What shapes the destiny of a gag show is its ability to keep up with the times and trends. It defines its longevity as well. GMA 7’s Bubble Gang knows that. Proof is the show’s new appearance and content to be seen for the first time tonight at 9:40. In spite of changes that replace what used to be, the sketch comedy show remains one’s companion to laugh at and laugh with before calling it a day.
“When they got me to direct the show and when I entered the show, there were efforts already to do something new,” said director Frasco Mortiz about the show’s revamp and its tell-tale signs in a recent group interview via Zoom. “I think one of the reasons is they wanted to continuously make the show relevant to the viewers.”
Responding to a call for change is premised on the way content is being consumed these days and digital natives as the emerging audiences.
“Dati naghahabol ka ng MRT o pauwi ka dahil gusto mong maabutan sa telebisyon yung pinapanood mo (Before you were catching the MRT ride or you wanted to come home early, so you could watch your program on TV),” added he. “Now, anytime you can open your phone and watch whatever you want.” Bubble Gang has a solid following but sees the window to entertain these viewers on the go and online. Hopefully, they add the show to their entertainment fare on a Friday night.
“So how do you tap that audience and how does Bubble Gang stay relevant?,” said the director, who, along with the production and creative teams, thought of ways to ride on the current trends. Thus, the comedy of Bubble Gang remains there, as Frasco added, if one may add in the viewers’ consciousness. There was a need to relaunch the show, which it did in the past. But what prevented it in the recent years was the pandemic. Since all have adjusted to the new normal and the restrictions have been eased, making it happen is feasible.
“Now that we are more relaxed… it’s the best time for us to come up with a new Bubble Gang,” said consultant for business development department 2 Bang Arespacochaga. “We wanna offer our viewers something fresh and new.”
Part of it is the introduction of new members Faith da Silva, Kim de Leon, dancer and YouTuber Dasuri Choi and Tuesday Vargas. The mainstays are Paolo Contis, Sef Cadayona, Betong Sumaya, Chariz Solomon, Valeen Montenegro, Archie Alemania, Analyn Baro, Faye Lorenzo and Kokoy de Santos.
Fans of the comedy show will easily notice that this group is more “intimate” as compared to the number of stars it had. Those who will no longer part of the show understand that changes have to be done for Bubble Gang to keep going.
“Through the years, you’ve seen na may bago, may luma, may dumadating na bago,” said Bang. “We always want to discover new talents, we always want to give chance to others… Dun sa mga nawala, they are still with GMA. Bubble Gang is one of our programs. We have other programs that we can put them. We wanted a small group, kasi kapag madami masyado, nagiging malabnaw din yung (comedy). So, we can really focus on the sketches and characters.”
As for Michael V., the show’s frontman and comedian, change is inevitable and updating Bubble Gang’s list of cast members and creating new segments are much needed improvements in the show. “Hindi kasi pwedeng maging stagnant yung Bubble Gang,” said he, who also gave his thoughts on the number of regular stars that headline the show. “The people can focus on the cast. On top of that, yung mga cast, I won’t call it pressure, but motivation siguro to improve their craft and their output. It’s a good exercise and training ground for the cast to improve their craft, not only in comedy but in acting as well.”
Relevant to coming up with a new mix of talents and reaching out to new audiences, the Bubble Gang team, as implied, had to reflect on the platform where the show is being presented. “Hindi pwedeng TV show lang tayo, ang dami ng platform sa social media,” said Michael V. “Since the show is trying to stay relevant, siguro the platform of the show should also be relevant. Hindi na lang TV ang ini-infiltrate natin ngayon, pati social media na rin and then at the same time, pa-balik din, yung mga nasa social media, pwede nating ilagay dito sa TV show, so maganda yung working relationship ng TV show and the audience.”
What are the new segments that viewers will start to follow? They are Maritess United, Patibong, Bes Friends and Istambays.
According to the information given to members of the press, in Maritess United, as the title suggests, gossip mongers come together as “a famous superhero team” that assembles and exaggerates the power that lies in gossip to amp the laughs. Patibong has Glen Gatchalian, described as a teeth-grinding character, assists complainants to snare the suspects. He does this by setting a trap and waits for someone to bite it. Ella and Olivia headline Best Friends, which sees them get together and talk about anything like juicy tidbits about their friends. Istambays features spoofs of people who make the neighborhood sari-sari stores their watering hole or meeting place and sing about everyday things.
With that, there are new reasons to keep tuning in to the gag show.