The Chilean puppet group ‘31 Minutos’ just made history. They became the very first Latin American puppet act to perform on NPR’s famous ‘Tiny Desk Concerts’ series. Their special session was filmed on September 29 at NPR’s main offices in Washington DC. This performance was a proud part of the “El Tiny” special, which celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.
The news grabbed everyone’s attention right away. See, ‘31 Minutos’ isn’t your typical music band. They call themselves a “puppet news show.” Their program mixes silly news reports, clever satire, funny skits, and original music.
During this special show, which you can watch on YouTube and the official Tiny Desk Concerts website, they played seven of their most-loved songs. These included fan favorites like “My Spiritual Balance,” “They Dance Without César,” and “Warm Christmas.”
The puppeteers themselves kept a low profile during the performance. They wore plain, neutral shirts. This helped them blend in with the desk setting. The idea was to make it look like only the puppets were the stars of the show, front and center.
One moment everyone talked about was when Tulio Triviño, the show’s fictional news anchor, made a joke. He said, “I’m Tulio Triviño, and this is ’31 Minutos” first time in Washington, which is exactly how long our work visas last.” The creators used this joke to connect humor with a Hispanic message. It played on the idea of immigrant artists performing in a new country.
It’s worth noting that many huge names have graced NPR’s famous desk. Artists like Coldplay, Sting, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, Dua Lipa, Carlos Vives, Bad Bunny, and Billie Eilish have all performed there.
’31 Minutes’. Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images
Who Are the ’31 Minutes’ Crew?
‘31 Minutos’ is a popular Chilean show that first aired in 2003. It’s a funny take on a real news program, but with puppets. They report on ridiculous events and play music, all wrapped up in clever satire. The cast includes Tulio Triviño, the clueless main anchor. There’s also Juan Carlos Bodoque, the sharp-tongued reporter. Other beloved characters include Patana, Guaripolo, Mario Hugo, and Juanín.
Álvaro Díaz and Pedro Peirano created the show under their production company, Aplaplac. Its success wasn’t just for kids on TV. They took their act to live concerts, movies, stage plays, released music albums, and even launched a traveling museum.
The ‘31 Minutos’ performance on ‘Tiny Desk Concerts’ shows it’s more than just a cool event. It’s a global nod that a creative idea from Latin America, full of humor, imagination, and great music, can easily cross borders and capture hearts everywhere. From a small desk, these Chilean puppets managed to make a very big impression.
And if that wasn’t enough, this landmark performance comes right before a brand-new movie. ‘31 Minutos: Warm Christmas,’ a new Chilean film, will stream exclusively on Prime Video this November. It’s set to release in more than 240 countries.