For the first time since Bubble Gang premiered in October 1995, the primetime gag show produced by and aired on GMA 7 moves to a new timeslot. It will now air every Sunday, instead of Friday, at 6 p.m. starting 9 July.
The programming shake-up was immediately welcomed by Bubble Gang’s original cast member Michael V, who also had a stint as creative director. “Siguro ang naging reaction ko, parang naging reaction ni TVJ,” he said, referring to the iconic comedy trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon who had left the noontime show they headlined for nearly 44 years, Eat Bulaga!, and now have a new one.
Michael V went on giving an explanation to his interview with Daily Tribune at a presscon announcing Bubble Gang’s new timeslot: “TVJ is Eat Bulaga! Dahil may following sila. They’re confident na hindi mababago ang following nila. Gano’n ang naging pakiramdam ko. Parang, in a way, naging institution na ang Bubble Gang. It’s been there for the longest time. It’s not being watched because of the timeslot. It’s being watched because of the brand (Michael V. had been a part of Eat Bulaga! as a cohost from 2003 to 2016, and as a contestant in a rapping competition just before he got his big break in show business in 1991).”
He gave another explanation, this time on changing Bubble Gang’s timeslot: “Ang hirap na rin kasi if you look at it, when you do the science and the math about it. ‘Yung ratings, nahihirapan na dahil sa (old) timeslot. ’Tapos ’yung pagkuha ng marketing ng advertisers, nahirapan na rin. I trust the network when it comes to these things.”
The actor, who’s the only one left from the first batch of cast members, said he also trusts the network in changing the lineup over the years. He’s joined in the current batch by young colleagues Paolo Contis, Chariz Solomon, Betong Sumaya, Kokoy de Santos, Edgar Allan Guzman, Buboy Villar, Ana Barro and Chesca Fausto.
He surmised the network does a survey among TV viewers to gauge the performance of the show, and then he grinned. “Buti nga hindi ako nasasama doon sa mga (natatanggal). Buti na lang parati akong nagfe-fare nang maganda.”
Can he now say that Michael V is Bubble Gang, and Bubble Gang is Michael V?
“No, I couldn’t say that,” he replied emphatically. “I will never ever say that. You can quote me on that. As I’ve said, Bubble Gang is not one person. True to the word gang, ano talaga siya, it’s a compilation of talented artists, talented creative team, writers, production people, and the network itself. I will never claim na Bubble Gang is Michael V. Never.”
But, yes, he continues to enjoy his job in the show for almost 28 years. “I love my job,” he said, beaming. “I wouldn’t say it’s the easiest job. Pero I think this is the easiest job I can find.” He then recalled experiencing burnout on the show’s 10th year and how he overcame it for good. “Personally, I take care of myself, my mind, my creative mind by taking breaks. Pinapaalam ko na sa kanila (bosses) ahead of time na magbabakasyon ako. I need to go out with my family. I’d take a month-long break, or two months.”
Aside from Bubble Gang, Michael V is also the star of the GMA 7 sitcom Pepito Manaloto Tuloy ang Kuwento. He admitted spreading himself too thin when he was still the creative director of both shows. “Hindi ko na ma-handle. Minsan, nahihirapan akong i-distinguish ’yung dalawa. So hindi na healthy for both shows. I have to choose one.” And he chose the sitcom because it’s “mas baby” compared to the gag show by some 15 years.
In Michael V’s three decades of making people laugh, he said he hasn’t fully figured out what Pinoy humor is. “Pero we are very punchline-oriented,” he noted. “Yes, [slapstick still sells]. Dapat may pay-off. So you need a good setup and a good punchline always. ’Tapos what works with most Filipino audiences is ’yung 90-degree na direction ng punchline mo. The more unexpected it is, the better it is, the more laughs you’ll get.”