This show is not the most recognized show in all of Latin America for nothing. Its simple slapstick family-oriented humor and colorful characters made it an instant classic from day one since it first aired back in the early seventies and is until now and for many years to come, one of the most aired shows in history. It's easy to see why, just watch one episode and you'll be hooked. El Chavo has slapstick humor but it's also a show with a lot of heart that children and grownups have loved for 33 years since the show first aired. First of there's the title character, Chavo which is Mexican slang for "kid", an orphaned eight-year old boy who "hides" inside his trademark barrel. He is not the brightest bulb but is very simple-minded and is always on an empty stomach. Then there's his best friend, whom he sometimes beats up for being a smart-ass, Quico, a spoiled nine year old boy who sometimes teases Chavo with toys. For ex: Chavo is playing with an improvised toy that he himself made and as soon as Quico sees him, he runs back to his house and comes out with a better more souped-up version of the toy Chavo's playing with, or he could tease him with food, being that Chavo is always starving and is the first thing on his mind, despite of it all Quico is his best friend. Quico is the second most hilarious character on the show, (Don Ramón being the most hilarious) his unique expressions and mannerisms and his large bulging cheeks that look like grapefruits in his mouth are out of this world. There's also Chilindrina, a somewhat tomboyish, nine-year old girl, who wears spectacles without glasses, who is a little smarter than Chavo and Quico, and sometimes messes with their heads a little bit, but has a secret crush on Chavo. Her father Don Ramón, is a man in his late 40's who is unemployed and never pays his bills. He's grumpy and short-fused, especially with Chavo and Quico, who get on his nerves the most. Don Ramón is my favorite character. Ramón Valdez, the actor who portrays him, was a natural on this role and had a very natural sense of humor and charisma which made him perfect for the role of "Don Ramón". Doña Florinda, Quico's mother, is an upper-class wannabe who thinks she's better than all of her neighbors in the "vecindad" but lives off her dead husband's life insurance with her young boy, Quico, but is in a somewhat better economical position nonetheless than the rest of her neighbors. She has a special dislike for Don Ramón, considering him vulgar and common, and whenever Quico screams, she runs out and slaps Don Ramón across the face assuming he's the one that made him cry, which sometimes he is, but because Quico got on his last nerve. Then there's the schoolteacher, Prof. Jirafales, a school teacher who must be about 6'8 tall and thus, is the target of many jokes from the students. His last name is a play on his massive height meaning something like Giraffish. Señor Barriga, or Mr. Stomach if you literally want to translate his last name, is an obese man who is the owner of the "vecindad" and who is always knocking on Don Ramón's door asking for the rent he never pays, and coincidentally, always gets hit with an object that Chavo happens to be throwing or swinging around at the time he arrives. Finally, Doña Clotilde or La Bruja (The Witch) del 71. A fifty-something year old woman who is unmarried and is head over heels for Don Ramón. All of these characters, who were probably born to play their roles, make this show one of the best things to ever come out of Spanish TV. Don't miss it! 10 out of 10.
Review of El Chavo del Ocho
