Every great television success story has its turning point, a moment when the magic formula clicks. For It’s Showtime, that moment came with an unexpected spark: the uncontainable energy and wit of a guest judge named Vice Ganda.
Trina Genova-Bitara, longtime executive and supervising producer of It’s Showtime, recently pulled back the curtain on the show’s early days and revealed how Vice Ganda went from being a one-week guest to becoming one of the pillars of the noontime phenomenon.
“Nung dina-dry run namin siya, may lineup kami ng hurados (When we were doing the dry run, we had a lineup of judges),” she began, referring to the dance contest segment that launched the program in 2009. The show, then still in its experimental phase, featured a rotation of judges evaluating various dance groups eager to break into the spotlight.
The twist? Viewers had the power to vote out judges every Saturday — a game-show element that added a level of excitement and unpredictability. “Tapos kailangan meron kang set of hurados na isang linggong magja-judge every day (Then you need to have a set of judges who will judge every day for a week),” Genova-Bitara explained. “May isang unevictable hurado. Hindi siya puwedeng tanggalin ng madlang people. Originally, si Long Mejia ‘yun (There is one undefeatable judge — he cannot be removed by the public. Originally, it was Long Mejia).”
Brought in as a guest judge for what was meant to be a brief stint, Vice immediately made an impression, not just on audiences, but on the ABS-CBN management.
“Nung preniview ng management, sabi nila, ‘Ay nakakatawa si Vice, siya na lang (When the management reviewed it, they said, Vice is funny, he‘s the only one),’” she recounted.
What was supposed to be a temporary role turned permanent in a snap decision that would help redefine the trajectory of the show and Vice’s career.
“Siya na ‘yung unevictable. Hindi siya pwedeng matanggal sa Showtime (He is the one who is undefeatable. He cannot be fired from Showtime),” she said.
And from being a judge, Vice seamlessly transitioned into becoming one of the show’s official hosts, joining original anchors Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz and Kim Atienza.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Vice Ganda’s spontaneous humor, fearless commentary and deep connection with the “madlang people” not only endeared him to millions but helped elevate It’s Showtime from an ordinary talent show to a cultural staple. Over the years, his presence has become synonymous with the brand, anchoring its most iconic segments and viral moments.
Today, It’s Showtime continues to evolve, but the story of Vice’s unlikely promotion from guest judge to indispensable host remains a reminder of how sometimes, all it takes is the right spark to ignite a legacy.
And for Vice Ganda, that spark came in the form of a one-week guesting that changed the face of noontime TV — forever.