El Chavo del Ocho translated as “The Guy from the Eight,” is one of the most celebrated Mexican sitcom series to this day.  The show was originally targeted toward adult audiences but has won the hearts of viewers of all ages and continues to be a mainstay of Mexican television.

One can still find re-runs on television in Mexico and other Latin American countries such as Brazil, where it has been translated into Portuguese and still enjoys widespread popularity.

Named after the protagonist El Chavo, who was played by the producer himself Roberto Gomez Bolaños, the sitcom series was named “The Guy from the Eight” because it was transmitted on channel 8. Founded in 1971 by Roberto Gomez Bolaños, El Chavo del Ocho would become the first successful Mexican television series that used adult actors to personify kids.

The series tells the story of a penniless, unschooled orphan, El Chavo, who lives in La Vecindad, an apartment complex, where he interacts with the residents and everyday visitors. The show takes places in the same location every episode, in the courtyard of La Vecindad and in the individual apartments.

left to right: Señor Barrigas, Doña Florinda, El Chavo, Professor Jirafales, La Chilindrina, Don Ramon y Doña Cleotilde

El Chavo del Ocho uses slapstick humor to portray the quirky conundrums that these residents face while living in a small limited space. The principle characters in the series have contrasting personalities and due to this, hilarity always ensues: Señor Barriga, is a conservative man who is always collecting rent from the residents and seems solely concerned with doing so. Don Ramon is the father of La Chilindrina and he is constantly mad at El Chavo.

La Chilindrina, the daughter of Don Ramon, is notorious for being over sensitive and crying about everything.  Profesor Jirafales, is a gigantic man who is hopelessly in love with another neighbor, Doña Florinda, who shares his affections but their love for one another is something that both always try to hide. Kico is the spoiled son of Doña Florinda who is best known for his exaggerated cheeks and affinity for large lolly-pops. All of these contrasting personalities are the perfect blend to create numerous day to day misunderstandings and hilarious situations.

A Normal Day for the Residents

Through innocent horseplay  El Chavo del Ocho has created a sense of cultural understanding within Mexico. That is to say that this sitcom serie has brought the country together by creating a form of entertainment that transcends socioeconomic, race, gender, and age boundaries. Everybody knows about El Chavo del Ocho in Mexico. It is integrated as a part of our culture that makes us share certain expressions from the series and has brought much of the country together in a unique and positive way.

I leave you with an epidisode: