2009–2012: As a pre-noontime show

It's Showtime premiered on October 24, 2009 as Showtime, replacing Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba? as a talent competition program, airing right before the network's noontime shows. The original hosts include Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Kim Atienza, Jugs Jugueta and Teddy Corpuz, with Vice Ganda as the resident hurado (unevictable judge). In the third season, the show added former hurados Billy Crawford and Karylle as hosts.

In the first four seasons, Showtime's original competition format was that three groups, each made up of 2 to 25 members (with no age limit) perform a single performance, either a dance and/or song number. Before the performance, one group member is given 20 seconds to make an introduction before ending with the phrase "It's Showtime!". After the group's performance, the hurados, with the help of the studio audience, rate the group from 1 to 10. The group with the highest average score from the hurados wins the competition. The daily winner perform again to compete in the weekly finals. The winning weekly finalists advance to the monthly finals. The winning monthly finalists get the chance to complete in the grand finals. In the wildcard week, selected groups from the weekly and monthly finals are invited back to compete again for a slot in the grand finals.

Aside from the talent competition, Showtime also featured mini-segments that offers cash prizes to the studio audiences.

2010–present: As a noontime show

In October 2010, Showtime became a noontime show, serving as the lead-in program for Pilipinas Win Na Win which was pushed back to an early afternoon timeslot which lasted until February 11, 2011.^[2]

On February 12, 2011, the program returned to its original timeslot to give way for Happy Yipee Yehey!

On January 28, 2012, Showtime aired a special episode to end its two-year competition format with an impartial farewell.^[3] It then went on hiatus as the program prepared to become a noontime show again for the second and current time to replace Happy Yipee Yehey!.^[4][5] The drama series Mundo Man ay Magunaw took over the timeslot of Showtime from January 30 to February 3, 2012.

Featuring

Current guest co-hosts

• Barbie Forteza (May 11 episode)^[69][70]
• Michelle Dee (April 18 episode)^[71]

Also featuring

• Batang Cute-Po/KaraoKids (since 2023)
  • Argus Aspiras (from Isip Bata)
  • Arianah Kelsey "Yes Girl" Lasam (from Mini Miss U 2023; grand winner)
  • Briseis Ericka Quijano (from Mini Miss U 2023)
  • Enicka Xaria Orbe (from Mini Miss U 2023)
  • Imogen Cantong (from Isip Bata)
  • Jaze Capili (from Isip Bata)
  • Princess Kathryn "Kulot" Caponpon (from Isip Bata)

Magpasikat

Magpasikat is the annual talent competition for all the hosts of It's Showtime. It is usually held either a week before the show's anniversary date, October 24, or during the week itself (although the 2021 to 2023 editions were held in November). The performances are evaluated by a special panel of hurados (judges).

FUNanghalian

FUNanghalian is a segment wherein the hosts play games. This is the second incarnation of the segment that first premiered in 2018. FUNanghalian premiered on October 30, 2023 with the segment Tumpakners. As of April 29, 2024, four games have debuted: namely, Tumpakners, MeChoose MeChoose, KaraoKids, and Showing Bulilit.

Expecially for You

Expecially for You (stylized as "eXpecially for you" and "EXpecially for You") is a reality dating segment that premiered on December 4, 2023, replacing the dance competition segment It's Showdown. The segment is aired every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The segment's name is a pun on Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan's song Especially for You, as well as the word "ex," which refers to a previous relationship.^{[75][76][44][77]} In rare instances, if a searcher's ex isn't on the show, they may be joined by a close friend or relative.

This segment is open to people of all genders aged 18 and up. Auditions are open to: any couple can audition for the show, but they must have broken up and be on good terms; and to audition as a searchee, any civilian who is single and "ready to mingle" regardless of gender can do so. As of February 28, 2024, auditions are currently being held on-site and in malls across the country.

Expecially for You is divided into four parts. Before the game begins, the hosts will question the couple about how their relationship began and ended. During the game, the searcher is free to express his or her thoughts and opinions about the searchees. The searcher can also influence the finder's decision to locate his or her match. Following each interrogation of each searchee by the searcher, the searcher must give a "green flag" (a slang term for a positive action or trait indicative of healthy behavior) to a searchee who meets his or her criteria. The searchee with the most "green flags" from the finder will be compared with the finder to see if they are a match. Otherwise, a "Love Selling" round will take place if two or all three of the searchees are tied.

