Ogie referees ‘feuding’ families

Big surprises sometimes come in small packages. One big surprise to watch on television soon is Ogie Alcasid.

The multi-talented Ogie, accomplished singer, a musician, a fine actor and a comedian, will be hosting Family Feud. The game show was licensed to ABC 5 by one of the most successful American producers, Pearson Television.

Although Ogie has hosted several game shows like Fastbreak on IBC 13 and Game Na Game Na on ABS-CBN 2, he still got thrilled when chosen as the show’s host.

"When I was offered to audition, I thought, ‘Wow, this is different!’ Family Feud is one of the longest-running game shows in the US and being chosen by the people from Pearson to host the localized version is really an honor," Ogie relates during a presscon for the launching of the three newest localized game shows, Wheel of Fortune, The Price Is Right and Family Feud.

Family Feud has been running in the US since 1977. It has been honored with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Game Show.

Because Ogie’s role is the most important in the show, he must be able to bring excitement, authority and a sense of humor to the show. Apparently, Ogie possesses these qualities in abundance.

According to Vivian Recio, ABC 5’s vice president for local production, "Family Feud has a lot of comic moments and possibilities. We wanted somebody who would be able to make it even funnier and at the same time, can communicate well with the contestants. Ogie is the top choice to do that."

Now that he is in the same league of dashing gentlemen hosting a game show – like Christopher de Leon, Edu Manzano, Paolo Bediones, etc. – how does Ogie prepare himself to be an effective host? "Hosting is a difficult job especially if the show has a standard to maintain like the tried and tested Family Feud. What I did was watch the videos of the show to be familiar with the game and read the scripts well. People from Pearson also gave me tips on how to handle the show," Ogie answers.

Does he have to adapt the style of his foreign counterpart, Richard Dawson? "Filipinos have a different taste. What’s important is you know how to handle the show–when to be funny and when to pressure the contestants," he replies.

For Ogie, cracking a joke must never be forced since everything must be spontaneous and free-flowing in comedy. He adds that the host should be affable to make the contestants relax.

With Family Feud to be aired everyday– Monday to Saturday (Saturday being celebrity contestants’ day called Celebrity Feud)– isn’t Ogie worried he might be over-exposed? "No," he responds. "Whenever I do something, I make sure that it is different from what people usually see me do. Like Sundays, I’m singing (on SOP), Fridays I’m doing comedy (Bubble Gang). This one is a real challenge. You have to control the whole game and at the same time keep yourself in check that you are not insulting the contestants," he replies.

To avoid saying the oft-repeated line "Survey says!" all the time, Ogie will use funny phrases such as "Ayon sa isang daan katao..." or "Ang sabi ni...", etc. He hopes that this way the audience will not tire of the dialogue.

What if he gets negative comments from televiewers once the show starts airing on Nov. 19? "Well, a comment– whether good or bad– is just okay. We need that to strive for perfection," Ogie believes.

Making sure that Ogie looks natty on the show is Randy Ortiz who will garb the "vertically-challenged" Ogie in well-pressed suits.

He might be very busy these days but Ogie still finds time for his family. "My family is my top priority. I still send my daughter (Leila, 3) to school and make sure I spend quality time with her and my wife (Michelle Van Eimeren)," Ogie says.

Family Feud is directed by Ding Bolaños. It will air at 8 p.m. after Wheel of Fortune on ABC 5.

The exciting prizes will include not just cash but appliances as well.