Too Much Gabby Exposure?

It seems whereever you go, read, watch, you see the picture of Gabby Concepcion. HEEEELPPPP. Overexposure!!!!

Nestor Torre asked the same question.



Is it too early to talk about a Gabby Concepcion overload? We recently discussed the issue with some colleagues, and our group’s conclusion was: No. In fact it could turn out to be helpful if the danger of overload is put out there, so Gabby and his handlers could, if they agree, adjust the way they’re handling his incipient comeback.

We’re talking about a Gabby overload because it’s been only around three weeks since the veteran actor returned to local show biz after 13 long years of living and working in the States—and yet, he’s been all over the media, being interviewed on all sorts of shows as if there were no tomorrow.

And that’s precisely the potentially troubling point: There has to be a tomorrow when a veteran star’s career is being relaunched—but, if Gabby talks his heart and head out now, very little that’s new or unsaid will be left when he actually returns to acting (which is really what a comeback should most be about).

This early, Gabby has been interviewed so often that, when a new talkfest is shown, some of it already feels rehashed.

Now, let’s make no mistake about it: The ongoing media frenzy over Gabby Concepcion is a tribute to him. Most veteran stars are welcomed back much more sedately, but the furor over Gabby is unusually ferocious because he is still popular, he looks good, and people are waiting to see if he’s going to tie up some controversial aspects of his life and career.

That’s great for Gabby’s comeback prospects. But, other factors could detract from them.

One is the unselectivity of the coverage his handlers have allowed or sought. A second is the coverage’s excessive stress on his Sharon and KC “connections.” A third is the controversy over his opting not to do the GMA Films movie he signed up to act in. And, a fourth is the fact that all this talk is going on and yet, he has still to act on the small or big screens.

That final factor is key, because the hype over Gabby’s return should really be only the process leading up to that product. If, for weeks and weeks, we’re getting only the process, it will quickly overstay its welcome.

By that logic, Gabby should tape his projected “Maala-ala Mo Kaya” drama special soonest, so viewers will finally be able to see for themselves how good an actor he’s remained, or become.

First and last, Gabby is an actor, so it’s the quality and empathetic appeal of his thespic performances that will ultimately affirm the validity and worth of his incipient comeback bid. All else is biz and buzz.

If he does well in his first comeback performance, even if only on TV, it would make all the fuss and bother over him understandable and acceptable. If, however, his performance turns out to be a dud, people would wonder: Hey, why are we getting so hot and bothered about this actor’s return?

So, instead of being interviewed all over the place, Gabby should be more judicious from here on in about his media exposure, and focus instead on making sure that he gets a great script for his first TV performance, and work hard with his director to make it truly moving, memorable and outstanding. At this stage, all else is overloaded process—what we need is exceptional product.