they have on TV and these are not scripted – the beauty of a reality TV.

Third, as the finals approached, you are left with two guys, one has the killer smile, but poor in talent but has already gathered a big fan base with his F4 looks, and you have another cutie with pure dance talent. Of course, you would be too excited to know whether talent will somehow win over pure looks and that killer smile. If this were a typical contest where a board of judges will choose the winner, you would know that talent would prevail. But this isn’t a regular contest, TV audience will also have their say trough their text votes and so the millions of those who texted would be eager to know whether their bets made it. And of course! like the Survivor series, the contestant themselves will also have a say since they are also voting out a fellow finalist. So the result is unpredictable which would add to the thrill of the show.

What about the two girl finalists? Well, they have their share of fans, but not as many as the fans of Mark and Rainer.

Fourth, and I think these one of the reason why most people patronize the show. They saw their aspirations in the contestants. Admit it! most Filipinos thinks that the best way to bring you out of poverty is to become a star. These contestants started as virtually unknown. You saw them how they have changed their looks, you saw them improved whatever talent they have and you witness how they become celebrities. And somehow, in watching them you were also wishing that that lucky star will shine upon you one day - - hopefully (or should it be wishfully?).

I don’t know how the copycat ABS-CBN will do with their Star Circle Quest? But one think for sure, it was Starstruck who made history and no matter how much money will those bastards from ABS-CBN will pour (there I go again, sorry na), they won’t overdo the impact that Starstruck did on primetime Pinoy TV.