Concha Velasco tickled at "El Gran Juego de la Oca"

Concha Velasco, born Concepción Velasco Varona on November 29, 1939, in Valladolid, Spain, was a highly acclaimed Spanish actress, singer, dancer, television presenter, and theatrical producer whose career spanned over six decades.

She began her artistic journey studying classical and Spanish dance at the National Conservatory in Madrid and initially worked as a ballet and flamenco dancer before transitioning to acting. Velasco made her film debut as a teenager and rose to prominence in the late 1950s with leading roles in films such as Red Cross Girls (1958).

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she successfully combined film, theater, and television work, becoming a popular figure in Spanish entertainment. She also gained fame as a singer with the hit song “Chica ye ye” from the film Television Stories (1965), which helped establish her as a yé-yé style singer. Over time, Velasco evolved from roles aligned with the Franco regime’s cinema to more serious and diverse characters, notably portraying Teresa of Ávila in the acclaimed television series Teresa de Jesús (1984).

Her career was marked by numerous awards and honors, including two National Theater Awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Spanish Television Academy, and the Honorary Goya Award. The Spanish government recognized her contributions with several prestigious medals, including the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts and the Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise.

Concha Velasco was also known for her work as a television presenter, hosting major events such as New Year’s Eve broadcasts. She passed away on December 2, 2023, leaving behind a legacy as one of Spain’s most versatile and beloved performers.

Concha Velasco in "Esposa Y Amante" — Concha Velasco in “Esposa Y Amante” (1971)

Tickling scenes in “El Gran Juego de la Oca”

El gran Juego de la Oca was a vibrant and spectacular Spanish television game show that aired in the 1990s, inspired by the traditional board game known as the Game of the Goose. Set in a large arena, the show featured a giant 63-space game board that contestants navigated by rolling electronic dice, with the goal of reaching the final space by exact count. Each episode brought together four adult contestants, typically two men and two women, who began the game with a sum of money and the opportunity to increase their winnings with each move.

The heart of the show lay in its inventive and often outrageous challenges, known as “pruebas.” After landing on a space, contestants would face a stunt or task—ranging from physical feats to tests of nerve or humor—often staged in elaborate set pieces like a mud pit, a mock restaurant, or even a circular swimming pool. Before attempting each challenge, contestants wagered part or all of their accumulated money based on their confidence in succeeding. A successful attempt added the wagered amount to their total, while failure meant losing it. Refusing to participate in a challenge or certain comedic punishments, such as receiving a bizarre haircut, could result in losing all accumulated money, though this was rare.

The infamous “Prueba de la cabra” saw the contestant pinned to a pillory, his feet barefoot. His feet were covered with a sweetish cream and exposed to the licking of a goat. The contestant had to manage to remain unflappable to the tickling caused by the goat’s tongue, without producing any facial expression, to pass the test.

The show was known for its colorful cast of supporting characters, including dancers, comedic figures, and even live geese that wandered the set, all contributing to a lively and unpredictable atmosphere. Each episode also featured celebrity guest hosts who participated in or explained some of the challenges, adding to the entertainment value.

The first contestant to reach the final space won the game and kept their accumulated money. In the earliest seasons, winners were given an additional off-site challenge for the chance to win a car, with the outcome revealed in the following episode. The show concluded each season with a tournament of champions, where previous winners competed for the grand prize.

El gran Juego de la Oca became a phenomenon in Spain and was later adapted in several countries, remembered for its blend of classic board game mechanics, high-energy stunts, and a carnival-like television spectacle that captivated audiences across generations

Concha Velasco played the role of host in El gran juego de la oca, bringing her charisma and experience to the program. Her presence as host helped give the program a close and dynamic tone, making her an emblematic figure of the show during its broadcast. Velasco, a renowned Spanish actress and host, contributed to the show’s popularity thanks to her ability to interact with the contestants and to handle with ease the unpredictable and funny situations that characterized the format. Her role was fundamental in connecting with the audience and maintaining the show’s agile and entertaining rhythm.

In an episode, Velasco is subjected in turn to the goat challenge. The challenge lasts one minute, with the goat licking the contestant’s foot several times, but the contestant remains impassive throughout, passing the challenge.