What to read, watch, and listen to if you loved31 Minutes
Álvaro Díaz González · Series · 2003
If you loved 31 Minutes, start with Mientras tanto en Chile — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to 31 Minutes across media.
What hooked you in 31 Minutes was the way absurd, offbeat humor exposes the ridiculous nature of media and bureaucratic structures.
Books on the same thread
Discworld
Terry Pratchett · Book · 1983
Explores: Social Commentary, Bureaucracy, Anthropomorphic Personification.
Just as 31 Minutes uses puppets to mock the news, this book employs fantasy to lampoon human institutions, offering a similarly sharp and witty satirical perspective on societal absurdity.
Nazi Literature in the Americas
Roberto Bolaño · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with 31 Minutes: Satire.
If the meta-narrative style of 31 Minutes appealed to you, you will appreciate how this book uses a fake encyclopedia format to deliver dark, satirical commentary through invented literary histories.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jeff Kinney · Book · 2007
Explores: social awkwardness, sibling rivalry, middle school survival.
Fans of the middle school survival antics in 31 Minutes will recognize that same relatable, awkward charm in this illustrated diary, which captures the chaotic essence of growing up.
The Day the Crayons Quit
Drew Daywalt · Book · 2013
Explores: Friendship, Individuality, Creativity.
The anthropomorphic charm of 31 Minutes finds a perfect match here, as this story also gives a voice to inanimate objects to deliver humor through their distinct and petty complaints.
Films on the same thread
Network
Sidney Lumet · Film · 1976
Shares a thread with 31 Minutes: Satire.
If you enjoyed the newsroom setting of 31 Minutes, this film offers a much darker take on the television industry, focusing on media manipulation and the breakdown of broadcast authority.
The Truman Show
Peter Weir · Film · 1998
Explores: Existentialism, Reality vs. Illusion, Loss of Innocence.
Much like the reality-bending antics of 31 Minutes, this film explores the unsettling nature of being trapped within a televised existence, highlighting the thin line between performance and reality.
Bingo: The King of the Mornings
Daniel Rezende · Film · 2017
Shares a thread with 31 Minutes: Satire.
While 31 Minutes uses puppets for news, this film captures the bizarre, unfiltered spirit of 1980s television, mirroring the show's focus on the chaotic, behind-the-scenes world of televised entertainment.
Brazil
Terry Gilliam · Film · 1985
Explores: Bureaucracy, Escapism, Loss of Individuality.
The bureaucracy you saw parodied in 31 Minutes is front and center here, providing a surreal, satirical critique of modern life that resonates with any fan of the show's absurdity.
Podcasts on the same thread
Mientras tanto en Chile
Podcast
Explores: Chilean society, national identity, socio-political issues.
If 31 Minutes deepened your connection to Chilean culture, this podcast provides an essential, contemporary follow-up by diving into the specific socio-political climate and national identity of the country.
FINISIMAS PERSONAS
Podcast
Explores: Argentine culture, humor, conversational.
Fans of the conversational, off-the-cuff humor that defines 31 Minutes will find a similar comedic chemistry in these interviews, which rely on the same relaxed, personality-driven energy and wit.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of 31 Minutes?
31 Minutes is a Chilean television show from 2003 that functions as a mock news broadcast. The program is fronted by a cast of puppets who present various news items and segments to the audience throughout the duration of the show.
Who created 31 Minutes?
The television show 31 Minutes was created by Álvaro Díaz González. It debuted in 2003 as a unique production featuring puppets that act as anchors and reporters to deliver a satirical take on traditional news broadcasting formats.
Is 31 Minutes a live-action news program?
No, 31 Minutes is not a standard live-action news program. It is a mock news broadcast that uses puppets as the primary presenters. The show uses this puppet-led format to deliver its specific style of entertainment and news-themed content.
When was 31 Minutes first released?
The television show 31 Minutes was first released in 2003. Created by Álvaro Díaz González, the series gained recognition for its innovative use of puppets to present a mock news broadcast format to viewers in Chile and beyond.