LOOK: 'It's Showtime' makes TV history with GMA-7 debut
It’s Showtime made its debut on GMA Network one for the books on Saturday, April 6, featuring an explosive opening performance, a collaboration with Kapuso stars, and more.
Weeks after their March contract signing, the longest-running noontime show of ABS-CBN started airing on its then-rival network this weekend, taking over the slot previously held by Tahanang Pinakamasaya (formerly Eat Bulaga!).
Donning mythical-looking outfits in white and gold, It’s Showtime kicked off its pilot episode with striking segments by the hosts. It included a dance performance by Jhong Hilario and Vhong Navarro as well as a song number by Anne Curtis and Karylle, who covered Power by Little Mix.
Vice Ganda, who recently celebrated her 48th birthday, delivered a powerful performance with drag queens Precious Paula Nicole, Captivating Katkat, Minty Fresh, and Brigiding. The TV host made the show's first GMA-7 airing "unkabogable" with a short clip showing her on the GMA logo of the network’s main building.
VICE GANDA ON TOP OF GMA BUILDING!
— KPEx Official (@OfficialKpex) April 6, 2024
THIS IS PEAK PHILIPPINE NOONTIME TV!
🔥🌈❤️💚💙@itsShowtimeNa #ShowtimeSanibPwersa pic.twitter.com/OvDlOiY7tm
The It's Showtime hosts later sang their theme song with the Madlang People.
Kapuso artists also made it special by taking part in the KaraoKids segment. Among the GMA-7 artists who dropped by the program were Mark Bautista, Christian Bautista, Glaiza De Castro, Jillian Ward, Jake Vargas, Gabbi Garcia, Mikee Quintos, Nadine Samonte, and K-pop idol Chantal of Lapillus.
In the same segment, the hosts and Kapuso stars also sang a part of GMA-7’s Kapuso Makulay Ang Buhay as it was one of the songs that participants needed to guess.
Another highlight of its pilot episode was today's EXpecially for You portion, which Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee joined alongside her mom, former beauty queen Melanie Marquez.
It's Showtime aired on GMA's GTV channel from July 2023 until Tahanang Pinakamasaya ended on March 8. The latter underwent rebranding after losing an arduous trademark case against TVJ (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon) for the use of "Eat Bulaga!" and "EB."
The noontime offering, whose current rival program is Eat Bulaga! on TV5, would still air on GTV and other platforms like A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online LIVE on Facebook and YouTube, Jeepney TV, IWantTFC, and The Filipino Channel.
