The Five Strangest Shows On Latin American TV

Sure, the U.S. has its share of odd TV shows, but here at Guanabee we decided to prove that Latin American television trumps the states in the strangeness department. Maybe you've heard of Don Francisco, La Madrastra or even Walter Mercado, but those guys are for amateurs compared to what we're about to show you. Our list includes a Peruvian child-preacher who scoffs at evolution, an ass-grabbing Argentinean host and a Puerto Rican puppet-transvestite with her own talk show. 

Cults, rhinestones, thongs… what more could you want from TV?

El Niño Predicador, The Eleven Year-Old Televangelist From Peru

Nazareth Castillo, or El Niño Predicador was widely televised a few years back when he made his debut in Peru. In the following sermon, the eleven year old mocks evolution, saying that he was product of no monkey.  The audience cheers before they close their eyes, raise their hands and absorb the kid’s message. Children say the darndest things, but you have to wonder about the adults in charge of the spectacle.

Exploiting Needy Kids On Bailando Por Un Sueño, El Salvador

Often compared to Dancing With the Stars, Bailando Por Un Sueño is one of the most popular franchises in Latin American TV. Couples compete in the show to make someone’s heart wrenching dream come true. The causes typically involve providing books for school children, rebuilding someone’s home, or getting someone a life-saving operation.

Someone will get to see their dream come to reality, but not before ten families have their hopes crushed on TV for good ratings. This clip shows an elimination ceremony from the Salvadoran version. The losing dancers (who we presume did the robot) put out their kid’s “dream flame,” which is literally a candle.

Watch as someone makes sure the crying child doesn’t cover his face from the camera. Weep, kid. You’re on TV.

Thong Check On Bailando Por Un Sueño, Argentina

Bailando Por Un Sueño enjoys swinging from melodrama to slapstick and even borderline pornography.  In this video from the Argentinean version, the host inspects the dancer’s miniskirts to ensure we can all see their thongs. The show wants to make sure you laugh, cry and get an erection, all in one sitting.

Beauty Pageant Meets Fellini Film in Chica Muevete, Mexico

This one's a hybrid of Christina Aguilera's Dirrty and a pageant show. Contestants in bikinis walk down a runway while mimes, body builders and mascots clap and whistle. Watch as a walking pair of implants is crowned Chica Muevete, and is then molested by a clown.

Drag Puppets Reign On Super Xclusivo, Puerto Rico

Ever wondered why only real people get their own talk shows? The producers of Super Xclusivo did. The show is hosted by a human-legged, puppet-faced, male-voiced thing they call “La Comay.” In the following video, the hostess (?) voices her controversial opinions about celebrity involvement after the Haitian earthquake.

These are just the tip of the iceberg. Tell us if you know of other TV gems.