Month: July 2025

It was worth it in Chespirito Not really on purpose, Episode 8 Review, Season Finale

24/07/2025
Captura del episodio final "Valió la Pena" de Chespirito sin querer queriendo, con personajes de El Chanfle o el elenco de Chespirito. Screenshot from the final episode "It Was Worth It" of Chespirito Not really on purpose, featuring characters from El Chanfle or the cast of Chespirito.

It was worth it in Chespirito Not really on purpose, Episode 8 Review, Season Finale

Read my posts about episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4, episode 5, episode 6 and episode 7 here.

Lee esta reseña en español aquí: El Chanfle en Chespirito Sin querer queriendo, reseña del episodio 8, final de temporada: Valió la Pena

It was worth it

The eighth and final episode of the first season of Chespirito Not really on purpose, titled “Valió la Pena” (It Was Worth It), available online in HBO MAX, takes us to 1978 with the creation of the Mexican film El Chanfle. This final chapter shows us the legendary work of Roberto Gómez Bolaños, along with the sacrifice of his family life.

Chespirito and Margarita fight, he feels guilty and she says that he wants to continue his relationship with Graciela, and it’s OK because she’s the wife. He argues he can’t procreate anymore and that she deserves to be a mother.

In parallel, Graciela manages (and emphasizes) Roberto’s absence in their children’s life.

The Birth of El Chanfle and the Increasing Tension

There’s a proposal to film a movie about El Chavo del Ocho. A kicked soccer ball in the garden, while Roberto spends time with Graciela and kids, leads to the birth of El Chanfle, a waterboy for a football team. Figueras offers support from Club América, Chespirito insists El Chanfle will work for Las Chivas de Guadalajara.

The filming of El Chanfle is full of goodbyes. Marcos announces his departure to start his own show as Quico, even though Roberto warned him not to be tied to a single character. Arguments between Mariano and Margarita, defended by Roberto, escalate to a physical fight. The misunderstanding between Marcos Barragán and Televisora Estelar / Canal Alfa ends in a lawsuit, all because he refused to credit Chespirito as the creator of the Quico character. His potential new show was already authorized by Figueras.

Breakups and Triumph

Ramón, affected by the atmosphere, thanks Chespirito and informs him that he has decided to leave with Marcos.

Roberto misses his 23rd wedding anniversary with Graciela. She throws him Margarita’s underwear, which she kept for a year since Chile. She says she’s tired of everything revolving around him. Roberto doesn’t answer when she asks if he’s happy there. She kicks him out of his own house.

Graciela announces to her children that Roberto will no longer live there. He moves in with his brother Francisco. A year later, Graciela calls Roberto so he picks up his belongings from the family home. He tries to reconcile.

1981, Bogotá. Roberto, characterized as El Chavo, and surrounded by his coworkers, is greeted by three million people. His kids witness the magnitude of the event on television. Graciela smiles.

Roberto tells Margarita his desire to build something with her.

The Legacy

The episode closes with scenes of the late Roberto Gómez Bolaños and a message about his global influence: 50 years of uninterrupted broadcasting in over 90 countries and 50 languages, 690 television episodes, 20 films (including El Chanfle), 3 theater plays, 3 telenovelas (soap operas), 3 books, more than 100 characters, an impact on over one billion people, and 9 million attendees at his live events.

The song “Qué bonita vecindad” (What a beautiful neighborhood), with the actors and El Chavo del Ocho entering his barrel, is the very last scene of the HBO MAX series.

My Personal Opinion

I wondered if Roberto knew, or was just pretending, that Graciela knew about his affair.

His wife had to “look the other way” for a whole year before, literally, throwing the issue in his face.

There’s this dialogue after Roberto arrives late for the 23rd wedding anniversary dinner (it’s not established that there was a formal appointment between the spouses) because he was dealing with Quico’s lawsuit and a potential counter-suit:

Graciela: Late again?

Roberto: Grumpy again?

