“Pero yung kagaguhan ng ‘Bubble Gang,’ nandun pa rin,” says director Frasco Mortiz
Veteran comedian Michael V says that “Bubble Gang” reformat is a welcome change.
The long-running comedy-gag show, which has been on air since 1995, has moved to a new time and day. From being aired every Friday for 28 years on a late timeslot, “Bubble Gang” now airs every Sunday at 6:00PM.
Michael V says about this, “Medyo mas ano ito, mas wholesome yung timeslot niya, so, mas challenging for us. Hahaha!”
Michael V, also known as Bitoy in showbiz circles, immediately reverses himself but still points out that the tone of the show will also have changes.
“Hindi hindi, hindi naman ganun ka-challenging, sa restrictions ngayon na ginagawa namin, itong Sunday 6PM, earlier timeslot, hindi naman ganun kalaking challenge.
“It’s for a wider audience, so we have to be very very conscious with the content we are creating for the audience.”
But being a part of “Bubble Gang” since its inception, how did Michael V react when he found out about the latest reformat?
He answers, “Siguro, being the eldest in the show, medyo nasanay na tayo doon sa reformat. Hindi naman ito first na nangyari.
“Ang major na difference lang is the change of the timeslot na napunta ng Sunday at saka much earlier.”
Of course, every “Bubble Gang” reformat means some cast members being let go from the show, and at the same time, welcoming new ones.
Of this, Michael V explains, “But the cast, I’m always welcome to having new cast, new faces sa show kasi it’s an opportunity para sa older cast to train and to work with younger batch.
“Hopefully, we can produce a bunch of new comedians and talented performers sa tutelage.”
Currently, “Bubble Gang” is composed of Michael V, Paolo Contis, Chariz Solomon, Betong Sumaya, Analyn Barro, and Kokoy de Santos.
New cast members include Cheska Fausto, Buboy Villar, and Edgar Allan Guzman.
FreebieMNL and other reporters spoke to Michael V. during the press conference of the new “Bubble Gang” on June 30, 2023 at Le Reve Pool and Events Venue, Quezon City.
“Bubble Gang” reformat
Aside from the time and day, “Bubble Gang” is also changing its format. It remains to be a gag show but, this time, taped live in front of an audience.
Michael V explains, “Hindi naman ganun kalaki yung changes and difficulties kasi we’ve done this several times, yung performing in front of a live audience, most notably yung ‘Parokya Bente Dos,’ kasi it’s a big endeavor ng ‘Bubble Gang,’ it’s also a milestone for the show. I don’t think it’s going to be that difficult.
“Siguro, yung pagpili ng materials, feeling ko, for me, ha, kasi naging creative director din ako ng ‘Bubble Gang,’ so, for the longest time, alam ko yung flavor ng show. This time, nabago ng kaunti, so, that for me is the biggest change.”
New “Bubble Gang” director Frasco Mortiz also sees the reformat as an opportunity to keep the show relevant amid the changing times.
He explains, “Ipinu-push namin siya na maging relevant pa rin kasi in the advent of social media na every day, may comedy content na nakikita, how do you stay relevant na ang kalaban mo, social media?
“So, ayun, we made sure na yung topics na ginagawa namin is relatable sa mas malaking audience and mas nakakatawa siya na, ‘Oo nga, nangyayari ito sa totoong buhay.‘
“So, ipinu-push namin na maging mas relevant yung show by focusing on the topics na talagang ma-e-engage yung mga tao and yun nga, dahil earlier na siya, mas wholesome.
“Pero yung kagaguhan ng ‘Bubble Gang,’ nandun pa rin. Kumbaga, maloko pa rin kami, hindi pwedeng mawala yung tatak na yun kasi yun yung tatak ‘Bubble Gang,’ kapag napanuod mo, ‘Loko loko talaga ito, ginagawa nila ito.'”
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