Podcast Summary: Siempre es Lunes – Charlando cosas: Noventeando con la TV boricua

Host: Macetaminofen
Guests: Brenda Giselle Mejía (Noventeando), El George, Marisol, Guzabra
Date: January 27, 2026

Overview of the Episode

This episode is a lively and nostalgic conversation about Puerto Rican television from the late 80s and early 90s. Host Macetaminofen and his crew are joined by Brenda Giselle Mejía from the podcast "Noventeando" to revisit iconic shows, memorable characters, and the unique flavor of Boricua TV. The discussion is peppered with personal stories, irreverent humor, and loving mockery—true to the show’s “esto no es un podcast, esto es una irresponsabilidad” tone.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Guest Introduction & Purpose ([00:36] – [02:20])

• Brenda Giselle Mejía is introduced as the creator of the “Noventeando” podcast, focused on 90s Puerto Rican media.
• The episode’s goal: Look back at classic Boricua TV programs, especially sitcoms and variety shows targeting all age groups.
• Quote:
  Host 1: “Vamos a estar hablando hoy… sobre esos programas de la época de la televisión en que se producían muchos sitcoms y programas, verdad, aquí de Puerto Rico. Y había de todo en aquel momento. Esto fue finales de los… 80 y principios de los 90.” ([02:20])

2. Children’s Programming: “Qué Angelitos” ([02:21] – [05:48])

• Qué Angelitos: A brief but iconic children’s show by Elín Ortiz.
• Discussion includes memories of the cast (Cheche, Lucy, Normita, Pitito) and the shock of not being able to attend their live tour.
• Quote:
  Brenda: “De ahí fue que salió Chalín. Salió su primera gran cosa.” ([03:11])
• Personal stories, including the lasting disappointment of missing the Morovis live show.
• Mention of TV commercials featuring cast members after the show’s end.

3. Youth Sitcoms: “La Pensión de Doña Tere” & “Maripili” ([05:48] – [10:06])

• La Pensión de Doña Tere: Hosted a wide demographic; memorable characters include Noema Kandal, Tito Negrón, and an early role for Raymond Arrieta.
• Long-lasting catchphrases from Tito Negrón (“yo sería capaz, no incapata”) are joked about still being recognized 40 years later.
• Maripili: (Alfonsina Molinari in the lead) Noted as the “Maripili OG,” set in an aspirational middle-to-upper-class setting.
• Reflections on family dynamics in these shows as precursors to later soap opera situations.

4. Sketch Comedy & Variety: “El Cuartel de la Risa,” “Barrio 4 Calles,” “Guaragua Security” ([10:06] – [13:57])

• El Cuartel de la Risa: Parodies of police procedurals (Gángster, Rafael José, Tita Guerrero).
• Jokes about youthful appearances and Tita Guerrero's agelessness.
• Barrio 4 Calles: Early vehicle for Pucho and others; compared to the flavor of neighborhood coffee shop banter.
• Transition to “Guaragua Security,” with observations on recurring actor guest appearances.

5. Satirical & Chisme Shows: “Minga y Petraca” & Evolution of TV Comedies ([13:57] – [17:01])

• Minga y Petraca: Iconic for its balcony gossip segments ("pelar al mundo"), influencing the panel’s own podcasting style.
• The formula: mock TV Guide gossip, then advance the sitcom plot—a precursor to "commentary-as-content" style.
• Character Jacinto and crossovers with “No te Duermas” highlighted.
• Humorous reflection on cross-dressing characters (“nunca se quitaron los bigotes”) and real-life counterparts.

6. Classics and Spin-offs: “Con Lo Que Cuenta Este País” & “El Gran Bejuco” ([17:01] – [22:40])

• Con Lo Que Cuenta Este País: Seen as a hallmark of early '90s satire, launching characters like Chevil, Bejuco, Cholón.
• Quote:
  Host 2: “Miguel Morales, uno de los mejores programas de la televisión.” ([17:19])
• Noted the cultural impact of openly gay characters and diverse representation, rare for the era.
• El Gran Bejuco: Considered the “Fresh Prince boricua,” chronicling the life of a Black Puerto Rican middle-class family.
• Pop-culture tangents about actors who left suddenly and were replaced to keep up the storylines.

7. Cultural Reflections: Representation, Changing Tastes, and Product Placement ([22:40] – [27:15])

• First major Black family sitcom: "El Gran Bejuco" recognized for its representation (“Y negra bien. Era como que el tipo… contable.” – [24:52])
• Parallels drawn to U.S. sitcoms and societal shifts.
• Riffs on awkward, overt product placements (Snapple’s Kiwi Strawberry referenced repeatedly for its overexposure).
• Quote:
  Host 2: “Yo siempre recuerdo el de Snap, porque Snap le dieron esa promoción fue bien agresiva…” ([25:56])
• Candid discussion of writers’ frustrations with enforced ad copy.

8. Why 90s TV Still Matters: Brenda’s Mission ([31:30] – [32:29])

• Brenda shares why she started the "Noventeando" project: 90s pop culture is hard to research due to lack of digitized sources.
• Quote:
  Brenda: “Los 90 están mal documentados, como no había Internet, era como que si tú te acuerdas de algo, ¿Donde lo busca? … Alguien tiene que ponerlo en Internet.” ([31:36])
• The crew recognizes the historic importance and the work of documenting forgotten pop culture.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Macetaminofen (on missing the “Qué Angelitos” live show):
  “Fue bien cortito… ellos hicieron una gira alrededor de Puerto Rico y mis padres no me llevaron… A mí eso me marcó mucho.” ([05:08])
• On TV catchphrases that survived decades:
  Brenda: “Todavía hay gente que te las dice. Y han pasado 40 años.” ([06:06])
• On product placement:
  Host 2: “Siempre era Kiwi Strawberry. Kiwi Strawberry por todos lados… Pero le dieron y era bien fuerte.” ([25:56]) Host 1: “Estoy segurísima que los escritores del programa odiaban eso porque ellos tenían que saber que eso estaba mal…” ([26:32])
• On documenting Boricua pop culture:
  Brenda: “Alguien tiene que ponerlo en Internet. Y yo pensé que lo más cool era por lo menos apelar a la memoria…” ([31:36])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:36 – 02:20: Guest intro and explanation of episode scope
• 02:21 – 05:48: “Qué Angelitos” and memories of kids programming
• 05:48 – 10:06: “La Pensión de Doña Tere,” “Maripili,” and youth sitcoms
• 10:06 – 13:57: Sketch comedies “El Cuartel de la Risa,” “Barrio 4 Calles”
• 13:57 – 17:01: “Minga y Petraca” and the gossip format
• 17:01 – 22:40: “Con Lo Que Cuenta Este País,” “El Gran Bejuco,” representation
• 22:40 – 27:15: Product placement and cultural tangents
• 31:30 – 32:29: Brenda’s mission with “Noventeando”

Episode Takeaway

This episode is a goldmine for Puerto Ricans nostalgic for classic TV or for anyone interested in media history. The hosts and guest uncover forgotten gems, tease each other about pop culture trauma, and reflect on what these programs meant for identity, representation, and Boricua humor. Brenda’s crusade to digitize and remember the ‘lost’ 90s media landscape is both a public service and a rallying cry for more pop culture archiving.

Where to Find “Noventeando”

• YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon: Search for “Noventeando”
• Social Media:
  • Instagram: @noventeando_practica
  • Facebook & TikTok: @noventeandoPR