MTRCB summons 'It's Showtime' producers over 'racially insensitive, colorist' remarks in July 24 episode
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has summoned the producers of It's Showtime over an "inappropriate" scene and "racially insensitive" comments made during its July 24 episode.
According to a July 28 statement, the agency called on GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Corporation to attend a hearing at the MTRCB as respondents on July 29, 10:30 a.m.
The MTRCB said that the summons stemmed from complaints it received regarding the "Memerimar" during the noontime show's "Laro Laro Pick" segment.
Concerned citizens also raised alarm over a "lugaw" scene between Vice and their partner, Ion Perez.
The agency added that it aims to know whether It's Showtime complies with provisions under Sec. 3(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986 prohibiting the broadcast of programs that are "contrary to law, good customs, public order, public morals, or are otherwise objectionable."
During the "Memerimar" parody, the comedian spat water on Baby Dolls member Johaira's face and asked her, "Anong nangyari sa iyo? Ba't nagputik ka?"
Clips of the scene circulated online, with social media users slamming the joke and calling it colorist. They also pointed out that it perpetuated harmful stereotypes about darker skin tones.
Meanwhile, the "lugaw" scene saw Vice lying on what appeared to be a bed as Perez, who played a man named Alejandro, poured the porridge into the host's mouth.
When Vice got up to clean himself off, he jokingly said, "Baboy na baboy ah. Makapagpatawa lang. Asan 'yung kutsara? Nakalimutan?"
During the July 25 episode, Vice offered a public apology to the audience.
"Nakarating po sa aming kaalaman na may mga madlang people po na hindi nagustuhan o na-offend sa ilan sa aming jokes o biruan dito sa Showtime, pati na rin sa mga ginagawa namin sa Memerimar. They found the jokes offensive or insensitive," he said.
"The last thing we want is to displease you o hindi mapasaya ang aming madlang people. Kaya naman, ina-acknowledge po namin ang inyong sentimyento at humihingi po kami ng paumanhin sa inyo and we will try to do better."
To recall, the MTRCB suspended It's Showtime from airing for 12 days after its hosts allegedly acted in an "indecent manner" during a segment which saw Vice and Perez licking frosting off their own fingers.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to ABS-CBN but has yet to receive a response.
