Television shows come and go. Some last a season, others tinker with casts and storylines just enough to warrant years of primetime success. None, however, have the longevity or ancestral attraction of "Sabado Gigante."
Univision on Friday announced the cancellation of "Sabado Gigante," the longest-running variety show in U.S. history. The venerable program will end its weekly broadcast on Sept. 19.
"Sabado Gigante" is a zany three-hour extravaganza filled with comedy segments, games, interviews, and talent competitions. Like most Spanish-language shows, it showboats numerous long-legged models. Latinos have found comfort in it for 53 years in over 40 countries. Millions of people flock to the eclectic program on a weekly basis, and have done so for two primary reasons.
One is in bringing families closer together. Children who saw it launch in 1962 - and its subsequent 1986 production move to Miami - began watching with their children, then grandchildren, and finally a generation half a century removed from the original broadcast.
Second is Don Francisco; the admirable Chilean host whose became a Latino and television icon. The 74-year-old created the show in Chile under the name 'Sabado Gigantes,' or "Giant Saturdays."
Its popularity grew exponentially once they joined forced with Univision. The merger helped Univision rank No. 6 in the advertiser coveted 18-49-year-old demographic and landed Don Francisco a spot in the Television Hall of Fame.
Cast and crew changed, sketches fit modern social themes, and Don Francisco even cut back on his duties. Still, viewers knew Don Francisco would be with them on Saturday nights.
"I have no words to thank our viewers for the support, loyalty and enthusiasm with which they have honored us through the years and which have allowed the show to become an unprecedented success in the history of this medium," Don Francisco, whose real name is Mario Kreutzberger, said in a press release.
In the thousands of consecutive weeks "Sabado Gigante" has been on the air, the Emmy-winning host has only missed one show. It was due to his mother dying.
Twitter users reminisced on their childhood, and how Don Francisco became part of their families.
Don Francisco will remain with Univision working on new projects while helping mold young talent. He is also expected to host entertainment specials and campaigns.
"To all those who joined us by tuning in to 'Sabado Gigante' with their constructive criticism, work and loyalty, I would like to say from the bottom of my heart and in capital letters, THANK YOU VERY MUCH," Don Francisco said.