At the start of December, ABS-CBN’s noon time program “It’s Showtime” began airing
a contest called “TV Parol”, a word play of the networks major news program TV
Patrol.
The
contest is about people who are dressed as giant parols (Philippine Christmas
Lanterns) and they model around the stage. They introduce themselves and
perform a Christmas song for the audience. The costumes look very uncomfortable
to the contestants and Vice Ganda’s side comments don’t make it even more
comforting for them as well.
“It’s
Showtime” has a knack for making crazy contests to attract the attention of
viewers. A unique contest piques one’s curiosity. Thus contests like this one
aren’t hard to find in television although this one really is very unique. One
watches it to check it out, something good for the ratings
It
feels like the contestants are constantly embarrassing or shaming themselves
for money -- this is quite normal in the Philippine television industry. But to
make these people dress up as giant Christmas parols and walk around stage at
the same time is something new. The aim maybe is to promote Philippine
decoration but there are other ways to do that.
According
to the KBP Broadcast Code, game show contestants must be treated with respect.
The way the hosts of the program disrespect the contestant is hard to ignore
and the discomfort they feel for wearing such costume parols to gain money is
just an idea for ratings.
A
show like “It’s Showtime” has shown a lot of unethical taste but making someone
wear a huge parol outfit just for ratings does not really place high on the ethical
spectrum.
2010-61061
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