GMA 7 comedians on collabs with Kapamilya acts: We’re under one roof now

The goal of every comedian should be to entertain his audience, “regardless if he would oftentimes look foolish,” according to Paolo Contis and Michael V, hosts of the 27-year-old gag show “Bubble Gang.”

“Ever since I started getting really involved in the shows I’m part of as host, my goal has been to make sure that people are happy. I don’t mind looking silly or stupid, as long as the people around me are having a good time,” Paolo told reporters during a media gathering to announce that “Bubble Gang” will take over the Sunday (6 p.m.) timeslot starting July 9.

“I admit to feeling pressured, though, because as everyone’s kuya (big brother), I feel that it’s my responsibility to make my coworkers feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. I believe that this will translate to a good show every time. This doesn’t just apply to the set of ‘Bubble Gang,’ but also in ‘Bulaga.’ Although the pressure is a little less when I’m in ‘Bubble’ since Bitoy (Michael V’s nickname) is there, and he is our main leader. It’s just that Bitoy can’t tend to everyone all the time, so as the person next in line, I make sure to do it,” said Paolo, who is also the main host of the revamped noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga” on GMA 7.

Michael agreed by saying: “From the core of my heart, I’m a performer. I feel this need to entertain people, to make them smile or laugh, and feel happy. I don’t know any other profession that will allow me to do this than being an actor, or particularly, a comedian.

“I’m proud of the work that I do in ‘Bubble Gang,’ but at the same time, I always remind people that one or two don’t make up the entire show; that there is a whole bunch of people from the production, creative and marketing teams, as well as from the network, who are working on the show,” said Michael, who, until recently, had been the show’s creative director since 1995.

Tough job

Michael V

Michael said not all of what they do for “Bubble Gang” eventually gets aired on television. “It’s a tough job. I remember one time when we shot two whole scripts only to discover that neither got aired. There’s another instance when I wrote a script about a particular character and shot scenes that were worth three episodes. To me, it was really funny—for the sake of comedy—but some people involved in the show thought it would offend some groups. So to be on the safe side, we chose not to air this, too,” he explained.

“I hope we could still release this online, as a form of digital content. I hope they would give it a chance; and that when people see it, they will realize that it’s not offensive at all,” he pointed out.

For Paolo, it’s important to choose one’s battles. He explained: “I’ve gotten comments like, ‘Why is this guy still in ‘Bubble Gang? He should have been removed a long time ago.’ What matters to me is that my bosses in GMA 7 are aware of how dedicated I am to my work. I guess for them, having a good work ethic is more important.”

Paolo Contis

Apart from the program’s change in time slot another major change is in the cast members. Aside from Paolo and Michael, Chariz Solomon, Betong Sumaya, Kokoy de Santos and Analyn Barro were retained. Their new recruits are Buboy Villar, EA Guzman and Cheska Fausto.

“Those who have ‘graduated’ from ‘Bubble Gang’ are always welcome to return. Even my good friend Ogie (Alcasid), before becoming an exclusive talent of TV5 [in 2013], still appeared as a guest in one of our anniversary presentations. He did the same thing before he transferred to ABS-CBN [in 2016],” Michael pointed out.

Network decision

Michael, who is among the show’s original members, also denied having any hand in choosing who gets to stay or go whenever a reformat is necessary. “This is always a network decision. I tell people, ‘Put your trust in the network. Our bosses do their studies when it comes to who graduates.’ I’ve been with GMA 7 for a long time, and I don’t always agree with our bosses’ decisions, but in the end, I know my place.”

However, Michael said there was one time when he “appealed” to them and eventually prevailed. This was for the sitcom “Pepito Manaloto,” which he created in 2010. “I really fought for that show. I’d like to believe that my bosses listen to me. I’ve learned to listen to them, too, because they would patiently explain to me what I can and can’t do [as an artist and a creative team member], and I always abide by their guidelines,” he explained.

Now that GMA 7 has signed a deal with ABS-CBN, Michael said he is open to collaborating with some of the latter’s top talents, particularly with comedian Vice Ganda. “We were both guest performers at a concert of Ogie and Regine (Velasquez) before. In one of our rehearsals, he told me, ‘Get me as a guest in ‘Bubble Gang.’ I said that if I could, I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Michael recalled.

Even Paolo said he is excited of the possibility of asking cast members of the noontime variety program “It’s Showtime,” which is now airing on GTV, to appear on “Eat Bulaga.” Years ago, no one would imagine that a reshuffle in the noontime slot would happen, he said.

“I’m thinking that maybe we could link Dasuri Choi with Ryan Bang. We’re all under one roof now. It’s good to think that we’re neighbors now, and are no longer rivals,” Paolo observed. Dasuri and Ryan are both Korean and are popular TV personalities in the Philippines.

“Bubble Gang” will feature popular vloggers Mika Salamanca and Jelai Andres in its July 9 episode. The sketch comedy show is codirected by Franco Mortiz and Mark David.

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