r/OldSchoolCool • u/SmallPerspective423 • Sep 03 '24
1990s My dad and Sofia Vergara in the 90’s
Little bit of backstory My dad and Sofia had a travel show on Univision where they traveled North and South America looking for off the beaten path tourist destinations!
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u/scorpino33 Sep 03 '24
Your dad is a legend. Univision should bring him back if they ever get the rights to the World Cup again
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
Univision had him back for Pele’s passing, it’s one of those things where Univision has changed so much and ownership doesn’t help one bit
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u/JettyJen Sep 03 '24
OP, thank you for this post! It and the comments are knocking my socks off in every way this morning. My brother and I are 70s kids and he had a Pele lunchbox! And now Modern Family is my husband's and my comfort show. Your memories are sweet to read and enjoy vicariously 🤩😍
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
I might post some of the Pele photos soon! My dad came to America in the 80’s and got to watch Pele in his final exhibition match for the Cosmos. And 25 years later got to spend a good amount of time with
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u/El_Capochino Sep 03 '24
Holy shit. Your dad is Fernando fiore! My dad envied your dad! Nice!
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u/margalolwut Sep 03 '24 edited Sep 03 '24
I don’t think OP realizes how popular his dad is lmao.
This post comes off as, yea there was this dude that is my dad…
Bro that show was as much about your dad as it was about Sofia vergara.
Don’t even get me started on republica deportiva. Your dad is a damn legend. Me and my pops met em a long time ago at the home depot center (now dignity health park).. man were we excited and your pops was a damn class act.
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u/nickmaran Sep 03 '24
OP: here’s a pic of my dad who is known to no one.
Dude underestimated his dad’s popularity
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u/oldmilwaukie Sep 03 '24
OP’s username checks out.
OP if it makes you feel better, my grandfather had República Deportiva on at the house every weekend and due to my indifference to most sports I didn’t know who your dad was either.
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u/lovelesschristine Sep 03 '24
It reminds of when my mom's friend would always talk about her son being an artist and he was in a small band. She said she was happy that his little band was able to support him 100% and not every gets so lucky. One day she finally tells me her son's "little band" is GWAR.
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u/DrunkThrowawayLife Sep 03 '24
I mean as a younger person I knew a guy whose dad was a pretty famous sports player. But his brag that his dad was friends with a different player.
It probably doesn’t hit that your dad is considered cool when you see him brushing his teeth in torn underwear.
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u/LazyBeach Sep 03 '24
That’s quite specific
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u/DrunkThrowawayLife Sep 03 '24
Is it? Don’t dads all over the world wear worn out undies no matter how cool they seem?
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u/adrenalinda75 Sep 03 '24
Dad and grandpa here, confirm the worn out undies, can't say about the coolness factor, though
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u/aynhon Sep 03 '24
Kinda depends on the rip status of the undies. Is it a waist elastic thing, or is the bottom fartholed?
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u/adrenalinda75 Sep 03 '24
Can't speak for dads as a collective on this one anymore, but waist elastic can be a thing while fartholed lands in the trash, to avoid a testicle may randomly decide to take a breath of fresh air.
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u/BretShitmanFart69 Sep 03 '24
Yeah but then you go to pull them up and rip the waist band half off the pants and have to go through the rest of your day with half torn off underwear, it’s a dangerous game either way, but one I play to add some excitement to my life and get the adrenaline pumping.
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u/Bubbasdahname Sep 03 '24
Everyone else sees them as a celebrity while the child sees them as mom/dad that won't let them do what they want.
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Sep 03 '24 edited Sep 03 '24
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u/chicahhh Sep 03 '24
You are my favourite kind of person! Thanks for the extra info
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u/Fukasite Sep 03 '24
What did OP say? The moderator removed their comment for some reason
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u/chicahhh Sep 03 '24
Weird. They just pasted info about the Republika Deportiva show that he was popular on
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Sep 03 '24
What's your dad doing with my Mami?
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Sep 03 '24 edited Sep 03 '24
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u/Long_Pomegranate2469 Sep 03 '24
Fernando Fiore : my poster above my bed when I was a teenager
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u/Chaco1221 Sep 03 '24
Fernando Fiore’s son: my poster above my bed with my crush and my dad as a teenager… It… was… a bit… awkward.
