Beatriz Martinez-Olivera
Staff Writer
A Chilean TV host named Mario Kreutzberger (AKA Don Francisco) said farewell to 53 years of “Sabado Gigante.” Well known and very respected in the Spanish community, his show consisted of game shows, bringing families together, helping people out, comedy segments, interviews, upcoming singers, and just everything you could ask for in a variety show. This show aired in more than 40 countries. It was Univision’s longest-running program that drew tens of millions of viewers every Saturday night for three hours straight.
It was what people in the Spanish community would grow up watching every Saturday at 8 p.m. with their whole family. The show sadly ended on Sept. 19, with lots of famous singers, comedians, TV hosts, interviewers, and even taped a message from President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama there to say farewell to the show via video.
President Obama said, “Saturday won't be the same anymore for a lot of Americans,” and that he would be missed. The show also got a video message from Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton.
Don Francisco was very humble on the day of his last show. “A show is not done by one person, it’s done by a team,” Francisco said. “By many people, many whom you do not see, you do not know who they are. They work hard, they put their hearts into it and their talent into it.”
He started the show by asking prayers for Chile after an 8.3 magnitude earthquake shook the nation earlier that week. With teary eyes, he proceeded to introduce some of his family members, which were very present in the audience. Some celebrities made it that day, including Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Marc Anthony, Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles and many more. Some of the celebrities could not believe that it was the end of this show, for it was some of their first appearances on the program.
It was extraordinary night for the show. There were tears here and there. Don Francisco ended his show by taking a bus with all of his staff and camera crew, ending the evening by saying, “Hasta luego Sabado Gigante.”
