Putting up a good fight

In today’s local TV scenario, it would seem like there are only two television networks: ABS-CBN and GMA 7. The competition between Channels 2 and 7, you see, is so intense, the public tends to forget that there are other commercial TV stations.

While I’m just so glad to be part of one of the two big networks (GMA 7, of course), I worry that the current scenario is not very healthy for the television industry. Neither is the situation good for the viewers (especially those who do not subscribe to cable) because this limits their TV viewing choices.

We should thus look forward to Tonyboy Cojuangco’s takeover of ABC 5 late this year and wish the station all the luck because there really is room for more.

At the moment, standing at no. 3 position is RPN 9. Channel 9 actually had its years of glory at the height of Martial Law. (It was the only network that wasn’t shut down by Marcos during the imposition of P.D. 1081).

RPN 9 in the ’70s was the No. 1 network and had both canned and local programs: Superstar, Ang Makulay na Daigdig ni Nora, Vilma Santos’ ‘Yan, Eh John & Marsha, What’s New, JQ?, Sunday Suspense Theater, Vegas, Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, etc. (In May 1982, it was the first local network to go Domsat – launched in Eat Bulaga.)

After EDSA 1, however, the network was sequestered by the government and in a matter of years, its position weakened in the television industry. The good thing about RPN 9 is that it never reached gutter level and always tries to put up a good fight from time to time. (Remember when Marimar clobbered TV Patrol in the ratings game in 1996?)

At the moment, RPN 9 is home to many special events like the Gawad Urian, the Star Awards and even the Oscars.

I also try to catch some of its local programs especially since my favorite Madame Ratsa (a.k.a. Baby de Guzman) is there (and good friend Anthony Pangilinan, too).

And since I’m such a sucker for American sitcoms, I try to be home Friday nights to watch Dharma and Greg (I’m now torn between this and Star-struck) on Channel 7). There was even a time when Channel 9 just kept replaying old episodes of Dharma and Greg and yet I still kept watching it. (I got addicted to this American series when I lived in the US in 1998).

Mercifully, the Dharma and Greg episodes being shown now are all relatively new. To sweeten the pot further, RPN 9 will start airing tomorrow two more American comedies: Scrubs and 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter.

Scrubs stars Zach Braff (The Broken Hearts Club) as John "J.D." Dorian, a medical intern at a hospital with some of the weirdest staff and patients that side of America. Also with him in the cast is Donald Faison of Remember the Titans and Felicity fame.

Between the two, I’m honestly more excited about 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. It has become an important series to begin with because it’s the last sitcom of TV great John Ritter (Three’s Company), who passed away just recently.

8 Simple Rules casts John Ritter as Paul Hennessy, a sports writer who spent years on the road during his kids’ formative years. When he decides to take it easy one day and takes a column-writing job, which allows him to stay home, he finds himself faced with the responsibility of raising the kids with his nurse wife, Cate (Katey Sagal, Married with Children).

Unfortunately, John Ritter died last September with the series still at its peak. After his death, the show‘s ratings even skyrocketed with the airing of his remaining episodes.

With the showing of 8 Simple Rules on commercial television, local viewers can still have their fill of the great comedic talent of TV legend John Ritter – and we have RPN 9 to thank for that.