GMA Network’s newest show ‘Superstar Duets’ combines music and comedy

A new celebrity singing competition show starts airing on GMA Network on Saturday, September 3.

Titled 'Superstar Duets,' the show is hosted by Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado and is considered a first in the Philippines as it combines comedy with a singing competition.

Jennylyn Mercado is a perfect host for GMA Network's newest show "Superstar Duets" as she is good singer herself. pic.twitter.com/kPzgFeLMzL

— Veronica Pulumbarit (@proverbios_31) August 30, 2016

It airs after 'Magpakailanman,' the weekly drama anthology hosted by Mel Tiangco.

The eight celebrities competing to become the country's first Superstar Duets Champion are actor and comedian Mike "Pekto" Nacua; actor and model Joross Gamboa; theater actor and comedian Jerald Napoles; singer and TV host Rita Daniela; singer and actress Denise Barbacena, TV actress and comedienne Divine Grace Aucina, actor and songwriter Nar Cabico, and comedian and host Jeffrey "Osang" Soliven.

The eight celebrity contestants will be paired with impersonators of international superstars.

Throughout the show, Jerald's singing partner will be Celine Dion-esia (Celine Dion impersonator); Pekto is paired with Zia Later ("Zia"); Joross is teamed up with Adellantada ("Adelle"); Nar is matched with Samboy Smith ("Sam Smith"), Osang is partnered with Justin Tatlongbibe ("Justin Bieber"), and so on.

Jerald attests that the impersonators really sound like the singers they are imitating, saying "sobrang kaboses," adding in jest, "kaamoy pa nga eh, kahininga."

At the press launch on Tuesday, director Bert de Leon said: "I can tell you this, this is one of the most fun, most enjoyable shows I've ever done in all my years at alam niyo naman kung gaano katagal na ako nagdi-direct."

"The thing about the show is di ba gusto nating mga Pilipino na tumawa at saka ma-entertain sa music and this show gives you both," he said.

De Leon said he was floored by the singing and comedic talents displayed by the contestants. "This is a really fun show. Itong batch na ito, they're just a crazy bunch of guys." 

Jennylyn said the toughest challenge she faced for the show was trying to do her job as a host and not laugh the whole time, especially with the non-stop antics of the contestants.

"Ang saya nila kasama kasi bawat isa sa kanila may kanya-kanyang character," Jennylyn said. "Every time magkakasama kami ang saya-saya nung set namin, walang dull moment."

Asked who she found funniest among the contestants, Jennylyn cited Joross and Jerald but found everyone entertaining in general.

Joross joked, "Sana kayanin ng mga editor and pag-edit  sa mga pinagsasabi namin."

The celebrity contestants of GMA Network's newest singing competition "Superstar Duets" sang with the media on Tues. pic.twitter.com/8rvpvaHgp0

— Veronica Pulumbarit (@proverbios_31) August 30, 2016

Meanwhile, Jennylyn admitted that she was not confident at first to host a singing competition on her own.

"Syempre natatakot po ako," she said. "Kasi yung hosting hindi ko siya gamay so kailangan nila akong ipa-hosting workshop."

In an interview with GMA News Online at the sidelines of the event, Jennylyn said the workshop taught her to handle different situations that might arise during the competition.

"Meron kaming mga technique sa workshop, kahit intonation, tapos yung paano ka ba hindi maba-blanko kung may mangyayaring incident na hindi mo inaasahan," she said.

Talented judges

Meanwhile, the talented judges of "Superstar Duets" include comedian and TV host Allan K, Traffic Diva and singer Aicelle Santos, and romantic balladeer Christian Bautista.

All three judges were unable to attend the press event as they had other commitments.

In a statement, Allan K said teamwork is what he looks for in contestants. "When you're in a duet, you're in a team."

"Ang hinahanap ko ay marunong makipagblend sa boses ng kanyang ka-duet. Hindi siya nagsosolo. Ayoko na nagdu-duet mag-isa. Dapat isipin niya may kasama siya because it's a team," Allan K said.

Christian, on the other hand, said the contestants need to connect with the listeners. "I know these artists are going to do everything they can, kaya kung magko-connect yung performance nila sa akin, kung yung puso ko and my being ay mamo-move at matatawa at mag-eenjoy, dun ako. Sa kanya ako."

Aicelle, meanwhile, pointed out the importance of blending entertainment with talent.

"Ang Superstar Duets, bukod sa kantahan, ay very entertaining din. I think it's a mix of the two. Syempre yung coherence ng contestants at yung foreign superstar, dapat sabay silang dadalhin to the next level sa bawat performance nila." — RSJ, GMA News