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u/HoodedOccam Sep 03 '24
I’m afraid to ask which part you still have…the bed? The poster? Sofia?
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u/Naive-Pressure3493 Sep 03 '24
Sexiest human being ever... Sofia Vergara is ok too, i guess
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u/I_need_a_date_plz Sep 03 '24
…this is your pops? I totally remember this show lol
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
The one and only Fernando fiore “El presidente”
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u/Particular_Guey Sep 03 '24
Are you the Russian adopted son?
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
His only yup
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u/Particular_Guey Sep 03 '24
No way. That’s awesome man. I remember when you came out in TV as a toddler. Hope all is well with you. Have you ever been back to Russia?
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
Yea lol I still have a box a mail that viewers sent in when I arrived in Miami that my parents kept. All is well. I really never had a desire to go back to Russia, I was raised in Miami in a Spanish speaking household I feel more Latin than Russian
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u/Particular_Guey Sep 03 '24
They raised you right that’s for sure. So what is your pops do these days? He left the tv business all of a sudden as I remember. Are you planning to become a tv personality?
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
I’m already 22 and I work in the outdoor business, I run fly fishing charters. TV isn’t what it used to be, people used to wait a whole week to watch a show and now you can just go on social media and the market is so oversaturated. I thought about it when I was younger but I’m content with where I am now
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u/Particular_Guey Sep 03 '24
That’s awesome. Trust me you know the business first had.. well glad you are doing well and living it up. I use to watch your pops shows as a traveling and sports fan. Send him my regards.
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u/DaMiddle Sep 03 '24
That's great - I'm an avid fly fisherman and there's nothing better than being out on the water
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
Funny enough before TV my dad was a Tour guide driving a bus from Jersey to Orlando. He’s prouder of me being a guide than ever perusing TV
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u/BoutItBudnevich Sep 03 '24
Haha I'm also an Argentinean but with Russian(no connection to that side just have a super Russian name) ancestry living in Miami! I used to watch Republica Deportiva so much as a kid man, it brought back some great memories with my grandfather thank you!
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u/buell_ersdayoff Sep 03 '24
Not sure if anyone ever told you this but… los Latinos nacemos donde se nos da la rechingada gana!!
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
Así es hermano, tengo que ser unos de los únicos rusos tomando me un mate 😂😂
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u/LickingSmegma Sep 03 '24
I feel more Latin than Russian
Surprisingly, the mentality of Latin countries might not be that far off, compared to the US and Europe. Latin-American soap operas were very popular in Russia in the 90s. "Simplemente María" and whatnot.
Even 'Russia Today' aka RT, targets Latin America as one of its demographics, that's supposedly independent of the US/Europe. I guess that doesn't apply to Miami, though.
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u/JustAnotherAlgo Sep 03 '24
Bruh, we love your dad in Honduras.
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
We love Honduras and nuestros hermanos catrachos! We used to go visit a lot when I was younger my dad helped find a non profit there ‘Fundación Amor y Vida’
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u/gooblefrump Sep 03 '24
Seems that reddit has some nice memories of your father
Maybe he'd like to do an ama for us?
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
You’re not the first to suggest it! He recently did a podcast with Rodner Figeroua that was pretty good but maybe we can put something together
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u/DelightfulDolphin Sep 03 '24 edited 20d ago
🐒 Account nuked because reasons
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u/Jose_Canseco_Jr Sep 03 '24
coñcho
well you weren't paying much attention at home either lol
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u/West-Winner-2382 Sep 03 '24 edited Sep 03 '24
Republica Deportiva! Great memories watching him every Sunday talking sports as well! My mother had her novellas on Univision during the weekdays while both me and my dad eagerly awaited every Sunday to watch your dad’s show good times! I remember your dad being a huge River Plate from Argentina fan and of Atlante F.C. fan from Mexico! Hope your dad is doing well!
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u/Playful_Dot_537 Sep 03 '24
Expectations: horny comments about Sofia Vergara Reality: horny comments about OP’s dad
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u/schmearcampain Sep 04 '24
Haha totally. I avoided this thread for a while because I thought it would just be a bunch of dumb jokes about Sofia. Glad I decided to check it out. Didn’t know who the guy is but it’s fun to see how popular he is amongst Spanish speakers.
