Anne Curtis pecks Vice Ganda as she apologizes for accidentally pushing him out of balance in the Friday episode of ‘It’s Showtime.’ ABS-CBN

MANILA — A new challenge on “It’s Showtime” is resulting in exchanges of playful slaps among co-hosts to hilarious effect, as seen in the noontime program’s Friday episode.

What started as a spontaneous game between Vice Ganda and Vhong Navarro early this week has evolved into the so-called “Walang Tatawa” challenge, where the first participant to laugh will be slapped by the others.

As expected from the fun-filled and often riotous chemistry of the mainstays, rarely does anyone hold off laughing for even just half a minute.

The goal, it appears, is to have someone be at the receiving end of the slaps.

A similar situation unfolded during the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segment on Friday but to a further extent, with Vice Ganda ending up seated on the floor after the consequence from Anne Curtis appeared to push him out of balance.

“Sungalngal ‘yung ginawa niya!” Vice Ganda protested, laughing. “Dalawang kamay pa! Middle blocker ka ba sa volleyball Nakakaloka!”

The challenge eventually made the rounds, with Ryan Bang, Dulce, Rey Valera, and Amy Perez trying to hold their laugh.

Owing to their real-life closeness, the hosts of “It’s Showtime” often find themselves in rowdy interactions on stage — an aspect of the 10-year-old program that’s seen as its foremost comedic draw.