Three months after it last aired live, ABS-CBN noontime show It’s Showtime is back on air Saturday via the new 24-hour Kapamilya Channel available on cable and satellite TV.
Under the new normal, hosts are physical distancing, wearing face shields and hosting without a live studio audience.
Vice Ganda said, “Ang pagbabalik po namin dito sa Showtime, (ang) pag-ere ng Kapamilya network, ay masasabi kong hindi naman ito ang solusyon sa COVID-19, sa pandemya.
“Hindi naman ito ang magbibigay ng gamot sa mga nagkakasakit. Pero maari po kami makapagbigay ng gamot sa ilang mga karamdaman na dinulot nitong COVID-19 katulad ng kalungkutan ninyo, kabagutan, takot na nararamdaman ngayon.
“Pipiltin po namin mabubura yan sa pamamagitan ng paglagay ng konting ngiti sa mga mukha ninyo.”
It’s Showtime last had a live telecast inside a studio on March 14.
On March 15, the network suspended the production and staging of live entertainment programs in compliance with the implementation of the community quarantine to contain the spread of the virus.
ABS-CBN was ordered to stop its TV and radio broadcast operations by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on May 5 — a day after the network’s 25-year congressional franchise expired.
Meanwhile, the hosts acknowledged the fear of returning to work, and Vice hinted that they were made to sign a contract that ensured protective measures and drastic changes such as “bawal maglapit at maghawakan.”
Among its old segments, only Tawag ng Tanghalan was retained. Three new segments were also introduced, namely Nandito yung ‘1Ted Now Hiring, Super Fiestars: Ang Barangay Paligsahan and Pamilyanaryo.
Its rival show Eat Bulaga, meanwhile, started airing live last Monday after nearly three months of replaying old episodes.
The return of these shows on air comes after quarantine measures were eased up nationwide.
