Zoom in on ‘Showtime’

TIMESLOT:12:30-2:30 PM, Monday-Saturday

CHANNEL: ABS-CBN

Take one look at the eclectic mix of the "Showtime" hosts and you'll know that it was a purely genius "out of the box" idea to put the following hosts all in one show: one top dancer/comedian, one fashionista/best actress, a stand-up comedian, one broadcaster, and two rockstars. Throw in two DJs, a stage director/choreographer…and let's not forget the most important element, the ultra-energetic MADLANG PEOPLE and you've got a hit show!

I was really curious about how the "Showtime" family was formed, so I asked the director Bobet Vidanes a.k.a. "The Father of Showtime" for a backgrounder.

He started with the characters he wanted. He shared with me his winning formula:

1. People na may ambisyon na nag-uumpisa palang sa hosting = Rock n Roll Jugs & Teddy

Formula: Look for "taong may ambisyon sa buhay…lahat naman tayo may ambisyon like Teddy and Jugs. Gusto ko nag-uumpisa palang."

2. Taong mamahalin mo = Vhong Navarro

"Mapapatawa ka niya, mapapangiti, he's versatile. Si Vhong Navarro, pagsumayaw na siya, ma-iinlove ka sa kanya. Yun ang mga gusto ko, yung may talent"

3. "Gusto kong magkaroon ng another Kris Aquino"= Anne Curtis

"Ang unang-unang tingin ko kay Anne is matalino. Totoo yun"

4. "Ang buhay ay weather weather lang!" = Kuya Kim Atienza

"Aliw na aliw ako sa parati niyang sinasabi sa news (see quote above). Sa programa, maging sa paligsahan o contest, hindi lahat ng panahon ay second rate ka lang. Minsan pag nag-aambisyon ka, makukuha mo rin ang ambisyon mo."

5. "Bugoy" (working title of Vice's character) = Vice Ganda

"I think si Vice is perfect for that slot"
The backstory of the character search is truly aspirational. It made me wonder more about the director and why it mattered to him to use the word "ambition" so many times. It turns out that Direk Bobet started out as a camera man who has fathered one of the most original creative and top-rating shows today. That's a success story right there and what makes it a good one is that he still continues to find ways to inspire people to find their own paths to dreams.

OPTICAL ZOOM

<1X> The Anne Curtis and Showtime Vocabulary:

Becky: young gay person
Tama: Correct! I agree!
Bongga: Wonderful! Marvelous!
Waley vs Havey (from the root/real words "wala" and "have"):

These words are used to stamp a joke if it is funny or not. According to Anne, most of Teddy's jokes are waley.

Vice's "party party" (pronounced as "parteh-parteh"):one must raise his hands up twice while saying these words

Madlang people: the "Showtime" audience who know how to party party

<2X> Showtime is a highly interactive show. Viewers get to vote out the hurados they don't like.

Hurado Hall of Famers:

Andrew E — 10 weeks
Ryan Bang — 14 weeks and counting
Gladys Reyes — 15 weeks
Jhong Hilario — 30 weeks (He had a voluntary exit to join the teleserye "Mara Clara." He may still return to the show)

The entire Showtime family is on Twitter except for Vhong Navarro.

Showtime Twitter stats as of November 30, 2010:
Hosts:
@annecurtissmith 583,633
@vicegandako 148,044
@jugsjugsjugs 39,775
@kuyakim_atienza 123,919
@teddspotting 50,458
@djmodshowtime 8,925
@itchywormslive 3,242

Hurados:

@jhongsample 25,003
@anakarylle 133,951

Showtime Family Grand Total:
=1,116,950

<3X> WARNING: Kuya Kim usually brings an animal with him in the audience.


<4X> The Ryan Bang phenomenon

Ryan is dubbed the "Sample Prince" because he loves the MADLANG PEOPLE so much that he gives everything when he greets the people "good morning" evidenced by the goosebumps in his arms and when he does his silly dances such as the world famous "cockroach dance." He first showed signs of being a choreographer when he did the "Chuvachuchu dance" at the PBB Teen House.



Since this Reedley Student Council President started "Showtime" 14 weeks ago, his career has become activated with a his own TV show in Studio 23 called "3ow Powhz," "Matanglawin" with Kuya Kim Atienza and "Shout Out" with the Teen Kapamilyas every afternoon.

You wanna see Ryan's kodigo? It's in Filipino but it's written in Korean characters.I feel like I'm his teacher because he always asks me to translate things for him. It's funny when I translate Vice's jokes because we have a delayed reaction and laugh 2 minutes after the crowd cracks up.
<5X> Music plays a big part in the show. All music and sound effects are played live by DJ MOD and Kuya Nick.

"Showtime the Album" is now available under Star Records. Everyday we hear recording artist Anne Curtis's song "We'll get there" and Vhong Navarro's "Hari ng Dance Floor" by DJ MOD.
<6X> The Filipino Sample Sample tradition
Have you ever been to a family reunion wherein the kids are made to sing or dance in front of their relatives? 'Nuff said.
<7X> I love the new Vice Gandaisms!

Lately Vice's brand of comedy is joined by quotable quotes such as my favorite one "If you fail today, tomorrow is another day!" Words of wisdom are welcome from someone who's been working in comedy bars for 10 years. Ms. Ganda was originally a singer who accidentally got into comedy at a gig when she lost her voice and needed to make people laugh instead. Not to mention that under Vice's belt is a jam-packed Araneta concert, the blockbuster hit "Petrang Kabayo;" over 2.5 million fans on Facebook; and most recently, a successful USA-Canada tour with Lani Misalucha.
<8X> The dancing madlang people learn the opening number choreographed by tito Mel Feliciano and May Francisco only minutes before the show.

<9X> The contestants come from all over the Philippines.

I've seen mommies, students, dance troops, fishermen, a sabayang pagbigkas group, gymnasts and a family of singers onstage. Their stories are all touching and inspiring. I'm thankful that individuals and local governments sponsor contestants to be able to represent their town or city.

<10X> Kuya Kim: "The philosophy of Showtime is that no one will stop us from making people happy. That's the driving force."
During and after every show, the hosts always give credit to the Madlang People for making their show number 1 and they always thank the people who have come from all over the world to party with them.

I've never experienced a greater surge of energy pumped into my veins! Believe me, you have to visit the "Showtime" studio at least once in your life. You can even win as much as Php 15,000 for your "sample sample" if Direk Bobet loves it.

The other members of the Showtime Family:

Created and Directed by: Bobet Vidanes
Executive in charge of Production: Alou Aranilla Almaden
Executive Producer: Mark Rejano
Visual Director: Gil Bien
Head Writer: Ruth Pena Padriga
Talent Coordinator: Dong Pilotos
Photos by Karylle and Jerome Ascano, NPPA Images

Disclaimer: The views and observations of the author do not reflect the position of Yahoo! Southeast Asia.

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