2024 Grand Prix stamp controversy

2024 Grand Prix stamp controversy
Part of Television in Spain
DateDecember 31, 2024 (2024-12-31)
LocationSpain
TypeIncident
ParticipantsLaura Yustres

On 31 December 2024, during the broadcast of the New Year bells on Spanish TV channel La 1, Spanish actress and comic Laura Yustres, also known as Lalachus, showed a picture of the Sacred Heart with the bull mascot from game show El Grand Prix del verano photoshopped onto it.[1]

Context

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Lalachus is a frequent collaborator with David Broncano on his successful La 1 chat show La revuelta. The show's surprise success led to a months-long rivalry with El Hormiguero on rival channel Antena 3. Both Lalachus and Broncano were in charge of hosting the end of the year bells on La 1.[2] When it became public, Lalachus was criticised through social media due to a social stigma of obesity.[3]

An article in El País titled "Los kilos de Chicote y Lalachus" suggested some double standards were in play, in that Lalachus was criticised for her obesity merely for being a woman, while the same criticism was spared for Alberto Chicote, the presenter of the bells on Antena 3, for being a man.[4]

During the broadcast, Broncano and Lalachus played several pranks, such as greeting the hosts of the bells on Antena 3, Chicote and Cristina Pedroche, which some media outlets considered "TV history in Spain".[5] Their coverage attracted record audiences, with a peak share of 33.1%, and beating the Antena 3 broadcast in the ratings for the first time since 2021/22.[6]

Controversy

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External videos
video icon Video of Lalachus showing the Grand Prix stamp

During the last few seconds of 2024, Lalachus showed to the camera a picture of the Sacred Heart, with the iconic heifer from game show El Grand Prix del verano. She showed the picture, while defending public television and saying:

I always carry my picture of the Grand Prix bull with me. It's the best, listen to me, we've all grown up watching Grand Prix. How important television is, the public one in this case more than any other because it has made the whole family get around the TV enjoying it greatly and also, you, I and many people are made of bits of TV…[7]

The image has been widely used and subject to parody, recreated with singers, athletes and all types of public figures who have been 'sanctified', always in a joking tone or as a meme. However, Lalachus' actions were criticised both on social networks and by religious associations.[8] Other prints, meanwhile, of Fernando Alonso, Pedri and Juanmi Jiménez have passed without controversy.[9] The precedents that exist show that it is very difficult for the complaint to be heard. Since 1995, when the Penal Code introduced Article 525 with the current wording of the crime of offending religious feelings, there has been only one final conviction. It was in 2018, when a young man from Jaén had to pay a fine of €480 for publishing a photomontage of the Sacred Heart with his own face photoshopped on Instagram.[10]

Complaints

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Conservative groups CitizenGO and the Abogados Cristianos announced on 1 January 2025 that they would sue Lalachus, Broncano, network RTVE and its president José Pablo López for "a possible hate crime against religious feelings." On 2 January 2025, the Spanish Episcopal Conference said that it was joining the case.[11]

Reactions

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Since the incident, several people have taken a stand for or against Lalachus:

Against

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Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, heavily criticised Lalachus,[12] as did influencer Tomás Páramo.[13] The Archbishop of Seville, José Ángel Saiz Meneses, also criticised the programme.[14] Luis Argüello, president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, called it a "mockery."[15] Actor José Manuel Soto also said that "to take advantage of the moment with the biggest audience of the year to mock Christ and all Catholics gives an idea of the moral rot of those who direct public TV in Spain".[16]

Journalist Iranzu García, from digital Catholic newspaper El Debate, criticised Lalachus, saying that it could not be considered freedom of speech.[17] Liberal news outlet El Confidencial published an opinion piece asking Lalachus if she was "aware that your image in the Bells has offended Catholics".[18]

Spanish political party Vox said it will debate Lalachus' actions in the Congress of Deputies, and request an appearance from the Chair of RTVE to explain the controversy.[19][20]

Author Fernando Savater criticised Lalachus in an article titled Malos propósitos (transl. Bad purposes) written in The Objective,[21] calling Lalachus "Bitelchús", and saying in relation to the controversy "Out with everything that Bitelchús stands for and especially Jordi Évole!".[22] Several criticised Savater, accusing him of fatphobia and sexism,[23] including Maruja Torres.[24]

