Turmoil 'no laughing matter'

JAKARTA (JP): It ain't what jokes you say, it's how you say them.

Unfortunately for the country's comedians however they are not even getting the chance to crack many gags in these financially fraught times, according to one of Indonesia's leading funnymen.

Not that there is any shortage of jokes at a time like this, Kadir, well noted for his thick Madurese accent, said.

But as most people's disposable income is disappearing as fast as their sense of humor, those in showbiz circles are having to feast on slimmer pickings, he said.

"I apologize if I cannot entertain or spark laughter from stressed-out people," he told Antara.

"I certainly won't do it for free," he said when asked if he was willing to waive his fees to entertain people affected by the monetary crisis.

Being a comedian is a serious profession, Kadir insisted.

"We perform to make a living. If we are asked to entertain people affected by the crisis without pay, it won't be long before we ourselves get stressed out," he said.

Kadir, who stars in a number of TV sitcoms, said many scheduled stage appearances had been canceled because of the crisis.

He recalled that during last year's Idul Fitri holiday, he made no fewer than 13 stage appearances. This year, he had none.

He said that the drought affected virtually everyone in the comedy industry, including Doyok, with whom he regularly makes appearances on stage and on TV.

Kadir however agreed that jokes remain the best medicine to relieve people's stress. (emb)