Fearless Forecast: Live from Manila, it’s Saturday night

“Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night”, pop culture-wise, is almost synonymous with Leo’s “I’m the king of the world!” phrase from that little 1997 film. Okay, maybe not, but for 39 years, SNL has slowly been making an indelible mark on America’s comedy culture. Most of the comedians you see on TV or in the big screen came from Saturday Night Live. From comedy royalties like Bill Murray and Gilda Radner to contemporary favorites like Tina Fey and Andy Samberg, SNL bred comedic talents that help make comedy smarter and less gag-driven.

So what if we bring SNL to the Philippines?

The brand of SNL

There are two reasons why SNL has survived for 39 years: first is because it reflects the American society in the strongest and craziest-yet-acceptable way through comedy and satire (and they’re not afraid to do it), and second because no one complains or files up a libel case. From every aspect of social class to thanksgiving dinners, from political antics to selfies and Justin Bieber, SNL has every skit to show and shame the crazy in society. If you need more proof, know that SNL is the show with the highest number of Emmy Award nominations, a whopping 126, since the inception of the academy. Yes, they have branched out into film, but not all their films equated to cash cows (see: It’s Pat, Stuart Saves His Family).

The no-holds-barred politics of SNL

SNL never stopped at its reins to mock politics, creating icons out of Darrell Hammond (Al Gore), Amy Poehler (Hillary Clinton) and Fred Armisen (Barack Obama). In light of recent events, e.g., the shutdown of the US government or Obama’s second term, SNL, naturally, reacted to such events and made skits that either shame or encourage the people behind them. Gag shows like SNL are taking the opportunity to juice the material out of the shenanigans some politicians are involved in.

In the Philippines, though, while we see a small growth in comedic knack (Hello, Bubble Gang), majority of Filipino humor on television is still stemming from costumes, makeup and cheaply contemptuous quips (Hello, Vice Ganda) instead of actual ideals and political stances.

We can do that too, you know

Here on our home turf, comedy heavily relies on what SNL did 35 years ago. Most pundits believe, though, that our archipelago is hitting a comedic stride on television. Worthy of recognition is GMA’s Bubble Gang that deals with familial problems with the skit Ikaw at ang Ina, starring Michael V.’s spot-on impression of a typical Filipino mother, a mirror of how tight-knit Filipino families are. And if you ever questioned the feasibility of situations happening in soap operas, look no further than Antonietta, the villainess who takes meta to a whole new level by questioning the grounds on which soap operas are built. Does this entail that we have the goods to franchise the epitome of comedic genius on Earth?

There is too much material we can use if a Filipino SNL were to exist. Not only will it change the face of Filipino comedy and television (granted it be done perfectly by the people behind it), but it will also give the Philippine society the courage to look at everything with a more critical and quick-witted eye. That woman sleeping in the LRT can be a skit, throw in Ruffa Mae and a great statement and you have something great cooking. Not to mention Napoles’ latest public appearance, her face alone during the hearing is a great stab at physical comedy. We have enough – or too many – political thingamabobs in the news everyday worthy of some laughs and jeering. Such political events and cases rarely receive resolutions, so might as well give them some purpose, maybe it can even push our dear politicians to do what they have to do.

We just need a little tuning

One must remember that Bubble Gang puts out films like Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie and Boy Pick-Up: The Movie. Yes, this is our kind of humor; a critic can say that the SNL’s flops are equal to Bubble Gang’s successes.

ABS-CBN is historically known to acquire franchises of pre-existing shows from abroad. Done right, it would have a golden opportunity in its hand to start a massive hit, social media-wise. The idea of a new host and musical guest will attract new viewers every week, especially if a fandom-based celeb like Daniel Padilla or Sarah Geronimo would be tapped to host and sing. The thing to be questioned is the source of musical guests; knowing the state of the music industry, do not be surprised if there are some episodes that lack a musical guest.

To think of the players that will delight viewers weekly is an easy task; for Bubble Gang, Michael V. and Ruffa Mae Quinto serve as the go-to comedians, while Banana Split has Jayson Gainza and Angelica Panganiban to keep things funny every week. The longevity of the players will come into question as well as the source for future players after a comedian’s departure. In fact, the variety of SNL comes from the skillset of a certain comic. Unlike the States, Filipinos do not supply as many comics as Americans do nor do Pinoys possess the feel for watching an “underground improv” company perform spontaneously.

Filipino people are known worldwide as the happy people; with that said, it won’t be a problem to create an SNL counterpart. What we need is just a little tuning and consideration for change from media outlets and the audience. A Filipino SNL is not a far-fetched acquisition, but it is a challenge for network executives to come up with something refreshing and witty. In fact, if Filipinos are tired of “unoriginal” ideas, the greater challenge would be to develop a show which is not a rehash of SNL or some run-of-the-mill Saturday gag fest. SNL was groundbreaking, its effects are still felt up to this day. A franchise would mean that Filipinos are funny and globally adept, albeit needing the help of the The Blues Brothers, Macgruber and Target Lady.