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Just when you think it's over... no Jeux Sans Frontières
(the 2020 French TV relaunch coming to nothing), no Eurogames (the
Italian international series not returning after its premiere run), no It's
A Knockout (well, that's been the situation since 2001!)... along comes a
big and welcome surprise - the Spanish domestic series Grand Prix
returned after 14 years away!
Grand Prix originally ran on TVE from 1995, when it debuted as
Cuando Calienta el Sol, assuming the regular title Grand Prix del
Verano from the following year. Presented by Ramón García, the series
returned to Spanish television each summer until 2005. It took a year's
sabbatical in 2006 before returning for three further summers on FORTA TV in
2007, 2008 and 2009, with Bertín Osborne taking over as host and commentator.
After the Grand Final was transmitted on 14th September 2009, all went quiet
and it was thought that Grand Prix's run was at an end after 14 years,
so - with an appealing symmetry - its return 14 years later was warmly
welcomed.
Returning to it's original home on TVE La 1, Grand Prix burst back onto
Spanish television screens on Monday 24th July 2023. In a nod to its past,
original host Ramón García returned to present the new series.
The new series' two female co-presenters were Cristina López (the social media
star, better known as Cristinini) and Michelle Calvó. Also involved in the
presentation of Grand Prix was the comedian and acrobat Wilbur (real
name: Víctor Ortiz), who would appear before each game making slapstick
comedy moves. Ortiz is an ex-gymnast who, after a severe injury, had to leave
the competitive world and commenced a new career as a clown, incorporating
acrobatic movements into his act. Chief referee for Grand Prix 2023 was
Asun Langa, a professional basketball referee. Langa is renowned for his work
in introducing women as basketball referees, a province previously very much
exclusively male. Completing the team was Miguel del Pozo, who donned the
vachette costume to become the show's mascot and Joker element. Del Pozo also
performs mascot duties as Ramiro the dolphin for the Estudiantes basketball
team, which in 2023 was in the Spanish second division, having previously been
in the main league. Del Pozo is also a professional athlete who competes in
elite veteran running championships.
Many broadcasters had turned down the chance to resurrect
Grand Prix during its years in the wilderness, so the question in 2023 was
could it be successful again? Spanish television had changed massively since
it had disappeared in 2009 and very little that was being made could be
classed as pure entertainment. Apart from a couple of general knowledge
gameshows, everything else involves either politics, gossip or 'reality'. When
the show's return was announced, many viewers were happy, but also believed
that it would be changed to the point where it was not going to be the same
show it had once been. In fact, some ideas were leaked which suggested that
the programme might include trap-music dancing and videogame competitions in
order to be more user-friendly for modern audiences. Fortunately, these
innovations did not materialise and the new games maintain a connection with
the original show.
On 24th July, a strange phenomenon occurred - many families
reunited to watch the TV. Many people who allegedly do not watch television
anymore watched it again. No matter the political ideas, the beliefs of the
viewing audience, they all seemed to agree that it was a triumphant return and
something to smile about. The viewing figures for the series were impressive
despite dipping during August due to the traditional Spanish holiday time
which causes a general drop-off in television audiences. Grand Prix was
consistently the ratings winner on the night and enjoyed a healthy viewing
share for TVE. In addition, each programme was repeated on Sunday mornings,
aiming for a young audience, and received respectable viewing shares of around
7 to 8% of the viewership.
If there was one problem, it was the cow - or Super-Vachette,
the mascot and symbol of Grand Prix. Even though it was only used in
two of the games, it was difficult for many to conceive of the show without
it. Many extreme right-wing people tried to boycott the show, saying that it
simply wouldn't be Grand Prix without the cow. Fortunately, Spanish
laws nowadays protect animals from abuse, even though bullfighting still
remains legal in the country, so there was no possibility of bringing that
element back other than as Miguel del Pozo in the vachette costume.
by Alan Hayes
with thanks to David Laich Ruiz |
