Say it ain't so! Univision shocked fans on Friday, April 17, when the Spanish-language network canceled its longest-running show.
Celebrated variety series Sabado Gigante will air its final episode on Sept. 19 after 53 years on the air. The three-hour show made its debut on Aug, 8, 1962 and has been a banner program for the Univision in the decades since.
Hosted by Mario Kreutzberger aka Don Francisco, Sabado Gigante translates to "Giant Saturday" and found its home on Saturday evenings. The high-rated show, which is available in countries across the globe, is made up of games, musical and talent performances, and comedy sketches.
Kreutzberger, now 74, has been hosting the show since its inception in Chile in 1962. He expressed his pride over his run with the show in a statement to USA Today.
"From the start we made sure to ask, 'What does the audience want?!' And we have worked tirelessly for precisely that audience, with the utmost dedication, humility and deep respect," he said, according to the newspaper. "I have no words to acknowledge all the recognition and applause that we have received over the years."
"When we began in the United States in 1986, we told them that we were 'separated by distance and united by the same language,'" added Kreutzberger, who started with the Chilean iteration of the show. "Today I can say with great pride and satisfaction that that distance turned into closeness and affection. To all those who joined us by tuning in to Sábado 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."
