Production and programming of television comedies in Franco’s regime: Jaime de Armiñán and the first traditional comedies

Abstract

Comic series or TV comedies are one of the most popular genres in Spain had its origin during Franco’s regime. In this context, this article aims to provide a historical review and highlight the main features of production and programming of the major comedies produced and programmed by TVE between 1956 and 1975, while the memory of one of its greatest exponents is rescued: Jaime de Armiñán, who is considered one the first TV scriptwriters in Spain. This creator is a pioneer in setting this TV profession in Spain. Author of numerous plays, including television fiction, many of his comedies shaped the basis of the current TV sitcom in Spain. Having their main goal to entertain the viewers while educating them, the TV comedy of this time presented recognizable or stereotypical characters; the twisting of language to comic ends: plays on words, double entendres, etc.; and plots and stories tending towards melodrama and sentimentalism. Some of the most remarkabl titles by Armiñán were Galería de maridos (19591960), Galería de esposas (1960), Mujeres Solas (1960) o Chicas en la ciudad (1961).