How was the end of El Chavo del 8?

Unforgettable for Chileans, the afternoons when for years they turned on the old black and white -or color- televisions and were accompanied by the adventures of a neighborhood that could look like any other. It was the neighborhood of El Chavo del 8 the comedy program featuring Roberto Gomez Bolanos , who in this 2023 has dressed as a label. All because last February 26 marked the 50th anniversary of the broadcast of the first chapter as an independent series, through Mexico’s channel 8, after its separation from a more general block named precisely as chespirito .

After 7 years on the air, the production had its last episode on January 7, 1980. And it felt like a chapter like any other, with a sitcom. There were no grand announcements, farewell alerts, or epic moments to cherish like the last great piece of a memorable space.

It was called Washing machineand the basic argument was that the always busy Mrs Florinda (Florinda Meza) was just buying a washing machine, to make the work of her single-parent house, the one she shared with her son, Quico (Carlos Villagrán), a little more bearable.

Strictly speaking, Doña Florinda got angry after arguing with Doña Clotilde (Angelines Fernández) and Doña Nieves (don Ramón’s grandmother and great-grandmother of La Chilindrina, played by María Antonieta de las Nieves itself) for the use of the only laundry in the neighborhood. , so he decides to buy a washing machine.

Thus, two men appear carrying a huge and heavy box, who arrive at his apartment. This provokes intrigues among the inhabitants of the district, in particular among the always talkative Madame Clotilde, the eternal “Witch of 71”. Don Ramón’s very love tried to find out what was inside, but couldn’t find out, so she sends “Chavo”.

El Chavo leaves, knocks on the door and is assisted by Professor Jirafales, to whom he gives the perfect alibi to let him in: he had the clothes that Doña Florinda had forgotten in the patio after the argument with Doña Clotilde . The great teacher brings him in immediately, the child is surprised and asks what the device was . It was precisely Doña Florinda’s brand new washing machine.

But like all things in El Chavo del 8, what could go right goes wrong. When Chavo starts asking about the device, Doña Florinda tells him to go away, but Jirafales, with the patience of an old school teacher, argues that it was good that the boy had learned to use it. ‘to use. Doña Florinda accepts and Jirafales begins her mission.

And that’s when Chavo commits the stupidity of throwing the entire contents of the washing powder box into the machine. Result? The washing machine begins to foam heavily, and in an effort to fix it, the boy pulls out the hose and “inadvertently” soaks everyone in the villa. This forces Doña Florinda to return the artifact and use the village laundress again.

That was the end, January 1980 . By then, the show’s two most popular characters had already left it, Quico played by Carlos Villagran, in 1978; and Don Ramón, played by Ramón Valdés, in 1979. Both, due to differences with Gómez Bolaños and where there were even personal reasons.

But there was also another ending. Although it is no longer an independent series, but as part of the latest chapter of the program Chespirito, In 1992. Thus, on June 12, 1992, a last sketch of Chavo del 8 is broadcast. On occasion, the remaining characters appear, all gathered in the little school: Chilindrina, Godinez, Popis and Professor Jirafales. No trace of Doña Florinda or the “Witch of 71”, nor of Señor Barriga, since the actor Edgar Vivar had to withdraw that year from recordings due to health problems. The old quarter no longer appeared.

The series had noticeable popularity in our country, which made in October 1977, the actors came to Chile to present a show at the National Stadium. It was one of the last times the full original cast was seen.

In 2010, La Tercera was able to interview Gómez Bolaños at length at his residence in Colonia del Valle, Mexico City. Sitting in a room full of memorabilia, among shiny figurines of Chapulín Colorado or Chómpiras, photographic sequences that showed him in his youth, neighborhood drawings given by cartoonist Quino and giant paintings where the entire cast of the space, except for Carlos. , the actor also had a few words for Chile.

“I had the chance to meet great people, like the Chilean humorist Lucho Navarro. It was extraordinary. It’s one of my great ties with Chile, because I also wrote screenplays for him in Mexico”, he began by saying about the comedian and national impersonator who became famous in Mexico thanks, between other showcases, at the cinema.

Then Chespirito continued: “I continue to admire your country a lot, even if sometimes I don’t like the excess of Europeanism that exists in Chile. There is no open discrimination, but there is a preference for blue-eyed whites. It doesn’t suit Mexico.”

Where had I seen such attitudes? This is how the comedian replied: “By refraining from the other, from the American origin. And I speak of America not as the gringos apply it, but as the most real concept. It also happens in Argentina, I don’t want it to sound like a single review from Chile.