Enjoy a double dose with 'Lunch Out Loud' and 'It's Showtime'

By Iza Iglesias, Manila Times

It’s official – Kapamilya Network and TV5 will simultaneously air 'Lunch Out Loud’ and ‘It’s Showtime’ from Monday to Saturday beginning this weekend.

Fans of noontime variety shows no longer need to switch between two out of three existing 12 o'clock sing-dance-and-games programs beginning Saturday, July 16. On Monday, free TV channels A2Z and TV5 and ABS-CBN's cable and online network Kapamilya Channel announced that "Lunch Out Loud" and "It's Showtime" will have back to back airing.

In other words, viewers no longer need to switch channels or platforms during commercial breaks between the respective Brightlights Production and ABS-CBN programs unless they also like check out "Eat Bulaga" on GMA Network in between.

At least for the two shows, ABS-CBN declared in a statement, "The collaboration among ABS-CBN Entertainment, Brightlight Productions, Zoe Broadcasting Network and TV5 [will provide] Filipino viewers with more fun and entertainment and bring an extended and enjoyable midday TV viewing experience."

As such, "Lunch Out Loud" (LOL) will air from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., followed by "It's Showtime" from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday to Saturday, this weekend onwards.

For a look back, "Lunch Out Loud" premiered on October 19, 2020, with then newly-resigned ABS-CBN talents Billy Crawford and Alex Gonzaga. A production of business tycoon and newly elected Bacolod Mayor Albee Benitez, LOL quickly became a prominent blocktimer on Manny Pangilinan's TV5. Today, the show also features pioneering and lately added comedians and social media influencers as hosts. They are Bayani Agbayani, K Brosas, KC Montero, Wacky Kiray, Jeff Tam, Jobert Austria and Laboching.

Building a good fanbase in "Tropang LOL" — the hosts' nickname for their viewers —LOL is best known for fun and games. These include the "HOPE" dating game, "Maritest" showbiz quiz, "Beat The 2" battle of wits, "Pera Usog," and "Sagot Mo, Sagot Ko" that fulfills their wishes.

On the other hand, "It's Showtime" is now in its 13th year and still enjoys the support of its loyal audiences – the "Madlang Pipol" – despite the failed renewal of ABS-CBN's free TV franchise.

Quick to find a home on Zoe TV's A2Z before this development, the Vice Ganda- and Anne Curtis-led program is beloved for such segments as "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "Sexy Babe," "ReINA ng Tahanan," "Miss Q and A" and "MiniMe."

However, the move to go back-to-back hardly came as a surprise to the rest of the industry nor the public at the start of the week since many Kapamilya shows have been airing on TV5's Kapatid Network for a good while now. ABS-CBN's Sunday noontime show "ASAP Natin 'To" and its primetime originals have long been airing as block timers on TV5, led by "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano."