?JOLLITOWN? is educational and it just might make you hungry.
In Jollitown, the characters were magically wished into existence by a lonely Jollibee in the show?s previous season. Together they bring cheer to and share values with visiting kids via catchy song numbers and enchanting adventures. But of course the show?s stars?Jollibee and his gang?each represents an item from the popular fast-food chain?s menu.
Tagalog and English are naturally spoken by the articulate characters, now transformed into identifiable figures: Popo the athlete; Twirlie the performer; Hetty the cheerleader; Yum the tech-savvy guy. Jollibee is still Jollibee, an iconic and friendly presence that did not go through any visual or personality makeover.
The weekly 30-minute program, now in its second season, also includes production numbers by several kids.
While the episodes are competently crafted, some story points don?t always properly translate because of the mascots? limited facial expressions. Jollibee and company?s fixed smiles don?t fit, for example, when they?re worried about a malicious sorceress? attacks in one episode.
It?s good that the show encourages kids to read books and use their imagination in one of the initial season?s episodes. Oddly, though, it had to rant about one girl?s habit of reading comic books in the same episode.
Perhaps in a future episode, nutrition and proper diet will be discussed. It might pose a challenge for the fast-food connected show, but that subject is relevant and worth teaching to youngsters (and even some grownups). Regardless, one may hanker for some fast-food during or after seeing the show as it?s hard to disassociate the jolly pals from their original roles.
?Jollitown? airs Sundays, 8:30-9:30 a.m., on GMA7.
Deadly bites
?I Was Bitten? features real-life stories of humans surviving bites from some of the most deadly snakes, insects and other venomous animals.
Each episode also features the fascinating science behind the bites and the aftermath of lethal toxins on the human body.
The show airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m., with replays on Wednesdays at 1 a.m., 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m.
Kids? Choice Awards
Nickelodeon?s 22nd Annual Kids? Choice Awards airs on Nickelodeon Channel Friday at 8 p.m. with a replay on April 23 at 10 a.m.
Beyoncé, Will Smith, Vanessa Hudgens, Jack Black, Selena Gomez, The Jonas Brothers, Jesse McCartney and Miley Cyrus captured the coveted orange Blimp trophies at the show hosted by Dwayne Johnson at UCLA?s Pauley Pavilion.
Top-notch makeover
The hit series ?Top Design? is back with a new season, a new look in high-definition, new producers and a new host.
Celebrated fashion model and design aficionado India Hicks hosts the interior design competition series, which will follow 13 contestants who will compete to create the ?top design? to win $100,000. It airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on 2nd Avenue.
