The legendary talk show host is giving a nod to “SNL.”

Don Francisco, the figure behind the celebrated “Sábado Gigante,” expressed his delight over an “SNL” sketch that paid tribute to his show in a post on social media this Sunday.

In a heartfelt message on Instagram, he said in Spanish, “I want to thank @nbcsnl and @marcellohdz for reviving those cherished moments from our beloved Sabado Gigante. It was not merely a fantastic show; it served as a gathering spot for families and our Hispanic community.”

The sketch, lasting close to six minutes, featured cast member Marcello Hernández humorously impersonating Don Francisco’s vibrant on-screen persona as he energetically navigated through a series of comedic bits. Hernández, of Cuban and Dominican descent, made waves last season by being the first Latino comedian to join the “SNL” cast.

This week’s host, comedian Nate Bargatze, portrayed an audience member chosen by Don Francisco to take part in various amusing challenges for a special reward, which turned out to be a pack of dogs.

In a fit of confusion, Bargatze’s character, Joshua, remarked, “Sorry, I’m visiting Miami. I got free tickets. I don’t know what any of this means. I think I’m having a panic attack.”

Wrapping up his Instagram message, the authentic Don Francisco noted, “Thanks to the unwavering support from the public, we wrapped that chapter nearly a decade ago. Yet, the love and respect for what we created together remains as strong as ever. Thank you all so much!”

Catch the ‘SNL’ ‘Sábado Gigante’ spoof

The legacy of ‘Sábado Gigante’ on television

Founded by Chilean actor Mario Luis Kreutzberger Blumenfeld, “Sábado Gigante” aired from 1962 until 2015. The show’s impressive 53-year history established it as the longest-running variety show ever on television, driven by Blumenfeld’s charming alter ego, Don Francisco.

Initial episodes aired on Sundays, stretching up to eight hours, and were actually canceled on two occasions before finding stability. The third version, which was moved to Saturday evenings and trimmed to about three hours, proved to be successful.

“Sábado Gigante” quickly became a sensation in Chile and later expanded its reach to Latin America, Europe, and even further. For over 40 nations, families, ranging from grandparents to grandchildren, gathered weekly to watch.

In 1986, the show transitioned to Miami on the Spanish International Network (SIN). The next year, this network was revived as Univision, a Spanish-language U.S. network, and the show’s popularity soared as millions of immigrants relived a cherished family tradition.

Renowned for its outrageous comedy skits and playful contests, the show also attracted a following among non-Spanish speakers. The outrageous El Chacal de la Trompeta, a singing competition featuring a hooded judge, was captivating regardless of language, as the name translates to Trumpet Jackal.

At times, the show adopted a serious approach. It featured direct interviews with presidential candidates, celebrated Cinco de Mayo at the White House in 2001, processed the grief after the 9/11 attacks, and reported on the emotional rescue of Chilean miners in 2010.

Univision ended the show in 2015. At the time, the network expressed, “There’s absolutely no doubt that the vibrant mix of humor, amateur talent shows, audience games, human-interest stories, celebrity chats, heartfelt family reunions, and the many big names from Latin music have allowed ‘Sábado Gigante’ to become a significant milestone in international television history over the past five decades.”