El Chavo del Ocho

Brazilian TV stations are competent in doing their own productions, but El Chavo is probably the most sucessful TV show in Brasil since the eighties. I born in 1981 and I can't remember my life without this show being reprised every single day here, and everytime I watch the same shows, with the same jokes, I laugh out loud because they're so funny, but sometimes they almost make us cry, because Chavo reality isn't so different from many poor people in Brasil. It's an amazing show, it is.

Really, if you didn't watch, you have to! If you like comedy, it's a rule to watch any episode of this fantastic TV series. It was done for kids, but whoever watches it will get hypnotized, and enchanted by the charisma of every character on it! "El Chavo" or "Chavo del Ocho" tells the story about a poor boy, Chavo, that supposedly lives at the house number 8, but spends most time, or better, whole series, into a barrel. And a lot of things happens, with him, Chilindrina, Don Ramón (my favorite character) and everyone! Each episode means, a lot of fun! It's really amazing how it never gets old. It was done in 73, and even in 2004, kids watch it and laugh of the same things over again. Even adults, and teenagers, watch it and again laugh of the same situation. It's really magical, and even Bolaños can't explain how he did that! And it seems, we will have much more 'Chavo' in the years to come, and people will keep watching it, and it'll have the same high ratings, every time it's being aired on TV. Really, it's something fantastic. I think it's like the only Mexican TV-show that had that kind of acceptance in every continent it was transmitted. So if you haven't watch it, I suggest you to give a try for this humble and very good intentioned series, that has a very nice message too. :)

The first time I came across this show back in 1976 I was immediately captivated. It's very repetitive, each character has his or her behavioral repertoire, but that's so much like real life, isn't it? The effect is almost hypnotic, and there is a great humanity and love of humanity (and critique) about Bolanos' creations, a very bright and interesting man. The actors are also quite good. Too bad this quaint world is only accessible to Spanish speakers. It's a kind of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" with much more humor and vivid, colorful characters. There is an element of cruelty one wishes wasn't there. But maybe that's a reflection of reality. Enjoyable also for grown-ups. One of the funnier lines: "Don Ramon, why don't you look for a job?" Don Ramon (with a horrified expression): "And suppose I find it!"

"El Chavo" and "El Chapulín Colorado" are the best comedy series ever made for TV that don't appeal to jokes based on sex appealing. All the funny lines are based on the most simple possible types of making fun of somebody, such as the stupidity and innocence of children or from the non-working state of a guy who is always in trouble.

Chavo and Chapulín are a must for any person who want to see how its possible to make comedy shows using life simplicity based ideas and low money for running the program.

Being from different styles of comedy, even because each one was made on a difference of about 2 decades, Chavo & Chapulin might lead the comedy ranking on the side of Seinfeld, the most intelligent comedy show of the 90's.

"El Chavo del Ocho" has been my favorite Spanish-speaking show. It was like a ritual to me seeing this hilarious show every single day. It's about a Vecindad ("neighborhood") in which an orphan, called Chavo (Mexican equivalent word for lad or kid), lives. He is eight years old (played by a then fortyish actor) and has no parent. He is always starved and lacks of proper hygiene. He shares his live with the other dwellers of the vecindad.

Part of the success of the show is that it's full of colorful characters played by gifted and talented actors. My favorite is "Don Ramón" played by late Mexican actor Ramón Valdez. "Kiko" was also hilarious. The rest of the characters are good, though. If you understand Spanish, you will love this show.