Narciso Ibáñez Serrador's vision in the creation of Un, Dos, Tres...: legacy, innovation, and dynamics in television entertainment production

Abstract

The study provides an in-depth analysis of the structure and mechanics of the game show Un, Dos, Tres... responda otra vez, an iconic creation by its director, Narciso Ibáñez Serrador, and one of the most prominent television formats in the history of TVE. The research focuses on how the combination of various narrative and stylistic elements, integrated through a fusion of game and spectacle, defines the program’s identity and enhances its uniqueness within the game show genre. Using a methodology based on content analysis, complemented by a qualitative approach, the study examines a sample of 218 episodes across the program’s ten seasons, spanning from 1972 to 2004. The study considers variables such as the organization and phases of the game, the roles of the cast, the staging, and other codes, resources, and practices that shape its aesthetic and narrative. The results reveal how visual and discursive sophistication, along with Ibáñez Serrador’s creative and innovative ability to develop a distinctive brand that sustains its own universe, contribute to the program’s consolidation as a model in entertainment production. Its flexibility to adapt to an evolving medium, while preserving its essence and exploring new ways to engage with audiences, underscores its historical significance. Additionally, its communicative design, along with the development of a star system focused on key figures, enables the show to transcend its original purpose and establish itself as a cultural television reference in Spain.