Hugo Guerrero Martinheitz

Hugo Guerrero Martinheitz (born in Lima, Peru, on 11 August, 1924) is a Peruvian-Argentine journalist, commentator and radio host.

Life and work

Hugo Guerrero Martinheitz was born to an Afro-Peruvian father and a Jewish mother in a middle class section of Lima, Peru. Politically active during his secondary school studies, Guerrero was forced to go into hiding for a time in 1941; before long, however, he had found his calling in radio broadcasting and soon became one of Lima's most recognizable radio voices, hosting a news and commentary program on "Radio Programas del Perú". [ [http://elblogdelbolero.wordpress.com/2008/08/09/daniel-riolobos-quiso-ser-profeta-en-su-tierra/ El blog del bolero] ]

Guerrero Martinheitz emigrated to Uruguay, eventually settling in neighboring Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1964, at the time the World's leading center of Spanish-language broadcasting. His successful career in Lima quickly opened doors for him in Argentine radio and he soon hosted "El show del minuto" ("The Show of the Minute"), centering around literary reviews and talk. The show's success earned him his first television show, "Séptima noche" ("Seventh Night"). Enjoying high ratings, a 1967 interview with writer Dalmiro Sáenz resulted in its termination when the outspoken philosopher openly praised Fidel Castro. The same dictatorship that had "Séptima noche" pulled, ordered the suspension of "El show del minuto" in 1970. [Podalsky, Laura. "Specular City." Temple University Press, 2000.] Guerrero Martinheitz was, however, soon given a prime-time news and commentary program in Buenos Aires' "Radio Belgrano", then among the city's premiere stations. He brought the hitherto declining "Radio Belgrano" record ratings, even after the advent of Argentina's repressive last dictatorship in 1976. His program combined interviews, debate and commentary, as well as his thorough reviews of the day's music, theatre and film. He received a KONEX Award (Argentine broadcasting's highest honor) for his program in 1981. [ [http://www.fundacionkonex.com.ar/ Konex] ]

Guerrero Martinheitz was placed under active surveillance by the military regime and he avoided provocations during his popular programs, preferring instead to leave audiences with subtle asides hinting at the day's climate of fear. His show began to decline in popularity following Argentina's return to democracy in 1983, in part owing to the sudden explosion of variety in local programming. In a bid to rescue falling ratings, he signed a television contract to host "Encuentro a solas" ("Solo Encounter"); but his no-frills format helped lead to low ratings and the show's cancellation. His career declined steadily afterwards, particularly after a 1992 altercation he involved himself in when television talk show host Mauro Viale baited Guerrero Martinheitz regarding his half-Jewish background, to which he replied: "I need no lectures from you, Mr. Goldfarb" (referring to Viale's real name). ["Clarín". 26 May 1992.] He returned to a television talk show format with his "Reencuentro a solas" ("Solo Re-encounter") in 1996, a promising return derailed by his increasing irascibility. A dispute with Mirtha Legrand (arguably the most influential woman in Argentine television) and musician José Larralde led to the show's closure that October. [ [http://www.donjoselarralde.com.ar/jl/notas5.htm José Larralde] ] Returning to radio, he hosted "Guerrero de noche" ("Guerrero at Night") on "Radio del Plata"; but, in 1998, the evening program was canceled. The following year, his wife filed for divorce and Guerrero Martinheitz, a long-time smoker, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He renown radio host seriously considered returning to his family property in Lima when, in late 2000, he was offered a co-hosting position by popular Buenos Aires television personality Samuel Gelblung ("Chiche"). The show, "Edición Chiche" ("Chiche's Edition"), saw its ratings soar. [ [http://hombresderadio.blogspot.com/2007/12/hugo-guerrero-martinheitz-qued-el.html Hombres de radio] ]

His health recovered, Guerrero Martinheitz returned to his classic "Encuentro a solas" and retired from regular broadcasting in 2006, though he continues to host cultural events. His precise, unhurried speech, his carefully-timed laughter and silences, attention to detail and intimate narrations recall literary readings (which he still hosts), rather than radio or television programs and have made Hugo Guerrero Martinheitz, an immigrant with an unmistakable accent, one of the most influential radio personalities in Argentina. [ [http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/reconquista-popular/2006-August/042382.html Los 86 años de radio] ]