MovieChat Forums > El Chavo del Ocho (1972) Discussion > Am I alone?

Am I alone?

posted 18 years ago by Bran_Mak_Morn
13 replies | jump to latest

I write in English so that anyone who reads this will understand me, and not only the Mexicans.

Am I the only Mexican who think Chespirito's humour is idiotic? Am I the only one who thinks calling Chespirito a "genius" is an insult to real geniuses? Come on! Do you know what Chespirito means? It means "little Shakespeare". Have you people who idolize this overrated moron ever read Shakespeare? Please! I've tried so hard, I've watched his shows a lot of times and I can't feel anything but shame.

I know what some of you will say: That I'm a malinchista (note for non-mexicans: a malinchista is someone who prefers foreign stuff over Mexican stuff), or that I don't understand the Mexican sense of humour. Maybe you will feel offended because I'm insulting your idol. But I'm not malinchista, I understand the Mexican sense of humour and I don't mean you no offense. It's just that I can't understand what's so funny about this guy, or how can a guy like him be called a genius and be nicknamed after Sir William.

We Mexicans have so many things to be proud of: Our country was the home of the Olmecs, the Toltecs, the Mayas and the Aztecs. We have Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, we have Benito Juárez, we have Silvestre Revueltas, we have Diego and Frida, we have José Alfredo... and we are proud of Chespirito.

[–] daria84 18 years ago

Ok first of all, I'm not mexican, but I'm latin and, as all latins, I grew up with this show and it makes me angry that you insult it. If you don't like it, fine, don't watch it. But "El Chavo" is an icon of the latinamerican culture, there's not a single person in latin america who doesn't know who "el chavo, chespirito, chaparron, el chompiras, etc..." are.

and let me put a few things straight:

1) Chespirito is not an "idol" or a "genious". He's a great writer with a good and not twisted or corrupt sense of humor who created the biggest comedy in Latinamerica, and no matter how many years will pass, "El Chavo" is always going to be on TV wether you like it or not.

2) You can't compare Chespirito to any of the cultures or people you mentioned b/c is like comparing Brad Pitt with the Pope. Two entirely different things. And yes, you mexicans can be proud of all that AND of Chespirito.

3) I might qualify as a "machilista" because I mostly watch foreign shows than shows of my country, because I admit it, 90% of them suck! I only watch 1 of them and all the others are from other countries, including, El Chavo and el Chapulin Colorado, who btw, here in my country, is on at 6 pm, a very good schedule for TV even though the show is almost 40 years old.

So All I ask, like Aretha Franklin said, is "respect!" Gracias.

Bitch.. you don't have a future.. ~ The Bride ~

[–] JuanLatino 11 years ago

I agree with you 100%, I am also Latin, not Mexican.

[–] paul-glidewell 10 years ago

The worst show not funny at all,insulting

[–] jmourisca 18 years ago

Well... Here in Brazil, we all love "Chaves" too... so I, pretty much think, you are alone, not only in Mexico.

I'm not normally a religious man, but if you're up there, save me, Superman!

[–] grrdsantana 18 years ago

I don't think that Chespirito is a genius, but I do think that he created a very endearing show.

[–] teneno 16 years ago

while i love this show to death, something i've noticed talking with people about this show is that it is very love it or hate it.
my father for example, watched the show and didn't like it.
my wife doesn't like it either, the rest of my family loves it.
so, it can be very hit or miss.

See my DVD Collection at http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=5556236(about 50% Complete)

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Ekarto 11 years ago

Would you say Chaplin's humor is idiotic because it's not sophisticated? The humor of El Chavo is very elemental but it works because the characters are endearing and smartly written.

One of the most important things about the show that you're missing is the social commentary, one of the traits that great comedy has. The show is about the marginalized sector in Mexican society, the one most television writers are obviously not interested in exploring, and humanizes it. Despite the comedic aspects, Chespirito never trivializes the character's problems. El Chavo is shown as uneducated, vulnerable and oppressed.

Chespirito's cultural contributions are significant. The fact that El Chavo is a television comedy should not undermine that.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] artur-bernardo-k 9 years ago

Some people think like you.

But Chespirito's humour is great. Chavo and Chapolin are briliant characters.
You just seem a boring person who thinks only classical artists are geniuses.
Chapolin is a genial character. A truly human hero as few authors have created.
And the way he works the idea of a "poor countries hero" is sensational. Captivated all america latina, even Brazil, which dosen't have the language Spanish.

[–] IMDB_Vits 9 years ago

The characters are definitely idiots, but it takes a clever person to write good idiot comedy. The show isn't perfect. I mean, the characters' I.Q. levels vary depending on what's better for the gag. But overall, I laugh a lot with it and the characters are endearing (even when they're unlikable).

a malinchista is someone who prefers foreign stuff over Mexican stuff

That's common in many countries. It's a fact that countries like the U.S. have better resources to produce good material.

I don't mean you no offense.

Then say that you don't like him; don't call him "idiotic".