• Searchees' Introduction: Following the ex-couple's interview, the searchees are introduced and given the task of saying a pick-up line for the searcher in order to rise the latter's first impressions about them.
• Exchange of Hearts: The finder will interview each of the searchees. Usually, a set of 3 questions is provided. After all the searchees have answered a question, the searchee must give a "green flag" to a searchee that meets his or her criteria.
• Love Selling: In case of a tie (if a green flag was given on each of the three searchees after the searcher's sets of questions have been answered), the searchees will be given 20 seconds to explain why the finder should choose them and convince to be the finder's pair.
• Ex-Deal: The two non-selected searchees are revealed and introduced to the searcher first, followed by the chosen searchee. The searcher will have the final say and will offer advice to the new couple at this stage. The newly matched pair are allocated to have dinner together at a restaurant chosen by the show.

Tawag ng Tanghalan

Tawag ng Tanghalan is an amateur singing competition that aired on the ABS-CBN network from 1953 to 1972. It was first revived on March 8, 1987, and lasted until November 26, 1989. It was once again revived as a segment of the show on January 2, 2016, and has since produced twelve seasons: seven regular seasons, two kids seasons, and three special seasons. Tawag ng Tanghalan is the show's longest-running segment, airing every day since its return in January 2016.

The segment currently airs Tawag ng Tanghalan: The School Showdown, a special season which features contestants hailing from various universities around the Philippines. It aired on April 22, 2024, just two days after the finale of the second season of Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids.

Accolades

Ratings

Showtime debuted on its pre-noontime slot on October 24, 2009, with a 14.0% national TV rating based on Kantar Media Philippines, and then moved on the noontime slot from October 2010 to February 2011.^[121] Its immense popularity ended the dominance of talk show SiS on its timeslot.^[122] GMA Network replaced SiS with Diz Iz It!, a competition similar to Showtime, but it was cancelled after five months.

Showtime's first grand finals held in July 2010 received a 35% national TV rating, beating the 8.9% rating of Diz Iz It! and 13.7% of Eat Bulaga!^[123] The second grand finals held in December 2010 scored a 23.4% national TV rating against Eat Bulaga!'s 17.4%.^[124] The third grand finals in May 2011 also delivered a rating of 21.3% versus Eat Bulaga!'s 17%.

Showtime again moved to the noontime slot for the second and current time on February 6, 2012, after one year and the show's one week hiatus (now using its current name It's Showtime), with a 13.6% national rating.^[125] The episode received an overall 16.3% rating when the viewership numbers from Studio 23 were added. Initially placing behind Eat Bulaga!, the show's rating peaked to a 20.9% national rating during the finals of the "Bida Kapamilya" segment and its third anniversary week-long celebration.^[126][127]

The finals of the Kalokalike segment in June 2013 garnered a 26.8% national TV rating, leaving Eat Bulaga! and Wowowillie with 13.2% and 2.8% ratings, respectively.^[128] The finals of the segment's second iteration posted a 21.6% national TV rating, once again beating Eat Bulaga!'s 15.8% and Wowowillie's 2.6%.^[129]

It's Showtime continued its dominance in the noontime slot with its fourth anniversary week special held from October 21–26, 2013.^[130][131]

The program faced heavy competition in 2015 when the sixth anniversary special only scored a 10.2% national TV rating, four times behind Eat Bulaga's 40.1%. This is due to the Tamang Panahon special (and the build-up before that), which served as the climax of the then-popular Kalyeserye segment which featured AlDub.^{[132][133][134]}

It's Showtime quickly regained its prominence on its time slot when Tawag ng Tanghalan launched in 2016. The program garnered a 33.6% national TV rating during the singing competition's first grand finals, over Eat Bulaga's 11.7%.^[135] Tawag ng Tanghalan continued its winning streak during its second-season finale when it posted a national TV rating of 31% against Eat Bulaga's 9.5%.^[136] It's Showtime topped the ratings game once again during the first grand finals of Miss Q and A segment on June 30, 2018, with a national TV rating of 28.4% versus Eat Bulaga's 11.1%.^[137]

The second Miss Q and A grand finals posted a national TV rating of 27.4%, beating Eat Bulaga's 10.6%, Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko's 13.8%, and Tadhana's 11.3%.^[138]

Tawag ng Tanghalan third-season finale posted a national TV rating of 25.8%, beating Eat Bulaga's 10.4% and Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Buhay Ko's 9.5%.^[139]

On January 27, 2024, Tawag ng Tanghalan seventh-season finale posted a national TV rating of 4.8% beating Eat Bulaga's 4.5% and Tahanang Pinakamasaya's 2.7%

On February 7, 2024, It's Showtime achieved a historic victory since the ABS-CBN shutdown with a rating of 4.4% once again beating Eat Bulaga's 3.9% and Tahanang Pinakamasaya's 3.1%.^[140]

On March 1 and 2, 2024, It's Showtime once again made victories in the ratings with 4.6% and 5.1% respectively. Thus, beating both Eat Bulaga's 4.1% and 4.7% and the finale of Tahanang Pinakamasaya's 2.9% and 2.8%.

