Owing to his rising popularity, various TV networks and movie producers soon came knocking on his door for more acting/hosting opportunities. GMA Network hired Puno to host a noontime variety show, "Lunch Date" which first aired on March 1986 and served as a replacement for "Student Canteen". However, in 1987 he left the show after it reformatted. In 1994–1995 he headlined another noontime show, "Chibugan Na" (It's Eating Time), aired on weekdays at 12 noon on RPN 9, with Hajji Alejandro.