Of intelligent humor and snack entertainment

Author: Malaya
Column: Entertainment

In mid-October 2007, a unique five-minute comedy show started airing on free TV. It was a risky venture, since most Filipinos were used to 30-minute to one-hour sitcoms. Its five-minute broadcast would be easy to miss!

Yet, four seasons, 240 episodes and countless cups of coffee later, "Camera Café" is now a wonderful habit-forming brand of snack entertainment.

A growing fan base, better ratings and gushing reviews from netizens here and abroad dispelled the fears expressed initially by most.

Some witers refer to the brand of humor as "intelligent" as it avoids slapsticks and derogatory remarks. The audience, expecially those who frequent YouTube, even hail the advent of this kind of humor.

Thus the show persisted, dishing out stories about an office with flawed employees, where the bosses try to put some semblance of order, and often fail. Like its French original version, the myriad of mischief in the office is led by a naughty duo (Bearwin Meily and Epy Quizon). Unlike the French counterpart, we have a manang, and our body guard is not fearsome but a gentle, naïve giant. Both versions erfuse to name The Company, so much so that CamCafe actress Joy Viado calls it "International Worldwide Company" in jest.

To celebrate its first anniversary, "Camera Café" offers a two-part special. To be aired on two consecutive Saturdays on QTV-11 on October 18 and 25 at 9:10 to 10:10 p.m., the "Camera Café First Anniversary Special Parts 1 and 2" looks back to the year that was through a marathon vieweing of some of "Camera Cafés" most favorite episodes, injecting some bloopers and interviews of the cast and production staff in between.

The rest of the cast are multi-talented actors from stage, TV and film: Assunta de Rossi, Candy Pangilinan, Christian Vazquez, Jaime Fabregas, LJ Reyes, Joy Viado, Wilma Doesnt, Patricia Ismael, Monica Llamas, Kalila Aguilos, Gerry Acao, Arnold Reyes, Noel Colet and Vincent de Jesus.

Looking back, the show started with a thrice-a-day daily dose of snack entertainment. Now it airs daily on weekdays on QTV-11 at 10 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 8:20 p.m. and 11 p.m. and twice daily on GMA-7 at 8:35 a.m. and before sign off.

Seasons 2 to 4 boast of guests such as Celia Rodriguez, Bella Flores, Yasmien Kurdi, Benjie Paras and Andrea del Rosario. Even the French Ambassador, thrilled about the local version and aware that the original "Camera Café" in France is a big hit, has fulfilled his dream to guest in the show.

Expect more "intelligent humor" and big-name guests for season 5 Rio Locsin, Joel Torre, Ronnie Lazaro, Drew Arellano, Vandolph, Ana Capri and Miriam Quiambao. Aiza reprises her role as the person who continues her quest for her missing father. "More people want to guest in the show," producer Henri de Lorme declares with delight. Season 5 starts tonight, October 13.

Despite the quota of shooting and memorizing 10 scripts a day, the atmosphere in the taping is relaxed, perhaps because of the light mood provided by directors Mark Meily, de Lorme and the organized set up of Axantis Productions, Inc. production staff. Most actors have fun during the taping. Quizon, who joined the cast later, says, "It was fun to see Christian (Vasquez) in action as the gullible Sylvio, whenever Bearwin and I play our pranks on him."

The idea for the show originated in France and was broached by de Lorme. Like a proud father, he beams at the success of the Philippine version of "Camera Cafe." "The Philippine version convinced other Asian countries to do their own versions of the show," he reports. Malaysia and Thailand already shot their pilot episode and Indonesia is now airing its first season. Apparently, the Philippine version is inspiring others in the region to follow.

Jose Mari Abacan, vice president for GMA Network Program Management, is expecting more projects with the creative team, aside from adapting the other French shows to the Philippine setting.

Meanwhile, the creative staff is excited about four projects that de Lorme and company are about to hatch soon. One of these is "You Woman," another short comedy featuring the follies of women, the silly situations they get in to, which maddens them, too. Aside from this new show, another "secret" project is in the works, de Lorme adds. "Something big is coming," he promises.

"Short content is very powerful, because more believe in snack entertainment now," he declares.

"Camera Café" has enjoyed its one year in part due to the continued sponsorship of Nescafe.

Source: Malaya