In favor

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Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Cortes, Félix Bolaños, tweeted his support for Lalachus, saying that "freedom of expression and creation must be a fundamental pillar in a democratic society." In addition, the minister announced that the Government will promote the reform of the crime of religious offence this year, framing it in the Action Plan for Democracy, an initiative that seeks to protect fundamental rights such as artistic freedom.[25]

Jordi Évole also supported her, saying that people who criticised her "needed a burning nail to hold on to."[26] Gabriel Rufián took a position in favour, charging against the offended.[27] TV personality Anne Igartiburu commented her support on Lalachus' Instagram profile after the controversy.[28] Journalist Jesús Cintora said, supporting Lalachus, suggesting "if that is the biggest scandal, how is this country doing so that it is more scandalous to take out a print with a drawing of a heifer than to show the tails of hunger or precariousness? What is happening?" He continued that. "They are not really shocked by the image, what is shocking them is that this type of programme (La revuelta) is running that allows another speech or another type of image."[29] Iñaki López was in favor.[30]

Violeta Assiego wrote an article in eldiario.es where she said that it is obviously not a crime.[31] Journalist Raquel Martos posted on X that "I cannot imagine the Jesus Christ that the Bible describes insulting Lalachus with the violence that I read here, nor denouncing her for a picture with a mascot. And really, I always try to empathize with each person's religious feelings, but it is impossible for me to do so".[32] Cayetano Rivera said he does not feel outraged, although he regretted that the "jokes are only one-way."[33]

Carla Berrocal said that "the only thing that matters is the image of your Church. You don't really care about your Church, otherwise as a believer we would be extremely outraged and filing complaints against all the priests who have been groping boys and girls, doing all kinds of atrocities."[34]

Consequences

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Belén Esteban said that Lalachus was not feeling bad. Furthermore, she said that "as a Christian, I have not been offended. It did not offend me. What offends me are those Christians who do not represent me at all."[35]

The Grand Prix cow appeared during the Cavalcade of Magi in Madrid on 6 January 2025, and several people joked about the controversy.[36]

