‘It’s Showtime’ hosts draw laughs, ire after ‘We’re under attack’ skit

The hosts of the noontime program “It’s Showtime” were both applauded and criticized as they used their trademark humor to deliver an impromptu skit that was seemingly inspired by the recent events in the Senate.

During the show’s episode on Wednesday, May 20, show hosts Vice Ganda, Jhong Hilario, Anne Curtis and Vhong Navarro were talking to one of the contestants of the “Laro Laro Pick” segment.

When the female participant slightly raised her voice while answering Vice Ganda’s question, the comedian jokingly did the same and turned to Hilario to initiate a banter.

Hilario, in turn, jokingly pulled the contestant closer to him and said, “Guys, guys! We’re under attack!” pointing to Vice Ganda.

Vice Ganda then reached for the camera, as if making it appear that he was using a selfie camera to document the apparent attack.

“We are under attack. Nananawagan kami dito (We are appealing here),” Vice Ganda said, pulling Curtis to stand behind him. “Dito ka, Anne. Nandito ‘yung kapatid na babae. Smile-smile ka d’yan.” (Stand here, Anne. The sister was standing behind him. Flash a smile.)

The four hosts burst into laughter, along with the studio audience.

While no specific names or incidents were mentioned, the spoof apparently mimicked the live broadcast of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano during the shooting incident at the senate, in which he said that the upper chamber was “allegedly under attack.”

In the video, Alan was seen in a room with several other senators, including his sister Pia Cayetano who was standing behind him while he was speaking in front of the camera.

The clip of the “It’s Showtime” skit was shared by Vice Ganda as well as the noontime show on their respective social media pages. Many found the spoof hilarious, praising the hosts for being in tune with their audience’s humor.

On the other hand, however, there are those who pointed out that such an incident should not be treated as a laughing matter. Some also reacted by making a mention of the non-renewal of the franchise of the show’s home network, ABS-CBN.

The shooting incident at the Senate transpired last May 13 after the International Criminal Court made public its arrest order against Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, in connection with his alleged involvement in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

Prior to the shooting incident, Dela Rosa had returned and sought refuge in the senate. He left the premises the morning after the commotion, and his whereabouts are currently unknown to the public. /edv