La hora pico

La Hora Pico is a Mexican television program which was part of the comic bar at 10:00 pm on the channel “Las Estrellas”.^[1] It was broadcast from September 2000 to September 2007. Carla Estrada and Reynaldo Lopez participated in the production. The program starred comedians such as: Consuelo Duval, Miguel Galvan, Adrian Uribe, Lorena de la Garza, Gustavo Munguia (since 2001), Reynaldo Rossano (2001 to 2005), Javier Carranza “El Costeno” (since 2004), Ariel Manzano (since 2005) and Ricardo Hill (2001 to 2003). At the beginning of its broadcast, it was hosted by Andres Garcia and Jaime Camil.^[2]

History

At the beginning of the series models such as Jazmin, Ivonne and Sabelle participated. In April 2001, Jazmin was replaced by Marian, who remained a model from April 2001 to the last showing in September 2007. Then, in early 2002, the show decided to replace Sabelle with Sabrina. From then on, Ivonne, Marian and Sabrina were the models from 2002 to early 2005, because in early January 2005, Sabrina had to leave the country. For this reason, the show was left with Ivonne and Marian as models from January to May 2005. In June, the show found another model, Paola, to take Sabrina’s place. Since then, Ivonne, Marian and Paola were the models until the last episode in September 2007. Before the next sketch starts, the models would appear dancing sexy in bikinis or other skimpy outfits (such as angels, policewoman, nurses, cheerleaders etc..) while also revealing cleavage. They would also usually make cameo appearances in sketches, sometimes having lines. When the whole cast went to Acapulco in a couple episodes during season 3, the models appeared on the beach, dancing in full on bikini.

Beginning in 2001, the program no longer had a set host, and was replaced by stellar guests in each broadcast, among those include "Resortes", "India Maria", Silvia Pinal, Lucía Méndez, Héctor Suárez, María Victoria, Eugenio Derbez, Kuno Becker, among many other great stars of the world of Cinema, Television and Sport.

Originally, the show was transmitted by “Canal de las Estrellas” on Thursdays, taking place of the show “Picardía Mexicana” as part of Televisa’s comedy bar. During the time that the show aired, it underwent many schedule changes: Initially, it was broadcast at 10:00 pm., later at 11:00 pm. In 2002, when the comedy bar titled, “Nos Vemos a las 10”, it was once again broadcast at 10:00 pm, being the only show to have remained on the comedy bar from 2002 to 2005. That same year, it began to be airing on Saturdays around 7:00 pm. Finally, in 2007, it was broadcast Friday nights at 8:00 pm.

La Hora Pico was formed from a series of sketches and gags from all different kinds of humors:^[3] black humor, urban, white, double meanings, and puns. The sketches were specially prepared and according to the characteristics of each of the guests, without ridiculing, offending or mocking his person. Only comical situations were proposed in which the public enjoyed its star in another facet of his career.

All these elements resulted in an entertaining and humorous program for the whole family. La Hora Pico addressed issues of universal and topical interest.

References