Ispup (English: Spoof) was a sketch comedy show produced by ABC which features parodies of several Philippine television shows and advertisements with actors impersonating political and notable personalities such as Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Cardinal Jaime Sin, among others.
The show was originally aired on Saturdays, began on March 20, 1999 and moved to Fridays on November 23, 2001 to compete with Bubble Gang. On March 16, 2003, the show was re-introduced as Ispup Atbp. and moved to Sundays, taking over the former timeslot of The Price is Right. The program ended its almost 5 year run on February 15, 2004, and was replaced by the PBA coverage on ABC. Despite the program's demise, it made a legacy to become one of the award-winning comedy shows of the network and successfully accomplished is the effective use of parody and spoof as its medium of humor which is now seen in today's Philippine gag shows.
The program pulled some pretty interesting concepts providing some great laughs with its fresh approach to delivering humor, mainly through parodies. Ispup introduced a new breed of smart humor by solely focusing on the popularity and sometimes notoriety of celebrities, television shows, and political figures - spoofing and satirizing their already public lives.
Main cast
Willie Nepomuceno
Leo Martinez (2000–2004)
Candy Pangilinan
Jon Santos
Caloy Alde
Mystica
Madeleine Nicholas
Rufa Mae Quinto (1999–2001)
Raffy Rodriguez
Marissa Sanchez
Selina Sevilla
Dennis Trillo
Joy Viado
Kylie Padilla
Mike "Pekto" Nacua (who was later discovered by GMA Network as one of its comedians)
Marvin Martinez a.k.a. Ate Shawie (gay impersonator of Sharon Cuneta)
Ate Guy (gay impersonator of Nora Aunor)
Hyubs Azarcon
Cynthia Marquez
Before and after the show's duration a "disclaimer" was presented "a la Star Wars opening credits" stating that the spoofs were taken from television shows, commercials, and movies with permission, ending up as the show's tagline: "Walang pikunan, ispup onli." which roughly translate into "Nothing personal, it's only a spoof."
Alam Morena Clara- a parody of the telenovela Morena Clara
Balitang Ka!- a parody of Balitang K
The Cheapest Link- a parody of the Philippine version of the UK game show The Weakest Link, having Leo Martinez as Dudes and actors playing political figures as contestants.
Chugilita- a parody of the telenovela Chabelita portrayed by Rufa Mae Quinto
‘Di Bati Sina Mards At Pards- a parody of the debate show Debate with Mare at Pare
Gay KNB?- a parody of ABS-CBN game show Game KNB? hosted by Ms. Kris Pepino (played by Candy Pangilinan)
Intrigador- a parody of GMA public affairs program Imbestigador
Kirira: Ano ang Kulay ng Pinipig?- a parody of TAPE Inc. and GMA's teledrama Kirara: Ano Ang Kulay ng Pag-ibig?
Knowless Power- a parody of the late Ernie Baron's Knowledge Power
Lagot Ka Kay Tolfu- a parody of Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo
Magpalakad-lakad man- a spoof anthology segment of GMA show Magpakailanman
Malala Na Kaya- a spoof anthology segment of ABS-CBN show Maalaala Mo Kaya hosted by Charing Todos Los Santos Conscious na Conscious (played by Jon Santos)
Mula Sa Pusa- a parody of ABS-CBN drama series Mula Sa Puso
No One Can Be A Millionaire?- a parody of the Philippine version of the UK game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, having Leo Martinez as Royet de Leon and actors playing political figures as contestants. Obviously, there was no million-peso winner as the segment title suggests. (Note: This parody was presented as a response of growing popularity of the game show in 2000. Only 6-7 years after the IBC version of "Millionaire's" last episode, a new format was launched in the same station (as TV5) with Vic Sotto as host.)
Oka-Toka-Doc- a cross-over parody of ABS-CBN comedy shows !Oka Tokat and Oki Doki Doc
Palso: Action Balita- a parody of ABS-CBN newscast Pulso: Aksyon Balita
Pangako Sa Yo Sa Puso Ko Iibigan Kita Hanggang Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan- a cross-over parody of three ABS-CBN drama series.
The Priest is Right- a parody of the Philippine version of the US game show The Price Is Right, having Willie Nepomuceno as His Eminems Jaime Cardinal Sins and actors playing political figures as contestants.
Pulpol- a parody of a telemagazine Pipol
Rosalinta- a parody of Rosalinda played by Rufa Mae Quinto impersonating Thalía.
Taksil- a parody of GMA newscast Saksi
Usapang Monkey Business- a parody of ABS-CBN business show Usapang Business
The Tooth But Nothing the Tooth- parody of entertainment talk show The Truth But Nothing the Truth by Inday Badiday
Wrong Page: Ulat ni Mel Tiongke- a parody of GMA newscast Frontpage: Ulat ni Mel Tiangco
Familiar Feud - parody of the Philippine version of US game show Family Feud which was aired on the same network, ABC 5 in 2001
Wheel of Misfortune or Will of Fortune - parody of the Philippine version of Wheel of Fortune which was aired on the same network, ABC 5 in 2001.
Several commercial parodies
Lucky Me, a popular noodle brand, and Gilbey's Gin also sponsored spoof portions of this program with permission. As a result of growing popularity, Gilbey's Gin and Ispup made a promo for the best Gilbey's spoof in 2002.
Kurita Chances- from broadcaster Korina Sanchez, played by Rufa Mae Quinto
Royet de Leon- from Christopher De Leon, played by Leo Martinez
Mike Enrequiestas- from broadcaster Mike Enriquez, played by Leo Martinez. The surname may be a reference to the late comedian Rene Requiestas
Osang Enriques - from TV reporter Susan Enriquez
Sherap Entrada- from deposed Philippine president Joseph Estrada, played by Willie Nepomuceno, and later Jon Santos
Kirira- from Philippine drama Kirara, played by Candy Pangilinan
Senator Koren or Loren Lagarista - from Senator Loren Legarda.
Cong. Manhik-Manaog- a character popularized by Leo Martinez, who used to be a co-star to Mr. Shooli (played by Jun Urbano) in Mongolian Barbecue, was reprised in Ispup through the Barangay Gaya-gaya segment
Dudes - from Edu Manzano, played by Leo Martinez.
Ches Melon- from broadcaster Ces Oreña-Drilon, played by Candy Pangilinan
Tita Cory Pepino - from the late former president Corazon Aquino.
Kris Pepino- from Kris Aquino, played by Rufa Mae Quinto, later replaced by Candy Pangilinan after Quinto left the show for Bubble Gang in 2001.
Ramon Revillame or Bong Gabilla - from former action star and former senator Ramon Revilla. The surname may be a reference to Willie Revillame
Charing Todos Los Santos Conscious na Conscious- from TV executive Charo Santos-Concio, played by Jon Santos
David Semplang- from Battle of the Brains presenter and current ANC anchor David Celdran, played by Jon Santos
His Eminems Jaime Cardinal Sins - from the late Cardinal Jaime Sin.
Mel Tiongke- from broadcaster Mel Tiangco, played by Candy Pangilinan
Mayor Vi- from Star for all Seasons and current Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, played by Jon Santos
Bogie Molcasid - from Ogie Alcasid played by Leo Martinez
Gloring Macabagal-Barroyo - from Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo played by Candy Pangilinan
Nur Miswa - from MNLF chair Nur Misuari played by Willie Nepomuceno
Inday Garutay - from impersonator of Inday Badiday
