‘Sin Gluten’ Premiere Divides Viewers: TVE’s New Comedy Faces Early Criticism
TVE’s highly anticipated comedy series, ‘Sin Gluten’ (Gluten Free), premiered this Wednesday to a mixed reception, with early reactions on social media suggesting the show has yet to fully win over audiences. The series, a co-production with Onza, RTVE, and Prime Video, centers around a successful chef’s descent into a comedic version of “hell,” exploring themes of humor, love, and intergenerational connections.
The eight-episode series, each running 45 minutes, will be broadcast over four nights on La 1, strategically scheduled to follow the program ‘La Revuelta’ and, according to TVE, leave viewers with a positive feeling.
The show boasts a prominent cast led by Diego Martín, Adam Jezierski, Alicia Rubio, Iñaki Ardanaz, Teresa Cuesta, and Antonio Resines, alongside established performers Marta Fernández Muro and Fernando Tejero, and rising talents including Paula Muriana, Najwa Khliwa, Lucas Miramón, Daniel Triana, and Tadeo Masó. Created by Araceli Álvarez de Sotomayor, Javier Aguayo, and Germán Aparicio, ‘Sin Gluten’ aims to use the backdrop of a kitchen to explore personal transformation and second chances. The narrative suggests characters will find not only culinary skills but also the “ingredients” to rebuild their lives through cooking classes.
However, the initial response on X (formerly Twitter) paints a picture of a show struggling to connect with its audience. Several viewers drew comparisons to the earlier series ‘Pepe’s Chiringuito,’ with one user stating the new show reminded them of the protagonist from the previous production. Another user bluntly declared the series “the same as El ‘Chringuito de Pepe’… right down to the characters themselves.”
A significant wave of criticism centered on the show’s perceived lack of humor and naturalism. “There are 5 minutes left to see that it is tacky, unfunny and boring,” one viewer wrote. Others echoed this sentiment, describing the production as feeling “like a play” due to a lack of ambient sound and a generally unnatural feel. Concerns were also raised about the pacing, with one user predicting a rushed broadcast schedule with the upcoming double-episode format.
The show also faced accusations of relying on tired tropes. “They wanted to copy the French thing and a little truñito came out,” one user commented, suggesting a failed attempt at replicating a successful French comedic style. A particularly critical post even labeled the series “the worst” of 2025, while also criticizing the writing for outdated portrayals.
Despite the predominantly negative feedback, some viewers offered cautious optimism. Several posts highlighted the potential of the pairing between Diego Martín and Fernando Tejero to deliver comedic moments. One viewer noted the series’ “fine irony with a fun touch,” while another praised the inclusion of Antonio Resines. A small contingent of viewers urged patience, suggesting that the characters needed time to develop. “You have to give the characters a chance to develop, it usually happens at the beginning of all of them,” one user commented.
The early social media reaction to ‘Sin Gluten’ underscores the challenges of launching new television series in a crowded media landscape. While the show’s premise and cast offer potential, TVE will need to address the concerns raised by viewers if it hopes to cultivate a loyal audience.
