Let's begin from the crowd favourite who I think could've won if they had entered last season (but they didn't)
Shiro
First thoughts: They're good, but usually overshadowed by the major groups Sepahtu and Jambu- so this is honestly an amazing time for them to join! Especially since both Zero and Bocey already won, they got chance ah
Round 1: Love it. I've missed them and this was a great way to remind us of Shiro- their signature jokes and plot twists
Bocey
First thought: Bocey has always been a yoyo for me- not really inconsistent but... ah idk how to put it but they're just not my favourites? I love them of course (who doesn't) but I don't know how my loyalty can lie with them.
Round 1: A decent performance to ease into the competition, was entertained despite the lack of story development- like I care hahaha i'm literally here for the lols and I got it so good job
Zero
First thought: As bocey, I love them and I believe in their potential and comedy so much! But their inconsistency makes me unstan them at times. I'll always love their tagline!
First round: Kinda underwhelming? There's a difference between tradition/staying true to their essence and simply being repetitive. I love zero so i'm definitely waiting for their engines to gear up!
Nice
First thought: A "repeat" of LOL and Virus! Technically they're a new group, but I love tauke and ropie so obviously i'm rooting for them.
First round: Emo when tauke introed himself as tauke jambu pls T.T I miss them so much. Honestly i feel like i've appreciated them but it never feels like enough. I'll always love jambu. Ok wait distracted. (Rightfully so) It was a performance I expected from a new group with new dynamics; entertaining but definitely a lot less than what they're capable of. Keep pushing!
Joras
First thought: They’re back! Still cannot decide if Jalor or Joras is better. Usually very creative but can be over/under at the weirdest times. Still a supporter though!
First round: Forgettable, really! The concept is too simple that it didn’t really work, and the acting was unnatural (rahim….. hahah) Syuk did well as usual! Joey was pulling off a rahim (aka tk berfungsi hahaha throwback to sepahtu days) but it’s only the first week so keep it up!
Mamu
First thought: They are so unpredictable in a negative way because sometimes they’re so good it’s crazy and sometimes they make me go “what…?” for the whole 7 minutes. But I have always liked them since the raja lawak days so my eyes are definitely on them!
First round: They always manage to find the simplest concepts and make punchlines work naturally! Entertaining and not bad at all for the first week.
Puteh
First thought: Have always liked them, but they still got to solidify their art before we go on believing in their craft! Not champion material yet, but neither are they too far from it. Let’s go guys!
First round: Needless to say, the race jokes are getting old! I mean, it’s an okay performance to start off the new season but it got stagnant quickly.
Xoxo
First thought: No initial judgements, i’ve always seen them as chair fillers (just not ready yet) but I appreciate any new groups who are having fun and throwing in new ideas and competition to the plate!
First round: Started pretty slow but they picked it up! Loved the simplicity which was actually what made it easy comedy, easy to watch, easy to laugh at. Read comments that says they stole ideas but that's art- we have to borrow ideas because nothing truly is original. Loved how they incorporated hang tuah which is in yo face melayu so who cares if they copied, it was still entertaining! Dangerous though, I can foresee them being stagnant quickly if they don’t step up their game ASAP.
Abioso
First thought: Never heard of them, but they seem pleasant!
First round: I was entertained! They’re one of the contestants which actually felt natural and sincere in their delivery, because every simple exclamations become funny. Allocation of roles seem apt for now, even though I don’t know them prior! Excited to see them next round muehehe
Hobit
First thought: Amir and bocil has always been like- i'll always hope their joke menjadi but i won't be surprised if it doesn't? Because they can be really funny one week and a major flop another and i really dk what it depends on; the script? delivery? idk
First round: A bit messy! The other guy was Rahim and was slightly negligible but it’s only their first week so it’s understandable. This was a tak menjadi though! Honestly idk why it doesn’t work but at the same time I cannot imagine how it could work. Sorry lads, feel free to prove me wrong.
Masin
First thought: Uh oh, awkward combination. But let’s give them a chance!
First round: They’re not that bad in execution, but content is very meh for now. Definitely not the weakest but not a crowd pleaser either. Work harder!
Pistol
First thought: When raja azri first debuted (was it ekzos or enjen can't recall) I had my eyes on him. With a new person, I got 0 expectations but continues hoping for the best.
First round: Not bad, but not good either? Got to try something different to match up with the rest, it’s a competition afterall! Honestly I forgot how the other guy was but if i’m not wrong, he was not bad at all. (If my memory doesn’t fail me lah)
Dzawin
First thought: Soloist. Indonesian. Religious. 3 specialties he is bringing to the platform and that alone should be exciting! And it is!
First round: Very simple item to ease us into understanding who he is and what he does! Energetic but not overt- definitely the strongest soloist as of now.
Mad sabah
First thought: I saw prior that he got man of the match so needless to say I was expecting a good performance.
First round: He was the 2nd soloist I saw after Dzawin but I got to say it was extremely underwhelming. Idk if it's his style that i'm not used to or it's purely the content but definitely not MOTM material for now- unless it truly is the inability of me to capture his essence. It'll take time.
Danial
First thought: Ok, impersonator. Cool talent, would be even cooler if he knows how to work it into a solid content!
First round: Impersonations were not that strong, which was a bit scary because that was what he established his strength as from the start. If he could move on from this (as in focusing more on storyline rather than the impersonating) or show more of his strengths (impersonating characters he’s better at) I don’t see why he can’t do well!
Conclusion
1) You can always see when one is trying too hard and when one is sincere in delivering their parts.
2) I love seeing more Indonesian contestants, Singapore step up yo game hunty!
3) As above, I love seeing the comedians experiment with each other, comfort is amazing both for them (and us as audience) but you'll never know if something might work until you try it!
Contestants i'm particularly missing (besides the losers jozan and sepahtu always breakin my heart with their false promises aka I miss u both so much):
SYJ, Rayza, Nabil, Comey, and most of all, Jambu (Al-fatihah Pak yus, Yussry bin edoo)
Tonight is Round 2, and I am looking forward to it!