After 53 years on air, Sábado Gigante will celebrate its final episode Saturday with a “star-studded send-off” and a “giant” celebration. The three-hour variety show has aired every Saturday evening for more than half a century, engaging Latinos worldwide with its antics, competitions, dancing, pageants, dating games, and human interest stories.
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During the course of the three-hour Saturday night broadcast – shown live in the United States, Mexico and Chile – Mario Kreutzberger one last time put his skills, humor and energy on display for the cameras and the worldwide audience. But the one constant has always been Don Francisco, the lovable, Chilean host who always ensured an entertaining broadcast. “I have had the honor of reaching the homes of millions of families over more than five decades with the program, which has left an indelible mark on my personal history and on the history of television in the world”.
“Don Francisco has to show the public that he’s not exhausted , that he has no afflictions, that he has no problems, that doesn’t pay taxes – while Mario does all of that and even fuels Don Francisco”.
“It is with great pride that I bring this historic run of “Sabado Gigante” to an end after 53 years, in which I have felt privileged”, Kreutzberger said in a statement.
He said he was very proud of his team, whom he thanked for their professionalism at a press conference around midnight after the show.
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“When we hold a swimsuit contest… we are admiring the beauty of women”, he said. Since he’s still on contract with Univision, viewers can expect to see Don Francisco appear in network specials. And he’s already thought of a new hobby – writing.
