Reaching 20-year milestone no easy task for ‘Bubble Gang’

MICHAEL V (right, with Felipe Gozon) says social media has affected the way the gag show presents comedy.

“We react and adapt.”

That, in a nutshell, is how “Bubble Gang” has managed to stay on air for the past 20 years, according to pioneering cast member and creative director Michael V, who described the gag show as “a mirror of society.”

“We go with whatever’s happening around us—political issues, current events, pop culture trends. This is one of the reasons why we’ve lasted this long,” the comedian told the Inquirer in a recent interview.

And doing so is no easy task given the pace in which the world moves and changes, Michael V pointed out.

“Society is unpredictable; you’ll never know what’s going to become popular next, or what old trend will return. Still, you have to be prepared,” he said.

To this day, writers working for the program are encouraged to ride the jeepney or visit public places frequented by the masses. “It’s the best way to get in touch with the people’s pulse. It’s through observation that we’re able to come up with material and catch up,” he added.

One of the biggest things he and the rest of the team had to adjust to was the emergence of the Internet and social media, which affected the way the gag show presents comedy: “You can’t do skits that are too drawn-out. Everything has to be snappy, because many people these days have a short attention span. You have to communicate your thoughts quickly,” said the 45-year-old actor-comedian, whose real name is Beethoven Bunagan and is fondly called “Bitoy” in the biz.

According to Michael V, the upside of social media is that it allows them to easily find out what their audience wants. “That’s why I have Instagram and Twitter accounts,” he said.

As part of “Bubble Gang’s” 20th anniversary, a documentary chronicling the show’s milestones and featuring some of its iconic characters

and sketches was recently screened at the Gateway Mall. The event was attended by the program’s current and former cast members, as well as GMA 7 execs led by chair Felipe L. Gozon. A commemorative book, “IMBG: I Am Bubble Gang,” was likewise launched.

“Honestly, each year we ask ourselves how much longer we’ll be able to sustain the show,” the comedian said. “It’s hard, but the good feedback we continually get makes it all worth it!”

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