BEING on top of the game, or just staying in it, has been perfected by Richard Gomez, be it in his “day job” as an actor for the big or small screen, or his being a sportsman. At home, he’s also the ideal husband and father. Never mind his occasional singing chore on SOP. But now, he tries something he hasn’t done before, hosting a game show via GMA’s newest daily prime-time offering Family Feud, which premieres on October 13.

“It’s been a long-time dream for me to host a game show. Kahit no’ng nasa ABS-CBN pa ako. After doing comedy like Palibhasa Lalake, I’d been wanting to host a game show. I like making people happy, making them laugh. Even in the studio, I enjoy the interaction with the audience,” he told the BusinessMirror on Tuesday in a studio at GMA Network complex, during a 15-minute break for the taping of the pilot episodes of Family Feud.

The contestants were fellow artistas like young actresses Bianca King and Kris Bernal. Earlier, there were Kempee de Leon and Joey Marquez. There were also select members of the entertainment press, like Shirley Pizzaro, Jun Nardo, Marinel Cruz, Gie Trillana and delightful talent manager-TV host Lolit Solis.

The latter group was something else. There were some tensions but Gomez used his time-tested charm to calm the contestants, especially the ladies. When Pizzaro was on the spot and at a loss for an answer, Gomez put his arms around her and kissed her on the forehead, prompting Solis to comment, “Naku, Shirley, water-water ka naman dyan.”

Then again, members of the audience were also prompted to interact. When the question was, “How do you avoid bad luck?” A few gay showbiz writers shouted in unison, “Stay away from Lolit Solis.” The tension was gone in an instant.

Of course, this portion will be edited out in the final product. Contrary to what many had concluded that the hosting job was handed to Gomez on a silver platito, he clarified that he actually auditioned for it, beating about nine applicants that included Ogie Alcasid, Marvin Agustin and comedian Eugene Domingo.

He added that he and wife Lucy prayed hard for it because he really wanted the job so much. He learned everything he could prior to the audition.

“When I received the good news from one of the GMA executives that I got the job, it was overwhelming. I jumped in excitement,” Gomez said.

Now, comparisons with other game-show hosts like Paolo Bediones and Alcasid, among others, will be unavoidable.

“Definitely, people will compare me with other veteran game-show hosts. This is my first time. But I am working hard to be good in this. What’s my edge? ’Di ko alam. I’m just being myself. Importante na alam ko ’yung mechanics by heart and lalabas ’yung personality ko. Iba-iba naman tayo ng approach s’yempre. Kung pare-pareho, parang nakakasawa naman ’yun, ’di ba?”

Speaking of feud, we asked him if he and Lucy occasionally have some, as it is with normal families. Or, he with his in-laws.

“You know, I am one of the luckiest sons-in-law. Mahal na mahal ako ng mga biyenan ko. With Lucy, sometimes we disagree on decision-making, but we try to meet half way. Nothing major.”

Mondays to Fridays, Family Feud will have two competing families with four members each. Celebrities will be featured every Monday.

Worldwide, Family Feud is considered the longest-running and most popular game show. It is all about points, winning streaks and top answers. The jackpot prize ranges from P150,000 to P250,000. The winning family returns the next day as the defending champion.

Family Feud airs Monday to Friday, right before 24 Oras on GMA.

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