The main character of a Mexican sitcom produced in the 70s and 80s, by the
media conglomerate Televisa. It has been the most widely watched show in the Spanish language for decades.
Chavo is a homeless
orphan child who lives from the "charity" of the inhabitants of the
neighborhood where he hangs out. The other characters seem to amuse themselves by mocking him, hitting him, offering him food but then denying it, and generally torturing him.
Critics argue that its director, Roberto Gomez Bolaños,
aka Chespirito, has earned fame and fortune by taking advantage of the worst kinds of attrocities, such as child abuse,
violence, homelesness, hunger, etc, and has presented them in a "funny" way.
The show offers repetitive gags, which are followed by laughter cues, perhaps as an acknowledgement that the audience would otherwise not understand the purportedly funny situations.
Kiko: Hey Chavo, are you
hungry? Do you want this empanada (bringing it to Chavo'
s face)?
Chavo: yes!!!!
Kiko: cooompra!!! (go buy some!!! as he takes it away)
Chavo: pipipipipipippi!!!! (Chavo'
s signature cry, a common occurence throughout each episode)
Pre-recorded laughter
