“Sabado Gigante” celebrates 50th anniversary Oct. 27 on Univision

Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running variety show in television history, Univision’s Sábado Gigante began in 1962 on a Chilean TV network, created and hosted by Mario Kreutzberger (better known as “Don Francisco”), and eventually became an international hit. Sabado Gigante will be celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary with a special programming event this Saturday, Oct. 27, on Univision.

The four hours of festivities are set to begin at 7pm ET with a red-carpet broadcast covering the arrivals of international stars and Univision personalities attending the anniversary gala. This portion of the show will be hosted by Lourdes Stephen, co-host of Sal y Pimienta, Raúl de Molina and Lili Estefan, co-hosts of El Gordo y la Flaca, and Karla Martínez and Raul Gonzalez, co-hosts of Despierta América, who will introduce the celebrities.

From 8-10pm ET, a special Sabado Gigante anniversary program — hosted, of course, by the show’s creator, legendary entertainer Don Francisco — will be devoted to thanking the viewers who have made it a record-breaking success. The studio audience will be comprised exclusively of invited viewers who share a significant personal connection to Sabado Gigante — they met their life partners or were married on the show, won a big prize, were reunited with a family member through the program, performed in a talent contest as a child, or others. They will participate in games and competitions for the chance to win $50,000, the largest cash prize ever awarded to an audience member in the show’s history.

Also during this two-hour portion, famous music artists who have a history with Sábado Gigante will perform their biggest hits in genres that range from pop to reggaeton to regional Mexican, including Chino y Nacho, Espinoza Paz, Gerardo Ortiz, Héctor Acosta, Luis Fonsi and Thalía, among others. Some of the show’s memorable variety acts will have the chance to return and outdo their original performances, such as as the famous “Regurgitator,” Stevie Starr, and balancing master Frank Simon. In addition, a rep from the Guinness Book will be on hand to re-certify Sábado Gigante as the longest-running variety show in TV history.

In the celebration’s final hour, from 10-11pm ET, all of the stars who walked down the red carpet, along with Univision talent and executives, renowned sports figures, personalities from media and entertainment industries and other special guests will gather for a gala commemorating the 50-year anniversary of Sabado Gigante. Among the celebrities confirmed to appear at the gala are Thalía, Patricia Navidad, Mark Tacher, Lorena Rojas, Gerardo Ortiz, Espinoza Paz, Maripily, Gabriel Soto, Bobby Pulido, Aaron Díaz, David Bisbal, Diana Reyes, Alicia Machado, Javier Romero, Jorge Ramos, Fernando Fiore, Barbara Bermudo, Pamela Silva-Conde, Satcha Pretto, Alejandro Chaban, Teresa Rodríguez, Ana Patricia González, Camilo Montoya, Claudia Molina, Enrique Acevedo, Johnny Lozada, Lourdes Ramos, Marisa del Portillo, Tanya Charry, Tony Dandrades, Rodner Figueroa, Claudia Trejos, Natalia Cruz and others.

Fans will be able to join along in the celebration by sharing their favorite moments, their congratulatory messages for Don Francisco and commenting along with others on Twitter via @SabadoGigante and using the hashtag #SabadoGigante50, in addition to connecting with fellow fans and the show on Sabado Gigante‘s official Facebook page.

Click here to read a Spanish-language Univision press release about the Sabado Gigante celebration festivities.

Sábado Gigante Celebra 50 Años (Sábado Gigante’s 50th Anniversary Special) airs Oct. 27 from 7pm-11pm ET/PT on Univision.