Comedians may rule this season

Don’t look now, but if we go by the “proof of the pudding” of 2011, this new entertainment season will be ruled by—comedians!

That’s quite a switch from past practice, but it must be because the current hard times need a bracingly light touch and attitude—well, as long as it works!

The evidence for lighter, brighter and breezier shows and films to come: The biggest hit movie of 2011 (and for all time) was the comic romp, “Praybeyt Benjamin.” And the top-grosser in the current Metro film fest is “Enteng ng Ina Mo.”

True, sitcoms aren’t the rage on TV just yet, since teleseryes continue to hold sway on the tube, practically from post-noon to midnight. But, experimental revival sitcom productions like “Toda Max” have been launched, and their ratings are encouraging.

All told, however, we feel that it’s in the movies that comedians will be flying high. A word to the canny and savvy producer: Keep the laughs coming and you’ll be laughing— all the way to the bank!

Separate films

Logically, therefore, film-fest superstars Vic Sotto and Ai Ai de las Alas should separately top-bill follow-up rib-ticklers—and, we don’t mean next year. But, please give the overworked “Ina” film series a long rest. Ai Ai could more freshly come up with her own take on the “monster-in-law” film format—with perhaps another top comedienne like Tessie Tomas or Mitch Valdes playing her similarly termagant balae!

As for Vic, he should avoid “fantasy comedy” for a spell and do something more contemporary and trendier—quite in keeping with his own on- and off-screen persona as a swinging senior who’s still attractive to much younger and giddier girls.

We fully expect, too, that Vice Ganda will come up with a fun film this year to reinforce his “surprise” triumph as the top-grossing local film comedy star ever. The big challenge, of course, is for his new starrer to break the already awesome record (P320 million, and still counting) that “Benjamin” has set. Now, that will really throw his nay-sayers and competitors for a three-spiral, roller-coaster loop!

We hear that Eugene Domingo is shooting her new “Kimmy Dora” comedy caper, so she’ll be properly represented in 2012’s unfolding comedy derby.

Other comics who should top-bill new rib-tickling productions this year include the comedy tandem of Ogie Alcasid and Michael V., master impersonator Willie Nepomuceno, Leo Martinez, Noel Trinidad, Vhong Navarro and Giselle Sanchez.

Of course, what would really make our day would be a new film starring Comedy King Dolphy, but his medical problems make that a decidedly off prospect. In lieu of that, what about a major retrospective of his finest portrayals, including “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay” and the largely unheralded and forgotten “Cyrano de Bergerac at Roxanne”?

And, excuse us for dreaming really big, but wouldn’t a Dolphy film bio with his look-alike son, Epi, playing him, delight viewers? Other fun prospects: A “battle of sexy comediennes” caper. A well-conceptualized comedy comeback for ex-child star Niño Muhlach. A really funny showcase for brilliant, new comedy sensations. Plus: “Zombadings, Part 2”? “Ang Babae sa Peptic Ulcer?” “Bayaning Third Sex?” Stop it already. “Dead Na si Lady Gaga?” Stop.