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 hosts and entertainers of all time. His versatility as a host, interviewer, presenter, and even actor in comedic programs secured him a spot in the most popular entertainment shows on Cuban television, making him its star presenter throughout his 30-year career in Cuba.
As he himself 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 debuted as one of the 9 presenters of the show "Para Bailar," which aired every Sunday on television and from which important hosts and actors emerged, such as Lily Rentería, Mara Roque, Albertico Pujol, Rebeca Martínez, and Néstor Jiménez. "Para Bailar" was on the air until 1983, and thanks to the professionalism of its participants and the charisma of its hosts, it became one of the most successful variety shows of its kind, serving as a reference for later programs like Bailando en Cuba.
But perhaps "Sabadazo," directed and written by Julio Pulido, is the program for which Cubans best remember Carlos Otero. On July 4, 1993, during the hardest years of the Special Period, Cuban television gathered a group of comedians in its prime-time Saturday night slot, hosted by Otero, who would establish themselves as the best of the 1990s on the island. The show enjoyed great acceptance and popularity among an audience that, overwhelmed by economic hardships, eagerly awaited that hour of entertainment every Saturday. "Sabadazo" featured Ulises Toirac, Orlando Doimeadios, Bongó Quiñongo, Geonel Martín (Gustavito), who debuted as a comedian on the program, Ángel García Mesa (Antolín el Pichón), among other figures who are now essential when discussing Cuban humor.
Carlos Otero left the hosting of the program in early 1996 because he understood that the television space needed a change that never came.
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 host a high-rated prime-time program 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 was already known.
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 Entertainer of the Year prize in Cuba.
Upon his arrival, he granted 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 20014, 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 exposes the situation in which the people of the island live.
Otero has been emotionally connected to the Cuban singer Haniset Rodríguez for 7 years, with whom he also shares the stage.
