THIS comedy TV series features famous local faces like Sheikh Haikel, Adrian Pang, Pierre Png, Patricia Mok, Vernetta Lopez, Moses Lim and Suhaimi Yusof.

It even has former MTV VJ Nadya Hutagalung, whose last acting stint was in the 2008 local movie The Leap Years.

But contrary to what you may think, it isn't a primetime show on Channel 5 or Channel 8. Zero Hero is a children's programme on MediaCorp okto, and it's back for a second season starting 7.30pm on Thursday.

The first season was shown in January.

Mok plays an outrageous character, Pink Piranha.

By day, she is mild-tempered and gentle teacher Cindy Lee. But beneath that disguise, Pink Piranha is a man-eater.

Her crazy image and bubbly personality could have landed her the role but the 40-year-old thinks it's more to do with the size of her mouth.

"I think I got the role because I have a big mouth," she said. "I don't mind. Since I have it, I should flaunt it!"

Some of her villainy was filmed in front of a blue screen, and computer effects were added later. "For example, I had to open my mouth really big, swallow and then burp," she added.

"The footage of a man being eaten would be added in later.

"It was fun and interesting."

The delightfully daffy series is about the Wong family of superheroes - called The Magnificent Heroes - who lose their special powers after an accident.

Not only are they forced to assimilate into the suburban lifestyle, they also have to fight off a group of super villains and maintain world peace.

The actors The New Paper spoke to said they jumped at the chance to star in Zero Hero.

Hutagalung, 37, said it was the chance to be part of a show that entertains children and brings the whole family together.

She plays Miss Evil, who burns up the natural environment and any one who gets in her way.

For Pang, it was a chance to act with his son Xander, 10, who plays superhero Brainy Boy.

The 45-year-old, who enjoyed the first season for its great characters and funny plots, plays Lenny Wong, Brainy Boy's father who is experiencing the severe after-effects of a potion he drank.

As a result, Mr Wong morphs into different objects and people. The role is co-played by Png, 38. Png also plays Mister Hero, who has super strength.

Good entertainment

"Be it a hero or villain, I would still have enjoyed myself because it's a kid's show and it's all about lessons and values to be learnt through entertainment," he said.

Haikel accepted the role because he has a great working relationship with Esan Sivalingam, 40, the show's executive producer, co-writer and co-director.

Sivalingam also wrote successful Channel 5 sitcoms Under One Roof and Phua Chu Kang.

Another reason Haikel agreed to star in the show is that his two children are fans of the channel. His daughter Triqka, 8, and son Abbra, 7, are now particularly impressed with him.

"Triqka thinks daddy is so cool because he makes people ugly. Abbra was initially unhappy I play a villain but I explained there must a bad thing for every good thing," said the 36-year-old. "Now, he's happy daddy has a ray gun."

Haikel, Don Richmond and Gana Sebastian play the villainous Pretty Boyz, who consider themselves beautiful and zap people into ugliness with their ray-guns.

All the villains in the show, including Disgusto, Bunsen Burner, Captain Chaoszzz and Prata Man, are over the top with their unique powers.

Disgusto, played by Suhaimi, disgusts people with his stench.

The Prata Man plots world domination through unhealthy food.

It's no surprise they all had great fun filming.

Hutagalung, a Fly Entertainment artiste, said: "I love playing (Miss Evil). She is everything I am not and that makes it so much more fun.

"My kids absolutely love the show. They roll around with laughter watching the antics of Disgusto and the Pretty Boyz."

She said her character's powers come out of her face, so at times she got neck pain from making all the crazy expressions during filming.

The greatest appeal of Zero Hero, Sivalingam felt, is its ability to pass on educational messages without being preachy.

The comedy series also prides itself for being super cheesy.

"We knew we could never compare to our US counterparts, so we went the other way," he said. Equally tacky are the costumes.

The Pretty Boyz look like stereotypical hip-hop rappers in their colourful track suits, sunglasses and chunky jewellery.

The Magnificent Heroes are in super tight wetsuits complete with capes and brightly-coloured hairpieces.

The wetsuits, made of neoprene, were challenging to put on.

Png's suit was so thick and hot that it hindered his movements.

Lopez, 38, who plays Mimi Wong, aka Lady Magnificent, said she was all covered up from head to toe, and the only place heat could emanate from her body was through her face.

"It's no joke. Once two crew members helped me remove the suit and as they peeled it down, they felt the heat gushing out," recalled the radio deejay.

But it was worth all the discomfort.

She said: "I felt awesome each time I put on my superhero costume, boots and cape."

This article was first published in The New Paper.