Cheito, Jorgito and Berto waited impatiently in line for the studio doors to open. Cheito's father had finally gotten tickets for "El Show de Franco, Toto y Alberti." The show ran every weekday from 4 to 5 on Cadena Teleglobo, and featured the antics of three Argentinian brothers. Franco was the straight man and M.C., always well dressed in suit and tie; Toto, the pint sized trickster, and Alberti, the big oaf, were the clowns, dressed in oversize jackets, striped t-shirts, balloon pants, oversize shoes, felt hats and make up. The show would kick off with the Franco, Toto and Alberti theme song which the brothers played live on clarinet (Franco), accordion (Toto) and trumpet (Alberti). They were backed up by a small band that was as good as the Spike Jones Orchestra and never missed a trick. Next would be a comical skit, followed by a raucous musical number. There were games, prizes, jokes, and contests. Cheito's oldest sister Lali had once competed in a singing contest and earned second place, her prize a transistor radio in the shape of a Coca-Cola machine. The following week, his youngest sister Tati had played her zither on the show. He had missed both, sick home with dengue fever. The show was an enormous hit with the island's children, but tickets to see the show, and perhaps get chosen for one of the skits or one of the games were highly prized. His father, Don't Francisco was a friend of one of the sound engineers, and was able to secure a couple of tickets on occasion. The boys could hardly wait, and when the doors opened, the children (and quite a few adults) rushed to the seats in the studio and the music soon started: "Este's el Show de Franco, Tito y Alberti..."
Jose M. Caldas, April 1, 2014.
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