When Roberto shows Graciela the handwritten script for El Chanfle, she doesn’t seem to get the transcendence of Chespirito’s work. She didn’t marry “just any Godínez” (in Mexico, office workers are “a Godín / Godínez”, the name of Horacio Gómez Bolaños’ character in El Chavo del Ocho).

Can creative geniuses lead a normal family life? And what about their mental health?

During my last semester of Literary Creation in Sogem Coyoacán School, some professor made us read nothing but tormented, suicidal, psychopathic writers, just to make a point about the “artist’s neurosis” stigma.

I do know a few writers who have combined family life with publishing.

Many of my generation decided not to have children. Others got married and then divorced. Many of us got paying jobs and literature became a hobby, or a side hustle, or nothing but a memory.

I left Mexico City to start a family, so I said goodbye to anything else. I’m happier with my husband and my daughter. And, instead of writing about people who don’t even exist, I earn money by reading the Tarot cards.

Would I trade what I have for having been another writer? No.

Would I trade what I have for having been a Roberta Gómez Bolaños? I don’t even want to think about that! The scene where three million people greet him in Colombia was epic. I wish the episode had ended there.

Maybe Roberto and Graciela’s love survived better nowadays. Roberto would use voice recognition to write, while Graciela plays Sudoku or Bloons Tower Defense on Netflix, or she could attend video calls for her own business.

Imagine the burden of raising six children while your husband works all day. And imagine the stress of writing with deadlines for radio, television, theater, and cinema while your wife demands you to be home. Your boss (the most powerful man in Mexico, El Tigre Azcárraga… Someone told me an anecdote about how El Tigre was wearing pants and sneakers when he met the new and elegant Mexican president, Carlos Salinas de Gortari) forces you give up any personal life because Televisa come first.

Social media bullies talk as if Roberto Gómez Fernández and Paulina Gómez Fernández created this series with a single purpose: getting revenge. “You never forgive what they did to your mother (Graciela Fernández)”. The series is a lovely tribute to Chespirito, but malicious people say it’s also a punishment to their late father for abandoning them.

I hope there will be more seasons for Chespirito: Not really on purpose. I will watch it again, and I’m pretty curious about its dubbing to English. The series was HBO MAX’s most watched show in Latin America during these eight weeks.

There’s only one question left

Did Enrique Segoviano and Roberto Gómez Bolaños really have a physical fight?

Chespirito’s Deception in Chespirito Not really on purpose Episode 7

18/07/2025
El engaño de Chespirito a su esposa Graciela Fernández en el episodio 7 de "Sin Querer Queriendo". Chespirito's deception

Chespirito’s Deception in Chespirito Not really on purpose Episode 7

Read my posts about episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4, episode 5 and episode 6 here.

Lee este texto en español aquí: El engaño de Chespirito sin querer queriendo, episodio 7

Chespirito’s Deception: An Unexpected Turn in the HBO Max Series

The seventh episode of “Chespirito: Sin Querer Queriendo”, titled “Con Melón o con Sandía” (“On the fence”), is the most impactful to date. It not only unveils Chespirito’s deception towards his wife Graciela Fernández but also reveals a narrative manipulation by the series itself, available online on HBO Max.

A Marriage in Crisis and Creative Block

The episode begins with Chespirito’s return home after a party, an encounter with Graciela that makes their estrangement clear.

On the set of “El Chavo del Ocho”, Marcos expresses his frustration of filming recycled sketches. Margarita creates resentment among her colleagues, who label her a sycophant, while Roberto seems to pay attention to her.

The World Tour: Solitude and Passion

The announcement of a world tour that will take the cast to Chile. Roberto invites Graciela, who declines. During the tour, loneliness and pressure open the door to intimacy. Roberto and Margarita find themselves alone in the hotel bar; conversation flows, dancing and a confession of “hunger for kisses” leads to a passionate moment. The next morning Tony sees Margarita leaving Roberto’s room, revealing Chespirito’s deception to his wife.

