A history of Giant Steps

The wide appeal of 'Sabado Gigante' is tied directly to the approach of host Don Francisco, above center and below.Don Francisco on 'Sabado Gigante'Now celebrating a record-breaking 50 years on air, the key behind the longevity of "Sabado Gigante" lies with its creator and host Mario Kreutzberger -- aka Don Francisco -- whose pioneering spirit has driven the variety show to stay fresh, topical and above all, entertaining.It was ahead of the curve even when Kreutzberger launched it in 1962 in Chile, where television was still a nascent industry."?'Sabado Gigante' featured singing competitions way before 'American Idol' and dancing contests years before 'Dancing With the Stars,'?" says Antonio Ruiz, a partner at premier U.S. Hispanic ad agency the Vidal Partnership.For five uninterrupted decades, with no reruns, this three-hour program has been a Saturday night viewing habit for tens of millions of Spanish-speakers worldwide, including the U.S. Nielsen reports that "Sabado Gigante" ranked No. 1 among Hispanics 18-49 this season."The show's biggest highlight -- and I say this knowing that it could be interpreted as adulation -- is its host, Don Francisco, who has the ability to adapt and present the most diverse segments, from interviews with presidents and professionals to conversations with kids, introducing new singers or established performers (and) participating in comedy sketches," says Cuco Arias, VP-exec producer for "Sabado Gigante" and its younger offshoot, talkshow "Don Francisco Presenta."Arias has been with the show since December 1986, a few months after it launched in April that year on Miami station WLTV-Channel 23 and just as the possibility of broadcasting it nationwide via Univision began to be considered. Once decided, Arias' initial task was to hold auditions across the U.S. to seek contestants and talent for the show."At first it was difficult to book contestants or guests, because Hispanics weren't used to participating in TV shows in the U.S.," he recalls. "At the auditions, we tried to find the most outgoing applicants, those who could contribute something entertaining or lighthearted to the show and that were willing to tell us a bit about their lives, their families."Speaking from his vineyard in Chile, Kreutzberger relates how he made Saturdays his own, expanding what started as a one-hour show to fill up some eight hours. Then to top it off, he conducted a two-hour talk show, "Night of Giants" in the evening."I was on air for almost 10 hours a week from 1968 to 1986," he recalls.He then decided to take "Sabado Gigante" to the U.S. and cut the show time in half in order to do four hours in Chile and four in Miami. For some six years, he shuttled between Miami and Santiago de Chile, spending three-and-a-half days in each.In his autobiography "Life, Camera, Action!" he relates how it got so maddening in the race to the airport every week that he was involved in at least two car crashes. In one accident that totaled his car, the man whose car he hit recognized him and rushed him to the airport."I was supported only by my ego," he muses.Those madcap days are over, and he now produces the show just once a month in Chile, while the three versions of "Sabado Gigante" (U.S., international and Chilean) are shot in Miami, with 50% done live.He also uses his visits to Chile to conduct a long-running telethon that funds the construction of hospitals, one of many philanthropic causes he champions."Sabado Gigante" continues to reach 1.4 million to 1.5 million households a week, a slight dip from its peak between 2004 and 2006 of 1.6 million to 1.7 million households. But it has also learned to adjust to the advances in technology, social media and audience habits."We were the first to launch a web page in the U.S. Hispanic market, even ahead of Univision, some 17 years ago," Kreutzberger points out.As Don Francisco, he never fails to mention the show's Facebook and Twitter accounts while bantering with his studio audience."In the longterm, we'd like to increase the show's interactivity so that viewers at home can have more extensive participation in the show through the different platforms that are available," says Arias.With the current proliferation of DVRs, Kreutzberger's insistence on integrating products and sponsored segments from the outset has made him appear even more forward-looking than his peers and kept the show profitable.The program also introduced closed captions in English in early February, to reach the fast-growing bilingual and English-dominant Hispanics in the U.S."In the early years, 'Sabado Gigante' attracted an average age group of 33 years, but now 45% of its audience is above 50," says Ruiz. "The show's main challenge is to capture a younger audience once more."Meanwhile, Kreutzberger is working on a documentary about "Sabado Gigante" to be ready by year's end. Celebrations will culminate in a live extravaganza at the Nokia Theater in September alongside flagship Univision station KMEX, which will also celebrate its 50th anniversary.'Sabado Gigante' at 50A history of Giant Steps | Francisco leaves his heart with his profession | 'Sabado' night fever Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Exclusive Video: Big Time Rush Gets an Offer on How to Rock

How to Rock Big Time Rush will be signing autographs - and fielding an interesting offer - on an upcoming episode of Nickelodeon's How to Rock. How to Rock stars Cymphonique Miller as Kacey, a once popular girl whose status suffered when she got braces. As a former bully, Kacey starts to channel her energy through music when she becomes the lead singer of a pop group. On Saturday's episode, "How to Rock an Election," Kacey runs for class president and promises a performance from Big Time Rush if she wins. But as you can see in the exclusive preview below, the boys aren't too keen on the idea and kick Kacie out of their autograph signing. How to Rock airs Saturdays at 8:30/7:30c on Nickelodeon. Watch the clip below:

'Wanderlust' Exclusive Red-colored-Band Clip: Up In Smoke

Put "Wet Hot American Summer time" director David Wain, Judd Apatow regular Paul Rudd and fresh-off-of "Horrible Bosses" era Jennifer Aniston on the movie set together, and it makes sense certain to push a couple of limitations. Such may be the situation in "Wanderlust," a minimum of, and that we have evidence of the comedy trio's amusing new antics within the exclusive red-colored-band clip you can view below. A thing of caution, first: this clip isn't safe for work. Reach a mountaintop, secure yourself inside your private armageddon-be-gone bunker, after which press play. Inform us that which you think about the brand new "Wanderlust" clip within the comments or on Twitter!

