Clare Henney: Bring Them Back to Late Night!

12:00 PM | | Posted by Clare Henney

Whatever happened to late night talk shows? I remember when I was younger that Martin Nievera and Edu Manzano both had talk shows that I used to enjoy watching even if they were really late at night. For a time these shows were popular but for some reason they just disappeared. These days I think Jojo Alejar has his own talk show on TV 5 (is it still airing? I’m not so sure…) but that’s just about it. I wish they could bring back the whole talk show scene in local TV. I loved how Martin and Edu were very witty, funny and entertaining as they interviewed their various guests on a whole range of topics. I liked that their talk shows were not gossip shows. They reminded me of the talk shows in the US. Both guys did not come from standup comedy like most of the late night show hosts in the US but I think both can hold their own in the late-night hosting department.

Watching Edu Manzano on Unang Hirit on GMA 7 reminded me of how much I enjoyed watching him talk on his late night show from many years ago. It also made me wonder where Martin Nievera is right now and why their respective TV stations can’t give them similar shows today. Is the local late night talk show scene just not going to work anymore? I think it’s sad if that’s the case because I really wish we could graduate from all the gossip shows that we’re bombarded with today. I think we need less gossip and more talk.

Here’s a sample of the late night local talk show from way back, Martin Late at Night.  I couldn’t find one for Edu Manzano’s talk shows so this is all I can share: If ABS-CBN and GMA 7 can bring Edu and Martin back to late night or at least launch new talents who can bring this back I’d really love it!

Photo Source: Showbiz Portal