Podcast Summary:
Hoy por Hoy – Cuenta con Bob: ¿Y si Bob se postulase a la alcaldía de Barcelona?
Host: Àngels Barceló
Guest: Bob Pop (and audience callers)
Date: October 6, 2025
Platform: SER Podcast
Overview
In this lively and humorous segment, Àngels Barceló and Bob Pop open the floor to a playful yet sincere discussion: Should Bob Pop run for mayor of Barcelona? Prompted by Bob’s reflections on political engagement and the legacy of Ada Colau, the episode blends wit, critical thinking, and candid exchanges with listeners. The conversation explores what it takes to enter politics, the challenges and hopes of municipal government, and how ordinary citizens (and celebrities) might contribute to societal change.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Weekend Events and Festival Highlights
- (01:03 – 03:09)
- Pro-Palestinian demonstrations: Both hosts express admiration for the massive turnout and renewed sense of civic action.
- “Cantida de gente y además con gente muy motivada que entiende que es el momento de hacer presión...” – Bob Pop (01:11)
- Flame Festival (Magaluf): Bob recounts participating, presenting his new poetry book to a full house, feeling triumphant and energized.
- Pro-Palestinian demonstrations: Both hosts express admiration for the massive turnout and renewed sense of civic action.
2. The Big Question: Bob Pop, Future Mayor?
- (03:18 – 05:40)
- Bob floats the idea: In the spirit of citizen engagement, Bob suggests running for mayor if Ada Colau does not return.
- “Yo siempre he apoyado a Ada Colau y...si Ada no está, ¿por qué no voy yo y me presento?” – Bob Pop (04:23)
- Core platform: A city where essential needs are not business commodities.
- “Una ciudad donde todo aquello que fuera necesario no fuera un negocio...” – Bob Pop (05:14)
- Bob floats the idea: In the spirit of citizen engagement, Bob suggests running for mayor if Ada Colau does not return.
3. Reflections on Political Participation
- (05:40 – 07:20)
- Personal cost: Bob questions if someone with a freelance lifestyle can afford to go into politics, given the loss of other income and uncertainty.
- “¿Y puede uno seguir viviendo de lo suyo y entrar en política?” – Bob Pop (05:59)
- Accessibility: The conversation highlights who really gets to participate in politics and at what expense.
- Personal cost: Bob questions if someone with a freelance lifestyle can afford to go into politics, given the loss of other income and uncertainty.
4. Imagining a Different Kind of Mayor
- (07:20 – 08:20)
- Humor and identity: The hosts joke about bringing a theatrical flair to the office, setting up a campaign HQ in the famed El Molino theater.
- Àngels offers support (in jest):
- “Te llevo la comunicación, te llevo lo que tú quieras, te llevo las chanclas, te llevo las pantuflas.” – Àngels Barceló (07:37)
5. Audience Participation: Should Bob Run?
- First Batch of Calls (09:12 – 14:15)
- Juan Esteban (Málaga):
- Expresses full support, willing to move to Barcelona just to vote for Bob.
- “Es el alcalde que necesitamos. Personas que nos devuelva la ilusión y la esperanza.” – Juan Esteban (10:43)
- Lara (Granada):
- Supports the idea but worries about Bob’s well-being, highlighting the toll politics can take.
- “No queremos que le cueste la salud... La política es dura.” – Lara (12:42)
- Bob echoes that it’s essential to change politics from within so it doesn’t cost people their health.
- Juan Esteban (Málaga):
6. Challenges and Opportunities of Local Politics
- (13:28 – 14:15)
- The group agrees that municipal politics, despite being tough, is more rewarding because changes are immediately felt in daily life.
- “Ves los cambios reales porque a la gente le cambia la vida de verdad y te lo cuenta en la calle.” – Bob Pop (13:43)
- The group agrees that municipal politics, despite being tough, is more rewarding because changes are immediately felt in daily life.
7. Calls for Candidacy Beyond Barcelona
- Juanjo (Canarias):
- Suggests Bob run for mayor of Madrid for a real challenge and greater impact.
- Bob resists, saying he’s more rooted in Barcelona and considers Madrid “una ciudad que yo ya he dado por perdida.” (15:02)
- Team-up Dream: Bob imagines a running-mates scenario with a famous dancer for Madrid.
- “Nacho Duato... Yo creo que Nacho Duato sería un excelente alcalde de Madrid.” – Bob Pop (15:51)
- Painting an image of “un alcalde bailarín y un alcalde en silla de ruedas tomados de la mano cruzando España.” (15:54)
8. Former Mayor’s Perspective
- Juan José (Madrid, ex-mayor):
- Shares the wisdom that everyone should spend time in local government to better understand and improve it.
- Importance of transparency and realism in what an administration can achieve.
- “Yo lo primero que haría sería explicar qué puedo y qué no puedo hacer y por qué...” – Bob Pop (18:40)
- Warns of bureaucratic realities: budgets, rules, and protocol are the real foundations of change.
9. Closing and Personal Updates
- (21:35 – 22:18)
- Àngels and Bob reflect on the all-positive feedback.
- Upcoming events for Bob: his birthday and third season return to the Spy Texas in Barcelona with a promotional offer for listeners.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Estoy haciendo comentarios en voz alta, insultando a tertulianos. Pues lo que es disfrutar de la radio.” – Bob Pop (00:53)
- “Una ciudad donde todo aquello que fuera necesario no fuera un negocio.” – Bob Pop (05:14)
- “¿Y puede uno seguir viviendo de lo suyo y entrar en política?” – Bob Pop (05:59)
- “No queremos que le cueste la salud... La política es dura.” – Lara (12:42)
- “Un alcalde bailarín y un alcalde en silla de ruedas tomados de la mano cruzando España.” – Bob Pop (15:54)
- “El verbo escuchar es el más importante en un ayuntamiento.” – Juan José (former mayor) (18:04)
- “Yo lo primero que haría sería explicar qué puedo y qué no puedo hacer y por qué.” – Bob Pop (18:40)
Segment Timestamps
- [01:03] – Discussion on Palestinian solidarity demonstrations
- [02:08] – Bob shares literary festival experience
- [03:18] – Bob considers running for mayor
- [04:23] – Bob’s rationale and possible platform
- [05:59] – Debating the practicalities of candidacy
- [07:20] – Theatrical campaign jokes
- [09:12] – Audience calls begin: first reactions
- [10:43] – “Es el alcalde que necesitamos” quote
- [12:42] – Caller's concern about health; Bob responds
- [13:43] – Why local politics is rewarding
- [15:51] – Call for “primas hermanas” candidacies in Barcelona and Madrid
- [18:04] – Former mayor’s advice and reflection
- [18:40] – Bob stresses transparency if elected
- [21:35] – Show wraps up, personal news
Conclusion
This episode combines satirical flair with a real sense of civic engagement, using Bob Pop’s possible mayoral candidacy as a springboard to discuss the nature of public service, access to politics, and the value of community-driven change. Listener interactions, including candid advice from a former mayor, ground the segment with practical wisdom and encouragement, while the hosts’ playful banter keeps the conversation warm and relatable. The overwhelming audience reaction is supportive, though not without empathetic caution regarding the challenges ahead. Bob Pop’s candidacy might have started as a joke, but it opens up real questions about who can, and should, serve in public office.