In a recent interview, Paolo Contis remarked that he and his colleagues had been part of Eat Bulaga! for 44 years. This statement drew immediate attention, as it implied that the current hosts had been with the show since its inception in 1979.

Joey De Leon, who has been with Eat Bulaga! since its premiere, took issue with Contis’s claim. He clarified that while Contis and others have been with the show for a significant period, they have not been part of the original lineup since 1979. De Leon emphasized the importance of accurately representing the show’s history and the contributions of its original hosts.

Eat Bulaga! is a Philippine noontime variety show that premiered on July 30, 1979, on Radio Philippines Network (RPN). The original hosts included Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon, Chiqui Hollmann, and Richie D’Horsie. The show has undergone several transitions, including moves to ABS-CBN in 1989 and GMA Network in 1995. As of 2024, Eat Bulaga! is broadcast on TV5.

In early 2024, a legal dispute arose over the rights to the Eat Bulaga! name. The original hosts, collectively known as TVJ (Tito, Vic, and Joey), filed a case against TAPE Inc., the production company behind the show, asserting their ownership of the trademark. The court ruled in favor of TVJ, leading to the renaming of the show on GMA Network to “Tahanang Pinakamasaya” and the return of the Eat Bulaga! title to TVJ’s new program on TV5.

Joey De Leon’s response to Paolo Contis’s statement underscores the significance of acknowledging the original hosts’ contributions to the show’s legacy. As Eat Bulaga! continues to evolve, it remains a cornerstone of Philippine television, reflecting the rich history and enduring appeal of the program.