Joey: “Mahal namin ang ‘Showtime’ dahil kasabayan namin. Dadalawa na lang kami, huwag niyo kaming pagsabungin”
Joey De Leon clarifies that he and Tito Sotto were not taking a swipe at ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime”—contrary to netizens’ assumption that they have aired tirades against the rival noontime program.
The veteran host-comedians have initially addressed the ongoing rumor about “Eat Bulaga!” particularly on its financial capability to float and operate amid rumored bankruptcy.
In the April 16, 2024 episode of “Eat Bulaga!,” Tito pledged to publicize a copy of their income tax return to dispel the bankruptcy rumor, and in doing so, Joey has also released a rather bolder statement about an unnamed competitor.
He says, “Ito ang hamon ko sa inyo. Umabot kayo ng 15 years para lumuhod ako sa harapan ninyo. Fifteen lang ha, hindi 50 years.”
IMAGE: ang poetnyo on Instagram
IMAGE: helenstito on Instagram
Joey’s statement was taken by netizens as a direct attack to “Eat Bulaga!”’s rival program “It’s Showtime,” given the fact that the Kapamilya show is set to hit its 15th year anniversary this coming October 2024.
Despite this coinciding fact, Joey has dispelled that tittle-tattle, saying that they were never talking about “It’s Showtime” in the first place.
Joey De Leon addresses the confusion
Baring all through a video uploaded on Friday, April 19, 2024, Joey says that they are actually on good terms with the Kapamilya program. In fact, they have always been cordial with each other.
Screengrab from angpoetnyo on Instagram
Joey starts, “Hi, good morning. Joey de Leon po ito. Ito’y para lang matapos yung mga usap-usapan. Unang-una, hindi, hindi ha, hindi namin kaaway yung ‘Showtime.’ Yung ‘Showtime,’ matagal na naming kapitbahay yan. Hindi kami tinitira, hindi rin namin sila tinitira.
“Ang pinatutungkulan namin ni Tito nung nagalit kami sa ‘Eat Bulaga!’ ay yung mga social media na nagpo-post…yung mga alam niyo na nagpo-programa. Kaya hinamon ko, 15 years, kung tatagal yung mga nagpo-post na yun. Hindi ‘Showtime.’”
Joey has also greeted “It’s Showtime” for its upcoming 15th year anniversary. Just as much, he clarifies that he is aware of the milestone—so it would only be embarrassing to challenge the program knowing that it is actually attainable.
More so, Joey begs that fans stop pitting “Eat Bulaga!” and “It’s Showtime” against each other, for they want to maintain a healthy relationship with the rival show.
He says, “Mahal namin ang ‘Showtime’ dahil kasabayan namin. Dadalawa na lang kami, huwag niyo kaming pagsabungin.”
Joey De Leon on “Eat Bulaga!” milestone
Part of Joey’s statement is a seeming pride he takes ever so rightfully from their flagship program’s achievement.
He says, “Dadalawa na lang yung show, isasara pa yung isa? At yung isa yung… well, hindi naman sa pagyayabang, yung longest-running top five na sa mundo, e. Kaya, thank you. Kasama kayo dun sa honor na yun.”
In the end, Joey iterates that the two noontime programs are civil with each other—it was only the people who constantly criticize them that he feels untoward about.
He says, “Nagtatrabaho lang po kami, dahil dadalawa na lang kaming lunch shows. We love each other. Matagal na. Mahigit isang dekada na kaming magkapitbahay.
“So, yun lang po. Inuulit ko. Yung nagpo-post na sinungaling sa social media, yun ang mga buwisit. Yun ang pinapatungkulan namin, okay?”
READ ALSO: Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon Win Over TAPE On “Eat Bulaga” Trademark Case
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