Simpsons bumblebee guy

[matt]

This is probably a cultural difference thing, but what is the TV guy in the giant bumblebee suit all about on The Simpsons?

[Ponster]

This page (http://www.snpp.com/guides/chespirito.html) says he's based on a Mexican comedianb


Roberto Gomez BolaNos, a.k.a "Chespirito", is a well known comedian in Mexico. His fame came with the TV shows "El Chapulin Colorado" (The Red Grasshopper) and "El Chavo del Ocho" (The Kid from the 8th.).

[friedo]

All I know is that I've seen the real-life Bumble-Bee guy on more than one occasion while channel-surfing through some of the spanish channels. I always assumed The SImpsons Bumble-Bee guy was that guy.

[Ooner]

I always figured Bumblebee guy was just a takeoff on mexican television in general. Most of the spanish TV shows I've seen pieces of are either serious melodramatic soap operas, or comedies more similar to Bumblebee guy in their excessive zaniness. 100% slapstick wacky costume crazy silly humor. I didn't realize he was based on any particular TV show, just the "wacky mexican comedy" genre in general.

[Barbarian]

You know, there's a stickie at the top of the forum with a direct link to the Simpsons FAQ. Lots of other cool stuff up there too.

[matt]

I always figured Bumblebee guy was just a takeoff on mexican television in general. Most of the spanish TV shows I've seen pieces of are either serious melodramatic soap operas, or comedies more similar to Bumblebee guy in their excessive zaniness. 100% slapstick wacky costume crazy silly humor. I didn't realize he was based on any particular TV show, just the "wacky mexican comedy" genre in general.

I'm on the other side of the Atlantic - no Spanish language or Mexican TV, so I don't have the cultural references. I figured Bumblegee guy was a spoof of something, but I didn't know what.

[Colibri]

Here's a page on El Chapulín Colorado, El Chavo & Chespirito (http://www.zonalatina.com/Zldata91.htm), including photos of the characters.

They are on all the time on daytime TV here in Panama.

[blowero]

All I know is that I've seen the real-life Bumble-Bee guy on more than one occasion while channel-surfing through some of the spanish channels. I always assumed The SImpsons Bumble-Bee guy was that guy.
Me too. I see the bumble-bee guy all the time. I always assumed the Simpsons was just spoofing the broad comedic skits you see on Spanish-language channels when you're channel-surfing.

[anson2995]

and here I always thought it was an homage to John Belushi...

[Smeghead]

On the DVD commentaries, they say that he was based on one very specific performer on Mexican TV - presumably the one that's been mentioned in this thread, but I don't remember the name.

[tomndebb]

presumably the one that's been mentioned in this thread, but I don't remember the name. Presumably, someone in Cafe Society can confirm or correct that impression (provided it is not on the Simpson's FAQ, mentioned above). At any rate, CS posters are going to get their shot at this.

[ /Moderator Mode ]

[Bryan Ekers]

Bumblebee Man can speak English, though. And rather well.

[Shoeless]

and here I always thought it was an homage to John Belushi...

Me too, I always thought it was a spoof of the old "Killer Bees" skits on the original SNL. Maybe they were also spoofing the Mexican character...?

[_xiao_wenti_]

I find Chespirito much funnier than the simpsons. I'd take CC any day over them. El Chavo del Ocho is a hoot as well. Ah, I miss Spanish language TV.