Cesar Montano mulls offer to host 'Wowowee'

Award-winning actor Cesar Montano on Tuesday disclosed that he has been offered to host noontime show "Wowowee" for 2 weeks.

In an exclusive interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, Montano said he was considering the offer, but would like more details before deciding.

"Ang ino-offer lang nila sa akin is just 2 weeks to host. That's the only thing I heard. But I think I have to hear pa 'yong development kung kailan ako papalit or what," Montano said.

Rumor has it that Montano is being eyed by ABS-CBN to permanently replace Willie Revillame, who is on “indefinite break” from “Wowowee.” Montano, however, said it's too early to discuss it.

"I cannot confirm. It's so premature. I cannot give certain details regarding that. Until now, wala pa akong natatanggap," Montano stressed.

He added: "Although it's not a bad idea, its a good honor for me. Pero I think regarding the show or any TV show, wala pa pong nakukumpirma. Even 'Singing Bee,' kung kailan ito babalik hindi ko pa alam."

ABS-CBN has not made a final decision on Montano's hosting of "Wowowee."

Montano hosted hit musical game show "Singing Bee," which aired its last episode February of this year after he decided to join the gubernatorial race in Bohol. Montano lost in that race.

Montano said he is open to replacing Revillame as a permanent host of "Wowowee," saying it will be a new challenge for him.

"I'm open to this idea... It's another challenge to fulfill. Siguro kapag nakita ko na kung gaano kaganda ang offer at avenue," Montano said.

Action star Robin Padilla is also hosting “Wowowee” for 2 weeks. His last day on the show is on Friday. -Report by Reyma Buan-Deveza, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Host Willie Revillame goes on indefinite leave

As of Tuesday morning, 303,244 people clicked “like" on a Facebook fan-page posting "Let Willie Revillame Resign on ABS-CBN," even as television network has announced that it agreed to allow the show host to go on an indefinite leave.

The decision seemed to be a response to Revillame's letter dated May 12 asking that he be released as an ABS-CBN talent. [See: Willie Revillame asks ABS-CBN to release him]

"I have come to realize that my gratitude to the network would be more meaningful if I considered the impact of my recent actions which has placed the station in a bad light. This is among the reasons, as I will explain in this letter, that I humbly request the management, to release me as a talent of the network," he wrote.

In his letter, he mentioned several incidents that reportedly frustrated him, including the infamous Ultra stampede. [See: Ultra tragedy]

The most recent incident was his on-air outburst in reaction to radio host and The Buzz segment host Jobert Sucaldito, who he claimed had been making negative comments about “Revillame and Wowowee."

Meanwhile, the number of those to who liked the "Let Willie Revillame Resign on ABS-CBN" posting continue to swell by the hundreds every hour.

To see the posting, click here.

In last Monday’s meeting between Revillame and ABS-CBN, the network accepted Revillame's apology and made known the decision for Revillame to take an indefinite break effective immediately, but his contract obligations with the network remain.

“Willie has realized his mistake and apologized to ABS-CBN management for his outburst on air in Wowowee on May 4, 2010, and his failure to report to work since May 5, 2010. ABS-CBN management has accepted Willie’s apology," the network said.

"This disallows him to perform similar work for any person or entity in direct competition with ABS-CBN," added Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications, who sent the statement to the Philippine Entertainment Portal on May 25.

Whether or not he will eventually resign is up in the air as of the moment.

"At some point, ABS-CBN management and Willie will discuss what will be in the best interest of the viewing public," read the statement.

If the “Let Willie Revillame Resign on ABS-CBN" fan page on Facebook is any indication of the viewing public's interest, it appears they are all too eager to bid Revillame farewell, and welcome Robin Padilla as his replacement.

A post on Facebook read: "Astig mag host si Binoy! Yan ang host! Magalang, matipuno at hindi bastos! Go Binoy!!!" posting was liked by 7,190 people as of Tuesday morning.

The action star has taken over Revillame's hosting duties since he disappeared from the show on May 5, a day after his outburst against Sucaldito. - LBG, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV

Paula Abdul returns as talent show judge

As part of the "American Idol" franchise, singer/dancer/choreographer Paula Abdul has been considered among the vital cogs of a widely lucrative machinery that has helped discover some of America and the world's biggest pop stars. So when her contract was not renewed by producers, "Idol" fans lamented losing the quirky judge from the panel. To those who care, Abdul-known for her generally glowing (if, in the beginning, rambling) critiques and her self-designed jewelry-will resume her career as reality talent show judge. However, it won't be for a show dealing with any aspiring pop recording artists. It's been reported that Abdul will soon serve as lead judge in a CBS show called "Got to Dance," based on a UK hit series. But more than a judge, Abdul also juggles the caps of executive producer, creative partner, mentor, and coach on the show. Abdul is reportedly expected to take on behind-the-scenes and on-camera responsibilities on the show as well. The show is described as "broadcast's first all-ages, all-genres dance series" that brings together everything from ballroom to break dance, to ballet, tap, and tango. Perhaps those who came up with this description had not been tuning into the truly excellent, if a little underrated (especially compared to the near-silly "Dancing with the Stars"), dance competition called "So You Think You Can Dance," which also successfully highlights a variety of dance genres, even Bollywood. Perhaps the difference between the two shows would lie in the age range of the contestants and the manner by which they would compete. At any rate, and as with most reality TV competitions, "Got to Dance" will have a variety of acts that will compete in front of a panel of judges, with viewer votes determining which 'show favorites' will make it to the semis and the finals. Abdul, during her hiatus from TV, wasn't lacking any offers. In fact, after a Twitter announcement that she won't be back on the "Idol" train that she's been on for eight years, U.S. networks have been throwing an "array of unscripted projects" her way. She was reportedly offered to appear on "Dancing With the Stars," while Fox was reportedly also eyeing Abdul for another singing competition-"Idol" pal Simon Cowell's "The X Factor," slated to debut in 2011. At one point, "So You Think You Can Dance" executive producer and judge, Nigel Lythgoe, was seen reserving a guest seat literally with Abdul's name on it on the show's latest season. Abdul was a no-show. Industry analysts figure ABC will air "Got to Dance" to directly compete against "Idol," whose next season will run for the first time without Cowell. With "Got to Dance," CBS will be the fourth major American network to have a dance-competition series. They join the fray that includes ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" and NBC's "Got Talent."