Podcast Summary: “Pepe y Samuel Viyuela reviven su experiencia en la grabación de la radioficción de Navidad de Carlos Alsina”

Podcast: Más de uno (Onda Cero)
Date: January 5, 2026
Guests: Pepe Villuela (actor), Samuel Villuela (actor)
Host(s): Equipo de Onda Cero, Carlos Alsina (mención por la radioficción)

Overview:

This episode celebrates the family, the transmission of vocation, and the unexpected ways “punishments” can foster talent. On the cusp of Reyes Magos, Pepe Villuela and his son Samuel share the pivotal story of a summer in Mérida that set Samuel on a path toward theater, culminating in their participation—father and son—in the Onda Cero Christmas radio drama. The warmth, humor, and generational banter make this an inspiring listen about artistry, legacy, and the magic of radio storytelling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. El “castigo” que fue regalo:

• [00:34-05:14]
  • 20 years ago, Pepe Villuela (actor) takes his rebellious, punkish, teenage son Samuel (16) to Mérida under the guise of keeping him studying.
  • Pepe’s "punishment": Samuel must work hard with the backstage crew: "Subir y bajar cables, a cargar con cajas… que trabaje y que sude."
  • The plan backfires “para bien”: Samuel thrives among the crew, volunteers as a replacement extra onstage (sacrificing his prized mohawk), and feels the “energy” of the audience for the first time.
  • This experience sparks Samuel’s passion for theater, setting him on his own professional path: "Aquel castigo que Pepe pensó para su hijo... más que un castigo fue un regalo."

2. Travesuras, crestas y la adolescencia en familia:

• [06:08-08:05]
  • Discussion about Samuel’s punk crest—its height, family disputes, and the dangers of standing out.
  • Parental worry wasn’t about looks, but Samuel’s safety after negative encounters due to his appearance:

    “Ya había tenido algún que otro problema... no era la estética, era el peligro que corría.” —Pepe Villuela [06:45]

  • The style becomes a symbol of youthful independence, but the Mérida experience helps soften generational tensions.
• [08:05-09:39]
  • Samuel shares that his artistic calling began much earlier, attending rehearsals at Teatro de la Abadía, but Mérida was “un punto de no retorno”.
  • Sacrificing the crest for a role is a moment of transformation:

    “Tuve que pintarla de negro para peinarla... no podía subir al escenario con esa cresta.” —Samuel Villuela [09:00]

3. El teatro como oficio familiar:

• [09:39-11:17]
  • Reflections on the realities of theater work: actors must be stagehands, producers, and interpreters—echoing the “familia” nature of most productions.
  • Playful banter about calling one’s father “Pepe” versus “papá”.
• [11:48-12:31]
  • Recognition of Pepe’s broad fame, from cult films to Christmas radio dramas, particularly his role as Jacob Marley in the latest Onda Cero production.

4. La magia de la radioficción:

• [13:06-14:47]
  • The show includes live excerpts from the Christmas radio drama, featuring both Pepe and Samuel acting together—peeling back the curtain on their intergenerational chemistry.

    “La radio tiene una magia especial... las imágenes las pone quien escucha.” —Pepe Villuela [13:55]

  • Pepe expresses strong affection for radio drama’s imaginative possibilities, where each listener makes the scenes personal.
• [15:22-16:50]
  • Discussion of the Onda Cero adaptation of “Cuento de Navidad”, Samuel’s experience voicing the young Marley—his second foray into radio drama, but loving the pure “play” of acting with only the voice.
  • Both father and son comment on the uncanny similarity of their voices, leading to family confusion:

    “Nos confunden mucho por la voz.” —Samuel Villuela [17:12]

5. La relación padre-hijo y la adolescencia:

• [19:12-20:19]
  • Pepe—the proud and slightly nostalgic father—reflects on the challenging but inevitable “estrangement” of adolescence:

    “...ese niño con el que yo había tenido una relación tan intensa... se convierte en un adolescente inclemente que no te quiere ni ver.” —Pepe Villuela [19:25]

• Universal recognition of the fraught but survivable rites-of-passage in family life:

  “La adolescencia es una etapa de enajenación. Se han enajenado, son otras personas distintas, pobres.” —Presenter [20:19]

6. Como se hace la radioficción navideña:

• [20:29-21:39]
  • Both actors reveal the segmented, solitary nature of voice recording for the radio drama—each recording their parts separately, guided only by the director (Carlos).

    “No estás escuchando la réplica tal y como es. Es muy bonito y luego cuando lo escuchas…” —Pepe Villuela [21:20]

  • Praise for Carlos Alsina’s careful, demanding directorial style ensuring performances align in the final edit.

7. Proyectos actuales y futuros:

• [22:29-24:43]
  • Pepe: juggling two touring productions—El Barbero de Picasso and Guito Nofre; preparing for Timón de Atenas at Mérida; and writing a new play about Cervantes and the Generation of ’27.
  • Samuel: working to remount last year’s show Abiertos en canal (El Vodevil, compañía familiar), aiming to find more theaters; joining the Mérida cast for Timón de Atenas and the Cervantes project.
• [24:47-27:06]
  • Insight into the upcoming Cervantes/Gen del 27 production—intended as a bridge across generations, exploring artistic and political contexts, and aiming for the Festival de Almagro in 2027.

    “Buscando conciliación y la posibilidad de encuentro entre divergencias de todo tipo.” —Pepe Villuela [26:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sobre la vocación artística:

  “Creo que hubo un adoctrinamiento muy bien llevado por parte de mis padres…” —Samuel Villuela [08:44]

• Sobre el poder de la radio:

  “Las imágenes las pone quien escucha.” —Pepe Villuela [13:55]

• Sobre la adolescencia:

  “...ese niño... de pronto se convierte en un adolescente inclemente que no te quiere ni ver.” —Pepe Villuela [19:25]

• Sobre el vínculo familiar a través del arte:

  “Aquel castigo que Pepe pensó para su hijo... más que un castigo fue un regalo.” —Presenter [05:14]

• Generational Playfulness:

  “Papá, papá, Pepe. Como cambia una letra en casa.” —Samuel Villuela [11:02]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:34-05:14]: Relato de la experiencia en Mérida que marcó la vocación de Samuel
• [06:08-08:05]: Anécdotas familiares sobre la cresta y los temores paternos
• [09:39-11:17]: El trabajo real del actor y el teatro de pequeña escala
• [13:06-14:47] & [17:44-19:09]: Fragmentos de la radioficción navideña con Pepe y Samuel
• [15:22-16:51]: Samuel narra su disfrute de la interpretación radiofónica
• [19:12-20:29]: Reflexión sobre la adolescencia y los cambios en la relación padre-hijo
• [22:29-27:06]: Actualidad y proyectos futuros de ambos Villuela, Cervantes/Gen del 27

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is characterized by affectionate humor, playful family jabs, and honest reflections on the generational transmission of artistic passion. The language is close, colloquial and at times self-deprecating: a real family conversation opened up to the listeners. Both Villuelas convey humility, gratitude, and a love for the craft of storytelling in all its forms—radio, theater, and beyond.

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary captures the Villuelas’ unique bond, their artistic journey, and the ongoing magic—sometimes accidental, always heartfelt—of family and theater.