CELEBRITIES perform and sometimes crack under pressure on the new ABS-CBN game show ?Twist and Shout,? hosted by singers Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera.

Every hour-long episode pits two three-member teams against each other in challenges that require them to sing while ignoring major distractions. A treadmill-like gizmo, a vat filled with freezing water and ice chips, and a smoke-blasting ?volcano? are just examples of the contraptions the celeb contestants have to deal with.

In the first episode, singers outdo each other. Balladeers Christian Bautista and Richard Poon sing as long as they can on the gradually speeding and tilting treadmill before falling off into heaps of foam blocks. Pop singer Nina is strapped in a harness, her body dipped repeatedly in cold water. In the same challenge, Frenchie Dy channels Aretha Franklin, unmindful of the coldness and even scooping up some ice to press on her cheek. In the last challenge, Juris and Bugoy stand in a volcano-like device that ?erupts? thick gusts of smoke.

It was a fun first night, but because the ?weapons of mass distraction? and the sequence of their use were the same the following night, the show became quite repetitive, even when the competing teams were lively comedians and band members.

The three judges?Aiza Seguerra, Jimmy Bondoc and guest Bianca Manalo?briefly comment on the performances and why they?re giving points to a specific contestant. While many of their reasons make sense, some don?t, reiterating that it?s a less serious show than most game shows. Those, and the number of points they give, can be baffling, as pointed out by a defiant but still funny K Brosas during a deliberation.

Valenciano and Nievera, who perform the opening ?Twist and Shout? song together, are okay hosts. It?s undoubtedly an easy gig for both of them, and they mostly look like they?re having fun. And while it?s fun to watch local celebrities doing their darned best to keep their balance or composure, ?Twist and Shout? should present more distracting and disruptive ways of keeping contestants on their toes. The show has the potential to be truly wacky and edgy, so the possibilities have to be explored creatively, and soon.

?Twist and Shout? airs Saturday and Sunday, 8:45 p.m., on ABS-CBN.

Julaton victory

GMA Network broadcasts the fight that crowned Ana ?The Hurricane? Julaton as the new World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Bantamweight champ via split decision over Maria Elena Villalobos of Mexico on June 30 at the Casino Rama, in Ontario, Canada.
The victory was the third world title for Julaton, who traces her roots to Pozzorubio, Pangasinan.
?Laban ng Pinay: Julaton vs Villalobos? airs on July 18 at 11:10 a.m. on GMA 7, with a replay at Q Channel 11 at 10:30 pm.

Fil-Am fest

Kababayan Fest?the largest yearly gathering of Filipino-Americans in the West Coast?returns to California this month, featuring stars of GMA Pinoy TV, the flagship international channel of Philippine broadcast giant GMA Network.
On July 17, Geoff Eigenmann and Carla Abellana share in the fun as Kababayan Fest goes to Knott?s Berry Farm in Los Angeles. Joining them are StarStruck ultimate Survivors Kris Bernal, Jackie Rice, and Steven Silva and other Filipino-American talents.
Log on to clubworksinc.com/
KababayanFest.

Wacky antics

Misadventures and wacky antics from Cartoon Network characters await kids on weekdays starting 5 p.m.
?League of Super Evil (LOSE)? starts at 5 p.m. with mastermind Voltar and his team?muscle-bound nice-guy Red Menace, Mad Scientist Doktor Frogg and inter-dimensional pooch Doomageddon.
?The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack? follows at 5:30 p.m., featuring the travels of Flapjack, Bubbie and Captain K?nuckles, as they embark on out-of-this-world adventures in the seemingly sleepy sea town of Stormalong Harbor.
At 6 p.m., chef apprentice Chowder goes on food adventures in Marzipan City where each day is filled with amazing and surreal situations.
?Jimmy Two Shoes? caps the night at 6:30 p.m., with the fun-loving and good-natured Jimmy, for whom misery is spelled f-u-n, molten lava is for surfing and bottomless pits are for base-jumping.