Following the controversy, the Government of Spain announced a reform of the Penal Code.[37]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Santos, Almudena (1 January 2025). "Bishops Criticise TVE Over 'Stamp' of Grand Prix's LalaChus During New Year's Eve Broadcast". TodoAlicante. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  2. ^ SER, Cadena (5 December 2024). "David Broncano y Lalachus darán las Campanadas en RTVE" [David Broncano and Lalachus will give the Chimes on RTVE]. Cadena SER (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  3. ^ Tremending (12 December 2024). "Lalachus, a sus 'haters' tras los ataques por dar las campanadas: "¿Sabéis qué es lo que también tengo gordo?"" [Lalachus, to his 'haters' after the attacks for ringing the bells: "Do you know what I'm also fat about?"]. www.publico.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  4. ^ Junquera, Natalia (11 December 2024). "Los kilos de Chicote y Lalachus". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  5. ^ Díez, Amaia (2 January 2025). "Las redes arden con el saludo de Broncano y Lalachus a Cristina Pedroche y Chicote: "Historia de la televisión"". Deia (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  6. ^ Méndez, Marcos (2 January 2025). "La 1 de RTVE recupera el liderazgo en las Campanadas 2024 - 2025: Broncano y Lalachus ganan al 'efecto Pedroche'". Vertele (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  7. ^ "Críticas a Lalachus por usar el Sagrado Corazón de Jesús en una imagen de la vaquilla del Grand Prix". Diario ABC (in Spanish). 1 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  8. ^ Ruiz, Samuel (2 January 2025). "Jordi Évole, rotundo tras lo sucedido con Lalachus en las Campanadas: "Necesitaban un clavo ardiendo al que cogerse"". Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  9. ^ Rayo, Javi (2 January 2025). "Fernando Alonso, Pedri o Juanmi: otras estampitas deportivas que no causaron polémica". ElDesmarque (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  10. ^ País, El (3 January 2025). "¿Por qué hay polémica con la vaquilla que enseñó Lalachus en Nochevieja?". EL PAÍS Exprés (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  11. ^ "La Conferencia Episcopal entra en la polémica de LalaChus y la estampita de la vaquilla: "No son conscientes de lo que hacen"". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 2 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  12. ^ "Tebas carga contra las Campanadas de TVE por una polémica estampita". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 1 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Tomás Páramo se suma a la indignación por la estampita de Lalachus en las Campanadas". elperiodico.com/cuore (in Spanish). 2 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  14. ^ Caravaca, Ana Ramos (2 January 2025). "El arzobispo de Sevilla y la Esperanza de Triana se pronuncian sobre la 'burla' de Lalachus en las Campanadas de TVE". El Correo de Andalucía (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  15. ^ González, Diego (2 January 2025). "Argüello califica de "burla" la estampa religiosa de LalaChus con la vaquilla del Grand Prix en las Campanadas". Diario de Castilla y León (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  16. ^ Jiménez, Pedro (2 January 2025). "José Manuel Soto da sentencia así a Lalachus ante su sonada escena en las Campanadas de TVE". El Televisero (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  17. ^ Vergara, Iranzu García (2 January 2025). "La polémica por la estampa de Lalachus: dónde acaba el humor y dónde empieza la ofensa". El Debate (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  18. ^ Confidencial, Religión (3 January 2025). "Lalachus, ¿eres consciente que tu estampa en las Campanadas ha ofendido a los católicos?". Religión Confidencial (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  19. ^ Sánchez, José (3 January 2025). "Vox promueve esta medida contra Lalachus y Broncano tras la polémica en las Campanadas de TVE". El Televisero (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  20. ^ SMM (2 January 2025). "Vox exige al presidente de RTVE que comparezca para explicar lo sucedido con Lalachus en las Campanadas". MARCA (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  21. ^ "Fernando Savater, el filósofo de la ética, insulta a Lalachus en su último artículo: "¡Fuera todo lo que significa!"". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 5 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  22. ^ "Malos propósitos, por Fernando Savater". THE OBJECTIVE (in Spanish). 5 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  23. ^ Público (5 January 2025). ""¿Hasta dónde puede arrastrar un hombre su prestigio?": las redes responden a la gordofobia de Fernando Savater sobre Lalachus". www.publico.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  24. ^ "Maruja Torres no duda a la hora de definir los insultos machistas de Savater a Lalachús". El Plural (in Spanish). 5 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  25. ^ Informalia (2 January 2025). "El Gobierno apadrina a Broncano y Lalachus y defiende la broma de la vaca del Grand Prix y el Sagrado Corazón" [The Government sponsors Broncano and Lalachus and defends the joke of the Grand Prix cow and the Sacred Heart]. El Economista.
  26. ^ SER, Cadena (2 January 2025). "Jordi Évole sale en defensa de Lalachus: "La estampita no es lo que más les molesta"". Cadena SER (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  27. ^ smm (2 January 2025). "Gabriel Rufián carga contra los ofendidos por la estampa de la vaquilla de Lalachus: "A ver con las bombas de Israel"". MARCA (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  28. ^ Blanco, David Martínez (2 January 2025). "El guiño de Anne Igartiburu a Lalachus tras la polémica de las campanadas en TVE y que muy pocos han visto". elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  29. ^ Jiménez, Pedro (2 January 2025). "Jesús Cintora lanza la pregunta que muchos se hacen de Lalachus y Broncano tras las Campanadas". El Televisero (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  30. ^ "Iñaki López sale en defensa de Lalachus con un incendiario mensaje sobre la Iglesia". El Plural (in Spanish). 2 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  31. ^ Assiego, Violeta (3 January 2025). "Lalachus y Broncano, claro que no hay delito". ElDiario.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  32. ^ Callejo, Eva (3 January 2025). "Raquel Martos no puede hablar más claramente con su opinión de Lalachus y la polémica estampa". El Televisero (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  33. ^ G, Daniel Pérez (4 January 2025). "Cayetano Rivera sorprende con su opinión sobre la polémica de Lalachus y el 'Grand Prix': "No está de más relajar..."". Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  34. ^ SER, Cadena (4 January 2025). ""Me llama la atención la doble moral de ofenderse por una estampilla del 'Grand Prix' y no con los escándalos que tiene la Iglesia"". Cadena SER (in European Spanish). Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  35. ^ "Belén Esteban revela cómo se encuentra realmente Lalachus tras la polémica por la estampa de la vaquilla del 'Grand Prix'". Semana (in Spanish). 4 January 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  36. ^ SER, Cadena (5 January 2025). "Sorpresa en la Cabalgata de Reyes de Madrid: aparece en una carroza la protagonista de la polémica de las Campanadas de Lalachus". Cadena SER (in European Spanish). Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  37. ^ Herrera, Elena; Monrosi, José Enrique (2 January 2025). "El Gobierno se compromete a suprimir este año el delito contra los sentimientos religiosos". ElDiario.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 January 2025.
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