HBO’s latest biopic series, “Chespirito: not not in not in” (“sin querer queriendo”), has been embraced by numerous fans across the US and Latin America, building a significant viewership. This series celebrates the late Mexican comedian Roberto Gomez Bolaños.
The eight-episode miniseries, which premiered on Thursday, dramatizes the career and personal life of Gomez Bolaños, a figure who revolutionized Latin American comedy and left a lasting impact on a generation of millions of children. Known as “Chespirito,” he drew inspiration from icons like Laurel and Hardy, as well as the legendary Mexican comedian Cantinflas, who achieved fame in Hollywood. Chespirito passed away in 2014 at the age of 85.
Pablo Cruz, who portrays Chespirito in the series, shared with The Associated Press in a translated interview that the show serves as a tribute, telling a “story that resonates with a broad audience and allows them to deepen their appreciation for what they already admire and love.”
The two most iconic characters created by Chespirito were “El Chavo del Ocho” (“The Boy from Number 8”) and “El Chapulín Colorado” (“Crimson Grasshopper”). “El Chavo del Ocho” depicted an orphaned eight-year-old boy living in a Mexican neighborhood, characterized by his barrels, freckles, striped shirt, and gray cap. “El Chapulín Colorado” was a rustic superhero clad in a red bodysuit with an antenna hood that enabled him to sense danger from a distance (his yellow shorts and boots gave him a touch reminiscent of Bumblebee).
Chespirito favored a clean comedic style, steering clear of the sexual innuendos and risqué jokes that are prevalent today. His morning show served as “Main food for preschoolers,” akin to “Captain Kangaroo” in the United States.
The HBO series “is a homage to Chespirito’s significance as one of the pivotal figures in Mexican television, emphasizing the extensive influence his show has had throughout Latin America,” stated Fernando Cardenas, digital manager of the Latin actor’s Hispanic organization, in a statement to the Associated Press.
The miniseries acts as a vital cultural preservation effort, documenting the influence Latinos have had in the global entertainment landscape, according to Sehira Mota Casper, Latinx Director of Heritage Conservation. “For many of us, his character represented more than mere entertainment,” Mota Casper remarked. “They shaped our understanding of humor, how we face challenges, and our self-perception as Latinos. The series celebrates this impact. Telling his story in such a manner highlights and honors the cultural history that has defined us, paving the way for future generations.”
“El Chavo” has remained so popular that reruns continue to air on Spanish television across multiple Latin American countries and in the US. Many Latinos who lived under authoritarian regimes during the show’s airing found solace in the character’s victorious underdog spirit against authority. In interviews from 2005 with the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, Gomez Bolaños mentioned that he wrote with the working-class community in mind.
“In the 1970s, the program was designed to reflect the realities of working-class families in Mexico and had far-reaching effects in other Spanish-speaking nations, as the depicted situations resonated with audiences everywhere, transcending geographical barriers,” Cardenas explained.
Having grown up watching “El Chavo” in Peru during the 1970s and 1980s, Alberto Ramas expressed excitement about the series and the nostalgia it invokes. He also sought to uncover more about the behind-the-scenes aspects of Gomez Bolaños’ life.
“It truly resonated with my childhood,” said Ramas, now residing in California, after viewing the first episode. “It adds complexity, heart, and context to the characters he created. It also provides a fascinating glimpse at how he became a television star. I’m eager to see where it goes! It’s pure telenovela!”
Fans have actively taken to social media, praising the episodes and their admiration, while also noting the striking resemblances between the actors and the characters they portray.
For Ramas, moving to the US turned “El Chavo del Ocho” into a link to his heritage, even though the show wasn’t set in Peru. “For me, watching that show was a very comforting experience,” Ramas stated. “It fostered a sense of community throughout Latin America.”
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Associated Press journalist Berenice Bautista contributed to this report from Mexico City.
Source: apnews.com