“Pablo Motos Wished Me All the Luck in the World”

He is the first to cut his vacation short to secure a spot in the highly competitive 'access prime time' battle for viewership. Actor and comedian Carlos Latre (Castellón, 45 years old) leads 'Babylon Show,' the new program on Telecinco (Monday to Friday at 9:50 PM), where his impersonations will be featured alongside a broad group of collaborators.

Joining Latre will be Marta Torné, Josie, Xavier Sardà, Leonor Lavado, and Esperanza Gracia, among others. The live show will be inspired by the legendary Babylonian civilization. Additionally, the national football coach Luis de la Fuente will be the first guest on the show's premiere.

-Who called you to return to Mediaset?

-Mediaset called me, and I knew from the very first moment that they were excited about me coming back home. After so long, it felt like the return of the prodigal son.

-How was the initial contact?

-We always proposed 'Babylon Show.' It was the first format I had in mind for a long time. This program is something I always discussed with Xavier Sardà. I also presented this idea to Chicho Ibáñez Serrador in one of our last conversations. I explained that we needed to do everything possible to create a format with the spirit of 'Un, dos, tres' and 'Crónicas Marcianas,' where humor and current events were present. It had to be pure entertainment.

-Did you have the name planned from the beginning?

-No. There were several possibilities. There had to be a place and an atmosphere. In 'Crónicas' we were the Martians, right? Now we are the Babylonians. It's about situating the viewer from the very beginning.

-You were succeeding as a judge on 'Tu cara me suena' and on 'El hormiguero' on Antena 3. Did you think long before leaving and returning to Telecinco?

-Economically no, because I assure you that money is not something that matters much to me when taking on a project. The proposal had to be very attractive because I was on the two best programs on television. Then this opportunity came up, which also seemed very risky to me. And I'm a bit of a daredevil. This is just television: in 25 years I've had good and bad times. I'm convinced this time it's going to go very well; there's room for everyone. Besides, Pablo Motos was the first one who wished me all the luck in the world and supported my decision.

-Did you think Pablo Motos would take it badly?

-No, because I knew he would react exactly as he did. I've always had a great relationship with Pablo—wonderful. He told me that Telecinco's offer is one of those trains that come once in a lifetime, just like it happened to him. Look, he also told me a definitive phrase: this is TV, and we're both going to make television. Personally, I'm here for him. The reality is we're going to make a completely different show. I'm going to look for something that people can't find on 'El hormiguero,' no matter how many celebrities and guests we have; but I think our style will be different.

-Have you talked with David Broncano?

-Yes, of course. We agreed that we should have fun because we're like the last ones standing in Manila. In the end, you have to be realistic. Pablo is Pablo; he's television history. He's been a leader for 18 years alongside Jorge Salvador, who is the smartest guy on TV. My admiration for both is absolute. I'm arriving like David: we've been given an opportunity; let's do it, have fun, and see what happens. I have no aspirations; I know perfectly well how difficult it will be and what desert we'll have to cross.

-How was your reunion with Sardà?

-He told me I was crazy—the same thing he said when he first met me. I stood in front of him at a press conference and did a thousand characters for him. He turned around saying I was crazy. He'll be with us a couple of days a week. It's kind of closing the circle because I'm working with him again 25 years later in the same place—on Telecinco nights—and that's very special.