In February this year, Mediaset introduced a code of ethics for its two main networks, Telecinco and Cuatro. One of the most controversial points, the guidelines for entertainment programs, directly concerned areas such as Sálvame, where from that moment no accusations or political opinions could be expressed. Let us remember that for decades the radiant core of entertainment oscillated between Las Mama Chicho and Lydia Lozano’s Chuminero dance.
A lot has happened on Telecinco since this February. 13 popular characters have been banned, a large part of the program has been changed and the audience still does not enthusiastically associate with the channel that owned and controlled many televisions during the Paolo Vasile years.
A look at the program broadcast for more than 12 hours, excluding news, reveals not only the complexity of the success, but also the adherence to this point of the code of ethics. Is it possible to ban politics from entertainment spaces when everything, everything, is politically preoccupying us, when discussion of divorce permeates our view of life? Is there neutral laughter, without ideology? Are there unicorns?
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Let’s go to the zero point of the time windows. Where everything began. “This is Life” is the show that replaced Sálvame when the show produced by La Fábrica de la Tele ended on June 23, 2023. It is presented by Sandra Barneda and César Muñoz, a couple who transmit chemistry and do everything to live up to the rules, with the added difficulty of broadcasting during children’s hours. They get off to a strong start on Monday, September 25th. “What’s important in autumn?” asks César. Sandra thinks of a word that ends in ño and that she shouldn’t say. His partner helps him: “Make the children happy, because this is a family program.” Bad laughter on set because everyone was thinking about the same thing.
A moment from “This is Life” last Monday, September 25th.
They give way to an alleged girlfriend of Bertín Osborne, who wants to make it clear that theirs is not a secret and old love affair, but an “intermittent relationship” that lasted about 15 years. “I don’t want to be portrayed on the street as someone’s lover,” says Encarna Navarro, who is also dedicated to singing. As she speaks, the program’s signs ask two questions: “Did Ana María Aldón pay half when she was married to Ortega Cano?” Did you live on history during your marriage?” Faced with such a situation, the collaborators begin a debate about the wage gap of this now married couple and it comes up about Spain, where women were more at home between diapers and frying pans. Disturbing phrases are uttered suggesting that the key to a couple’s success is to “give them their space.”
Next, another melon opens, having to do with Shakira’s maid’s work breaks. Some understand that it is normal for them to work hard and on demand because the Colombian woman “has different schedules” and has demands that other women with much less sense of rhythm do not have and which are therefore lenses.
In TardeAR, Mediaset’s big bet for Telecinco, Ana Rosa introduces Quintana David, a very young and tattooed boy who “works from morning to night and has gone viral”, and this serves to tell the audience that we’ll see want to see if they complain about “those who complain all day long.” David brings home 1,800 euros a month, and his entire family lives on this money. The moderator asks for help and appeals to companies in the face of such a discovery.
A topic comes up at the employees’ table that excites everyone. Yolanda Díaz has said that the rich, not content with sucking our blood and lives, are planning to live on other planets and even in New Zealand to escape global warming. “Look, you’re not hot” (sic), says Vicky Martín Berrocal. Quintana explains that when he saw the video, he thought it was a deepfake and summarizes: “Someone close to him read a book that was some kind of joke and gave him a summary.” Laughter. Co-host Beatriz Archidona looks a little angry into the camera and asks the audience: “Are you worried about the rich or the families who don’t have a plan B to make ends meet?” They recommend that the Sumar leader, ” to talk about what she needs to talk about” and clarify that she is talking about houses in New Zealand “where the caves of Sacromonte have already been invented here”. A radio report by Carlos Herrera scientifically confirms that what Díaz said is as stupid as a pointless assignment.
Below, a news package with attacks on teachers – “Complete respect has been lost” – inflation and another question. “Crossfit: sport or sect?” Someone at the table remembers that Pedro Sánchez does sports and Quintana adds: “Feijóo is fit too.”
At two to eight in the afternoon, the moderator says goodbye with a short editorial about current events. “I am in favor of what Pedro Sánchez said before about the amnesty. […] Listen to the young people, your elders, the social majority.” At 8:00 p.m. the Chain Reaction competition began.
Politics and society in the morning
Tuesday is the first day of the investiture session of Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Ana Terradillos’ critical view addresses politics and other political topics such as the economy. Let’s see starts at 11:00 a.m., moderated by Joaquín Prat. A worthy successor to Ana Rosa’s “Mornings,” it offers plenty of political news, events, viral videos and a heart section they also call a social club. Prat points out in the “News” section that the videos found on the hard drive of the priest imprisoned in Málaga make him a sexual attacker, thanks to the law “only yes means yes”. In the last section they talk about the funeral of María Teresa Campos. Three government ministers come out and say miracles about the deceased. Also José Luis Martínez-Almeida, who takes the opportunity to say that admiration for Campos is the only thing that connects him with Pedro Sánchez. Heh.
Marta Flich, during the “GH VIP: 48 Hour Limit” gala on Tuesday, September 26th.
But Tuesdays are GH VIP day. And before that another episode of Chinese Tales, the program by Jorge Javier Vázquez. They also talk about Shakira and connect with a man who lives in Los Angeles and calls the Colombian “bitter lady.” They then interview Abel Caballero, the mayor of Vigo, who is already preparing for Christmas with the enthusiasm of a child. The next day he had Manuela Carmena. The next day, Mediaset closed the program.
GH VIP is presented by Marta Flich. Tuesday’s gala (which Telecinco has also already canceled) lasts almost four hours, but one of the most interesting moments is the fight between two participants. It has nothing to do with food, housework, or past arguments, but rather with a pronoun. Yes, if one of them refers to the other as he or she, boy or girl, it is sarcasm or an insult.
Flich also looks into the camera and announces: “At GH VIP we live diversity and we have always proven that.” “We do not allow transphobic statements or any kind of discrimination.” The crowd applauds. Minutes later, one of the residents of the house, who answers the name Luitingo, asks, with downcast eyes and a honeyed voice, a companion on the sofa: “Are you physically faithful?” “In the fall,” she should have answered. There are no more children’s hours at this time of night. And everything is still politics.
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