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 humorous shows earned him a place in the most popular entertainment programs on Cuban television, making him its star presenter 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 debuted as one of the 9 announcers of the show "Para Bailar," which aired every Sunday on television and launched the careers of notable hosts and actors such as Lily Rentería, Mara Roque, Albertico Pujol, Rebeca Martínez, and Néstor Jiménez. "Para Bailar" remained on the air until 1983, and thanks to the professionalism of its participants and the charisma of its presenters, it became one of the most successful participation shows of its kind, serving as a benchmark for later programs like Bailando en Cuba.
But perhaps it is "Sabadazo," directed and written by Julio Pulido, that Cubans most fondly remember Carlos Otero for. On July 4, 1993, during the toughest years of the Special Period, Cuban television brought together a group of comedians under Otero's starry leadership during prime time on Saturday night. This program would celebrate some of the best comedic talent of the 1990s on the island. It enjoyed great acceptance and popularity among an audience overwhelmed by economic hardships, eagerly awaiting that hour of entertainment every Saturday. Among those who graced "Sabadazo" were Ulises Toirac, Orlando Doimeadios, Bongó Quiñongo, Geonel Martín (Gustavito), who debuted as a comedian on the show, Ángel García Mesa (Antolín el Pichón), and other figures who are now essential when discussing Cuban humor.
Carlos Otero left the hosting of the program at the beginning of 1996 because he understood that the television show needed a change that never came.
Initially, Carlos Otero was chosen in 1998 to host the program 23 and 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 "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 Animator of the Year prize in Cuba.
Upon his arrival, he gave several interviews on different programs and signed with AmericaTeVe Canal 41. Staying true to his hosting style, he has been presenting the show TN3 on this network for several years 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 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 emotionally connected for 7 years with the Cuban singer Haniset Rodríguez, with whom he also shares the stage.
