On Dish Network, there are several Spanish language channels, catering to a growing audience of Mexican, Caribbean and Central American immigrants and Puerto Ricans. Flipping between the channels, it seems like a very large percentage of the programming consists of telenovelas and 1970s-style variety shows. Yes, I know there’s also sports and news (usually quite good compared to the Big Three networks) on Univision, Telemundo, Galavision and the like, but usually when I land on them, it’s a dramatic soap or a tacky variety show. Why does such programming appeal to Spanish language speakers? Where are the cop shows, lawyer shows, forensics shows, sitcoms, reality shows and dramas?
MOD: It’s “Spanish”. Yes, I previewed and previewed and previewed.
I don’t know the answer to your question, although I assume it’s because “it’s what the viewer’s want.”
I just came here to say that I myself enjoy watching “Sabado Gigante” on Saturday nights, even though I can’t speak Spanish. Seems like I fun show. Makes me want to learn the language.
The thing is, though, why? Why do Hispanics seem to love variety shows and soaps so much more than Anglos?
Hmm. Has there ever been any Spanish-language Sci-Fi?
well I saw tremors with subtitles in mexico once does that count?
Why do Anglos watch reality shows and police procedurals more than Hispanics?
There isn’t as many Spanish language channels as English language channels on US TV anyway.
But in most parts of the world, a soap opera of some sort if incredibly popular. People like stories. Japanese TV seems to have a lot of soap operas and variety shows too.
Recently HBO ran an Argentinian miniseries called “Epitafios” which was an extremely disturbing story of a man out to kill as many people possible involved with the death of his lover. It was definitely not “Sabado Gigante”. Unless it had more explosions and guttings.
Spanish language TV does show a lot of movies produced in Mexico and they tend to be on the violent side from my experience.
Just on a related note, does Sabado Gigante make any kind of sense if you actually know the language? Because, frankly, I don’t think an overweight man dressed as a mouse singing with scantily clad female mouse-costumed dancers behind him makes sense in any language…
I think the key may be found in this phrase.
I’ve flicked on the teevee in many Romance language-speaking countries around the globe, and more often than not found a variety show with many, many chesty, leggy dancers. Either dancing or just standing around being decorative. Much more frequently than in English-speaking countries. I haven’t been to Germany or to Asia.
Yes, A big factor is indeed because that is what the public wants, but there is another reason too IMO.
I think that it is also because big TV in Latin American countries (where most of the Spanish TV shown in the USA is coming from) is reactionary. If they created Latin American TV shows that showed justice for all, competent police that helped the poor people, or corrupt police and elites that are punished properly would generate lots of people wondering why it is not like that in their respective countries, not to mention that the elites would put a stop to that.
I think this is supported by remembering that while many soap operas do mention class differences (The maid marrying the well to do son or owner) they rarely do show working people demanding better treatment (A dramatic subject that I do remember seeing several examples in the USA, but I never saw it in Spanish TV). Of course many American TV shows are dubbed and shown in Latin America, but since the action is located in the USA it is not “dangerous” to show. Problem is that IMHO it convinces many of the youth in Latin America that only by going to the USA is that good social justice can be found.
Coming to America, I also remember that even more reactionary owners are in control of Spanish TV, I would had expected to see different TV subjects, but looking at the examples so far I do think a conservative mentality remains with the owners. After more than 20 years in the USA I still see mostly don’t rock the boat items like variety shows, wrestling, soccer and Brothers Almada movies, programing that is a virtual carbon copy of Latin American TV.
The big difference is the news, even though conservative in nature too, issues like immigration are properly investigated and abuses to the Latino community are reported constantly, it is an interesting contrast to the American News.
Well, I do undertand the language indeed…
Yep, still does not make sence to… OOOH, look at that mama!.. 