The comedian Ulises Toirac shared a hilarious story that took place in Cuba during the 1990s, when the popular TV show Sabadazo helped people momentarily forget the hardships and shortages of the so-called Special Period. Ulises recalled that during that time, comic actors were as famous and beloved as "the Beatles," but he noted that there was always someone to bring them back down to earth—the salseros, who "were in a world of their own."
"Just like the comedians of Sabadazo, they were superstars in the Cuban firmament. There was a boom in Cuban dance music, and the leading figures of the orchestras were like Marvel superheroes," he said on his Facebook wall.
Comic Actors and Salseros: A Clash of Egos
According to the comedian, the salseros always arrived late for the show's tapings. "Most of them liked to take their time... or simply overslept after their concert the night before," he said. The actors, already dressed and in character, would sit in the makeup room chatting while waiting for them.
One day, when Paulito FG was supposed to perform, it was three in the afternoon, and Antolín el Pichón, desperate and annoyed, began to complain about the musicians' tardiness. "That Paulito! Who does he think he is, Alain Delon?" he exclaimed, not realizing that the singer had peeked into the room without saying anything.
"With his silliness and giggles, I don't know who the hell he thinks he is!" added the guajiro from Manacas, while Paulito stood at the door, looking serious. The others tried to hold back their laughter until Carlos Otero signaled to Antolín to turn around.
The story concludes with the humorist turning around and, upon seeing Paulito, saying in a nearly inaudible voice, "What's up, superstar?"
"The number of people hitting the walls and rolling on the floor laughing was beyond description. I was enjoying laughing like I rarely have in my life," Ulises concluded.