On their GMA Network debut last April 6, It's Showtime achieved 524,294 peak concurrent views online and historic rating victory since the ABS-CBN shutdown with an all-time high rating of 9.7% beating Eat Bulaga's 4.4%.^[141]

Rosanna Roces' statements on teachers

Showtime came under fire when controversial statements were made by guest hurado Rosanna Roces against certain groups, especially teachers during an episode in January 2010. ABS-CBN relieved Roces of her jury duty as a form of self-regulation, but Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) placed the program under a 20-day preventive suspension on January 11, 2010. A placeholder variety show titled Magpasikat was aired in lieu of Showtime; Magpasikat had essentially the same talent show format as Showtime except that the competing groups are composed of celebrities.^[142][143]

The suspension only lasted for six days after the Court of Appeals issued a 60-day temporary restraining order against the MTRCB's suspension. Showtime eventually returned on air on January 19, 2010.^{[144][145][146][147][148]}

In March 2010, MTRCB ordered a total one-month suspension of the program because of the incident, including the replacement program Magpasikat. The MTRCB also directed the filing of criminal charges against Florida Tan, ABS-CBN vice-president for programming, and other officers "responsible for the violation."^[149] Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN's Corporate Communications said that the suspension was not yet final and that they were seeking appeal before the Office of the President.^[150] The variety show later on won the case because the MTRCB had not presented new arguments that would justify a reversal of its previous resolution.^[151][152]

Gabriela's criticism on Nasaan Ka, Mr. Pastillas segment

The program's daily reality-dating game segment Nasaan Ka, Mr. Pastillas? drew ire from netizens and women's group Gabriela for "pimping" Angelica Yap or popularly known as Pastillas Girl. The program issued a statement to denounce Gabriela's complaint, saying that it is "hurtful and offensive to women like Angelica who has done nothing wrong but to share her story with the hope of getting another shot at love."^[153] It also clarified the segment's intent of helping Yap find love and recover from a failed relationship. MTRCB summoned the show's executives to give a list of suggestions on how to improve the segment.^[154]

GirlTrend member's joke on orphans

GirlTrend member Erin Ocampo drew flak from netizens after making a joke about being an orphan during the PUROKatatawanan segment. As part of a skit, she asked Hashtag member Jimboy Martin "how to make an ugly child" with Martin retorting that she should ask her mother. Ocampo responded by saying that Martin should ask his real parents instead because he is adopted. Norfil Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization that provides help to orphaned children, called on MTRCB and DSWD to take corrective action as it branded the joke "insensitive and ignorant."^[155] The program made an on-air apology the following day. Additionally, the segment was indefinitely suspended and was eventually removed. It was then replaced by the third season of Mini-Me the next day, and GirlTrend Erin was removed from the said girl group.^[156]

Miss Q & A finalist's wardrobe malfunction

Miss Q & A grand finalist Lars Pacheco suffered a wardrobe malfunction in an October 2019 episode. The contestant's dress accidentally slipped off causing part of her chest to be exposed. It's Showtime apologized to viewers who may have been offended by the accident.^[157]

Mistake on PiLing Lucky segment

It's Showtime issued an apology after a production mistake made on PiLing Lucky segment during a February 27, 2020, episode. In the segment, the contestant is asked to select one among 24 paintings for a chance to win either the cash prize of P550,000, or the negosyo (business livelihood) package. It was found out that none of the paintings contained the jackpot prize and the contestant was later awarded the negosyo package.^[158]

Question in Mas Testing segment

On November 9, 2020, It's Showtime drew flak from netizens when the hosts asked which among Gaya Sa Pelikula actors Ian Pangilinan and Paolo Pangilinan was more straight during the Mas Testing segment. "tigasin" (lit. 'tough'), "magaling magpalabas" (lit. 'good in releasing') and "kulot" (lit. 'curly'). This prompted netizens on Twitter to highlight the importance of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression awareness and education.^[159]

