Christian Gálvez has returned to the afternoons of Telecinco with 25 palabras (Monday to Friday, at 7 p.m.), a contest in which two teams made up of an anonymous contestant and two celebrities compete in a succession of games to find out words in which the humor, ingenuity, mental agility and intuition are key to winning and taking home the financial pot. This is the first international adaptation of the 25 words or less contest, which premiered in the United States, and which is gradually making its way onto the television grid.
What is it about quizzes based on words that attracts the audience so much?
The fact of playing with the language and putting ourselves to the test. Of wanting not only to have fun and play with our language, but also to pay a small tribute to the self-knowledge we have. And then, in the end, that we all like to compete with ourselves and prove to ourselves that we can be better.
Anonymous and famous compete in 25 words. What is your policy with the former: empathize or keep a certain distance?
At first I was perhaps too carried away by the opinion of the social networks about who was the favorite. But a presenter is the link between what is a question and an answer and must avoid taking a position. That's why, as a presenter, I have never, nor will I, take a position with the contestants, but as a person, in the end, you grow fond of those who stay with us for a long time. I now have great friends who have participated in the various contests I have presented and I do not hide it.
And as for the celebrities. What is your contribution to this kind of program?
They provide absolutely everything. They bring you tables and temperance, which is very important for contestants. And for the audience, they bring the interest of discovering the people behind the actor or whatever the profession is. And for them, logically, it is still a shop window.
What is your priority when you jump on set and it's your turn to host a show like this?
My highest priority is that the people on the other side of the screen consider us worth being with. Because in the end this is a competition and there is a lot on offer. From there, I also try to make people feel comfortable, keep the pace, don't let things drag on too much...
In addition to presenting 25 palabras, you are also executive producer of the contest with Fénix Media. What is its function?
We are three partners and each is in charge of a plot. Olga Flórez is in charge of managing the broadcast contests, Rafa Guardiola has specialized in direction and content and I am in charge of the research and development of new formats. But the three of us have been very involved in the adaptation of this format, the original of which lasts between 25 and 30 minutes and which we have extended to double the time due to the chain's needs, maintaining the spirit and the rules. And then, we've been making changes through trial and error and listening to our audience. This is what our work is all about.
Paolo Vasile recently said goodbye to his post as CEO of Mediaset España. What is the legacy it has left on you?
Under his mandate I started as a reporter in Caiga quien caiga and ended up being Christian Gálvez of Pasapalabra at the time. One way or another, he let me make history at Telecinco and the Mediaset group. And the most important thing, as I thanked him when I went to say goodbye to him in his office, is that he has always let me be me, which I consider a great gift.
