When we heard that Sharon Cuneta was paying tribute to Comedy King Dolphy on ?The Sharon Cuneta Specials? last week, we made a mental note to go out of our way to catch the show, because we believe that Dolphy?s show biz legacy has been truly exceptional.

However, when the show started, we were a bit confused, because it turned out that its first half was focused, not really on Dolphy, but on something like ?the best and most-loved movies??whatever that meant.

That must have been why the first half consisted mainly of renditions of theme songs from movies, some performed by Sharon, others by three young singers, and still more by stellar guests Kuh Ledesma and Martin Nievera.

While the veteran singers were reliably entertaining, the younger performers were merely proficient, so their portion came off as not all that ?special.?

Which is why we were really glad when the program?s second half finally focused on Sharon?s special honoree. But while he did appear in a pretaped interview, Dolphy didn?t grace the show in person.

This was a bit strange, since most tributes are attended by their honorees, so we ended up fretting that the acclaimed senior comedian may still be contending with health issues that merit our collective concern and prayers for his recovery.

To their credit, his partner, Zsazsa Padilla, and their comely daughter, Zia, were quite upbeat when they guested in the show, not at all revealing whatever worries they may have been harboring.

In so doing, they were perfect show biz troupers, and they did Dolphy proud. After all, in the course of his long career, he has never allowed personal problems to keep him from wittily and breezily entertaining his beloved fans.

Zsazsa and Zia did so well that, at long last, the program finally became a genuine special. It was a great bonus to see that Zia has become a good entertainer in her own right, so we must compliment her parents for raising, guiding and inspiring her so well.

Visibly moved

Sharon was visibly moved by their rendition of a special song for Dolphy. As for the pretaped interview with the master comic, he wasn?t in tiptop form, but his essential humility and love for his family and fans shone through.

While the show did end up as a winsome winner, its lack of firm thematic focus was both distracting and distressing. Dolphy is a major icon, so a tribute to him shouldn?t have been lumped together with a vague nod to ?the best and most-loved films,? movie theme songs unrelated to him, etc.

Meanwhile, it was heartening to see that Sharon?s current battle of the bulge is showing signs of incipient success, with her cheeks and jowls visibly receding. Her full-body silhouette needs more work, however.

Hopes are high that the ?new and improved? Sharon will emerge in fine fettle and in all her svelte glory soon!