"Obscene act" in Isip Bata segment

On September 4, 2023, the MTRCB suspended the noontime show over numerous violations, including the alleged obscenity scenes by Vice Ganda and Ion Perez in a July 25 episode of the "Isip Bata" segment.^[160][161] However, the show continues to air as their network files a motion for reconsideration.^[162] Atty. Juan Ponce Enrile, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, criticized Vice Ganda for his immoral and disrespectful actions on their noontime show.^[163] On September 28, the MTRCB denied the motion for reconsideration filed by ABS-CBN Corporation and GMA Network, Inc., allowing the networks to appeal to the Office of the President within 15 days.^[164] On October 6, both networks were decided not to appeal to the Office of the President, the program's suspension that will take effect from October 14 to 27.^[165]

Another variety show, It's Your Lucky Day temporarily took It's Showtime's timeslot during the suspension period.^[166]

Lapse in MeCHOOSE-MeCHOOSE segment

On December 7, 2023, a player named Marifi from Lipa, Batangas, was chosen by the hosts to play "MeCHOOSE-MeCHOOSE". She was paired with Ryan Bang, and they were tasked with answering "food with the name pie." Marifi was declared the winner of the elimination round when both said "tinapay" (bread), and she advanced to the jackpot round, where she eventually won ₱80,000. However, netizens pointed out on social media when there was a lapse in her declaring a winner, when it became clear when she actually said "pizza pie" rather than "tinapay". To address this, the production met with the other players and agreed to split the ₱80,000 prize money won by Marifi in the jackpot round. The show issued a statement on the subject the day after the episode aired.^[167][168]

Controversial "brandagulan" incident

On January 20, 2024, hosts Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis found themselves in a "brandagulan" (a portmanteau of the words "brand" and "bardagulan" [slang meaning conflict, bullying, or starting a fight]) mishap during the "eXpecially For You" segment. The incident involved Vice playfully making Anne utter the tagline of a brand they endorse.^{[169][170][171][172][173]}

Realizing her mistake, Anne promptly apologized, saying, "Bad 'yun, sa akin. Sorry po. Pasensiya na po kayo, 'di ko po sinasadya 'yun." ("That was bad on my part. I'm sorry. I apologize, I didn't mean to do that"). Vice responded positively, stating, "Bakit ka nag-sorry, maganda lang naman, wala ka namang sinabing masama" ("Why are you apologizing? It's fine, you didn't say anything wrong").

However, Anne expressed concern about potential consequences of losing her contract, saying, "Ito kapag nawalan ako ng kontrata, pasensiya na po kayo 'di ko po sinasadya, lapse of judgment, sorry" ("If I lose a contract because of this, I apologize, it was a lapse of judgment, sorry"). Vice reassured Anne and said, "Pumuri ka lang naman ng sitwasyon nila, maganda naman talaga 'yung sitwasyon." ("Just praise their situation; the situation is really good"). The incident became viral on social media, prompting Anne to address the situation online. She clarified that she and Vice had already reconciled, emphasizing that it was a lapse of judgment on both sides.

In response to the online buzz, Vice tweeted humorously, "Ang KJ (killjoy) mo! Ok 'yan para trending! Chozzz!!! But yes, it was a lapse of judgment. It was our usual 'brandagulan' moment na late n'ya na-realize so nasabi n'ya 'yung tagline nang 'di n'ya namalayan." ("You're such a killjoy! It's okay for it to trend! Just kidding!!! But yes, it was a lapse of judgment. It was our usual brandagulan moment; she realized it late, so she said the tagline unintentionally"). Vice later admitted fault, saying, "No. At times I don't think enough. Sa kagustuhan kong magpatawa bira ako nang bira kaya minsan sablay. Sometimes I hate myself. Pero ganun talaga sa comedy man o sa real life talagang hit and miss. And we’ll just have to try again." ("No. At times I don't think enough. In my eagerness to be funny, I keep pushing, so sometimes I miss the mark. Sometimes I hate myself. But that's how it is in comedy or real life – it's really hit and miss. And we’ll just have to try again").

Showtime: The Album

A soundtrack album composed of five music tracks featuring the It's Showtime hosts was released in October 2010.^[174][175]

Isip Bata: The Album

A compilation album of eleven music tracks featuring the members of the kiddie group "Batang Cute-Po" of the show's children's segment "Isip Bata", consisting of Argus Aspiras, Imogen Cantong, Princess Kathryn "Kulot" Caponpon, Jaze Capili, and Lucas Landicho was released on November 3, 2023.^{[176][177][178]}

The first five singles off the album (Totoy Bibbo, Clap Clap Clap, Dalandan Shake, Pamela, and Learn the 1, 2, 3) were first released on October 13, 2023.