Caesar Cosme on the quest for the funniest

MANILA, Philippines – For veteran comedy writer and director Caesar Cosme, comedians of the past like Dolphy and German Moreno had better training in comedy than the newer generation of TV comedians.

“Because they had vaudeville,” Cosme tells The STAR in a separate interview after the press conference for GMA Network’s newest comedy game show Laff, Camera, Action! where Cosme will serve as one of the judges.

Cosme elaborates that performing in vaudeville served as an effective training ground for comedians because it doesn’t offer the luxury of re-takes and canned laughter. “Hindi sila nadadaya ng canned laughter sa television,” Cosme says.

This is why Cosme, whose projects include Bubble Gang and Pepito Manaloto, advises aspiring comedians to get themselves involved in live acts. “Hindi ka makakapag-train kung sa TV lang kasi andyan yung luxury ng take two,” he says. Furthermore, he says that in live performances, a comedian can already gauge a viewer’s response on the spot.

From this rationale, Cosme believes that Laff, Camera, Action!, which is taped as live, is the perfect venue for comedians to present and hone their craft. Cosme, together with fellow judges Gladys Guevarra and Sef Cadayona, as well as hosts Betong Sumaya and Sheena Halili, considers the game show a dream project for Philippine TV comedy. “Now that we’re having this kind of improv (improvisational program), slowly eh handa na ang ating audience for this kind of comedy, to uplift pa this kind of comedy in Philippine television,” Cosme says.

Without any rehearsal and script, contestants will have to battle it out using only their wit, comedic timing and prowess. But more than timing, Cosme believes that a variety of tempo is crucial to a comedy act. “Para kang nanonood ng concert, ayaw mo ng puro birit songs from start to finish,” he explains. “Pag may slow, then fast, slow, then fast again till the end, then that’s perfect for me, in a given short time na about three to five minutes,” he adds.

And for Laff, Camera Action!, wherein the six contestants will be divided into two competing groups, Cosme gives emphasis to teamwork. “Kumbaga sa music, may blending kayo, may mabilis, may mabagal. It’s a team effort,” he says.

The two groups will showcase their improvisational comedy skills and compete for three rounds. In the first round, the two teams will perform two different scenarios using the limited number of props. In the second round, a special guest performer will join each team in interpreting two different scenarios. In the final round, both teams will act out the same scenario using the same set of props.

The three judges will then evaluate and score the performances. Asked how they will rate the performance, Cosme says his number one criterion for judging is how well the performer reacts to the situation. He also promises to be honest in his critiques. “Wala akong preno dyan,” he says.

Guevarra, for her part, says she’s looking for the rapport between the group members since the contestants will only know who their teammates are during the show. Meanwhile, Cadayona says he will judge the groups based on how well the contestants construct a story on a limited time. The winning group will receive cash, trophies and other special prizes.

Under the helm of Philip Lazaro and Noel Cabacungan, Laff, Camera, Action! premieres May 28 and will air every Saturday afternoon after Wish Ko Lang on GMA.