Borja R. Catela Madrid
Madrid
Updated Tuesday, February 13, 2024-21:29
LOC Carlos Sobera: "At 62 years old, I want to finally be a national and international sex symbol"
In April 2016, Cuatro premiered a program, which it called
First
Dates
, where singles came to have a blind date broadcast on television with
Carlos Sobera
as master of ceremonies
.
The concept gradually caught on with viewers, who have ended up making the Mediaset program the second most watched format in Spanish
prime time access
only behind
El Hormiguero
, but ahead of
El intermedia
del Gran Wyoming or the series from RTVE
4 Stars
.
A great 'blame' for this success is
the diversity of diners
who visit them, who entertain and surprise the spectators in equal measure, generating great expectation every night. Tonight, to celebrate Valentine's Day,
the program will jump from Cuatro to Telecinco
: "It will be a very special installment dedicated to love," the presenter acknowledges in a telephone interview with this newspaper, in which he highlights that they have looked for very striking couples with the who hope that their loyal and regular audience
"appreciates them in all their magnitude
. "
Sobera highlights that "at
First Dates
we are always looking for profiles that are a little different, innovative, empathetic, open, original and on this Valentine's Day, that originality is even more surprising."
Of course, the Basque cannot choose any of the five leading couples of this special night since
"they all have their substance and their mystery
. "
"They will appeal to regular audiences, but also to those who don't normally watch the program because they will get hooked when they see them," he says.
Sobera, accompanied by the entire
staff
of the restaurant of love formed by
Laura Boado
, Matías Roure, and
Marisa and Cristina Zapata
, have prepared a very special night, decorating the restaurant of love with elements related to this special day such as balloons, hearts and, could not be missing, Cupid's bow and arrows, which fly over the restaurant's tables every night with more or less success among the singles who visit them.
"We have put bows and arrows around the restaurant, but the truth is that we noticed that it was not necessary to use them because, I don't know if perhaps they were imbued with the spirit of Valentine's Day or what, but
all the diners of the day came with a tremendous desire to being able to find a partner
. That's why I think it's a slightly special program," Sobera says.
What do you think about the broadcast of
First Dates
moving from Cuatro to Telecinco? I think it's good. Well, as long as it's special for one day. The thing is, I'm one of those who think that
First Dates
is Cuatro's territory because it has been consolidating itself in the network for many years. The image of both is closely linked. The
access prime time
slot is probably the most competitive at the moment on television and has become essential for the networks.
Carlos Sobera smiles every time he talks about his
First Dates
, his love nest, Cupid's home. Nor does he hesitate to show his chest and it is no wonder, since
First Dates
is, without a doubt, the great treasure of Mediaset's second channel: "
First Dates
has been very well established since the beginning of its broadcasts and, lately,
they are giving us a bonus of attention and affection that is leading us to very high numbers
. Without a doubt this program has
matched
the network." And
Sobera
laughs again.
"There are many cameras around them, but they forget about them"
Do you like working in a place where people come looking for love? As the John Paul Young song says,
Love is in the air
. It is a delight to come to work at
First Dates
because there is always an optimistic and positive atmosphere, since everyone who comes does so with tremendous joy and great enthusiasm. They come to us to look for a partner, a person to keep them company, to meet someone, to get excited, or to have an experience. By coming to the program like this, diners behave with total freedom to do and say what they want, relaxation is absolute. Look, there are many cameras around them, but they forget about them, making everything flow with a special joy, an extraordinary spirit of harmony. Singles come super plugged in with love, energy, vitality, optimism and it shows, that's why it's a pleasure to work like this here, because time passes faster. What is the best and worst thing about being in love? The most beautiful thing about being in love is doing things together with your partner in a perfect symbiosis of understanding, with complicity. And that happens to you when love is reciprocated. There is nothing worse than being angry with the love of your life. Would you go to
First Dates
if you were single and wanted to find a partner? I'm a pretty embarrassing guy, things as they are, but this program seems like an absolutely white and tremendously respectful format to me with everyone who visits. It would be difficult for me because he was going to see me all over the country flirting or trying to flirt, but of course, by concept, if there is a program that I would go to for that, precisely to find a partner, it would be
First Dates
.
"
First Dates
has helped us understand that there are multiple genders and a tremendous amount of sexual orientations"
What has your program contributed to television and society? I think
First Dates
is a very educational and pedagogical program because it transmits important values to society. He has brought a lot of naturalness, large doses of authenticity to both television and the lives of the Spanish people. Also understanding, generosity, understanding, empathy towards others... It has helped us understand that there are multiple genders and a tremendous amount of sexual orientations, which are all very respectful. And I would add tolerance. That, together with the freshness, authenticity and so on that the program transmits. Do you consider yourselves rivals of dating applications? We are very different concepts, but we share some things, such as the concept of a blind date, because, deep down, Whoever comes here to meet a person does not know what he is physically like, or how he thinks, or on which foot he limps, he knows nothing. We also share the adventure, the risk, the taste of the adrenaline of trying to meet someone. And then, that tremendous need that we all have to look for company or a partner. Social networks also offer that solution, but the advantage we have is that we do everything with a lot of effort so that no one suffers, has a bad time, is not disappointed and has the best time possible. Of course, always respecting each person's profile so that they feel comfortable. Basically, this is like when you go to a nightclub, you meet someone you're attracted to, you have dinner with that person and then it may or may not work out, it may make you like it or dislike it. You never know, but you have to accept it as life itself. Have you tried Matías Roure's mojitos and the food they have on the menu? Matías's mojitos are exceptional, brutal, he has an absolutely wonderful hand for cocktails. The food is also very good and, on some occasions when I haven't had time to go home to eat, I have had something from the menu.