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in: Pages with reference errors, Programs, Comedy programs

Bubble Gang

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Bubble Gang (stylized on-air as BBLGANG) is the longest-running sketch comedy gag show broadcast on GMA Network since October 20, 1995.

History[]

Bubble Gang first aired on GMA Network on October 20, 1995.[1] It was inspired by the ABC's gag show Tropang Trumpo.[2] Two of its first cast members; Ogie Alcasid and Michael V. came from that show.[1][3] The show occupied the Friday night timeslot of the now-defunct musical variety show, Vilma!. The cast of the show where: Aiko Melendez, and Eric Fructuoso, and newcomers Susan Lozada, Assunta De Rossi, Jackie De Guzman, Wendell Ramos and Antonio Aquitania (who were hired by the late GMA talent manager, Douglas Quijano) who is one of the first casts of Bubble Gang with Alcasid and Michael V. on their early days. There were two extras in the show, such as Diego Llorico, who was working as a production assistant to the show, currently also a segment producer, & Susan Lozada's personal assistant Marissa "Mykah" Flores, she was eventually one of Wendell Ramos' love interests.

During its first year, it was shown on an early primetime slot (19:00 Philippine Standard Time) and carried a slogan "Bubble Gang: Just Chew It!" The show gained popularity in 1996, despite a three-way competition with Tropang Trumpo (ABC) and Super Laff-In (ABS-CBN). The so-called "Bubble Gang Mania" rapidly caught on when it spoofed the sprouting of Mexican telenovelas in Philippine television which proved to be successful ratings-wise. Instead of riding on with the trend, they goofed around the concept and made their mark as the site of the biggest gathering of soap spoofs, it introduced two segments such as Miyusik Tagalog Bersiyon & Miyusik English Versiyon which Michael V. translates songs to Tagalog/English literally, the latter would later make an album with the same title which was released in 1997. In later months of 1998, Bubble Gang came up with an idea to parodythe religious program, Ang Dating Daan into Ang Dating Doon where the latter religious show was popular at that time. They originally intended to quote the Bible, but because of religious sensitivities, they just decided to quote English fairy tales and Tagalog nursery rhymes and make fun of it. They soon included popular lyrics of top hits in their quotations as well. Ang Dating Doonbecame such a phenomenon that the segment itself landed on the front pages of some of the major newspapers in the country. The segment became part of Philippine popular culture when it got spoofed in advertisements, and in other television shows as well. A music album version of the segment was also produced in 1999.

On December 31, 1999, Bubble Gang was preempted to give way for the 26-hour long worldwide millennium special covered by GMA News and Public Affairs entitled "2000 Today". The cast notably Michael V. are included here along with some host and other host from other programs that GMA made also appeared as a consequence. The said episode that pre-empted was shown the next day.

On October 2003, the show celebrated its 8th anniversary by giving a tribute to the past Philippine gag shows that made an impact on Philippine television through the years.

On July 20, 2012, the show made a tribute to Dolphy, the King of Philippine Comedy, a week after the actor's death. The tribute was made to honor Dolphy's contribution to Philippine Comedy.

On July 19, 2013, after the months of rumors over Ogie Alcasid's transfer to TV5, he finally left the show, despite his Pick Up Line segment was over, his friend & cast member Michael V. remarks on saying "No one can replace Ogie as Boy Pick-up".

In early 2013, the show launched its talent search called Bagong Gang: The Search for the New Recruits, Joyce Ching (cast member of the now-defunct Bubble Gang Jr.), Jan Manual, RJ Padilla, Juancho Trivino, Arny Ross, and Protege winner Denise Barbacena were among the other contestants.

The show celebrated its 18th anniversary and dubbed the two-part special as Barely Legal, on October 7, 2013, in the Republiq Club in Resorts World Manila. The show introduces new cast members such as Chariz Solomon, Carla Abellana, Paolo Contis, Mikael Daez, Andrea Torres, Max Collins, Sef Cadayona, and Betong Sumaya, and new segments such as Ikaw at ang Ina, Lala Ytera, Atlit, Istambay sa Looban, & Antonietta. Bagong Gang contestant Denise Barbacena & Jan Manual won the contest & are now part of the show, with Ching, Padilla, Trivino, and Ross also joining the cast, coincidentally, numbers of the cast members are 20+ more. For its 18th year on Philippine television, the show surpassed its other comedy shows such as T.O.D.A.S. of IBC (which ran for 10 years) and John En Marsha of RPN (which ran for 17 years).

