Chilean TV Show ‘Mekano’ Secrets Revealed in New Book

A tell-all book promises to reveal the hidden stories behind the hit Chilean television show, Mekano. Running from 1997 to 2007, the youth program became a cultural phenomenon marked by laughter, dances, and controversies.

The Making of Mekano’s Intimate Diary

Show journalist Patricio Rojas Saá, who covered the program in its heyday, has penned Mekano’s Intimate Diary. The book chronicles the show’s decade-long run after exhaustive research.

In an interview, Rojas Saá recalled his early experiences with the show: “I, as a journalist of shows in the early 2000s I had to go to the program, I had to meet him.” He noted its lasting impact: “There are a lot of programs that passed, I do not know if without penalty or glory… Instead this program yes.”

Unpremeditated Success and Lasting Impact

According to Rojas Saá, the show’s success stemmed from its lack of pretense. “They didn’t want to be first, they didn’t want to beat anyone, they basically wanted to have a good time.”

Mekano popularized the axé music style and launched the careers of many personalities, including Carla Jara and Karen Paola. For example, axé music saw a resurgence in popularity in Chile in the early 2000s thanks to its heavy rotation on the show.

A Rigorous Research Process

Creating the book was a difficult endeavor. Rojas Saá stated: “It was a long, very hard, very difficult process, because I took it seriously. It is not a superficial review of the story.”

In total, Rojas Saá conducted around 70 interviews with over 50 people connected to the show. Francisco Lucero, a young journalist, assisted with the extensive documentation.

Behind-the-Scenes Relationships

Rojas Saá addressed the authenticity of relationships on the show, referencing the infamous on-screen kisses between José Miguel Viñuela and Cata Palacios that reportedly earned the show 51 rating points.

Rojas Saá clarified: “They were not forced to have relationships… but there was a dynamic… at some point in the set up to 50 people… Imagine the set full of Karen Paola, by Carla Jara, Ronny Dance, Cathy Barriga…”

He added that visibility on the show led to lucrative opportunities, such as nightclub appearances. According to a 2023 report by the Chilean National Council of Television (CNTV), reality shows and talent programs are key platforms for launching media careers (CNTV).

Rojas Saá further explained the dynamic: “If you appeared on the screen, you managed to make yourself known and therefore you could access extra jobs… Then the only way you had as a member of the Team Mekano to appear more on the screen was to show you your life…”

Truth and Consequences

While relationships weren’t forced, sharing personal details was advantageous. As Rojas Saá put it: “There was no obligation to have this or that relationship, there was no imposition of telling it, but if you didn’t count, you forgiven a lot.” Some relationships, like that of Monkey and Sergio, remained private.

Could Mekano Succeed Today?

Rojas Saá believes the original Mekano wouldn’t work today. “I believe that Mekano as we met him, between 97 and 2007, today cannot be done. And I prefer to be so.” He cited changing social norms regarding the portrayal of young women.

He concluded: “Today we are different… but if a youthful program could be done, a Youth Yincana, adjusting certain things. Neither TV nor the media today, are the same as 20 years ago.”