 January 21, 1995 saw the transfer of Eat Bulaga! to GMA Network. Due to this, ABS-CBN had to replace the long running and much syndicated Sa Linggo nAPO Sila to the vacated slot of Eat Bulaga!. This saw the birth of Philippine Sunday TV's hottest noontime variety show; A.S.A.P. The show combined for the first time on television four of the most-well known personalities in their respective fields: the "Concert King" Martin Nievera, the "Concert Queen" Pops Fernandez, singer and matinee idol Ariel Rivera, and Miss Universe 1993 also known as "Dancing Queen" Dayanara Torres. The title of the new show was initially unknown, this was then later revealed as A.S.A.P. or All-Star Afternoon Party. The show originally had their own theme song, set, as well as interesting and innovative numbers. Initial broadcast commenced on February 1995 at the Delta Theatre (a former studio of ABS-CBN from 1995-1998). In 1998, they transferred to their (present) studio at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center Studio 7 in Eugenio Lopez Drive in Quezon City. Through the years, ASAP has experienced numerous hosting innovations, program highlights, and other high profile guestings. One of the revered controversial program highlights was when main host Martin Nievera tearfully resigned on air due to his marital problems with wife Pops in 1998. ASAP then scored high ratings and reviews against its rivals. In 2003, the show was reformatted as ASAP Mania, after which some of its original hosts went to the rival show, SOP Rules. The current format started in 2005 as ASAP '05. Currently the show is known as ASAP '08. |
