The Paley Center for Media hosted an intimate evening on Tuesday, September 8th honoring Mario Kreutzberger, known to millions of fans all over the world as “Don Francisco”, celebrating the past 53 years as host and creator of Sábado Gigante (Giant Saturday), the longest running variety show in television history. Lili Estefan, beloved co-host of the Univision Network’s entertainment news program El Gordo y La Flaca (The Scoop and The Skinny) hosted the special event. Entertainment Weekly correspondent Nina Terrero moderated the Q&A as Don Francisco reflected upon hosting the giant television show.
Among the audience were The Paley Center for Media’s President and CEO Maureen J. Reidy; Alberto Ciurana, president of Programming and Content of Univision Communications Inc.; Anna Chavez, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts USA; Ana Roca-Castro, CEO at PreK12-Plaza; Jessica Rodriguez, Univision Communications Inc. Chief Marketing Officer and Kevin Conroy, Chief Strategy and Data Officer and President Enterprise Development at Univision Communications Inc. The crowd also consisted of nearly 200 employees and fans that had the opportunity to ask questions and be near their lifelong idol.
During the evening’s event, Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) donated a collection of specially curated episodes of Sábado Gigante to The Paley Center to be part of their permanent archives. The programs represent some of the most important shows throughout the past 53 years and include classic performances, interviews with world leaders, and memorable family reunions, among other touching and unforgettable broadcasts. The donation ensures that Sábado Gigante and the legendary host will live on and allow future generations to experience this unprecedented chapter in television history.
Sábado Gigante ends its successful run on the air with its final episode airing live on Saturday, September 19 at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 pm CT).