Secrets at Home and Confessions

Back in Mexico, the discovery of a woman’s underwear in Roberto’s suitcase by the domestic worker, who hides it from Graciela. Roberto’s daughter’s engagement and Graciela’s words about the true meaning of a commitment. The confrontation between Roberto and Margarita, where he explains he’s not the man for her. The domestic worker finally confesses to Graciela.

The Series’ Deception and the Final Breakup

The filming of the “El Chavo del Ocho” episode in Acapulco. This is where the true deception of the series is revealed. Previous episodes had shown scenes from this filming and its conflicts, but without revealing that the incident in Chile and Chespirito’s infidelity with Margarita had already occurred.

The tension explodes on Acapulco beach, where Roberto and Graciela argue. Roberto’s pain at seeing her engaged to Mariano, Graciela’s demand that he make a decision; she throws her ring into the sea and breaks off her engagement.

The bonfire scene and Graciela’s tears to the rhythm of Jeanette’s “Frente a Frente” song close this episode with a heartache.

“On the fence” not only explores the dark side of Chespirito’s personal life but also plays with the viewer’s perception.

My Personal Opinion

The series waited almost to the last episode to reveal that Chespirito’s deception had already occurred. For me it was a low blow from the screenwriters (Roberto Gómez Fernández and Paulina Gómez Fernández). It felt like watching a two-hour movie only to find out at the end that nothing ever happened, that it was just a dream.

Throughout the entire series, I haven’t seen Margarita’s supposed “evil.” Marco’s, yes. And after María Antonieta de las Nieves’s cameo, I suppose there won’t be any talk of how she legally stole the character of La Chilindrina.

Yes, I cried with Graciela Fernández, Chespirito’s wife, and the song “Frente a Frente”, it’s one of those songs that makes you cry every single time no matter what. But Graciela Fernández attitude seems incomprehensible to me: she says she won’t go to the tribute party, she arrives unannounced, and she leaves before Roberto sees her. WTF?

And why she didn’t want to go to Chile? They weren’t going to fire her from her job, because she didn’t have one…

Like, c’mon, you rather went to Acapulco but not to Chile?

In theory, if someone was stealing my husband, I’d fight against it and against anyone. But she has this languid and passive attitude of “oh no, that’s not my world”, “oh no, you and I have nothing in common anymore”, blah blah blah, extremely tiresome, not even submissive but rather lazy, as if she didn’t care much anymore.

And well, I hope there’s a second season. I’ve really liked the series, with the exception of that “plot twist” which, to me, is nothing more than a deception by not revealing the truth. I’ll have to watch it again because in previous episodes I didn’t see anything strange between Roberto and Margarita —that is, I know the real-life facts, but in the series, I didn’t see any attitude from Margarita towards Roberto, but from him towards her.

Furthermore, where are the five years of sending flowers to Margarita?

And where are all the other women Roberto Gómez Bolaños cheated on Graciela Fernández with during the tours?

It’s also not specified whether Roberto and Margarita stayed together all that time, if the intimate moment only happened once, or what.

It would be very interesting if the real-life Margarita made a series now with her version of events. They say there are always three versions of any event: yours, mine, and the real one. And this is the version of Graciela Fernández’s children. The real one will never be known by us.

Let everyone draw their conclusions.

The price of fame, episode 6 of Chespirito, not really on purpose, HBO MAX

11/07/2025
Paola Montes de Oca es la actriz que interpreta a María Antonieta de las Nieves en "Chespirito: Sin Querer Queriendo", episodio 6, El precio de la fama. Paola Montes de Oca is the actress who plays María Antonieta de las Nieves in "Chespirito: Not really on purpose," episode 6, The Price of Fame.

The Price of Fame: A Critical Look at Chespirito’s Success in the HBO MAX Series

Read my posts about episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4 and episode 5 here.

