Carlos Otero

Carlos Otero is a Cuban presenter and host born on June 16, 1958, in Havana, Cuba.

Otero is regarded by the Cuban public as one of the best entertainers and hosts of all time. His versatility as a host, interviewer, presenter, and even actor in comedy shows carved out a prominent place for him in the most popular entertainment programs on Cuban television, making him its star host throughout his 30-year career in Cuba.

As he has acknowledged on several occasions, he forged his own style inspired by the greats of Cuban broadcasting: Germán Pinelli, Cepero Brito, and Consuelito Vidal.

Biography

In 1978, he made his debut as one of the nine hosts of the show "Para Bailar," which aired every Sunday on television. This program produced notable presenters and actors such as Lily Rentería, Mara Roque, Albertico Pujol, Rebeca Martínez, and Néstor Jiménez. "Para Bailar" remained on the air until 1983, and due to the professionalism of its participants and the charisma of its hosts, it became one of the most successful participation shows of its kind, serving as a reference for later programs like Bailando en Cuba.

But perhaps it is "Sabadazo," created by director and screenwriter Julio Pulido, that best represents how Cubans remember Carlos Otero. On July 4, 1993, during the toughest years of the Special Period, Cuban television aired this show in its prime time Saturday night slot, with Otero as the star host. The program brought together a group of comedians who would become some of the best of the 1990s on the island. It enjoyed immense popularity among an audience suffering from economic hardships, eagerly awaiting that hour of entertainment every Saturday. Notable figures such as Ulises Toirac, Orlando Doimeadios, Bongó Quiñongo, Geonel Martín (Gustavito), who debuted as a comedian on the show, and Ángel García Mesa (Antolín el Pichón) passed through "Sabadazo," among others who are now essential when discussing Cuban humor.

Carlos Otero left the hosting of the program in early 1996 because he believed that the television show needed a change that never materialized.

Initially, Carlos Otero was chosen in 1998 to host the show 23 y M, but he left the project after three months, and Edith Massola took over as host.

In 2007, he returned to hosting a high-rated prime-time show called "Con Carlos y Punto," where he once again combined humor with interviews and music. That same year, he made an appearance on Ulises Toirac's comedy show "Jura decir la verdad." This program was interrupted and taken off the air because, at the time of its broadcast, the news of his arrival in the United States had already surfaced.

Otero emigrated to Miami via Canada with his two children and his wife in December 2007. His arrival and welcome were broadcast on television. A few days earlier, he had been awarded the Animator of the Year award in Cuba.

Upon his arrival, he gave several interviews on various programs and joined AmericaTeVe Canal 41. Staying true to his hosting style, he has spent several years co-presenting the program TN3 on this channel alongside his co-host, the Venezuelan Mónica Pasqualotto. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to reconnect with figures from the island who have visited the city of exile.

In December 2014, he reunited live on América TV with part of the cast of Sabadazo.

Both on his own show TN3 and on his Facebook and Instagram profiles, he expresses his opinions against the Cuban government's policies and denounces the situation in which the people of the island live.

Otero has been emotionally connected for 7 years with the Cuban singer Haniset Rodríguez, with whom he also shares the stage.