El Chavo del Ocho

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!"

When I was little, I remember seeing El Chavo, El Chapulin Colorado, and of course, Chespirito with my grandpa. Now that I'm older, I can't imagine how Spanish TV will be without these shows. I'm inspired by Roberto Gomez Bolanos and how he created such memorable characters. I give credit to the actors in the shows who brought the characters to life. Don Ramon, played by the late Ramon Valdez, lit up the shows. I also like Quico, played by Carlos Villagran, who completed the show by his humor. El Chavo always made me laugh and made me happy. In my opinion, it's the funniest Spanish show ever. I hope they show El Chavo for many years to come.

Hard to believe that 40 years old actors can play 8 years old characters and with flawless performance capture ingenuity and mischievousness... But they did.

The casting during the years 1973 throughout 1978 was just perfection... Praises for Ramon Valdez, who was by far the best of them. This is a comedy that has become an instant classic of all times (specially all the seasons until 1979). At the same level of white humor comedies like "I love Lucy","Three is company" or "Alf" Most of the jokes are so clean, and smart. Too bad that many of them are untranslatable. This show is recommended for all audiences and all ages, and trust me everyone will enjoy it. Great Talent displayed for all the casting including the show creator Roberto Gomez Bolanos (chespirito) "the little Shakespeare".I give the show 10 stars hands down.

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.

"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.