The author with Anne Curtis and Vhong Navarro

As a “hurado” on “Showtime” when it moved to the noontime slot that “Pilipinas Win na Win” used to occupy, I was able to observe why it gets the highest ratings for morning television.

Here are three reasons why “Showtime” clicks:

The hosts:

Vhong Navarro and Anne Curtis

Vhong is funny by nature and every noontime show needs a host like him: One who can adlib, throw good punch lines and stir up “kilig” moments especially when he relentlessly courts Anne on cam. It’s so cute because we know Vhong has a 1 out of 100,000 probability in winning Anne. But given the chemistry between Anne and Vhong on TV, they might as well get married!

Every noontime show needs an eye candy that Anne is for “Showtime,” aside from being able to host and carry a tune somehow. Just don’t make Anne hold the microphone during commercial breaks. She loves singing so much but she does not understand what audience ear failure is all about. Thank God she is such a pretty girl that we all just forgive her whenever she hits those high notes during breaks – think Cameron Diaz in “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (though, in fairness, she sings better than Cameron!).

Jugs and Teddy

I asked Jugs and Teddy why they were chosen to host “Showtime” and here are their outrageous answers:

Jugs: “Dahil gusto kumuha ng ABS-CBN ng host from the first Pogi Rock Band, Itchyworms.”

Teddy: “Dahil gusto kumuha ng ABS-CBN ng host from D’Original Pogi Band, Rocksteddy (Fyi, D’Original supercedes the First!)”

Two bands, two separate consciousnesses. One generation, one wavelength. These two represent today’s generation who wear shades on television just for kicks (Randy Santiago had to wear one because his other eye was smaller), improvise songs with their guitar for their spiels, and give hilarious but not embarrassing comments about the audience.

Kuya Kim and Vice Ganda

Kuya Kim (Atienza) represents the older generation and the knowledge we learn from our elders, even as Vice Ganda represents the comedy and the escape you need when you watch “Showtime.”

From comedy bar comedian, Vice has evolved into one of the most in demand artists all over the world because of the exposure he gets from the show. When he left for a week to do a show in Liverpool, TV audiences clamored for Vice to return to “Showtime” because they miss his surefire humor.

The judges:

Four judges evaluate the groups that perform on “Showtime.” Each week, a judge is evicted and replaced with a new one. Luckily for me, I was not evicted so I can always come back to judge again.

The variety of judges and what they have to say make “Showtime” interesting. The longest staying judge is Jhong Hilario, a former member of the Streetboys and an idol of contestants who breakdance and do stunts in their routines.

When the Streetboys became men, each went into different fields. Vhong became a comedian and did box-office films. Jhong joined dramatic teleseryes and movies and now enjoys a long stint on “Showtime.”

The director:

Bobet Vidanes happens to be the master creator of “Showtime.” Direk Bobet used to direct “Wowowie” and he left the show at its peak because he did not approve of Willy Revillame’s style of capitalizing on the demise of the Filipino.

“Ayoko kasi ‘yung pinapaiyak ‘yung audience tapos bibigyan mo ng pera dahil unfair pagkakitaan ng show ang paghihirap ng Pilipino. Kung gusto natin tumulong ng kusang loob, puwede natin gawin ‘yan kahit kailan na walang kamerang nakatutok sa atin.

“Ang Pilipino ay may talento, hindi nila kailangang mamalimos. Dito sa ‘Showtime,’ hindi ‘yung hosts ang bida, hindi ‘yung judge, [kundi] ang tao ang bida dito. Binibigyan namin sila ng pagkakataon sumikat at magpasikat.”

Direk Bobet wrote the lyrics of the “Showtime” theme song with lyrics that mirror his purpose in life. That is, to showcase the talents of the ordinary Juan and Maria in the streets for as long as they have the drive to work hard (and not beg), “Anumang hirap ng buhay, pangarap ay tagumpay. Ituloy lang ang sipag, sa dulo’s sisiklap….” the song goes.

Now that Direk Bobet Vidanes’ “Showtime” is on top of its game and Willy Revillame is in limbo, does Kuya Kim’s famed quote, “Ang buhay ay weather-weather lang…” serve as shout-out as well to Willie?

Giselle Sanchez is a singer, corporate host and stand-up comedienne. E-mail your comments and first-hand experiences with the stars at gossipgirlgiselle@gmail.com.