“I'm no longer interested in doing television, at least not humorous programs for television: I don't want to waste my time,” said the renowned actor and comedian Osvaldo Doimeadiós during his appearance on the show "La Familia Cubana," a sociocultural project available on YouTube.
With over 40 years of experience, the National Humor Award winner (2012) explained that he prefers to focus his energy on theater, teaching, and spaces where he can create without political interference.
The project director of La risa por delante was clear in describing the atmosphere of censorship that comedians face on the island: recordings that get shelved due to absurd coincidences, endless meetings with bureaucrats, and a power structure that systematically blocks freedom of expression.
"Sometimes you record the program two months in advance, but that week coincidentally 'someone' says something… and it matches or resembles what you recorded, and then it can't be aired," he explained in an excerpt from the conversation available on the social network Tik Tok.
During the interview, the case of Vivir del Cuento was also discussed, the most popular program on Cuban television in recent years, suddenly taken off the air without explanations.
"I don't trust people who don't laugh, nor those who prohibit laughter," stated Doimeadiós, alluding to officials who control the media from the shadows.
In his view, those decision-makers "do not defend policies, criteria, or aesthetics, but rather defend positions... the gas card, a status, the 'three-drawer belly' - as I call it - and those, he emphasized, 'are the most dangerous'."
Doimeadiós's words come at a time when television humor in Cuba is on the verge of extinction. Following the cancellation of Vivir del Cuento and the departure of many comedians from the country, what remains is a sparse and soulless programming lineup.
Other artists like the comedian Ulises Toirac have also been silenced or marginalized for expressing their thoughts.
Osvaldo Doimeadiós is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in Cuban humor. From his memorable characters in Sabadazo to his role as Meriño in Vivir del Cuento, he has left an indelible mark on several generations.
Today, their decision to step away from state television is not just a personal statement, but also a portrait of the cultural stagnation that the country is experiencing.
In May, Doimeadiós provided a critical perspective on the current situation of Cuban television, during an interview granted to the YouTube channel D'Robles Podcast, hosted by former athlete Dayron Robles.
"Unfortunately, television has lost a lot," the artist stated. "I believe there was a time when they didn't want comedians to rely on television; now we no longer depend on television and they want us to rely on it. It's very curious," he added.
He also mentioned how the Cuban public has migrated significantly towards social media, where they find more varied content, less censorship, and greater creative freedom.
Osvaldo Doimeadiós, a prominent Cuban humorist and actor, a member of the legendary group Sala-Manca in the 1980s, has built a career characterized by his ability to reinvent himself and his tireless work in theater, film, and education.
With a gaze that he himself describes as “childlike”, Doimeadiós approaches his art with a purity that defines him both personally and professionally.
Currently, he/she leads the project La risa por delante at the Nave Oficio de Isla, a multidisciplinary cultural space that he/she founded in 2019 in the old warehouses of San José, in Old Havana.
This project, developed alongside figures such as Ignacio "Nachi" Hernández and Nelia Casado, aims to establish stand up comedy in Cuba, promoting immediate and critical humor that engages with social reality. Doimeadiós advocates for the genre as a cathartic and essential tool.
With intimate and recorded performances to preserve their historical value, the project aims to discover new talents and broaden its reach, always with the conviction that humor, even in difficult times, is an act of resistance and creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Censorship on Cuban Television and its Impact on Humor
Why did Osvaldo Doimeadiós decide to distance himself from Cuban television?
Osvaldo Doimeadiós decided to distance himself from Cuban television due to the censorship and political interference that humor faces on the island. In his statements, Doimeadiós explained that he prefers to channel his energy into theater and spaces where he can create without constraints imposed by the Cuban regime.
What is the current situation of the program "Vivir del Cuento"?
"Living off the Tale" was taken off the air without official explanations, although it is suspected that it was due to censorship for its implicit criticism of Cuban reality. Several of its main actors have emigrated, and the program has been described as "on hold" by the authorities, leaving the television schedule lacking in critical humorous content.
How does censorship affect comedians in Cuba?
Censorship in Cuba limits the freedom of expression of comedians, who face shelved recordings, bureaucratic meetings, and pressure not to address certain political topics. This situation has led many artists to migrate to digital platforms in search of greater creative freedom.
What alternatives do Cuban comedians have in the face of state censorship?
Cuban comedians are migrating to social media, where they find more varied and less censored content, as well as the opportunity to explore sensitive topics with greater freedom. Projects like "La Risa por Delante," led by Osvaldo Doimeadiós, aim to consolidate stand-up comedy in independent and digital spaces.
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