'Sábado Gigante' Finale 2015: Time, Live Stream, Lineup
"Sábado Gigante" is set to air its final show in history Saturday night on Univision commencing at 8 p.m. ET.
After a 53-year-long run, Univision announced in April that the longest-running TV variety show in history would be coming to a close at the end of the season, setting in motion a steady stream of salutes and odes to beloved longtime host Don Francisco.
Billboard reports among the artist crediting Francisco with helping to get their careers off the ground that are confirmed to be on-hand in some capacity (LIVE STREAM HERE) for the finale are Daddy Yankee, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Prince Royce, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Espinoza Paz, Luis Fonsi, Paulina Rubio, Intocable and Laura Pausini.
"Don Francisco was the first person who gave me a shot on national television," said Daddy Yankee. "I'll always be indebted to him. His contribution to -- and influence in -- the Latino community has no limit. He is an example and a true leader."
"Sábado Gigante" show officials have confirmed all the appearances on their Instagram page and have added a few collages featuring the artists.
"Fifty-three years on TV is easy to say, but it's an incredible record," said Iglesias. "Don Francisco will always be unique and irreplaceable. I am so grateful because I started my career on the show and I'm sure a lot of my colleagues will agree with me that he has been like a father figure to all of us."
Chilean-born Mario Kreutzberger, 74, admits he doesn't know what the right way is to say goodbye.
"I don't know how it's going to hit me," he said. "I don't think I'll cry," added the man widely revered by his fans as much as the likes of Johnny Carson or Oprah Winfrey.
"The most important critic is the audience," Kreutzberger said. "If the audience leaves you, that's the end ... But we are human. You do mistakes sometimes. And I did, I'm sure, many mistakes. But we did [the show] with passion."
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!