“This is no longer a dream. This is reality.”
That is what ‘It’s Showtime’ host Vice Ganda said during the program’s grand opening production number on Saturday, April 6.
The ‘Unkabogable Phenomenal Superstar’ said that while she was ‘sat’ atop the GMA Network logo in a computer-generated set-up that aired as part of her solo act.
She then went on to do spoken word poetry as a way to speak up against her naysayers and bashers, as well as to inspire fellow queer people before singing The Script’s ‘Hall of Fame’.
Aside from Vice, who celebrated her birthday in conjunction with their GMA premiere, other ‘Showtime’ hosts also brought their A-game for the grand episode.
Anne Curtis and Karylle belted out Little Mix’s song ‘Power,’ while Amy Perez, Kim Chiu, Jackie Gonzaga, and Cianne Dominguez danced to the track.
The male hosts of ‘It’s Showtime,’ Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, Ogie Alcasid, Darren Espanto sang Robbie Willams’ ‘Let Me Entertain You,’ while Jhong Hilario, Ryan Bang, Ion Perez, MC Muah, and Lassy — who trended after hilariously performing as a wrapped mummy — took the dance floor.
After the 30-minute long special, Vice Ganda spoke on behalf of the entire ‘It’s Showtime’ family.
“Ito ang pinakamalaking plot twist ng dekada. We found a new home sa piling ng ating mga Kapuso,” she opened her speech.
“Kaya naman sa GMA Network, salamat po sa pagbibigay sa amin ng tsansa na muling maabot ang maraming manood,” before thanking her bosses at ABS-CBN and the executives of GMA.
Vhong also formally “introduced” themselves for their first broadcast on the main Kapuso channel.
Notably, the show also reverted its theme song to the original lyrics “magpasikat na, It’s Showtime!” from the post-ABS-CBN shutdown composition “Kapamilya Forever, It’s Showtime!”
For its maiden telecast on GMA-7, ‘Showtime’ also tapped stars of the network to join the fun in the program.
‘Encantadia’ stars Glaiza de Castro, Sanya Lopez, Gabbi Garcia, Mikee Quintos, ‘Abot Kamay na Pangarap’ lead actress Jillian Ward, ‘StarStruck’ original avenger Nadine Samonte, renowned local singers Christian Bautista, Mark Bautista, ‘Pepito Manaloto’ star Jake Vargas, and Chanty of the Korean pop girl group Lapillus played in the modified ‘Karaokids’ segment.
Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2023 Top 10 placer Michelle Dee and mom Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez participated in the dating game ‘Expecially For You.’
For the special premiere, ‘It’s Showtime’ logged its highest concurrent live online views, which peaked at more than 400,000.
Aside from the historic GMA broadcast, Kapuso viewers will witness twice the fun on Monday when ‘It’s Showtime’ hosts, led by Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis, play on the top-rating game show ‘Family Feud’ hosted by Dingdong Dantes.
‘IT’S SHOWTIME!’
‘Showtime’ began airing as a late-morning talent show of ABS-CBN in October 2009, and originally hosted by Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, Kuya Kim Atienza, and Vice Ganda as a ‘resident hurado.’
After a more than two-year-run on its original slot and format, it was relaunched as the Kapamilya network’s flagship noontime variety show in February 2012, following the cancelation of ‘Happy, Yipee, Yehey.’
‘Showtime,’ with the influence of teleserye ‘Be Careful With My Heart,’ eventually became the formidable noontime programming ABS-CBN had hoped for in the years after the end of ‘Wowowee’ in 2010, as well as the departure of ‘Eat Bulaga’ for GMA in 1995.
Not counting the AlDub phenomenon in 2015, ‘Showtime’ had been generally stable, and at times, even closing the gap or leading against the institution that is ‘Eat Bulaga’ in the ratings game.
Following the ABS-CBN network’s shutdown in 2020, the show had its reach severely limited and was only seen via Kapamilya Channel and A2Z.
In July 2022, it became part of the line-up of ABS-CBN shows on TV5.
However, when networks ended their blocktime agreement following the move of ‘Eat Bulaga’ to TV5, ABS-CBN sought a partnership with GMA to air the show on the network’s secondary channel GTV.
Since the start of this year, ‘Showtime’ was able to overtake ‘Bulaga’ in the TV ratings game, thanks to the strong performance of its segment ‘EXpecially For You.’
GMA-7 BROADCAST
Last March 20, GMA Network and ABS-CBN held a grand contract signing ceremony for a new deal concerning noontime variety program ‘It’s Showtime.’
The two media giants inked a new partnership deal that would see ‘It’s Showtime’ air on the flagship GMA channel starting April 6 from 12:00 nn to 2:30 pm.
According to the joint statement issued by the Kapuso and Kapamilya networks, “the unprecedented move reflects the commitment of GMA and ABS-CBN to deliver top-notch entertainment and serve the Filipino people.”
GMA said that it is extending “a heartfelt reception to the whole ‘It’s Showtime’ family and considers it a welcome addition to the growing list of program offerings for its Kapuso viewers nationwide and abroad.”
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN expresses “their sincere gratitude to GMA Network for opening its doots and providing a new platform to bring entertainment and happiness to more viewers across the country.”
The Kapamilya network went on to thank the loyal viewers of ‘Showtime’ “for their unwavering support for almost 15 years.”
The company added that they “look forward to connecting with new audiences as ‘It’s Showtime’ embarks on a new journey in creating more unforgettable FUNanghalian moments together” on GMA platforms.
‘It’s Showtime,’ starting April 8, will air from Monday to Saturday at 12:00 nn.
It will be simultaneously aired over Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, A2Z, GMA, and GTV on free and pay TV, and Kapamilya Online Live and Kapuso Stream on YouTube and Facebook.
Viewers abroad will be able to tune in to the variety program via TFC and GMA Pinoy TV, and through the iWantTFC streaming platform worldwide.