On October 24, 2014, the show celebrated its 19th anniversary, dubbed as 19 B.C. with an ancient Sparta theme. The special episode features star-studded guests and a crossover with other shows of the network.

November 6, 2015 marks the show's 1000th episode on television.

Bubble Gang celebrated their 20th anniversary on November 27, 2015 with a documentary titled I M Bubble Gang: The Bubble Gang 20th Anniversary Special and produced by GMA News and Public Affairs, The past and present casts including former "Kababol" Ogie Alcasidin which he returns to the set has been interviewed by the network's most trusted personalities, Jessica Soho and Mike Enriquez, They had stories regarding on the funny and amusable experiences they spent for the past 20 years on Philippine television. Also some sketch skits from past to the present are also featured, and indeed, Bubble Gang is the longest-running comedy show in the Philippines that has been giving excitement, fun and laughter for 20 years and counting.

On February 26, 2016, Bubble Gang was preempted to give way for the tribute concert for German Moreno entitled Master Showman's Final Bow. This is the fourth time that the show has been preempted in a regular Friday as the show is preempted on Good Friday in observance of the Holy Week. The host of Bubble Gang (Betong Sumaya and Michael V.) are including here

On November 25, 2016, Bubble Gang added some of the newest members like StarStruckalumnus Arra San Agustin, Jak Roberto and Arianne Bautista. Bubble Gang also celebrated its 21st Anniversary with guests such as Ogie Alcasid, the Phenomenal love team AlDub and many more. The 2-part anniversary episode is dubbed as: 21 Gang Salute. They pay tribute to the 21 finest comedians in the history of Philippine entertainment.

On November 17, 2017, Bubble Gang celebrated its 22nd anniversary called: Parokya Bente Dos: A Laugh Story, which is a musical-love-comedy stage play based on the hit songs of Parokya ni Edgar. The plot follows Buloy (Michael V.) and his attempt to be with the girl of his dreams, Birdie Aguila (Kim Domingo). It also prompted the addition of new members like StarStruck alumnus Analyn Barro, Lovely Abella, and Ashley Rivera.

On November 23, 2018, Bubble Gang celebrated its 23rd anniversary called: Bente Tres Oras, which is an action-comedy crossover telemovie. The story is composed of different characters popularized in the history of the show. The plot follows Bea Bangenge (Michael V.) and Toto Batoto (Antonio Aquitania) and their big 23-hour adventure that happened because of only a simple problem.

On July 9, 2023, the show's timeslot has moved to Sunday after almost 28 years in Friday night slot. The last time they've aired on a Friday night was on July 7, 2023, the following week, Amazing Earth has taken over the show's former timeslot. Along with this move to Sundays came a new logo, on-air identity as BBLGANG, graphics, remix of the 2002 and 2022 theme music, and the live studio audience format. The commercial spoofs, which have been in the show for many years, were abolished.

Catchphrases[]

In the early years of the show, "Bubble Gang" would always start with an opening break bumper (OBB) showcasing the cast members in various wacky poses with the show's theme song played at the background. But later on, sometime in 2004, the show would institute a cold open sequence where various cast members perform different skits until the show's main hosts, Michael V. and Ogie Alcasidwould alternately say the opening catchphrase "Biyernes na naman! (It's Friday night again!) Welcome to Bubble Gang!" followed by the playing of the show's OBB before the show's commercial break.

When Ogie left the show in 2013, the opening catchphrase is usually done by Michael V. until 2017, when different cast members take turns in opening the show and welcoming the viewers using the catchphrase.

Since its move to Sundays, they introduced a new catchphrase: "Sunday night na, Bubble Gang na!"

Format[]

The format of the show emphasizes pop culture and parodies. Skits and sketches are performed in a manner similar to other variety shows. Creative director and mainstay Michael V., according to him, picked up the idea from ordinary Filipinos. It also spoofs other shows and commercials, and it also takes on other celebrities and political figures.[4]

Cast[]

Main Cast[]

Former Cast[]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PEP 1
  2. ↑ Kumusta, Kapatid Ogie!
  3. ↑ Ogie Alcasid still looks good after 20 years in showbiz
  4. ↑ Meet the new faces in wacky "Bubble Gang"
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