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 comedic programs earned him a space in the most popular entertainment shows on Cuban television, making him their star presenter during 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 program "Para Bailar," which aired every Sunday on television and produced notable presenters and actors such as Lily Rentería, Mara Roque, Albertico Pujol, Rebeca Martínez, and Néstor Jiménez. "Para Bailar" was 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 participatory programs of its kind, serving as a reference for later shows like Bailando en Cuba.
But perhaps it is "Sabadazo," directed and written by Julio Pulido, that Cubans most associate with Carlos Otero. On July 4, 1993, during the toughest years of the Special Period, Cuban television brought together a group of comedians in its prime time slot on Saturday nights, under Otero’s stellar hosting. This ensemble would become recognized as some of the best of the 1990s on the island. The show enjoyed great popularity and acceptance among an audience that, suffocated by economic hardships, eagerly awaited that hour of entertainment every Saturday. Notable comedians 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), among others, passed through Sabadazo—figures who are now essential in discussions of Cuban humor.
Carlos Otero left the hosting of the show at the beginning of 1996 because he believed that the television program needed a change that never came.
Initially, Carlos Otero was selected in 1998 to host the show 23 y M, but he left the project after three months, and Edith Massola took over as the host.
In 2007, he returned to host a high-rated prime-time show, "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." The program was interrupted and taken off the air as the news of his arrival in the United States was already known at the time of its broadcast.
Otero emigrated to Miami via Canada with his two children and his wife in December 2007. His arrival and reception were televised. A few days earlier, he had been awarded the Performer of the Year prize in Cuba.
Upon arrival, he gave several interviews on various programs and signed with AmericaTeVe Canal 41. True to his hosting style, he has been presenting the program TN3 on this network for several years alongside his co-host, the Venezuelan Mónica Pasqualotto. Throughout these years, he has had the opportunity to reconnect with figures from the island who have visited the city of exile.
In December 2004, 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 policies of the Cuban government and denounces the situation in which the people of the island live.
Otero has been romantically linked for 7 years to the Cuban chorus girl Haniset Rodríguez, with whom he also shares the stage.
