On Saturday, October 5th, Marcello Hernández and SNL delivered a lighthearted parody of Sábado Gigante. This cherished Latin variety show, which graced Univision for 53 years from 1962 to 2015, was humorously reenacted in a sketch with Hernández stepping into the role of the host. This tribute prompted Don Francisco, the original show’s host, to publicly thank Hernández and SNL for their homage.
Don Francisco, host of Sábado Gigante, thanks Marcello Hernández and Saturday Night Live for parodying the variety show on #SNL last night! pic.twitter.com/ACPIxglBvt
— Saturday Night Network (@thesnlnetwork) October 6, 2024
“I want to thank @nbcsnl and @marcellohdz for bringing back memories of those special moments of our beloved Sabado Gigante,” Don Francisco expressed. “It wasn’t merely a wonderful television program; it served a greater purpose as a unifying space for families and our Hispanic community. Thanks to the steadfast support from our audience, we concluded that chapter nearly a decade ago, yet the love and admiration for our accomplishments endure as strong as ever. Thank you very much!”
Steven Castillo, a writer for the sketch, took to X to share his sentiments, stating, “This is dedicated to all the families that remember watching this show.”
In the sketch, Hernández portrays Don Francisco, riffing on a standard Sábado Gigante episode, but in a more concise format. The show, known for its vibrant and often outrageous comedy sketches, playful competitions, and memorable characters like El Chacal de la Trompeta, along with Don Francisco’s charismatic presence, made Sábado Gigante a beloved staple for Latin families for over fifty years.
Currently, Hernández is the only Latino cast member on SNL.
Comedian Nate Bargatze, who hosted SNL that week, appeared as a puzzled audience member randomly chosen by Hernández to participate in various antics for a special prize, which amusingly turns out to be a pack of dogs. Throughout the sketch, Bargatze delivers his lines in English while Hernández conducts the entire performance in Spanish.
Image Source: Don Francisco @ Instagram
