‘It’s Showtime’ clarifies Vice Ganda on vacation, not suspended

The management of “It’s Showtime” dismissed speculation that host Vice Ganda had been suspended from the show amid pending “racism” complaints filed with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

The speculation supposedly stemmed from the actor-comedian’s recent absence from the noontime show. Vice Ganda was last seen on the program’s July 28 episode.

“It’s not true!” one of the executives of the show told Bandera.

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The program executive added that Vice Ganda is currently on a vacation. It was not immediately disclosed when the TV host would return to the show.

The MTRCB had summoned the producers of “It’s Showtime” last July 28 after it received complaints against the show. The complaints stemmed from the program’s July 24 episode where Vice Ganda and Baby Dolls member Johaira — a person of color — were featured in a “Memerimar” skit.

In one scene, the comedian spat water on Johaira’s face and said, “Anong nangyari sa ’yo? Bakit nagputik ka (What happened to you? Why did you get covered in mud)?” This remark was described by some netizens as “racist and colorist.” Vice Ganda then publicly apologized for this.

Another scene that drew criticism showed Vice Ganda’s real-life partner Ion Perez pouring porridge into the former’s mouth.

The MTRCB had already met with the producers of the show and ordered them to respond to the complaints. /ra