Are John Prats, Jayson Gainza, and Zanjoe Marudo the new ‘Bad Bananas?’ By: Napoleon Quintos   From: ABS-CBN website [April 08, 2009] The funny trio of John Prats, Jayson Gainza, and Zanjoe Marudo are set to join in the new season of Saturday gag show Banana Split.This is their third time to star in a show as a group, the first was in the sitcom Aalog Alog and the second in the afternoon comedyserye Parekoy.The three seem to have a unique flair in comedy, and since their group is slowly establishing itself in the business of making people laugh, one can’t help but wonder if John, Jayson, and Zanjoe are the new generation Bad Bananas. Banana Split main man Edgar ‘Bobot’ Mortiz founded the Bad Bananas group with his friends Christopher De Leon, Johnny Delgado, and the late Jay Ilagan back when none of them were actually doing comedy, but they eventually top-billed the long running gag show Goin’ Bananas which aired on ABS-CBN from the late 80’s to the early 90’s.Direk Bobot thought of introducing the comic relief of the Bad Bananas to the new generation by creating the kiddie version of Goin’ Bananas which is Goin’ Bulilit, and the female version, Banana Split. During their first taping day for Banana Split last April 4, John, Jayson, and Zanjoe shared exclusively with ABS-CBN.com their common excitement over their newest venture into comedy.John is flattered to be even compared to the Bad Bananas, but he said that it is actually Jayson who is the life of their trio.“Sobrang happy kung nagkakaganun nga.Para mai-compare kami sa kanila ibig sabihin may nakikita ‘yung mga tao sa grupo namin.Lagi naming sinasabi ang secret weapon talaga ng grupo namin eh si Jayson.Kapag napapanood mo kami mapapansin mo character lang ako at si Zanjoe, pero ang puma-punch line talaga eh si Jayson.Ang maganda rin sa amin eh walang sapawan.Wala ‘yung ‘Kailangan ako ang mas nakakatawa!’ kasi alam naman namin na isa lang ang nakakatawa, si Jayson ‘yun.” Zanjoe admitted that he treats the Bad Bananas including the hilarious threesome of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon as his comic idols.The tall, dark, and handsome actor said that he also wants his group with John and Jayson to follow the footsteps of the Bad Bananas.“Marami pa kaming kakainin bigas para ma-establish kami kagaya nila.Pero hindi naman masamang mangarap.Idol ko rin sila kasi nakakapag-isip sila ng sarili nilang paraan ng pagpapatawa.Sana dumating kami sa puntong ganun na nakakatulong na kami sa pagbuo ng show at paggawa ng mga ipapalabas namin.Mas maganda na ganun kasi mas nasasa-puso mo ‘yung trabaho, hindi lang pupunta ka sa set para umarte.Sana patuloy pa rin ‘yung suporta ng mga tao sa grupo namin para mas magtagal.” Said to be the natural comedian among the three, Jayson shared that he also would want to emulate not just the good on-screen rapport of the Bad Bananas but also their profound friendship behind the camera.“Sana maabot din namin ‘yun.Nakakatuwa na dahil sa grupo namin naipagpapatuloy namin ‘yung comedy sa TV, ‘yung kami ang magkakasama kasi mas sanay na kami sa isa’t isa.Alam na namin kung paano laruin ‘yung eksena kapag kami ang magkakasama.Pero sina Direk Bobot pa rin siyempre ang original. Kaming grupo gagawa kami ng sarili naming pangalan para hindi naman masabing copycat lang.” Catch John, Jayson, and Zanjoe in Banana Split beginning April 18, Saturday nights after XXX.