Jojo Alejar keeps viewers alive, alert & awake

MANILA, Philippines - Since 2005, Jojo Alejar has become entrenched in the late-night slot on TV. This time, he is host of TV5’s Medyo Late-Night Show with Jojo A. (formerly The Good Night Show on a different channel and Jojo A. All the Way in yet another station), of which he is also the producer.

The show is clearly for insomniacs who incessantly surf their TV sets for good, interesting late-night fare. Of course, there are always the late-night movies worth watching on cable. But in case you’ve seen those titles repeatedly, the show of Jojo A. is worth even a few minutes of your time before you doze off.

The late-night program is similar to Hollywood TV shows like that of Jay Leno’s, David Letterman’s or Conan O’Brien’s. Jojo starts the evening by cracking witty jokes, like the recent illegal bingo in Manila, which became a tussle between Manila City Mayor Fred Lim and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno. “More than that, bawal kalabanin si Mayor Lim,” Jojo teased.

He talks about real issues in a light manner, giving real information with a funny twist. He combines entertainment and comedy, more often talking about certain incidents or controversial people.

For March, which is Fire Prevention Month and Women’s Month, Jojo commented that “both are hot and out of control.” He pointed out, however, that there are “two women who didn’t prevent themselves from getting fired — Ate Gay and Ethel Booba.” Of course, he was referring to the recent incident in the noontime show, Wowowillie, involving its two hosts.

Jojo talks to his audience with lots of pun, jokes about daily incidents and famous people. He doesn’t come across as a trying hard (TH) host who desperately needs an audience. That the show survives the midnight shift is enough proof that Jojo has a captured audience who tunes in to his show.

Sometimes, he breaks into a song like (to the tune of Billy Joel’s Honesty) Dynasty, teasing the so-called political dynasty of Philippine politics. He pointed out to the Villafuertes of Camarines Sur. “Dynasty begins at home,” Jojo said.

In the Pinoy Gosyante segment, the show guests entrepreneurs. One lady guest was into merchandise like pens, umbrellas, mugs, plastic thermos, memo pads, T-shirts, etc. The entrepreneurs give words of wisdom (“WOW”) and Jojo also shares his own WOW.

On the night we watched, Jojo was giving away in jest “free tickets for an all-expense paid trip to Tubbathaha Reef.”

Chito Alcid talked about today’s hottest topics and stars in showbiz like Anne Curtis and her sexy attire in a variety show, controversial starlet Krista Miller who was rumored with Cesar Montano and even GMA 7 newscaster Mel Tiangco who said things about her erstwhile network (ABS-CBN).

Guest was newcomer Marvelous Alejo, who was a finalist in the talent search, Artista Academy, last year. She comes from a family of five kids, with fraternal twins in the brood. She was supposed to be originally named Margaret Veronica Louise, but her mom opted for Marvelous, which was shorter.

The 16-year-old talent took after her “strict” dad when it comes to singing and rendered Terrified by American Idol Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee. Marvelous will make her big screen debut in Time in a Bottle.

The show features Lloyd Mara and the All-the-Way Band that provides entertainment every night. Also featured are dancers who entertain viewers with their sexy moves. As host of the show, Jojo also gamely moves, escorted by his sexy dancers.

Jojo is undoubtedly a good dancer. Up to now, he still got the moves and grooves. It will be remembered that back in the mid-‘80s, he inched his way into showbiz as member of the dance group, Tigers. He did a few movies and hosted a few shows, including That’s Entertainment.

Rockman and Punk, said to be “the best dynamic duo,” joins the show. At times, viewers can see skits or dramatization, like the Fire Prevention Month.

Jojo’s late-night show caps the programming of TV5. After nearly four years on the network, the show clearly has a captured audience as Jojo keeps his viewers alive, alert, awake and interested even for only 30 minutes every night.