THE country’s longest running noontime variety show, “Eat Bulaga,” on Monday introduced a new set of hosts nearly a week after iconic trio Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon parted ways with the show’s producer, Television and Production Exponents Inc. (TAPE Inc.).

The new hosts are Paolo Contis, Buboy Villar, Betong Sumaya, Alexa Miro, Cassy Legaspi and Mavy Legaspi.

They opened the show performing the song “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors’ “Best Day of My Life.” This was followed by a game where they gave out cash prizes and iPhone 14 to the audience.

Local girl group XOXO and Kokoy de Santos also joined them as guest performers.

The major change in the show did not sit well with most social media users.

“The ‘New’ Eat Bulaga is not that I used to watch. TVJ is irreplaceable indeed,” Twitter user @honeygalvez22 wrote.

“You can use the logo, you can use the opening song, you can even use the terms and words TVJ uses, but these new wannabes will never personify the term dabarkads. Not in the slightest. And we all know that certainly this is fake. #FakeBulaga,” posted user @GeraldPGrana.

“My mother immediately switched to Netflix after seeing the new hosts of EB. Not because she hates the hosts, but for her, it will never be her most loved noontime show without TVJ, JoWaPao, Maine, Alden, Ryzza, Ryan, AK, etc. Change the name please! Don’t use EB,” said @itsmelendel.

Last May 31, de Leon and the Sotto brothers announced they are leaving TAPE Inc. after 43 years. The announcement was followed by a mass resignation of Paolo Ballesteros, Jose Manalo, Maine Mendoza,

Ryzza Mae Dizon, Wally Bayola, Ryan Agoncillo, Allan K., and the entire corps of writers, sales, production and cameramen.

A day later, TAPE said in a statement that while it was “saddened” by the turn of events, it remains committed to “provide quality entertainment” to the public.

On Monday, Tito Sotto revealed in an interview with CNN Philippines they are in talks with several networks and will announce the decision on where they will be bringing their new show in the coming days.

“We have yet to decide. We agreed among ourselves that by June 7 we will be ready to announce,” Sotto told CNN Philippines’ “The Source.”

“If things work out the way we want it to, perhaps at least maybe the first week of July we would be able to air,” he added.

During the past week, showbiz insiders speculated that the trio will launch a new noontime show on TV5 produced by Brightlight Productions of Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez.

Brightlight, a blocktimer, is the producer of “Rated Korina,” and now-defunct noontime show “Tropang LOL” also on TV5.