Watching noontime shows in the Philippines is a natural Filipino habit. Taking a break from work or school then turning on the TV for an hour or two takes us away from our stressful work or school and just laugh out loud while watching.
Over the years, noontime shows has changed its format and length. From 1 hour and a half in the 80’s to more than two hours today and from ordinary singing and dancing to comedy bar style comedy. Now, there are two noontime shows – Eat Bulaga and It’s Showtime.
HOW DID IT ALL STARTED?
We all know how Eat Bulaga is getting much attention these days because of the popular AlDub (Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza) love team from its Kalyeserye segment. It all started when Maine Mendoza (aka Yaya Dub), known for her funny Dubsmash videos on Instagram and You Tube had its first TV debut on Eat Bulaga’s “Juan For All, All For Juan” segment on July 4, 2015. But her fame rose when she had this “kilig” reaction when she saw Alden Richards, who is part of the audience at the studio on July 16, 2015. TAPE, Inc (Television and Production Exponents Inc), the producer of Eat Bulaga thought of a way to put the whole segment into a “teleserye” format and Kalyeserye was born. This made Eat Bulaga ratings skyrocket to No. 1.
PRESSURE ON IT’S SHOWTIME
Since it took over the noontime slot on Feburary 6, 2012, It’s Showtime has lorded the noontime slot with consistent high ratings. It introduced segments that are out of the ordinary like Kalokalike, That’s My Tomboy, I Am Pogay, and Mini Me. Before that, It’s Showtime used to be on the morning timeslot (10:30am to 12:15pm) before another top rating noontime game show, Wowowee and was a consistent top rater on its morning slot.
It’s Showtime was caught by surprise with the rise of Eat Bulaga’s ratings because of AlDub love team. It even got a single digit rating, a first on its 6-year run on TV. ABS-CBN, producers of It’s Showtime quickly come up ways to pull up its falling ratings. On the show’s popular segment “AdVice Ganda”, TV host and comedian Vice Ganda gave an advice to Angelica Yap popularly known as “Pastillas Girl” on how she can move on from a painful break up with his ex boyfriend who left her for her best friend. Her video went viral on You Tube and Facebook in which she compares her relationship with her ex on how to make a Pastillas.
The following week, Pastillas Girl is back on the show and Vice Ganda announced a new segment called “Nasaan Ka, Mr. Pastillas?” in which the show will help Pastillas Girl find a new love life. It’s Showtime’s rating went up gradually but failed to topple Eat Bulaga.
WHY IT’S SHOWTIME?
During lunch breaks over the last couple of months, I’ve been juggling between the two shows. When its commercial break on the show I switch it to the other show. I noticed some pressure with the hosts especially with Vice Ganda to throw punchlines and make the show alive and fun to watch. I can see the sadness on the eyes of other hosts like Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro and Karylle. Obviously, moral is extremely low and they don’t know what to do. It seems like they are in the state of shock and there is also fear of the show being pulled out..
With the help of the Pastillas Girl segment, the show’s ratings continue to improve and captured the lost market in Visayas and Mindanao. Slowly, the show introduced new segments like Lip Swak, Clash of Celebrities, Proud To Be Pinoy, Show The Love and the return of That’s My Tomboy. Clearly, the show went back on track. Finally, happiness and “kulit factor” returned to the show’s hosts.
Today is It’s Showtime 6th anniversary. This week was the show’s Magpasikat week where the hosts prepare a performance number. Monday – Jhong Hilario and Karylle, Tuesday – Vhong Navarro and Ryan Bang, Wednesday – Vice Ganda, Jugs Jugueta and Teddy Corpus, Thursday – Anne Curtis, Kim Atienza and Eric “Eruption” Tai, Friday – Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia.
For the first time after Aldub rose to fame, I kept my TV glued on It’s Showtime again. The is show’s energy is back! The staff and hosts realized that they shouldn’t give in with the pressure. Just do what they love to do. Be natural!
The show may be facing some tough competition today, but it gave me a reason to be happy. The year 2012 was one of the darkest years of my life. I won’t go into details but it was really a tough year for me emotionally, physically and financially. Whenever I watch It’s Showtime, for 2 hours and a half, I tend to leave my stress, frustrations and sadness behind and just laugh out loud. No other noontime show, not even Eat Bulaga made me laugh like It’s Showtime do.
As long as there are people like me, a solid Showtimer, the show will continue to thrive. Who knows, the show might reach 36 years too. 🙂
Mark Ballesteros Blog 
You are right Mr. Marcelo, as long as there are solid SHOWTIMERS LIKE US-
Continue making people laugh and be natural in making people happy. I am not just a SOLID SHOWTIMER, I AM ALSO A SOLID KAPAMILYA-FROM SUN UP (UKG) to SUN DOWN (O-SHOPPING) You can also check how many purchases I have made in O-SHOPPING. HEHEHEHEHE!
Because I believe in the INTEGRITY of ABS-CBN in giving us QUALITY SHOWS and PRODUCTS as well! Just keep up the good work we are here SOLID na SOLID SHOWTIMER!!!
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I am SOLID kapamilya since 1988 nung magkaroon kami ng TV (AC/DC, de battery, black & white, sa Pulo, Talisay, Batangas. Wala kasi kuryente nuon hanggang ngayon). Mula nuon channel 2 na pinanuod ng aming buong kaya lahat ng show(s) ng ABS ay nasubaybayan naming lahat. Ang SHOWTIME ang nagbago sa panlasa ng panunuod mamayang Pilipino. Aminin man o hindi ng Eat Bulaga na naging threat sa kanila ang SHOWTIME, sabihin na natin na matagal na sila (EB) pero kahit papano nahati ang manunuod at may mga SOLID showtimer na kagaya namin. Ganon talaga ang mga palabas na minsan mataas minsan mababa ang ratings. Kun sasabihin nila na ALDUB FEVER man un nangyayari sa EB, isipin na lang natin na ang lagnat ay bumaba at tumataas at mas malamang ang pagbaba dahil hindi habang panahon ay mataas ang lagnat.
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MB nice One! Napansin ko rin na “Good Vibes” lang sila lagi. ano man sabihin ng fans ng EB wag na lang pa apekto. as long na may solid showtimers go lang ng go! marami rin naman sila na papasaya, lalo na kaming mga ofw. of course ganun din naman ang EB. respetohan lang. wag na yung laging BeastMode…. make people happy….ganun n lang.
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