After a successful five-year stint in “Bitoy’s Funniest Videos,” Michael V segues to “Bitoy’s Showwwtime,” GMA-7’s “call to action” to the current network trend of talent searches.

“Kailangang mag-adapt tayo sa time. Alam niyo naman ang GMA, palagi ‘yang may karampatang reaction sa lahat ng action na ginagawa ng kahit anong network,” Michael said in a recent interview held inside the GMA-7 compound.

“Showwwtime” aims to showcase the “wacky, wild and world class” side of the Filipino. The comedian promises the show will  be bigger than its competitions.

“Di kami nag-focus sa Pilipinas lang, kundi sa buong mundo. We went out of our way para kami mismo ang maghanap ng mga mahuhusay na Pilipino,” he declared.

Michael believes the network competition is not about who came first, but rather on "value."

“Ang bottom line ay kung ano ba ang mas maganda, [kung ano] ‘yung mas mainam na presentasyon. Masasabi ko na proud ako that we will be upping the ante of the game..”

Fans of “Bitoy’s Funniest Videos” need not frown because aspects of the show will be integrated into “Showwwtime.”

“Hindi namin inalis ‘yung wacky and the wild, plus the video. Nung una naisip namin kung puwedeng video lang ang ipalabas, pero merong clamor sa pagpe-perform ng live kaya in-incorporate namin ‘yun,” said Michael.

To promote the show, Michael said they tied up with YouTube as well as disseminated announcements in all of GMA’s programs.

So far, the website has been receiving positive feedback from aspirants.

“Maraming nag-po-post. Maraming nagpapakita ng kanilang kakaibang husay para ipaglaban ‘yung kanilang galing,” he beamed.

Unlike their rival shows, “Showwwtime” focuses on abilities to reconcile age and gender differences.

“Dapat ‘yung icha-challenge mo na kakayahan ay may hawig din sa kakayahan mo. Kakayahan [talaga] ang pinag-uusapan. Kasi maraming nagagawa ang matanda na nagagawa rin ng bata and vice-versa. Kaya meron kaming grupo na naka—dedicate sa pagtutugma ng kanya-kanyang nilang abilidad,” Michael related.

“Showwwtime” has two kinds of searches: the “live search” where performers showcase their abilities in front of a live audience, of the “Official Mananangol” (OMG) and of Michael V himself, and the “internet search” which focuses on the "international" level.

It also follows the “duel” format. Contestants choose whom to challenge in any of the four segments: “Talbugan,” “Videokariran,” “Facemuk,” and “Gaya Mo ‘Yun?”

To avoid offending celebrities or artists being imitated by the contestants’  through their performances, Michael assured that they iron it out before assigning it to participants.

“Nasa creative ang control kung alin ang ipapagaya na videos, personalities at awitin. We make sure na hindi ma-ooffend ‘yung gagayahin bago pa namin ipagaya,” said he.

The winning challenger takes home P75,000. Those with no challengers win by default.

“Medyo mahirap kabugin yung premyong ipamimigay namin. San ka pa pupunta, eh di dito na?” he crowed.

With the new show, Michael V gets to add another character in his portfolio---that of a futuristic emperor who is seeking the best Pinoy talent here and abroad.

Joining him is his jester, Mang Enriquez (played by Mike “Pekto” Nacua), and sexy assistants..

“Bitoy’s Showwwtime” airs on Oct. 17, after “Celebrity Duets.”