El chavo del Ocho - as it was originally called in Mexico - or simply Chaves - as we all know here in Brazil - is a fantastic comedy show which was, is and will always be part of my life. No matter how repetitive and nonsense most of its episodes and jokes might be, nowadays, even being grown-up I can have lots of fun while watching it.
Chaves was part of my infant days. And so were many other Sbt shows. I have to admit I really like Silvio Santos and his great sense of humor. And it was this guy's idea (genius!!!) to bring this Mexican Tv Show to Brazil around 25 years ago. It could have been either a disaster or a successful attempt - people could hate it or love it. Silvio Santos decided to take a risk and the outcome of such decision we already know: Chaves is a hit!
The formula is pretty simple: join a bunch of stereotyped people together in the same neighbourhood and show their daily life. We have Chaves, the poor and naive boy; Chiquinha, the I-am-smarter-than-you girl who usually gets into trouble; Kiko, the spoiled brat; Seu Madruga, the crook. There's also the school teacher and good catch Girafales; the dedicated mother Dona Florinda, the fat kid Nhonho and many others...
What really makes Chaves special is its power to entertain people from all ages. You could be either a kid or a grandpa: the show caters to everyone's taste. Even if you know all the jokes and lines by heart, I guarantee, you'll still have a good laugh.
"El Chavo del Ocho": main characters
Last February I had the opportunity to fulfill an old dream: I visited Mexico. I've always been into Latin culture, despite being an English teacher. Traveling to Mexico, then, would be a nice way to come closer to such reality. And, my friends, if you are following my thoughts, you might have noticed that my visiting Mexico was also attached to the idea of getting to see some Chaves-related things, such as visiting the wonderful beaches of Acapulco (do you remember that episode?) and drinking "Tamarindo" juice (jugo de tamarindo, in their language).
One of the most exciting moments of my trip took place in Guadalajara, where I visited the "Wax Museum" and could take a picture with Chaves himself!!!! (ok, ok, it was a wax figure, but who cares?).
Chaves and I
If you'd like to know more about the origins of the show, check what Wikipedia has to say about it:
El Chavo del Ocho is fabulous because it makes us laugh at the most ordinary things in life: it is neither sophisticated nor intellectual, it just is. Simplicity: that's what is all about. In a world in which technology and finesse seem to rule, watching a show like this can make us rethink about some things in life. The Beatles would say that All we need is love, and I totally agree. I would add to their thought one word, though: humor. All we need is love and (good) humor. So, love and be loved. And for a good laugh, tune in Sbt, at some time, that Chaves will certainly be there - to help you ease the stress and hardness of adulthood. As it has always been doing for almost 30 years now.
