Latre, do not let them use you

The return of El hormiguero this week has been very disturbing and revealing. The opening dance looked like that ridiculous Mojo Dojo Casa House from Ken in the Barbie movie: a virile reserve gone overboard. Six men were dancing and four were applauding them, and then they all embraced with that chest bump that reminds us of the origins of the species. A video summarized the migration crisis in Ceuta by attacking Sánchez's government for no reason. Next, Pablo Motos announced a shocking event. They had organized a parade of humanoid robots through a street in Madrid. A terrifying image. He placed himself at the head of that army, as if he were its leader, and ordered them to follow him. Then he addressed the audience: “Tu mundo va a cambiar”, he announced looking at the camera. He gave a speech about the transformation of the world, the attitude we must have towards technological progress, the difficulties in discerning between truth and lies, and the infinite possibilities of artificial intelligence: “No hay que tener miedo, solo hay que estar despiertos”. He assumed the role of a guru, giving advice on human existence with an alarming superiority and condescension. Motos is convinced that his wisdom can transform society.Then Carlos Latre appeared dressed as Pedro Sánchez. He was wearing a blazer and swimming trunks, and a float around his waist. Latre played a conceited, inept, and dim-witted prime minister while Pablo Motos reproached him for the “invasion” of Ceuta. Neither Latre's impression was accurate nor was the script good. But that staging placed Latre at the service of the presenter's ideology. Motos turned him into a puppet to endorse his political ideas. The humiliation, however, was not over. Motos invited the comedian to remove his makeup in front of the audience to ask him questions about the failure of his program, Babylon Show, on Telecinco. “¿Tú no crees, Carlos, que deberíamos explicarle a la gente los detalles de por qué te fuiste a Telecinco a competir contra nosotros y ahora has vuelto con nosotros?” It's been two years since that, and the audience neither remembers nor cares. “¿Qué pensaste cuando te volví a llamar?”, he asked him, emphasizing his role as a redeemer despite that betrayal. Latre kept thanking him for the gesture. Motos highlighted the public exculpation of his employee.The audience success of El hormiguero,added to the reactionary background of its ideology, has made Pablo Motos believe that he is a guru of the new times. He diagnoses society, feels empowered to manage truth and lies, points out ideological enemies, and assumes the role of a guide in the face of fear and uncertainty about the future. He uses humor to demonstrate his power as a leader. The man who pulls the puppet's strings. El hormiguero has become the staging of the moral authority of the right, with Motos acting as prophet, judge, and savior. And these delusions always end badly.