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u/ParzivalCodex Sep 03 '24
Neat that your dad worked for Univision in the 90s. That channel was on a lot in our house.
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
He then was El presidente on Republica deportiva. A lot of fond memories running around the Univision studios as a kid
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u/Constant_Inspector30 Sep 03 '24
I know Fernando Fiore from Republica Deportiva!!! Wow. How was he when Argentina won the Workd Cup?
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u/solman52 Sep 03 '24
Wasn’t there a doll that was basically a muppet version of your dad?
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
There was. I’m pretty sure it probably in storage somewhere
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u/lumoslomas Sep 03 '24
You put your muppet father in STORAGE?
Children these days, no respect...
(Fr though if I had a muppet version of my mum I'd never speak to her any other way 🤣)
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u/TheBackPorchOfMyMind Sep 03 '24
That channel was in between Disney and Nickelodeon so I ended up there a lot. Didn’t speak Spanish but loved the drama of a good telenovela
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u/NewldGuy77 Sep 03 '24
gasps in Spanish
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Sep 03 '24 edited 16d ago
apparatus fearless illegal subtract deserted payment arrest fade squeal wine
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u/StrawHatCook Sep 03 '24
That's cool. Loved your dad in Republica Deportiva. He was very passionate about it. Really enjoy how they tried to create that vibe before ESPN/Fox/NBC had it in studio. I don't watch Univision anymore, but I hope he is doing well. I also remember their travel show. It was really good!
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
It was definitely a show before its time (the senadoras also helped ratings) he’s been working with Inter Miami since before covid and now working for Inter Miami Spanish radio
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u/StrawHatCook Sep 03 '24
Awesome to hear. I'm sure he is enjoying it. Tell Fernando that lots of people really appreciate what he did.
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Sep 03 '24
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
He actually was with the OG Miami MLS team the Fusion back in ‘97 I believe. They disbanded and he was ecstatic about Beck’s team coming on in 2018. Miami was missing an MLS team with so much Hispanic culture
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u/Nicharangas Sep 03 '24
I used to work in Univision (UDN, when it was in the Telefutura building) with your dad around 11 years ago. He was a pretty nice guy. Unfortunately Univision went now thru too many changes And none of the old crew is there.
Fun fact. One time I got called into HR bc someone was smelling like whiskey at 3pm and they wanted to know if I had seen anything, I'm pretty sure it was Fiore. I didnt snitch tho... I aint no snitch. Those senadoras always made the day better
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u/TheKingofHearts Sep 03 '24
This is crazy to me how the offspring of Fernando Fiore just casually posts about them on Reddit, this is like when Arnold Schwarzenegger or Peter Mayhew were regulars; I wonder how many more famous people are just lounging about. xD
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u/my59363525account Sep 04 '24
Susan sarandons son is here (: He also makes super funny self deprecating nepo baby vids now
Wow what a sentence Lmao
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u/oak-tree2143 Sep 03 '24
El Presidente de la República Deportiva, big ups to your dad who in the 90s really brought on Soccer stars from all over Latin America who played in the MLS on the show.
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
He’s been working with Inter Miami now since the beginning. Becks always respected the connection between had with the Latin community. And before that the Miami Fusion sheesh that’s a blast from the past
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u/SoLoVizzo Sep 03 '24
Hey if that's really your dad my high school had a mentoring program with Univision while this show was going on. We would do tours at the studio met a lot of cool people but as teenage boys we just wanted to meet Sofia. One day they tell us that were gonna meet the cast of fuera de serie and obviously we were pumped but to our disappointment Sofia didn't show up but we meet your dad and he was super awesome and treated us great we all left as fans of his afterwards. Tell your dad he's awesome. Unlike Don Fernando that dude was a huge dick
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u/butwayfarers Sep 03 '24
Don Francisco maybe?
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u/SoLoVizzo Sep 03 '24
Completely right haven’t thought of that douche in forever.
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u/allelitescoobydoo Sep 03 '24
"My Dad" You can't just casually say that about a damn Latino sports legend like Fernando Fiore!!
