Willie leaves ‘Wowowee’ but will honor ABS-CBN contract

It’s official. Willie Revillame is taking an indefinite leave from his noontime show “Wowowee” but will still honor his obligations to his talent contract with ABS-CBN after lengthy talks Monday night over the TV host’s intention for his release from the network.

Both sides hammered out a legal resolution to his sudden action that would apparently benefit the host and the network.

This means Revillame could not appear in a rival program or sign a talent contract with any rival program or network throughout the remainder of his contract, which runs until 2011.

“ABS-CBN and Willie agreed that he takes an indefinite break effective immediately, but his contract obligations with ABS-CBN hold. This disallows him to perform similar work for any person or entity in direct competition with ABS-CBN,” Bong Osorio, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications Head said in a statement.

“Willie has realized his mistake and apologized to ABS-CBN management for his outburst on air in Wowowee on May 4, 2010, and his failure to report to work since May 5, 2010. ABS-CBN management has accepted Willie’s apology,” he added

“At some point, ABS-CBN management and Willie will discuss what will be in the best interest of the viewing public. Meanwhile, Wowowee will continue to provide entertainment and inspiration to Filipinos worldwide,” Osorio concluded.

Revillame had asked for his release after airing his grips over fellow network talent Jobert Sucaldito’s remarks against the show, particularly an utterance over the radio show “Showbiz Mismo” castigating the use of school flunkers in a game portion.

The controversial host lashed out at Sucaldito in a May 4 episode of Wowowee and dared the network to fire the tabloid columnist and segment host of “The Buzz,” or else he would leave the show. He appealed to the network to stop contract artists from attacking each other, as all of them toil through immense hardship just earn a living and contribute to the network’s earnings.

A week after his televised outburst, Revillame sought his release from his ABS-CBN contract through a letter addressed to the network’s top executives due to his exasperation over the continuing controversies hounding him, health problems, and his desire to prevent further “embarrassment” to the network

“My devotion to the show is unparalleled that I have even been besieged by health problems due to the long hours I spend daily, thinking of how to bring “Wowowee” closer to the public. In fact, I have developed a heart blockage, which has already once posed a real threat to my life. I have sacrificed so much. Now, I have to accept the reality that I also have to take good care of my health,” Willie said in the letter.

He added: “Hence, it is very painful to hear every time my show is the target of unwanted and unnecessary tirades. I do not think that these people even have the slightest clue of what I go through to put together a show like “Wowowee”’. The show is not for me, but for those people who dream of a better life. Is it too much to ask that we be respected for what we do? Is it too much to ask that we be defended from such attacks?

“My outburst last week during the live presentation of the show is nothing more than a reflection of my frustration over these things, and was not at all meant to disrespect the network and its management. I implore you to understand that several incidents, which were beyond my control which have marred the reputation of the show to some extent, have already taken their toll on me,” Willie noted.

He further explained: “There was the “Wilyonaryo” incident wherein we were accused of deceiving contestants about their winnings; the Ultra stampede wherein I was blamed and severely criticized; the misunderstanding about my remarks when the coverage of the funeral of the late Pres. Corazon Aquino was unexpectedly shown in the giling-giling portion of “Wowowee”’s airing, for which I have apologized. In all these incidents, I took responsibility even if I was not at fault.”

“I know that all these have caused so much strain on our relations and I would like to save the situation by asking that I be released as a talent of the station,” he said.

Share

Reactions: