‘Sunday Pinasaya’ needs to get its act together

The first telecast of GMA 7’s new noontime show last Aug. 9, “Sunday Pinasaya,” got off really loudly and messily, as star-host Ai-Ai delas Alas goonily played a maid to Joey Paras’ snooty doña.

Their performance’s frenetic level was meant to kick-start the new program to a “high” level of excitement, but the performers’ fervor was excessive, so it just ended up as—loud and messy.

If this was a portent of things to come, the show’s viewers were in trouble! We’re all for enthusiasm and eagerness to entertain, but in stylish moderation, please.

As the new noontime show unfolded, we saw that it was banking heavily on comedy and music to connect with viewers, unlike its more established competition, which favors the musical mode.

That’s fine with us, because we believe in giving viewers clear choices, not just minor variations on pretty much the same thing.

But, if comedy is the new GMA 7 show’s main capital, it should make doubly sure that it’s really funny, and not mistake “volume” and “energy” for humor.

Fact is, “Sunday Pinasaya” has strong comedic power in regular star-hosts, Ai-Ai, Joey, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and assorted other cohorts, but its initial telecast failed to fuse and coordinate their best efforts to create and generate enough real comedy.

From time to time, some of the performers would blame the many gaffes being committed on the fact that they were doing the show “live,” but professionals are supposed to know how to cover up their mistakes, not abjectly and amateurishly ‘fess up to them!

We trust that the production will quickly get its act together —and figure out how to best showcase its other regular star, the infanticipating Marian Rivera.

The lady is really lovely despite her “interesting” condition, but comedy isn’t her best suit, so her presence needs to be more clearly rationalized—and more aptly showcased!