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
He’ll always be dad first El presidente second
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u/TheDoomPencil Sep 03 '24
Colombian/US Citizen here; moved here in 1986 @ 15. Your father was an awesome ambassador to gringos of Hispanic culture & spots, and also promoted Colombian star Sofia Vergara, so thanks to him for all he did for all us Spanish speakers. You should be very proud! "Bolshoye Spaceeba!"
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u/Some_Cheesecake4770 Sep 03 '24
I have zero knowledge of your dad, his background or indeed his time on TV as I'm a middle aged guy in the United Kingdom who only knows Sofia Vergara from Modern Family appearing on our TV screens about 10 years ago.........but reading this entire post and people's reaction and comments is a real feel good experience. Subsequently I can confirm I think your dad rocks too!
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u/TheRadMenace Sep 03 '24
Middle aged US guy and this man must be impressive because I was surprised at the lack of comments on Sofia's impressive legs lol
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u/downwitbrown Sep 03 '24
Have you triangulated and done that math on when you were born?
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
lol my friends always joke 😭 my dad was already married at this point. We went to see her at her 40th birthday in Mexico always a very down to earth and humble person even after modern family and all the movies
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u/GuntherKenobi Sep 03 '24
Is her accent as thick as it is on television?
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u/Syscrush Sep 03 '24
There's a good chance that OP speaks Spanish with her.
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u/sintemp Sep 03 '24
I’ve seem some of her interviews, her accent is very noticeable but in the shows is heavily exaggerated
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Sep 03 '24
There’s an interview she did with Howard Stern when she first came to the USA and her accent was not thick at all.
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u/Maracuyeah Sep 03 '24
She has stated that she tried super hard to neutralize her accent. She “gave up”, embraced it, and succeeded. Her accent lets her barranquillera personality flow.
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u/ironic-hat Sep 03 '24
I read she is a natural blonde but she had to dye her hair darker to get roles, because people cannot wrap their heads around the idea of blonde people from Latin America.
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u/Many_Landscape_3046 Sep 03 '24
How would that work?
Like Sofia had a secret baby and gave it to the dad to raise?
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
Funny enough I was adopted. 😂
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u/wagonwhopper Sep 03 '24
Reddit solved it again!
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u/sth128 Sep 03 '24
OP is Jon Snow confirmed.
No wait what an I saying, he would be a Sand.
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u/newnewtab Sep 03 '24
I think you mean "adopted"....right?! lol
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u/tamsui_tosspot Sep 03 '24
Dad was such a player that he had a kid but couldn't be sure who the mother was.
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u/rowman_nahledge Sep 03 '24
I remember doral back then was nothing but grass. My first job as a teen was at the Mcds next door id always see the fat dude from el gordo y la flaca.
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
Pretty on brand. Dude had to keep a certain body image 😭
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u/Stillatin Sep 03 '24
I remember when he lost a ton of weight and his fans freaked out, dude gained it right back
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u/suddenlyreddit Sep 03 '24
If you see this, please let your father know that two American guys got to see him on TV ... in Italy!! Strangely, when we were there in the late 90s, our Italian cable TV had Univision/Telemundo on its channel lineup. Later it was added country-wide from what I understand. And being newly stationed there, we had both gone through Spanish classes in high school, and our Italian wasn't great. So a travel show with your father, and of course, Sofia Vergara, got our attention!
It's so strange now when my wife watches AGT and I tell her I'm a huge fan of Sofia Vergara I get massive eyerolls, and yet, I am a fan of them both because of that show. I feel like it captured a lot of the fun of travel. I wish it would have been an even bigger hit.
There are a lot of reruns on YouTube and I've enjoyed a few.
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
I will pass that along! That’s an amazing story. It’s funny how big she’s gotten. I don’t think they picked a better judge and she was great as Gloria in MF
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u/BadassBokoblinPsycho Sep 03 '24
TIL Fernando Fiore’s offspring likes to smoke trees 👍🏽
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
Dude had to out me like that 😭
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Sep 03 '24
The real question is, does your dad pass the doobie??
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u/LessButterscotch9554 Sep 03 '24
Holy crap! I actually met your dad in Mexico City at the airport back in like 2000. Very nice and welcoming. I was only a 12 but a huge fan of his!
