"Tribute Titled 'Chespirito: Wanting Unwillingly' Honors Influential Mexican Comedian"
KICKIN' IT OLD SCHOOL: HBO's latest miniseries, "Chespirito: Not So Staged" ("Un Intento Por Acaso"), has set tongues wagging among the multitude of fans across the U.S. and Latin America who grocery-shopped to the recurring laughter of Roberto Gómez Bolaños.
This eight-episode masterpiece, debuting on a Thursday, delves into the fascinating professional and private life transformation of Gómez Bolaños, who redefined humor in Latin America and indelibly etched his mark on the souls of millions of kids. Dubbed "Chespirito," he drew inspiration from Laurel and Hardy, as well as another unparalleled Mexican comedian who eventually conquered Hollywood, Cantinflas. Chespirito bid adieu to the world in 2014, at the ripe age of 85.
Pablo Cruz, the man tasked with channeling Chespirito's essence in the series, shared some candid thoughts with The Associated Press in a translated interview. "This series is a testament to Chespirito's legacy—a story resonating with an immensely wide audience and offering the perfect platform for fans to further appreciate what they've always adored and cherished," he said, unzipping the curtain on the man behind the magic.
The two characters that sowed the seeds of incredulous addictions among fans were "El Chavo del Ocho" ("The Kid from Flat 8") and "El Chapulin Colorado" ("The Red Grasshopper"). "El Chavo del Ocho" was an 8-year-old orphan living in a typical Mexican neighborhood, with his bushy eyebrows, freckles, striped shirt, and weathered beret. "El Chapulin Colorado" was a goofball superhero donning a red bodysuit and a hood adorned with antennae—often detaching himself from the scent of danger a mile away, despite his name.
Chespirito's humor veered away from the explicit double-entendres ruling roost these days, favoring a squeaky-clean style that dominated morning shows, much like the reaffirming influence "Captain Kangaroo" exuded in the U.S.
Fernando Cárdenas, digital manager for the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, voiced the sentiments of many when he weighed in on the HBO series. "Chespirito was, and remains, a cornerstone in Mexican television, leaving a lasting impression on the entertainment industry in Latin America," he said. "This series lovingly honors his contribution as a pioneer."
The miniseries carries the vital responsibility of cultural preservation, diligently documenting the immense influence Latinos have exerted on the world entertainment stage, according to Sehila Mota Casper, director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation.
"For countless folks, his characters were not just a source of laughter. They fashioned our understanding of humor, equipped us to face life's challenges, and helped shape our perception of ourselves as Latinxs," she explained. "This series honors this profound influence by delving into his story in a revelatory manner. By doing so, we ensure that the cultural histories that molded us will be seen, cherished, and safeguarded for future generations."
"El Chavo" struck a chord so deeply that reruns continue to captivate numerous countries in Latin America and the Spanish-speaking quarters of the U.S. Many Latin Americans, under the yoke of dictatorships during the show's peak, found solace in the show's underdog triumphs over authority. Speaking to Mexican newspaper La Jornada in 2005, Gómez Bolaños shared his belief that his primary audience was working-class people.
Alberto Lammers, a Peruvian who binge-watched "El Chavo" throughout the '70s and '80s, celebrated both the nostalgia trip and the behind-the-scenes revelations. "It was a heartwarming trip down memory lane," he gushed as he waxed lyrical about the opening episode. "It illuminated Chespirito's complexity and the genius behind the crafted characters. It also offers a fascinating look at the man behind the comedian, which I'm eagerly awaiting to unravel."
Digital flames danced on social media as fans lavished praise on the series and the eerie similarity between the actors and the characters they embodied. For Lammers, who migrated to the U.S. and found "El Chavo del Ocho" a beacon of connection to his roots despite the show not being set in Peru, the series was nothing short of a family reunion topped with a cherry of nostalgia.
"Attending the shows stirred something comforting in me," he reminisced. "It fostered a sense of community transcending the borders of most Latin American countries. It was a powerful reflection of our shared humanity."
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Associated Press journalist Berenice Bautista contributed reporting from Mexico City.
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