How About Late Night Political Talkshows

 

In America and England, since their elected leaders come from within their rank, people have that sense of entitlement to lampoon them through satire ... and proof of that is that late-night talk shows are a brisk business .. as politics become some sort of entertainment especially when politicians behave badly.

They mock, ridicule, make fun of, and tease them with parody like there is no tomorrow. They trade them with insults especially if the politician becomes too big for his britches ... or how he makes a fool out of himself. The effects of late-night shows on them are mentally conditioning the voters and the worst case scenario that will happen is when they will be voted out of office the way they did in Pinoy Big Brother ... no matter how powerful they are ... or how awesome and respectable they may be.

Political satires realize that our elected servants couldn't hold a candle compared to us ... and more often than not they may be even worse. While ordinary mortals are content with making everything meet in their lives, politicians who choose to enter politics are very eager ... and for what reason? Rank? Money? Popularity? Or power?

Some politicians enter politics because they are keen-eyed and have 20/20 vision and plans for the country. Some are motivated by  Moral Zeal,  some burning fire and fervor to do something and accomplish an end. Others joined the sanctum of the in because of their acumen to lead, be successful, and put the country in order. But one real truth remains: They are here for one reason alone ... they wade the murky waters of politics because they want to savor the Four Ps - Position, Power, Popularity, and monetary Prosperity ... aside from Pissing and Pushing other people around.

Given the rainbow of shallow entertainment, the system has to offer, some of our elected official's amusing behaviors & antics, escapades, clowning, and horseplays make entertaining recipes so hard to resist. 

The Philippines has no late-night or talk shows that have this genre. For the lack of it, noon-time shows like It's Showtime and Vice Ganda and his minions are becoming an able substitute for David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, or Jimmy Kimmel. 

The only difference is the politicians in the USA vis a vis politicians in the Philippines ... the politicians in the USA don't care whether they are mocked or made fun of by the likes of Jay Leno and his cohorts. 

The politicians in the Philippines are a vindictive lot.  You see how many politicians cried their hearts out with the way TV Patrol treated them in their news ... so when ABS CBN renewed their franchise ... 70 or so solons as expected  ... dissented despite popular clamor from their constituents to forgive and forget ... in the name of Covid ... where all people were locked down in their houses and need their TV sets to maintain their sanity.

That was the time when the elected servants needed to be magnanimous (if they cared about their constituents)... but they chose to be greedy ... vengeful and spiteful. And just like the road to Calvary... the solons enjoyed ABS CBN crucifixion. 

They have their heyday ... and the cherry on top of the cake was highlighted when Channel 2 was given to very wealthy senators/businessmen ... the downside however is that they just grab the opportunity without even asking themselves if they know how to run the business.  And the rest was history.

Now YouTube bloggers are busy wagging their tongues (I am not sure who their sources are) but they are making insinuations that the new owners want to strike a deal with ABS CBN for a possible partnership/collab - ABS CBN will now be seen in free TV ... and ABS CBN will provide the content for Channel 2.

This is another soap opera worth waiting for.

Getting Political With It's Showtime

Our post about Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda's conversation in Dyuk ... Dyuk ... Dyuk was thought to be a respite to give us a breathing space ... in this age when "road rage" reigns supreme in the streets of Metro Manila ... and there is no end in sight for the soaring rice prices.

When Anne complain to Vice: "Sobra ka naman magsalita ... ang ganda na kaya ng boses ko.  Nagpalakpakan nga ang mga madlang people." To which Vice responded: "Yong boses mo parang corruption sa Pilipinas. Hindi namin gusto ... pero nasanay na lang kami."

I laughed at the exchange of words and I was amazed how fast Vice responded with a very apt metaphor comparing Anne's voice to corruption. I didn't realize Vice's response was loaded ... one that is "double entendre" (a humor that is open to two interpretations or has a double meaning).

When was the last time I saw a Filipino movie loaded with strong political sentiments? That was Minsay Isang Gamugamo. The film is strongly critical of the American military presence in the Philippines and the failure of the Philippine judiciary to provide justice to locals seeking justice from actions involving the base. 

And then there was Sister Stella L. who chronicles the socio-political involvement of priests and nuns who joined picket lines and Sister Stella L.'s realization "that if Christ is here ... he will join with us in this struggle." Her awakening has a chilling resonance today ... and its strong narrative is a wake-up call to all of us.

I didn't realize noontime shows in 2023 ... (Vice Ganda in the forefront) would showcase socio-political messages to their viewers ... in broad daylight and without warning.  The viewers have to be keen and sharpen their listening abilities ... other- wise lumampas na ang joke at ikaw ay wala pa ring kamuwang muwang. You have to listen hard ... or else there will be a communication breakdown.

Listen to their next group talk: Iba talaga si Vice -Pailalim ang kurot ... at sundot.

Vhong Navarro: Alam mo quiet lang yan (referring to a candidate) kangina.

Vice Ganda: Ganun ang mga tahimik lang. Maingat kayo doon. Ako'y tahimik lang sa umpisa ... pero kaya ko kayong nakawan.

I was unmoved by the joke and did not even laugh... but I realized Vice was King of double entendre - it will not occupy a prime-time exposure in the show if it is not important. Some viewers are paranoid though ... and they guessed the joke was something related to the DepED congressional meeting where the budget and the confidential fund were being investigated. Was it? Or just a coincidence?

Then there was this talk between Vice Ganda Kyle Echarri and Darren Espanto.

Vice Ganda: Magka batch ba kayo sa The Voice?

Kyle: Nauna siya pero team Sarah pareho.

Vice Ganda: Team Sarah ng DepEd?

Kyle and Darren: Geronimo! (And they laughed.)

Vice Ganda: Bakit kayo umaatras? Ganyan kayo ha ... iniiwan ninyo ako dito.

This is just a preview of what to expect in It's Showtime.  In order for me to appreciate the banters and the jokes ... I need to watch TV Patrol more often to update myself with current events ... and when the joke related to the said events comes ... I can now savor the joke and have a hearty laugh - howling, boisterous and unrestrained.