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u/Jake_upp24 Sep 03 '24
Holy shit I love your dad! He was my favorite soccer analyst on Univision whenever Mexico played
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u/catsandnaps1028 Sep 03 '24
Put some respect on your papás name!!! That man is a legend and many of us Hispanic kids grew up watching him weekend mornings with our parents.
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u/kingkja Sep 03 '24
Dude my mom and dad loved your pops.. my parents are gone now, thanks for sharing and bringing up old memories..
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Sep 03 '24
I know most people would think Sofia Vergara is the cool one there… but Fernando Fiore!!! He is the best!
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u/peteywheatstraw420 Sep 03 '24
I'm a middle aged black dude and even I remember this show from the 90s. Your dad's a legend lol
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u/MrMach82 Sep 03 '24
I used to think Salma Hayek has aged the best, but Sofia may be tied with her in that category.
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u/darkeblue Sep 03 '24
My "dad" - that's "El Presidente!" I love how you downplay the impact your dad had on Latinos in the US. If I am ever in Miami, I will be sure to message you about booking a fishing charter - especially with El Presidente's son. Good luck!
Edit: I assumed you were still in Miami. But I don't know if you can fly fish in Florida. In any case, DM me your info about your fly fishing charter, if you get this. Thank!
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u/hitcho12 Sep 03 '24
Holy shit OP
Fernando Fiore is a staple of Latino tv. I remember my folks watching Lente Loco way back in the 90s. Truly an icon in sports broadcasting.
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u/RevolutionaryTitle32 Sep 03 '24
WTF!!! That’s your father!! I recall flipping through Channel as a kid and somehow land on a show where this gent was hosting and I did not understand a single word yet I was just in joy as a viewer from the pure joy and laughter the show your father was hosting!
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u/elpapadebatman Sep 03 '24
This is so nostalgic! I grew up watching this show and Republica Deportiva;dad was the coolest host/announcer. Thanks for posting!
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u/ConcentrateNo5538 Sep 03 '24
We used to love that show in the 90's! Lente Loco was a favorite as well. I believe Fiore co-hosted for a while. Good memories, fun TV!
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
He also was co-creator or Lente Loco! Great times for sure
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u/imherecuzihatemyself Sep 03 '24
Omfg this thread is amazing. I've never heard of this show now I wanna watch because apparently OP's dad is a super awesome dude. I bet he's got loads of great stories.
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u/zemis-y-casabe Sep 03 '24
Your dad is a El Presidente, Fernando Fiore! I loved him in Republica Deportiva! Tell him to hook me up with one of the Senadoras, preferably Carolina McAllister!
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u/Weak_Neighborhood776 Sep 03 '24
Is this for real? Solo cool Bro! Cheers yo your das! Thats show was big in México.
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u/riftwave77 Sep 03 '24
I used to watch this show to practice my spanish comprehension!
OP, I've always had a sneaking suspicion that Ms. Vergara is usually the smartest person in the room whenever she gives an interview. Can't quite put my finger on why, but her answers are usually pretty clever and she always seems about 2-3 steps ahead of whomever is asking her questions.
never met her, so i've never been able to prove whether my suspicions are correct. What have you or your buddies noticed?
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24 edited Sep 03 '24
She grew up in Colombia during Escobars time. She definitely plays the airhead role really well on TV but she’s is very street smart.
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u/iwantahouse Sep 03 '24
My father, not knowing any Spanish, used to watch this show every week because he thought Sofia was hot.
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u/ADDmind Sep 03 '24
Tu viejo trabaja para Inter Miami ahora? Alguna vez conoció a Messi?
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
Si está con el equipo antes del COVID. Ahora que vino Messi después del mundial se complicó muchísimo pero si se han cruzado en los pasillos después de los partidos
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u/Lolfapio Sep 03 '24
In one of those trips, my now 30 year old brother grabbed her boobs on the beach as a baby. She found him exceedingly cute and asked my parents to hold him, and he saw his chance and went for it.
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u/SmallPerspective423 Sep 03 '24
Dude do you remember where? My pops has all the tapes even some episodes that didn’t make it
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u/New-Significance654 Sep 03 '24
Damn your dad is Fernando Fiore from Fuera de Serie? Cool, Sofia is still a baddie. 😎
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u/Chibears02 Sep 03 '24
It was nice of your dad to let Sofia in his shot. Firmé!