Award-winning talent faces down the economic crisis

The Premios Ondas Awards have faced down the economic crisis at Barcelona's Teatro de Liceo, where Arturo Valls and the winged-horse awards statuette showed they weren't going to be beaten by the recession.

"Fewer resources means more talent. But don't worry. I'm here. I'm the Spanish Hugh Jackman. I can dance and sing as well as present," said Arturo Valls -who proceeded to tap dance Fred Astaire-style, complete with tux and top hat, accompanied by six dancers. "Arturo, Arturo, Arturo," they cried, at which Valls was challenged by the legendary King Arthur of the Monty Python musical Spamalot -currently playing in Madrid- to fight a dancing duel. Defeating the medieval king on the dance floor, Valls could get on with opening the awards gala.

The  56th Annual Premios Ondas Awards, given by Grupo PRISA through Radio Barcelona, SER's veteran radio broadcaster, this year honored radio and television professionals who have proved themselves capable of experimenting with different formats. Two veteran presenters, Àngels Barceló and Carles Francino, were charged with steering the gala through the relentless onslaught of Valls's jokes.

The real stars

But the real stars of the show were the night's winners: Jorge Javier Vázquez, best presenter, garnered the loudest applause of the evening. Out came King Arthur to knight the winner, only for Arturo Valls to rush in and hand him is prize. Jorge Javier Vázquez entered into the spirit, breaking into a song by Joan Manuel Serrat.

Carlos Baute picked up two awards, one for best song (Colgando en tus manos), the other for best Latin performer, along with Marta Sánchez. 2009 is definitely Baute's year - the Venezuelan singer was on tour in Latin America when he heard he'd won the prize.

It's also been a great year for Fama (Fame) which has young people tapping their feet everywhere. The hit show got the gong for best entertainment program, with presenter Paula Vázquez stepping forward to pick up the prize. On behalf of the show's team she said: "I'm not going to be humble. They deserve it."

Michael Robinson, of Informe Robinson, shared a prize with La Sexta's El Intermedio, directed and presented by Gran Wyoming, and joked that it was time for Florentino Perez to stop looking for more galacticos. "I've got all the galacticos," he said. And Gran Wyoming gave a big thank you "for this act of justice that rebalance the scales". "We don't mind sharing the award with Canal+," he joked, "if it puts them in good company."

Gonzalo de Castro, on behalf of his colleagues at the series Doctor Mateo, was more to the point. "We're an extraordinary team who make a very special show," he said. "I'm only here because they brought me here."

The awards gala, which was enlivened by music from Leona Lewis, Pasión Vega, Milow and Norah Jones, also saw an emotional tribute to the late Antonio Vega, who was honored with a special posthumous mention from the jury for "his vital and unforgettable contribution to Spanish pop." By way of tribute, Arturo Valls and the cast of Spamalot sang Always look on the bright side of life from the film The life of Brian.

Thus ended a long day of celebrations that had kicked off at noon at the Albéniz palace, where Barcelona mayor Jordi Hereu received the award winners.

María Castro, honored for her "fresh performance" in the series Sin tetas no hay paraíso, was particularly overcome. "I'm one of those who cries at the drop of a hat", she said, fighting back the tears as she dedicated her win to her family. "I can't imagine not crying when I get a prize." More stoic was Roberto Sánchez, who took home the evening's first prize, for best radio program for Si amanece nos vamos, Cadena SER's veteran late-night show.

Blanca Romero, one of the leads from Física o Química (Antena 3), said the award would give a boost to a series which had to face sharp criticism in its early days. "I think the series shows young people how to face risks. And in the real world, these risks are even greater."

Also thrilled with his Ondas award was Pablo Usón, executive producer at Alea Films, the company behind the successful miniseries 23-F, el día más difícil del Rey (February 23, the King's most difficult day), broadcast by La Primera. An average of  6,491,000 were hooked by the series about the failed coup. "We should be grateful for the courage of TVE. It was a high-risk project for the general public, and for many young people it was their first insight into what happened. This award shows that we can produce quality television that goes down well with viewers.

Further information:

The Premios Ondas Awards 2009