Isa si Joey de Leon sa mga haligi ng show business, particularly sa larangan ng pagpapatawa. In an interview, the veteran shares his feelings and thoughts sa mga bagong komedyante ng bayan. Text by Loretta G. Ramirez, Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio Marami ang nagsasabi na ang pinakamahirap na gawin sa harap ng camera ay ang magpatawa. And Joey de Leon is one of those who have successfully made audiences laugh with his witty lines and perfect timing. No wonder he is seen on TV every day of the week. While the recent crop of comedians aims for such success, Joey is very much supportive of their efforts and in fact makes it a point to include some new faces in almost all of his shows. Part of the cast of his newest show, Joey’s Quirky World, are four relatively new comedians. “Okay lahat ‘yan. Matagal ko nang kasama eh. Magkasama kami [Cookie and Belli] sa Nuts Entertainment. Si Pekto sa Wow Mali pa ‘yan. Si Bubay lang ang [medyo bago] pero okay ‘yan. Si Ryan [Yllana] dun kami sa Takeshi’s Castle,” he noted. He added na may ilang mga komedyante ngayon ang pinabilib siyang talaga dahil they met his criteria in being an effective comedian. “Sorry na lang sa masasagasaan ko pero sa akin ang hinahangan kong comedian ‘yung nakakasulat, number one. Kapag hindi writer ang comedian sa akin, hindi ko naman sinasabing walang kwenta ‘yun, mababa lang ang ranggo sa akin. Okay pa rin siya, basta comedian ka, saludo ako. Noble sa akin ‘yan dahil nakakapagpasaya ka. Pero kung hindi ka pwedeng sumulat para sa ibang comedians, o nai-insecure ka para ibigay yung punch line sa iba, gusto mo sa iyo lang, then…” ang bitin na pagtatapos ng controversial host/comedian. Catch the master in his element. Watch Eat Bulaga, Joey’s Quirky World, Startalk and Mel and Joey. Who do you think are the funniest guys in showbiz ngayon? Share your views in the iGMA forums.