in Entertainment & Lifestyle, News & Culture, Television

Netizens wonder if Kapuso public service show, ‘Wish Ko Lang’ still grants wishes, showrunners make clarifications

Netizens, however, are fast to notice that aside from the change in format, Wish Ko Lang seems to have shifted to an entirely different demographic. Social media people speculate that the [mostly] sensual subjects the program have been focusing on is an effort to draw masculine viewers or simply viewers who like controversial sexy topics.

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Netizens noticed the shift of focus of the public service show, from being a wholesome wish-granting program to being a sexy drama anthology showcasing real-life stories.

Shows adapt to trends. That is what happened to the long-running Kapuso public service program, Wish Ko Lang, whose format evolved from being a strictly wish granting show to (practically) being a drama anthology that features real-life stories. The show seemed to have taken the cue of similar Kapuso and Kapamilya shows like Ipaglaban Mo, S.O.C.O. Tadhana, and Relasyon, which all regularly tons of viewers because of its popular format.

Time seems to have taken a toll on Wish Ko Lang’s popularity. It’s hard to blame the showrunners for changing its format, that made the show a top-rater for nearly two decades. 

But as new similarly-themed programs vie for the viewers’ attention, the program understandbly hopped on the ‘dramatization’ trend, which saw most public service shows dramatizing their feature stories. It was sensible that the show had to adapt to and adopt this re-emerging trend.

Netizens, however, are fast to notice that aside from the change in format, Wish Ko Lang seems to have shifted to an entirely different demographic. Social media people speculate that the [mostly] sensual subjects the program have been focusing on is an effort to draw masculine viewers or simply viewers who like controversial sexy topics.

Twitter user @itwontworkkelja shared his observation in a tweet. “grabe yung evolution ng Wish Ko Lang sa GMA… From Vickie Morales doing acts of charity in a random community, finding missing family members to straight up BOLD VIVA FILMS BOMBA BANTUTAN CORE stuff now.“

Another user, posted a photo reply to his tweet, which shows a screenshot featuring Wish Ko Lang’s daring episodes.

Sebastian, meanwhile,  noted how other Kapuso shows also deviated from their concepts like Wish Ko Lang. “Isama mo narin ang Tadhana at Imnestigador nila. Even Magpakailanman?! Lahat, deviated form their core concept?!”

Jomar, meanwhile, expressed his disappointment on the show, as he grew up loving the show’s original advocacy. “i saw someone posted this on fb and a lot people na pinag tatawanan to, actually this isn’t suppose to be funny lalo na yung mga generation na kinalikhan tong show. Ewan, sinira nila yung core ng program. Dami na nga nilang bold program eh pati to bababuyin nila. Sad lungs.”

Twitter user @jstranzhur asked, “Do you still remember when Wish Ko Lang uhm…actually grants wishes??”

Several showrunners from both Wish Ko Lang and GMA Public Affairs are also quick to deny the netizens’ observations.

Reynald Ramos shared this tweet on his Twitter account.

https://twitter.com/ramosreynald_/status/1540922403957592065

John Michael Ferraren, one of the show’s creative staff, also came to Wish Ko Lang’s defense.  He shared that the show still keeps it wish-granting segment every episode.

Wish Ko Lang notably returned on air in 2020 after being briefly replaced by the show ‘Ilaban Natin Yan’. Due to poor rating performance, however, Wish Ko Lang returbed bit this time, with its current format, where featured stories are [now] dramatized.

GMA NetworkGMA NewsGMA News and Public AffairsJohn Mychal FerarenReynald RamosWish ko lang

Written by JE C.C.

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