IT’S Showtime may have to temporarily bid goodbye to the madlang people.
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) imposed a 12-airing day suspension on the noontime variety show over the alleged indecent acts of hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez during the show’s July 25 episode.
The MTRCB announced the suspension on Monday and said it was due to the multiple complaints it received from viewers over the celebrity couple’s “indecent manner” during the program’s “Isip Bata” segment.
It’s Showtime producers were summoned in July to explain this at the MTRCB office in Quezon City.
The MTRCB did not specify what particular scene from the segment it was referring to in its Notice to Appear and Testify, but a clip from the “Isip Bata” segment showed the two hosts eating icing from a cake off their fingers.
The show has the chance to contest the suspension.
“In accordance with the Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1986 (MTRCB Charter), the respondents may file one Motion for Reconsideration (MR) within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the decision,” the MTRCB said in a statement.
“Should the Board’s Decision be adverse to the respondent’s MR, they may appeal to the Office of the President within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the decision on the MR,” it added.
The review body also mentioned the previous suspension and warnings it imposed on It’s Showtime.
These include the 20-day preventive suspension in 2010 when the show was then called Showtime, and two additional warnings due to “inappropriate utterance” of the words “G Spot” and “tinggil” by its hosts in its January 24 and June 3 episodes, respectively, it said.
It had also warned the show that similar utterances would be dealt with more severely.
“In 2023 alone, the MTRCB has received multiple complaints which the Board has given due course,” it said.
But the MTRCB also said that it dismissed multiple complaints against the show due to “lack of merit.”
ABS-CBN’s response
The Kapamilya network confirmed in a statement that it has received the MTRCB’s decision and said that it would lodge an appeal.
“We will submit a Motion for Reconsideration as we humbly maintain that there was no violation of pertinent law,” ABS-CBN said.
“We are also committed to working with the MTRCB to ensure that ‘It’s Showtime’ can continue to bring joy and entertainment to our noontime viewers,” it added.
The network also thanked the variety show’s viewers, whom it called Madlang People, for their love and support.
Vice Ganda, on the other hand, shared a cryptic post on X where she quoted physicist Albert Einstein.
The art card read, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
It’s Showtime also posted on X and said, “Kami, kayo, #TayoAngShowtime.”
Vice Ganda to skip ASAP Natin ‘To in Milan
Meanwhile, musical variety show ASAP announced on social media that Vice Ganda will not be able to join ASAP Nain ’To in Milan. This is because she will not be able to leave It’s Showtime and the game show Everybody, Sing following the MTRCB decision.
“Vice Ganda and the ASAP Natin ‘To team thank everyone for your continuous support and kind understanding,” it said.
“’ASAP Natin ‘To in Milan,’ which boasts of a cast of almost 40 powerhouse Filipino and local acts in Italy, still promises to deliver a gigantic, one-of-a-kind spectacle for all its fans in Milan,” it continued.
The comedy superstar was earlier announced as a special guest in the event, along with Batang Quiapo star Coco Martin.
ASAP Natin ‘To in Milan will feature performances of OPM singers Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Erik Santos, Moira Dela Torre, KZ Tandingan, and Darren Espanto, among others.
The event will also be graced by Kapamilya actors, actresses, and rappers.
It will be held at the Mediolanum Forum in Assago on September 10.
