Aside from Vic, the weekly sitcom also topbills his scion, Oyo Boy Sotto; Oyo’s wife, Kristine Hermosa, and sometimes Vic’s new spouse, Pauleen Luna.
Ai-Ai delas Alas is also in the show, as are comedians Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola—
and therein lies an additionally indicative tale, because Jose and Wally are regulars on Vic’s daily “Eat Bulaga” show, so they’re practically “feeling family.”
The plus points of coming up with this kind of “relative-oriented” production include a warmer, homier performing situation.
The actors are so used to each other’s style and tempo that their performances look and feel more natural and spontaneous.
On the other hand, all that familiarity sometimes “breeds” too offhand, casual and even lazy portrayals, so care must be taken for a “shared” show to still be crisp, creative and professional.
What’s “Ay, Buhay!” about? It seems that Oyo Boy and Kristine’s house is too big for them, so they’ve decided to rent out two of its large suites of rooms.
Vic stays in one of them with his sidekick, Jose, while Ai-Ai rents the other with her relative, Wally.
So, how does the “Ay, Buhay” mix “work?” An episode we caught recently featured the character played by Pauleen, who visited to interview Vic but was fended off by Ai-Ai, because she looked like “competition” for her for his affections.
The “conflict” was too simplistic and predictable for us, so we hope that the show will come up with more plausible and “involving” storytelling in subsequent telecasts.
A lot of the episodes we watched made a big to-do over Vic’s “mistaking” Pauleen and Ai-Ai for each other, because they happened to be dressed alike that day.
Uh, pardon our quizzical eyebrows, but how could Vic believably make that big “mistake,” unless he was drunk or had a serious ocular disorder?
On the plus side, Vic’s “underrated” brand of comedy was still effective, and the fact that Ai-Ai shouted less than on her other TV shows was a relief and joy. Yes, keep it warm, natural and “un-pushed,” that’s the way to go.
In addition, we wish that Kristine and Pauleen would be given more to do in the show.
“Ay, Buhay!” is Kristine’s TV comeback after years of relative absence and inactivity, so the former TV-film draw should be showcased more “stellarly.”
As for Pauleen, this is her first “official” TV outing as Mrs. Vic Sotto aside from “Eat Bulaga,” so she should similarly be given every opportunity to “level up.”
It looks like her recent appearance was only a one-shot deal, but we hope that she’s brought back from time to time, because she has something relatively fresh and winsome to share.