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31 Minutos

Who Are ’31 Minutos’ and Why Their Tiny Desk Concert Means So Much

Just 11 hours after they dropped their own Tiny, the video had already surpassed 1 million views on YouTube

31 Minutos began as a Chilean puppet news show for kids, created by the production company Aplaplac. It originally aired on TVN Chile from 2003 to 2014, spanning four seasons and 69 episodes. Its popularity quickly spread beyond South America, reaching audiences across Central and North America—especially in Mexico, where it became a cult favorite.

Although it’s technically a kids’ show, 31 Minutos is far from a simple cartoon. It’s a satire of journalism, featuring puppets as news anchors and reporters, blending humor, music, and social commentary that both children and adults can enjoy.

Over time, the show’s musical side took on a life of its own. What started as a fun soundtrack and quirky musical interludes grew into a beloved brand with full-fledged songs, albums, and even live concerts. 31 Minutos evolved into more than just a TV program—it became a multimedia phenomenon with real fans, real music releases, and unforgettable performances.

What 31 Minutos Is About

Think of it as a news show — but with puppets, humor, and plenty of surprises. True to its name, each episode runs about 31 minutes and features:

  • News reports (fake ones, often ironic or absurd)
  • Interviews
  • A “Top Ranking” music segment
  • Recurring characters like Tulio Triviño, Juan Carlos Bodoque, Juanín Juan Harry, Patana, and others
  • Subtle satire, clever jokes, and social commentary

The show never talks down to kids — it gives them something smart and entertaining. It’s fun, but layered: adults catch the deeper meanings, while kids enjoy the humor.

31 Minutos Tiny Desk

Just 11 hours after 31 Minutos dropped their own Tiny Desk Concert, the video had already surpassed 1 million views on YouTube. The performance was released as part of Hispanic Heritage Month and featured a setlist of seven of their most iconic songs:

  • Mi Equilibrio Espiritual — My Spiritual Balance
  • Bailan sin Cesar — They Dance Without Stopping (literally “They Dance Without Ceasing”)
  • Objeción Denegada — Objection Denied
  • Calurosa Navidad — Warm Christmas (can also mean “Hot Christmas,” as in temperature or irony)
  • Mi Muñeca Me Habló — My Doll Spoke to Me
  • Arwrarwrirwrarwro — (Untranslatable sound — onomatopoeia resembling a dinosaur roar or playful gibberish)
  • Yo Nunca Vi Televisión (Y Luego Sí Pero Después No) — I Never Watched Television (Then I Did, But Later I Didn’t)

Staying true to its trademark social commentary, the show included references to U.S. immigration policy—among them, a nod to an ICE agent. With the program’s signature sarcasm, anchor Juan Carlos Bodoque joked that it was “just a kind man who wants to make sure we return home safe and sound.”

And of course, visas had to come up, too. Tulio Triviño joked about it: “This is 31 Minutos’ first time in Washington, D.C.—which is exactly when our work visas expire.”

This Tiny Desk is especially meaningful for those who grew up with the show, but also for fans who still watch it today. After more than two decades, 31 Minutos remains relevant, creative, and deeply loved across Latin America.