Hulu’s new series, “This Fool,” is not just any Latino show that tries to push the stereotypical Mexican American experience. Its effortless authenticity, relatability and humor make it a must-watch comedy series.
The show stars co-creator and stand-up comedian Chris Estrada as Julio Lopez, a 30-year-old who works at a South-Central Los Angeles gang rehabilitation nonprofit called “Hugs not Thugs,” and his cousin Luis, portrayed by Frankie Quinones, who is forced to partake in the nonprofit’s program after eight years in prison.
Julio, just like other millennials, is still living at home with his mother, Esperanza (Laura Patalano), and his grandmother, Maria (Julia Vera). He has to juggle work and home life, and now has to make sure Luis graduates from the program for his own sake and for that of the community.
Julio, having a heightened sense of responsibility for Luis since he’s familia, becomes his case manager. Right from the get-go, the two clash.
The two characters could not be more different as Julio is more of a square and Luis more of a wildcard. Both having pros and cons, they will learn to adjust to each other’s personalities, all while navigating life in South-Central LA.
The show draws from a lot of real-life experiences from Estrada, which makes it easy to relate to and understand the certain situations the characters face, from living in a multi-generational, bilingual and bicultural home run by a matriarch to Spanish, English and Spanglish being spoken in the home with smooth transitions among the three languages and having that one cousin that has served time and is stuck in the early 2000s.
Each episode explores real situations and experiences that most Latinos have probably been through, which just adds to the authenticity: from Grandma Maria blessing the house when she feels bad vibes and rubbing an egg on everyone to Esperanza trying to save money by stealing supplies from the office she cleans and having a family party to celebrate a child’s first communion with plenty of beer to go around.
The show also explores and sheds light on new ideas and situations in the Latino community such as mental health and going to therapy, which an old-school guy like Luis initially rejects, then embraces.
Seeing Latinos represented authentically in real-life situations makes relating to the show easier, thus making the comedy aspect of the show even better.
Even though “This Fool” is more catered for Latinos, the comedy in the show can be enjoyed by all walks of life, even if you have a different Latino experience or no experience at all.
I will, however, nitpick about a small detail in episode eight, “The Devil Made Me Do It,” in which a scene depicts the family gathered in front of a church for a child’s communion. The accompanying music is clearly Norteño because of the accordion, but the subtitle labels it as mariachi music. There is no accordion in traditional mariachi music. I don’t know how no one noticed this detail in a show that is all about the Mexican American experience.
Nonetheless, “This Fool” has set a standard for a Latino-centered comedy that focuses on the Mexican American experience through a modern lens.