Bill Hinzman dies at 75

Actor and filmmaker Bill Hinzman, most widely known for his role because the first zombie shambling across a graveyard in George Romero's "Evening from the Living Dead," died of cancer February. 5 in Darlington, Pa. He was 75. The 1968 horror pic released Hinzman on the lengthy career of creepy roles with what many envisage to believe would be a new horror genre. His other film credits include "The Crazies" (1973), "Flesheater" (1988) and "Legion from the Evening" (1995). His last movie role is at last year's "River of Darkness."Hinzman also labored like a cinematographer, starting with "The Crazies," and directed, in addition to starred in, "Flesheater" and "The Majorettes" (1987).Based on the Chicago Sun-occasions, he's made it by his wife, Bonita, a daughter, his mother, two siblings along with a daughter. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Adele Sweeps the Grammy Honours

Adele Adele was perfect at Sunday's Grammy Honours, winning all six of her honours, including Album of year.Look at out all the Grammys fashion hits and missesAdele's total ties Beyonce for wins having a female artist in one evening. Besides the top recognition on her behalf sophomore album 21, she also won Best Pop Vocal Album for 21, Best Pop Vocal Performance for "You,Inch while her crossover smash "Moving inside the Deep" snared three statuettes: Record of year, Song of the season (a songwriter's award) and greatest Short Form Video.Foo Mma fighters will be a close second with five honours, including Best Rock Album for Wasting Light and greatest Rock Performance for "Rock." The rockers only lost Album of year.Kanye, who did not attend the show and introduced the region with seven nominations, adopted with four wins inside the rap groups, getting his career total to 18. Skrillex needed home three trophies, including Best Dance/Electronica Album for Frightening Monsters and Nice Sprites and greatest Dance Recording for your title track.Best New Artist visited Bon Iver, who also won Best Alternative Album.Have a look whatsoever from the Grammys red-colored-colored carpet fashionOther individuals who win include Cee Lo and Taylor Quick, who each won two, Lady Antebellum for top Country Album (Own the Evening) and Chris Brown, who acquired his first Grammy for top R&B Album for F.A.M.E.See the individuals who win below:Album of year: 21, AdeleRecord of year: "Moving inside the Deep," Adele Paul Epworth, producer Tom Elmhirst & Mark Rankin, engineers/mixersSong of year: "Moving inside the Deep," Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele, artist)Best New Artist: Bon IverBest R&B Album: F.A.M.E., Chris BrownBest Country Album: Own the Evening, Lady AntebellumBest Pop Solo Performance: "You,Inch AdeleBest Rap Performance: "Otis," Jay-Z and Kanye task. Otis ReddingBest Rock Performance: "Walk," Foo Fighters

Pilot Season: Roseanne Reunion! John Goodman in Predicts Star in NBC's Roseanne Barr Comedy

Roseanne Barr, John Goodman Roseanne and Serta John Goodman are finally returning! Goodman is at predicts join the cast of Barr's new NBC pilot Downwardly Mobile, TVGuide.com has learned. Pilot Season: NBC builds up eight comedies, including ones from Roseanne Barr, Jimmy Fallon Written and executive-produced by Barr, the pilot brings the Roseanne star to series television since the proprietor from the rv park and surrogate mother to all or any the figures who live there. Goodman, whose recent credits include Damages, Treme and Community, may have the resident renovator round the property. John Argent and Roseanne's Eric Gilliland may also be attached as executive producers. For virtually 10 years, Barr and Goodman referred to couple Roseanne and Serta Conner on ABC's Roseanne.

SAG, AFTRA Launch Merger Site

SAG, AFTRA Launch Merger Site By Jonathan Handel February 8, 2012 SAG and AFTRA took to the web last week, launching a website for the unions' merger campaign at www.sagaftra.org, as well as a Facebook page and a Twitter account.The website contains an FAQ, news, events and videos, and instructions on hosting house parties. There are 12 FAQs: three on general subjects and nine on pension and health issues.It also includes a copy of the merger materials (merger agreement, proposed constitution, and a feasibility study regarding merger of the two unions' pension and health plans). As previously reported, these were released earlier in the week. The Hollywood Reporter prepared a comprehensive analysis of the documents when they were released, which remains the only public analysis of the almost 140 pages of documents.The events listed include upcoming informational meetings in Los Angeles on Feb. 9, NY on Feb. 21, and others in the Washington, D.C., area, Chicago, and San Francisco through the end of the month. The ballot materials, including an opposition statement, will be sent to the two unions' membership for a vote on or about Feb. 27, with a return and tabulation deadline of March 30. The Hollywood Reporter SAG, AFTRA Launch Merger Site By Jonathan Handel February 8, 2012 SAG and AFTRA took to the web last week, launching a website for the unions' merger campaign at www.sagaftra.org, as well as a Facebook page and a Twitter account.The website contains an FAQ, news, events and videos, and instructions on hosting house parties. There are 12 FAQs: three on general subjects and nine on pension and health issues.It also includes a copy of the merger materials (merger agreement, proposed constitution, and a feasibility study regarding merger of the two unions' pension and health plans). As previously reported, these were released earlier in the week. The Hollywood Reporter prepared a comprehensive analysis of the documents when they were released, which remains the only public analysis of the almost 140 pages of documents.The events listed include upcoming informational meetings in Los Angeles on Feb. 9, NY on Feb. 21, and others in the Washington, D.C., area, Chicago, and San Francisco through the end of the month. The ballot materials, including an opposition statement, will be sent to the two unions' membership for a vote on or about Feb. 27, with a return and tabulation deadline of March 30. The Hollywood Reporter