El Hormiguero
Trailer
Synopsis
Every night, two ant puppets named Trancas and Barrancas interrupt interviews, ask awkward questions to celebrity guests, and bicker with host Pablo Motos in front of a live studio audience. Since September 2006, this Spanish entertainment show has mixed humor, science, and guest interviews — with those two articulated ants operating as permanent co-hosts, not set dressing.
Context & Trivia
The concept took shape in 2005, when Pablo Motos pictured 'two feet with eyes that could talk' and roughed out the idea using a black sock with stuck-on eyes. Illustrator Óscar Julve then developed the final ant design through multiple sketches until landing on their current look. The names Trancas and Barrancas came from collaborator Marron, after earlier candidates like 'Troche y Moche' and 'Pipa y Popa' were dropped.
Since the premiere on 24 September 2006, puppeteers Juan Ibáñez and Damián Mollá have voiced and operated Trancas and Barrancas respectively — and still do. The manipulation technique depends on keeping the puppets in constant motion to sustain the illusion of life, with both operators hidden off-frame throughout. A third ant puppet, Petancas, was later added to the lineup, making this one of the few cases in mainstream Spanish television where articulated puppet characters share a live stage with real celebrity guests on a regular, nightly basis.
Puppeteers
Juan Ibáñez, Damián Mollá
Voices
Juan Ibáñez Pérez, Damián Mollá Hermán
Puppet companies
Gestmusic · 7 y Acción
Puppet building
Puppet Plan · Fira Creatures
Direction
Pablo Motos, Jorge Salvador
Cast
Pablo Motos, Juan Ibáñez, Damián Mollá, Jorge Marrón, Luis Piedrahita, Jandro, Pilar Rubio, Nuria Roca, El Monaguillo, Juan del Val
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