Have we all seen this coming?
The Movie and Television Review Classifications Board (MTRCB) has imposed a 12-day suspension on the TV show “It’s Showtime” following numerous complaints from viewers regarding its July 25 episode. In this episode, the hosts of “It’s Showtime” were accused of behaving inappropriately during the “Isip Bata” segment. The decision to suspend the show was announced on Monday after a thorough review by the MTRCB’s Hearing and Adjudication Committee, which included the submission of position papers by the show’s respondents and adherence to proper procedural protocols.
Image credit: GMA News
According to the MTRCB’s official statement, respondents have the option to request a reconsideration of the decision within 15 days of receiving it.
This isn’t the first time “It’s Showtime” has faced action from the MTRCB this year. Earlier warnings were issued for incidents in the January 24 episode, where hosts Jhong Hilario and Vice Ganda were alleged to have used inappropriate language, and the June 3 episode, where host Vhong Navarro used a similar term inappropriately.
Furthermore, the MTRCB pointed out that “It’s Showtime” had previously been suspended in 2010, with a 20-day preventive suspension imposed on the variety program “Showtime.”
On July 31, the MTRCB called in the producers of “It’s Showtime” to address allegations of “indecent acts” involving Vice Ganda and Ion Perez during the “Isip Bata” segment of the July 25 episode. In this segment, Vice and Ion, who had a non-legal wedding ceremony in Las Vegas the previous year, were shown sharing a cake, with complaints asserting that the scene depicted inappropriate behavior.