Primetime television has always been reserved for melodramas or the fantasy kind since these are already tried and tested. Wanting to redefine their programming, GMA 7 has come up with a new show and it describes this as the first-ever suspense-drama series on local television.

The series has been given the title La Vendetta, and although it’s Italian sounding, the producers assure that the plots and subplots that will unravel are very Filipino.

After one week of airing, the series shows promise. It looks like it will unravel into a riveting story of deceit and vengeance with multilayers of complicated romantic situations. Network favorite Sunshine Dizon gets another good role after her acclaimed performance on Impostora. Many artists envy the treatment she gets from the decision makers of the network but she appears to be working hard and almost always comes out with consistently competent performances.

In this new show, Sunshine shares the spotlight with Jennylyn Mercado and Jean Garcia. They play sisters who find themselves entangled in a vicious web of lies and sibling rivalry. We think that Jean is already getting too typecast in scheming roles so we wonder why she continues to be given the same assignments. We understand that she wowed everyone with her prized role on Pangako Sa Yo but that was years and years ago. Although she still comes out convincing but she almost always attacks these roles with the same Jean Garcia kind of over-the-top acting. Perhaps she should try to unlearn her techniques and explore other acting facets.

Jennylyn showed a lot of promise when we saw her in the Joel Lamangan film Blue Moon but she hasn’t impressed us lately. Perhaps she hasn’t had the chance to be assigned in a role that will require her to explore her acting skills, if any of these is still left.

Obviously, the men in the new show are merely decorations, but we hope that the writers will create interesting twists that will allow them to shine on their own, even if the story will center on the three lady actors. Wendell Ramos and Polo Ravales have got what it takes to soar as actors if only their respective roles will be given proper characterization and development. Paolo Contis is always in the cast of every new show, and we are beginning to wonder why. His one-pronged acting can sometimes be annoying. It’s good that he enrolled himself in the 4-day Peque Gallaga workshop recently and we look forward to seeing the changes soon.

Gil Tejada Jr. and Lore Reyes share the directing chores for La Vendetta.

Geisler brothers stick together in Big Brother’s house

Baron and Donald Geisler are poles apart. Baron practically grew up in show business, got some good breaks and wonderful assignments but blew his chances because of alleged personality disorder. In one of his past interviews, Baron even admitted to being an alcoholic. On the other hand, Donald is a taekwondo champion and has done the Philippines proud in numerous international events and competitions.

Last weekend, the duo got their second successive nomination for eviction in the Big Brother reality show. Baron’s bad boy image has caused him a lot of problems inside the house and no matter how wonderful Donald has been living up to his challenges, the two come in a package, as per the rules they signed before they were accepted. If one gets booted out, so will the other be. The unspoken challenge would be for them to prove how far they would go to protect and take care of each other.

The brothers reportedly grew up living the comfortable lifestyle, with yayas in tow, but inside Big Brother’s house, they have to do their own chores. From what we’ve seen lately, Donald has pretty much adjusted to his new life, and he constantly looks after the needs of his brother. He is very much aware that Baron needs a lot of guidance in order for him to be less reactive and be more patient inside a house with other celebrities.

If the tandem wants to stay, then perhaps Baron should make a move and learn to adjust better to the other people inside. Being blunt and sharp with his words, he has to be conscious not to constantly irk and hurt his other housemates.

Let’s see how far these brothers will go.