Lee este texto en español: El Precio de la Fama, Episodio 6 de Chespirito Sin Querer Queriendo – Reseña Completa

The sixth episode of “Chespirito: Sin Querer Queriendo”, titled “The Price of Fame“, available online on HBO Max, shows us the work challenges and personal sacrifices that Mexican artist Roberto Gómez Bolaños found during his rise to fame. The narrative starts in Mexico City in 1973, when an accident with a gun forced him to write his scripts by hand.

This episode explores the work and family tensions as Chespirito’s popularity and his cast grow. Nowadays, he’s considered a legend.

La Chilindrina’s Departure

The chapter begins with the departure of Mexican actress María Antonieta de las Nieves, who doesn’t want to keep on acting as her character La Chilindrina. When the cast starts their first international tour in Nicaragua, María Antonieta observes the news with some kind of regret.

Margarita and Marcos entanglement

The series shows Graciela’s criticism of the close “friendship” (?) between Margarita and Marcos, who is married, or the compromises with Jacobo Pérez, an executive from the Musicana record label, who proposes to Roberto the recording of his very first musical album.

The Return of María Antonieta de las Nieves

1974, Roberto and his family relocated to a more luxurious home. The misunderstandings in the cast intensifies with the return of María Antonieta (Tony) as Doctor Chapatin’s nurse.

Musical Albums

The first musical album’s and the proposal for a second with the collaboration of the entire casts except Marcos as he already signed with another record label. A heated discussion about “everyone else is getting rich,” culminating in a fight between Marcos and Margarita, who were already a couple.

350 Million Viewers Weekly

The impact of international success on Roberto’s family life. Graciela, his wife, reproaches him for his absence from family dinners.

1976. Figueras, owner of Televisora Estelar (Canal Alfa), summons him although Roberto promised to attend his daughter Paulina’s dance presentation. He arrives on time with Figueras, who was meeting with Lucía Méndez. Figueras reveals to Roberto the magnitude of his success: 350 million weekly viewers across Latin America. The gift of a new car and a tribute party.

Kicked Out of His Own Home

Graciela locks Roberto out of his own house, hurt by his absence at Paulina’s presentation and by a kiss mark on Roberto’s cheek (it was Lucía Méndez).

Graciela sends him to sleep in the luxurious new car.

Tribute Party

The tribute party, which Roberto attends alone, underscores his growing isolation. Luzma’s call, at Tony’s request, to ask why Graciela isn’t at the party, and Graciela’s excuse of “having nothing to wear”. Mariano invites Margarita out.

Graciela arrives at the party but leaves. Roberto tries to catch her when Tony notifies him of her presence, but he is unable to reach her. Graciela tells Roberto that he can’t leave his own party.

“The Price of Fame” exposes how success can erode the pillars of a person’s life. The series doesn’t just glorify Chespirito’s genius but invites reflection on the hidden costs of popularity.

In Real Life

María Antonieta’s Pregnancy

María Antonieta de las Nieves was pregnant with her son Gabriel in 1973, during a break in the filming of “El Chavo del 8”. Although she was pregnant, she continued to play La Chilindrina. She stopped filming for a year and a half due to her advanced eight-month pregnancy. During this time, her character, La Chilindrina, was “sent” to Celaya, Guanajuato, to live with her aunts, according to the series’ plot.

In that period, new characters were introduced to the neighborhood, such as El Ñoño, La Popis, and Godínez. Subsequently, in 1974, she was given the opportunity to host her own show, “Pampa Pipiltzin”, on Canal 13 of Imevisión. La Chilindrina (María Antonieta de las Nieves’ character) returned to “El Chavo del Ocho” in 1975.

Chespirito’s Albums

Chespirito’s first albums were released by Polygram and its subsidiary Discos Fontana. He released his first music album in 1976.

