MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO SEMINAR SERIES, THE: MR. SATURDAY NIGHT: DON FRANCISCO {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio. Held in New York and moderated by Museum president Robert M. Batscha, this seminar honors Mario Kreutzberger, better known to Spanish-language television audiences as the indefatigable host of "Sabado Gigante," Don Francisco. Batscha opens the seminar by focusing on the Museum's recent efforts to acquire Spanish-language programming and by introducing the guest of honor. Batscha then screens the short biography entitled "Who's Don Francisco?" which traces the career of Mario Kreutzberger from his first appearances on television in Chile over forty years ago as "Don Francisco," to his humanitarian efforts as the developer of telethons for handicapped children and as World Ambassador for UNICEF. Kreutzberger is joined on stage by his "Sabado Gigante" co-host Sissi. Prompted by Batscha, Kreutzberger talks about his first experience watching television in New York in 1959 and the beginnings of his television career in Chile; he also recognizes the early help of Channel 23 manager, Joaquin Blaya, who is in the audience. Sissi also details her background, including her experience of watching "Sabado Gigante" via satellite television in Cuba. Next, clips from the "Camera Viajera" (Traveling Camera) segment of the show are screened, featuring Don Francisco's trips to Buenos Aires, Panama, Italy, Puerto Rico, Thailand, and Iguazu Falls. Kreutzberger talks about the history of the segments since 1963, beginning in Los Angeles with interviews from the movie industry, and totaling 2500 documentaries in 146 countries. Next, clips of guest appearances on the show, including George W. Bush, Al Gore, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Chayanne, and Gloria Estefan, are shown. Kreutzberger discusses his first interviews in Hollywood, the difficulties in arranging the presidential candidate interviews, and his most memorable interviews with George W. Bush and his father, Bill Clinton, and John Wayne. Questions from the audience lead to a discussion of the following topics: the lack of tapes of the earliest shows from the sixties, but the availability and future likelihood of the Museum obtaining tapes from as early as 1968 and into the seventies; Kreutzberger's views on current events and censorship of the show; what obstacles Kreutzberger had to overcome and what advice he gives to young people trying to get into the medium. The questions are briefly interrupted for a clip tape of the games and contests on the show, and Kreutzberger's brief comments about their appeal. The questions continue, periodically punctuated by audience members who sing from the audience in hopes of getting on the show. A young audience member asks in Spanish if he was nervous doing the program, and another woman thanks him in Spanish and English for the joy he brings to confined senior citizens. Next, clips are shown of the use of product integration in the show, and Kreutzberger briefly comments on integration as an early part of television history, his habit of getting the audience involved in singing the jingles, and the future of product placement in shows. Lastly, a clip tape from the "Sabado Gigante" fortieth anniversary show is shown, and Kreutzberger comments that he hopes he will be able to celebrate a fiftieth. A final series of questions from the audience leads to a discussion of the following topics: the people who helped Kreutzberger early on in his career; Kreutzberger's humanitarian work; the possibility of bringing "Sabado Gigante" to New York; the generational appeal of the show and the significance of its longevity for Latinos in the United States; Kreutzberger's retirement plans; Kreutzberger's response to the April Fool's day joke by a local radio station announcing his death; and the origins of the nickname "Don Francisco." Batscha closes with a final thanks to Don Francisco.
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: April 10, 2003 6:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:32:15
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:76274
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert M. Batscha … Moderator
- Kreutzberger, Mario ("Don Francisco") … Panelist
- Sissi (see also: Fleitas, Isabel) … Panelist
- Marc Anthony
- Joaquin Blaya
- George W. Bush
- Bill Clinton
- Chayanne
- Gloria Estefan
- Al Gore
- Enrique Iglesias
- Ricky Martin
- John Wayne