Major absence by Kirchnerist Beto Casella: he was replaced by a dummy on air

On Thursday night, Bendita surprised its viewers with an unusual image: the studio was completely empty, with no panelists or host. Instead of Beto Casella, a dummy took center stage, accompanied by ironic graphics such as "Everyone got sick today" and "What bad luck we have."

The channel, far from hiding the situation, chose to strike back and showed dummies and humiliating messages aimed at the host. It aired a compilation of tapes and broadcast the phrase "Bendita is starting now," as if nothing had happened.

From the parking lot to the "irritated throat": excuses that do not add up

Beto Casella justified his absence by claiming that he had "an irritated throat", but at the same time explained that he decided not to go in solidarity with his colleague Rodrigo Vagoneta, who was not allowed to enter the channel by car. This is a difficult argument to sustain for someone who leads one of the most-watched programs on the network.

In an interview with LAM, the host pointed out that "there is a huge parking lot, but they can't use it," and that he found this unfair. In his view, that logistical detail warranted leaving the studio.

A conflict that smells like a setup

What Casella presented as a defense of his colleagues sounded more like a theatrical gesture than a genuine stance. The channel's reaction was telling: they did not replace the host, they did not try to cover up the absence, and even allowed themselves to joke about it on the broadcast.

The use of a dummy with his likeness seems to have been an ironic response from the production to an attitude that many in the industry consider capricious. Sometimes, the absent person doesn't need to be covered. It is enough to expose them.

"I ask for nothing": the speech that contradicts itself

Casella stated that his relationship with El Nueve "has always been broken" and assured that he asks for nothing, not even wardrobe. "I buy my clothes in Avellaneda," he said. However, the same person who asks for nothing was the one who decided to be absent because he did not like the entry conditions for a colleague.

He also claimed that "he doesn't bother anyone" and that he only wants "to work in peace." But the truth is that his protest left a program that depends on him without a host, affected the production, and caused an unnecessary public conflict. As the saying goes, these matters are solved behind closed doors, not with cameras or dummies.

Rocío Marengo, another example that doesn't justify the show

Weeks ago, Casella also expressed outrage because Rocío Marengo—pregnant and invited to the program—was not allowed to enter by car. Although the situation warranted a more humane resolution from the channel, using it as a banner to generalize an alleged "mistreatment of all colleagues"sounds more like a rhetorical strategy than a real concern.

"She is wandering around Colegiales in the cold," Casella said on air. The scene seemed more useful for adding drama to the conflict than for resolving it.

Casella's words... and the channel's silence

The host assured that he doesn't issue ultimatums, but made it clear that he doesn't feel comfortable at El Nueve. "I know what place I will have if I leave," he warned. He also maintained that the contract "is renewed day by day because it brings them money."

Meanwhile, the channel chose not to respond publicly. But the message was subtle and forceful: Bendita can go on even if its host is absent. A dummy and some tapes were enough to fill the air. Perhaps, more than Casella expected.