Quico’s Record Label

In 1976, Carlos Villagrán signed a contract with the EMI record label to record an album with Quico’s songs, as an exclusive artist. This contributed to his departure from Chespirito’s programs in 1978, as it was a breach of contract within Televisa’s sphere. The record label even released Quico’s album in competition with Chespirito’s. Due to this exclusivity contract, Carlos Villagrán’s voice (as Quico) could not appear on “El Chavo del 8” albums.

Copyright of the Character Quico

The main conflict revolved around the authorship and ownership of the character Quico. Roberto Gómez Bolaños was the creator of all his characters. Carlos Villagrán argued that he had contributed to Quico’s personality and characteristics, and therefore felt he had rights over him. This legal dispute lasted for years and was the main reason why Villagrán had to change the name from “Quico” to “Kiko”.

Televisa’s Ban on Carlos Villagrán

Once Villagrán left Televisa and began using the character of Quico/Kiko on his own, Televisa (Chespirito held the registered copyrights) initiated a legal persecution in several countries to prevent him from using the character. Carlos Villagrán had to seek opportunities in other Latin American countries (such as Venezuela).

Federrico in Venezuela

The Venezuelan program “Federrico” was a comedy series produced by RCTV in Venezuela between 1982 and 1983. It was created, written, produced, and starred by Carlos Villagrán, who played a character very similar to Quico, but with the name “Federrico” (or “Kiko” in some adaptations, to avoid legal issues with Televisa).

What was Ramón Valdés doing in “Federrico”?

Ramón Valdés, known for his iconic role as Don Ramón in “El Chavo del 8”, joined Carlos Villagrán in “Federrico” playing a character called “Don Moncho”. This character was a Venezuelan version of Don Ramón: a poor, lazy neighbor with the same characteristics and humor. His presence in “Federrico” was notable and sought to replicate the chemistry he had with Villagrán in “El Chavo del 8”.

Ramón Valdés’s departure from “El Chavo del 8” and his participation in “Federrico”:

  • Internal tensions: There were frictions and disagreements within the cast, especially with Florinda Meza. Ramón Valdés preferred to avoid confrontations.
  • Solidarity with Carlos Villagrán: One version, maintained by Carlos Villagrán himself, is that Ramón Valdés left the show in solidarity with him after his departure. Both actors maintained a good relationship and worked together on “Federrico” and “¡Ah, qué Kiko!”.

Although “Federrico” had some popularity in Venezuela, it did not achieve the same cultural impact or massive success as “El Chavo del 8”.

Chespirito, the Most Profitable Mexican Artist of All Time

Chespirito (Roberto Gómez Bolaños) is the most profitable Mexican artist of all time. His legacy extends beyond the personal fortune, reaching the generation of massive cultural and commercial value over decades.

What distinguishes Chespirito and positions him as a phenomenon is the global reach and enduring nature of his works:

  • Massive and transgenerational audience: “El Chavo del 8” and “El Chapulín Colorado” were not only successes in Mexico but were broadcast in almost all Latin American countries and many others around the world, being translated into dozens of languages. His characters remain recognizable and loved by new generations.
  • Royalties and re-runs: Years after these productions ended, his shows continued and, in many cases, are still re-broadcast. This has generated constant income from royalties for broadcasting rights.
  • Merchandising and licenses: The Chespirito universe gave rise to a million-dollar merchandising industry. Toys, clothing, books, school supplies, video games… Licenses to use his characters and intellectual properties remain very valuable.
  • Diversification: Chespirito also explored film, theater, music, and literature.
  • Post-mortem estate: Even after his death in 2014, his estate remains robust and generates significant profits thanks to intelligent management and the continued popularity of his creations.

While artists like Luis Miguel (considered the wealthiest Mexican singer due to his musical career and massive tours) or Juan Gabriel have accumulated fortunes, Chespirito’s phenomenon is unique due to the longevity and income-generating capacity of his characters and television series through re-runs and merchandising decades after their original creation.

While other artists generate large incomes from tours or record sales, Chespirito’s model, based on the intellectual property of characters and scripts with universal appeal, has proven to transcend generations and changes in consumption.

My Personal Opinion

I hated Graciela Fernández. Locking Roberto out of the house he paid working long hours at Televisa. It wasn’t just about showing up and filming each episode: it was about writing, producing, rehearsing, and promoting them.

It’s not that she didn’t work hard raising six children, but any wife of a successful man, if she didn’t have her own career, should have understood that he had a schedule to meet, that he wasn’t his own boss. Roberto was under the orders of Figueras (Emilio Azcárraga “El Tigre Azcárraga”).

It’s not that she didn’t know “her place,” but women who worked outside the home did so because they were single mothers or widows, or because their husband’s salary wasn’t enough. Graciela Fernández was neither a single mother nor a widow, and Roberto Gómez Bolaños surely earned enough money to support another two hundred children.

Graciela was so short-sighted because Chespirito already was a legend back then. He wasn’t just any comedian, and even Germán Valdés Tin-Tan or Pedro Infante don’t have such a fanbase (except grandpas and grandmas) today.

Roberto paid for their giant house with a garden and cars.

It’s no wonder why that matrimonial relationship ended.

Meanwhile, Chespirito kept on working.

With one wife… or with the other.

Chespirito series review episode 5: The purchase of Channel 8

05/07/2025
Captura de pantalla del episodio 5 de Chespirito: Sin querer queriendo en HBO Max. La compra del Canal 8 por Canal Alfa. Screenshot from episode 5 of Chespirito Not really on purpose on HBO Max. Canal Alfa's acquisition of Channel 8.

Chespirito series review episode 5: The purchase of Channel 8

Read my posts about episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, and episode 4 here.

Lee este texto en español: La compra del Canal 8 en Chespirito Sin querer queriendo episodio 5

The Purchase of Channel 8

The fifth episode of “Chespirito: Not really on purpose” titled “He Who Laughs Last…”, available online on HBO MAX, shows us in the television business of the 1970s in Mexico, with a central focus on the purchase of Channel 8 and the already famous Chespirito. The narrative jumps between 1972 and 1978, getting us into the evolution of Roberto Gómez Bolaños’ career and his challenges.

Ernesto Figueras’ Ambition

The episode begins in Mexico City in 1972, with the cast of El Chavo del Ocho about to record their TV show . The competition at Canal Alfa (Channel 2 from Televisa in real life) craves Channel 8’s success, and its owner, Ernesto Figueras (Emilio Azcárraga Milmo “El Tigre Azcárraga”), obsessed with the idea of having Chespirito in his company, tells to Pepe Jamaica: “If you can’t create talent, then bring it in”.

Ups and Downs at Channel 8

Chespirito’s situation at Channel 8 becomes unstable. Luis de Llano Palmer, instead of attracting Chespirito to Canal Alfa, joins Channel 8. Peña arrives to announce the cancellation of Roberto Gómez Bolaños’ show; however, Chespirito gets not one but three weekly programs: “El Chavo del Ocho” (The kid of the eight / The boy of the eight), “El Chapulín Colorado” (The Red Grasshopper), and “El Ciudadano Gómez” (Citizen Gómez). Gómez Bolaños’ influence grows in television, and in Channel 8 he enjoys absolute freedom.

Chespirito series review here! Chespirito not really on purpose. Chespirito sin querer queriendo
Mexican legend Roberto Gómez Bolaños “Chespirito”.

Offers and Loyalties

Figueras’ offers a tripled salary and abonus, but Chespirito is loyal. The cast, with the exception of Margarita, fears betrayal, while Rubén Aguirre tries to convince Roberto to take the opportunity. Chespirito refuses to break his contract with Channel 8, Pepe Jamaica warns this decision could “be the end of his career”. Roberto signs a contract renewal for 60 more weeks.

Personal and Professional Conflicts

Personal conflicts affected the team. Acapulco in 1978 reveals friction especially with Marcos, who seeks opportunities outside Mexico. And Graciela questions Chespirito’s feelings for Margarita.

An Unexpected Outcome

The death of Ernesto Figueras Legorreta (Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta) among with the intervention of figures like the then President of the Mexican Republic, Luis Echeverría Álvarez, culminates in the resolution of the main conflict. The episode closes with Figueras, unable to hire Chespirito, buying Channel 8 outright. This consolidates Chespirito’s position and his team.

What happened in real life?

Canal Alfa: Telesistema Mexicano (Televisa). Canal 8: Televisión Independiente de México

“Channel Alpha” in Chespirito’s series: Sin Querer Queriendo

In the series, “Channel Alpha” is the representation of Telesistema Mexicano, the largest television conglomerate in Mexico. The character of Ernesto Figueras in the series, the owner of Channel Alpha, is clearly inspired by Emilio Azcárraga Milmo, known as “El Tigre Azcárraga”.

Telesistema Mexicano operated channels 2, 4, and 5, and was the competitor of Televisión Independiente de México (TIM), the company behind Channel 8.

Channel 8 in real life

Televisión Independiente de México (TIM) launched in the late 1960s and was more innovative and with greater creative freedom than Telesistema Mexicano. Roberto Gómez Bolaños, “Chespirito”, started in Telesistema Mexicano (Channel 8 / Canal 8) with shows like “Los Supergenios de la Mesa Cuadrada,” which would eventually lead to “El Chavo del 8” and “El Chapulín Colorado.”

The merger between Channel 8 and Telesistema Mexicano

Telesistema Mexicano did not buy Channel 8; instead, they merged. This gave rise to what is now known as Televisa (Televisión Vía Satélite, S.A. de C.V.) on January 8, 1973.

The merger was the result of presidential orders, economic pressures, and the need to consolidate TV in Mexico. It is said that it was a strategy to create a single dominant company, so talents and content were under the Televisa umbrella. Successful Channel 8 programs, such as Chespirito, migrated to Channel 2.

This consolidation gave Roberto Gómez Bolaños an even larger platform to reach millions of homes.

El Tigre Azcárraga did try to “steal” Chespirito

Emilio Azcárraga Milmo, owner of Telesistema Mexicano after the death of his father, Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta, did attempt to bring Chespirito and his cast from Channel 8 to his TV channel.

Azcárraga Milmo sent executives to offer Roberto Gómez Bolaños a tempting contract, with a higher salary and favorable conditions. However Chespirito remained firm in his loyalty to Channel 8 and his team.

The situation changed with the merger of Telesistema Mexicano and Televisión Independiente de México (TIM), which operated Channel 8, to form Televisa. The uncertainty about the future of Chespirito’s programs on Channel 8 led him to approach Emilio Azcárraga to negotiate.

In the end, his programs migrated to Channel 2 of the newly formed Televisa. Although it is not detailed the exact raise he had been offered, Chespirito and his cast became part of Mexico’s largest television station.

The “Chespirito” show became one of the most profitable in television history, generating billions of dollars for Televisa over the years.

My Personal Opinion

I love this series. I love details like the special effects used to make El Chapulín Colorado (The Red Grasshopper) appear smaller when taking his Chiquitolina pills.

At the beginning of the episode, there’s a recording of El Chavo del Ocho, and I find it notable that they used the original musical piece “Marcia Alla Turca” by Ludwig Van Beethoven. Chespirito was sued for using Jean-Jacques Perrey’s “The Elephant Never Forgets” without paying royalties.

It’s incredible to me how such a beautiful series, which has subtly addressed personal issues, has provoked such a massive hatred towards “la vieja chancluda” (the old flip-flop lady), aka Chespirito’s second wife (Florinda Meza). The fault lies not in the series, but in the herd mentality that believes to have the moral right to cancel today a person for whatever they did or said decades ago. That, to me, is nothing more than cyberbullying by anonymous masses who create and share memes (the apotheosis of collective gossip) about it because, otherwise, what would the average Mexican do over the internet?, learn differential equations online?

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