Carlos Otero is a Cuban presenter and host born on June 16, 1958, in Havana, Cuba.
Otero is regarded by the Cuban audience as one of the best hosts and entertainers of all time. His versatility as a host, interviewer, presenter, and even actor in comedic shows secured him a place in the most popular entertainment programs on Cuban television, making him its 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 helped launch prominent 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 variety shows of its kind, serving as a reference for later programs like Bailando en Cuba.
But perhaps it is "Sabadazo," directed and written by Julio Pulido, that Cubans best remember Carlos Otero for. On July 4, 1993, during the harshest years of the Special Period, Cuban television brought together a group of comedians, under Otero's star leadership, in its prime Saturday night slot, who would become the best of the 90s on the island. The show enjoyed great acceptance and popularity among an audience suffocated by economic hardships, who eagerly looked forward to that hour of entertainment each Saturday. Featured on 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), among other figures who are now essential when discussing Cuban humor.
Carlos Otero left the show's hosting at the beginning of 1996 because he understood that the television program needed a change that never came.
Initially, Carlos Otero was the one chosen in 1998 to host the program 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 show "Con Carlos y Punto," where he once again blended 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 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 signed with AmericaTeVe Canal 41. True to his hosting style, he has been presenting the show TN3 on this network for several years alongside his co-host, 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 in her own show TN3 and on her Facebook and Instagram profiles, she expresses her opinions against the policy 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.
