Turmoil 'no laughing matter'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It ain't what jokes you say, it's how you say
\nthem.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for the country's comedians however they are not
\neven getting the chance to crack many gags in these financially
\nfraught times, according to one of Indonesia's leading funnymen.<\/p>\n
Not that there is any shortage of jokes at a time like this,
\nKadir, well noted for his thick Madurese accent, said.<\/p>\n
But as most people's disposable income is disappearing as fast
\nas their sense of humor, those in showbiz circles are having to
\nfeast on slimmer pickings, he said.<\/p>\n
\"I apologize if I cannot entertain or spark laughter from
\nstressed-out people,\" he told Antara.<\/p>\n
\"I certainly won't do it for free,\" he said when asked if he
\nwas willing to waive his fees to entertain people affected by the
\nmonetary crisis.<\/p>\n
Being a comedian is a serious profession, Kadir insisted.<\/p>\n
\"We perform to make a living. If we are asked to entertain
\npeople affected by the crisis without pay, it won't be long
\nbefore we ourselves get stressed out,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Kadir, who stars in a number of TV sitcoms, said many
\nscheduled stage appearances had been canceled because of the
\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
He recalled that during last year's Idul Fitri holiday, he
\nmade no fewer than 13 stage appearances. This year, he had none.<\/p>\n
He said that the drought affected virtually everyone in the
\ncomedy industry, including Doyok, with whom he regularly makes
\nappearances on stage and on TV.<\/p>\n
Kadir however agreed that jokes remain the best medicine to
\nrelieve people's stress. (emb)<\/p>",
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