IN THE SPOTLIGHT: From ‘It’s Showtime’ suspension to ‘It’s Your Lucky Day’s’ launch real quick

(From left) “It’s Showtime” and It’s Your Lucky Day. Images: FILE PHOTOS

One of the most explosive headlines of 2023 was the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board’s (MTRCB) ban on ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime” which was met with criticism and accusations of unfair treatment.

“It’s Showtime’s” ban eventually took effect last Oct. 14, with “It’s Your Lucky Day” temporarily taking its timeslot for two weeks, with a promise for the Vice Ganda-led show to come back stronger. 

Here’s a look-back at the events that resulted in the shake down at the Kapamilya studio.

‘It’s Showtime’s’ suspension

July 25: Hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez shared a tender moment during the show’s “Isip Bata” segment, where the latter held a cake for his partner, before tasting the cake icing with his eyes closed. Vice Ganda followed suit, licking the icing off his own finger saucily. 

Sept. 4: The noontime show was slapped with a 12-day suspension due to alleged complaints over Vice and Perez’s “alleged indecent acts.” But without expounding on these certain complaints, the regulatory board stressed that it’s not the first time it received a “preventive suspension.”

Additional complaints: “Case no. 1: Inappropriate utterance of the word “G Spot” by hosts Jhong Hilario and Vice Ganda, during the 24 January 2023 episode of “It’s Showtime!” in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1986.” 

“Case no. 2: Inappropriate utterance of the word ‘Tinggil’ by host Vhong Navarro, during the 03 June 2023 episode of ‘It’s Showtime!’ in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. No. 1986.” 

These, however, were notably dismissed for “lack of merit.”

Sept. 5: ABS-CBN submitted a Motion of Reconsideration, while maintaining that there was “no violation of pertinent law.”

MTRCB’s ruling, call for resignation

‘Due process’: MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio insisted that she recused from voting on “It’s Showtime’s” case, while noting that the regulatory board unanimously voted for its suspension.

‘No unfair treatment’: She claimed that the ABS-CBN noontime show was given a “chance” to appeal MTRCB’s decision, pointing out that the “spirit of fairness” was implemented.

FILE PHOTO: Lala Sotto | PHOTO: Official facebook page of MTRCB

Following this, University of the Philippines’ Department of Broadcast Communication called for her resignation due to MTRCB’s supposed “lack of wisdom and discernment.”

“We also call for the resignation of MTRCB Chair Diorella Maria ‘Lala’ Sotto, whose pronouncements on national TV evidently compromised her position and objectivity as a public official,” their statement added.

Lawmakers, religious groups vs ‘It’s Showtime’

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile: “Salacious, ibig sabihin nun malisyoso,” the veteran lawmaker and government official said during his radio program on SMNI last Sept. 9. “Sarili mo na lang iniisip mo, akala mo maganda yung ginagawa mo. Super bastos ka, bastos kang tao.”

Vice Ganda and Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile

Christian Coalition Movement: “The Nation is now reeling from huge economic problems and public issues, such as rising food prices, daily traffic congestion, drug addiction, street violence, child abuse, teenage crimes, and even real threats to the security of our islands and seas, among others. To see indecent, immoral, and unwholesome shows on live television add up to the woes and concerns of our Filipino families,” the group said in a statement on MTRCB’s Facebook page.

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante: Abante lauded MTRCB’s “valid decision” as it supposedly gives out a “very clear and very loud message to television show producers and artists who oftentimes forget that their content is inappropriate for young viewers.”

Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI): Vice and Perez were charged with violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 “both in the online and offline platforms,” which was filed by the KSMBPI, according to the organization’s president Atty. Leo Olarte.

But photos of KSMBPI’s “special meeting” with Sotto-Antonio last August surfaced on social media, which intensified public uproar against MTRCB and chairman. This led to the regulatory body condemning the alleged “unfortunate surge in threatening messages” against the latter in Sept. 14.

A photo of the Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. at MTRCB’s office. Image: Facebook/Commander Red

Days later, Sotto decided to inhibit from ruling on issues involving noontime shows in the interest of “transparency and fairness,” apparently succumbing to pressure amid her relations to former Senate President Tito Sotto III, who hosts “EAT,” a rival show of “It’s Showtime.”

Appeal denied

Sept. 28: The MTRCB rejected ABS-CBN’s motion for reconsideration, thus allowing “It’s Showtime’s” 12-day ban to take effect.

Oct. 6: ABS-CBN decided to not appeal to the 12-day suspension that was meted out by the regulatory board’s decision, although the media giant asserted that no “pertinent laws” were broken.

Oct. 13: The hosts of the Kapamilya noontime show bid a temporary goodbye to their supporters. “Abangan niyo po bukas ang ‘It’s Your Lucky Day,’” mainstay host Vhong Navarro said. “Kami naman po, sa aming pagbabalik sa Oct. 28, magsama-sama tayong muli para sa ‘Mini Ms. U: the cutest finale.’ Madlang people, we’ll be right back! Mami-miss namin kayo pero mabilis lang ‘yan.”

‘It’s Your Lucky Day’

Oct. 11: The launch of “It’s Your Lucky Day” was confirmed in an official statement, which features Luis Manzano, Shaina Magdayao, Melai Cantiveros, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Jennica Garcia, and comedians Long Mejia, Negi, Petit and Divine Tetay as the hosts.

Oct. 14: “It’s Your Lucky Day” kicked off with a bang — and on a wholesome note as Luis Manzano greeted the hosts of its noontime counterparts “EAT” and “Eat Bulaga.”

Another highlight of the pilot was Robi Domingo’s unexpected interaction with a contestant who mistakenly referred to a certain “volleyball player” as his wife-to-be after the host’s shout-out to fiancée Maiqui Pineda. While the athlete’s name was not disclosed, it is apparent that the contestant was pertaining to TV presenter Gretchen Ho as she’s part of the Ateneo Lady Eagles from 2008 to 2013.

Luis Manzano and a hard-of-hearing person in “It’s Your Lucky Day.” Image: screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment

Oct. 16: Manzano garnered praise from netizens after he chose a deaf audience member named Lester to be part of the show’s “Pangma-luckcashan” segment. He even greeted Lester using sign language. EDV