La famille Serrano

This is not only the best new series of the year in Spain, it's also one of the best sitcoms of the last 5 years. The cast is superb, not only well chosen, but acts remarkably well (specially Belén Rueda, who keeps raising and raising as an actress).

One of the best things I can say about this series is that it truly has a universal humor in most of its contents, and I really mean it: A Chinese student living at my home loves the show even when she doesn't get all they're saying. A proof that the acting is very good and the funny things are a combination of spoken and visual jokes.

I definitely recommend it.

"Los Serrano" has been broadcast for the last two years to a great success among people of all ages. The secret of its success lies partly on the wisdom of writers, who have successfully aimed viewers from all ages as their targets. Thus, the Serrano family portrays the daily lives of a Brady Bunch-like family with a widower and a divorcée marrying and creating a new family with each one's children.

Antonio Resines, one of our finest comic actors, plays the father, while Belén Rueda is as effective as ever as the mother. The eldest of their children (Fran Perea from one side, and Verónica Sánchez from the other) have at some points been the center of the series with their unsolved sexual chemistry, but perhaps writers should focus on other characters too.

As it usually happens with Spanish TV series, the supporting cast excels the main one in many instances. A special mention should be made to Jesus Bonilla's uncle Santiago, and Antonio Molero's family friend, Fiti. Among the youngest actors, Alejo Sauras and Alexandra Jiménez are a lovely pair of goofy sidekicks to Fran Perea and Verónica Sánchez.

Maybe it's not the best comedy ever made, but it's extremely watchable and the whole family can have fun with it. I hope we will be seeing a lot of "Los Serrano" in the years to come.

I loved this show! In 2004 I studied in Spain for a semester and I lived with a family and we would sometimes watch TV together. Now when I first got there, my Spanish was elementary at best, but when I saw this show for the first time I found it hilarious. And I didn't understand majority of the dialog! As my Spanish improved (and with TV subtitles for me to read), the experience of watching the show got even better. I even had my host mom tape an episode for me when I went out on 'Los Serrano' night. (And watching TV in a foreign language can be a great study tool.)

This show has such a universal appeal. At first it brings to mind the 'Brady' Bunch with the blended family, but that's where the similarities end as it's updated for this day and age. The antics of Fiti, Diego, and the sometimes cranky Santiago are reminiscent of Lucy & Ethel of 'I Love Lucy' and the chemistry between Marcos and Eva is hot! Unfortunately, I've only been able to witness the humble beginnings (and confusion LOL)of their relationship. And let's not forget the sweet, but often misguided Raul. Gotta love it.

Who would have thought a African-American girl from Chicago would fall in love with this Spanish gem? I wish it was available on DVD in the US. I read somewhere last year that Mexican/American network Telemundo bought the rights to develop their own version of the series, but I haven't heard any more on that. But it could never beat the original.

While it may be true that Los Serrano may not have the best writing of a sitcom ever, it contains some enigmatic element that makes it strangely addictive. The situations may be far-fetched and romances may be overplayed, but after one or two episodes, the viewer finds himself wanting to come back weekly, even for reruns of overplayed episodes.

At this point I'm torn as to whether Los Serrano should hurry up to get off the air before it gets much worse (this fourth season has been a downer in many ways) or to continue to feed my addiction. In any case, buy/rent the DVDs and watch the old ones even if it does go off the air.

I watch Los Serrano more or less regularly and I think it is a very good series. It might be true that it's becoming like most series, with lots of love triangles and such, but there is always something interesting every week. That's why I keep watching it. It is very funny how Diego, Fiti and Santiago get themselves worked up over nothing and it always ends up in difficult situations. I like the way the kids get into all kind of trouble. In conclusion, as long as you can understand Spanish pretty well, Los Serrano is a good series you are sure to enjoy. At least I do, and I don't know very many people who don't. If you like Los Serrano, other series I recommend are: - Aqui no hay quien viva. - Aida. - 7 vidas. And a personal favorite, which doesn't have very much to do with Los Serrano: - Hospital Central.