Carlos Álvarez, 40 years of experience: what he said about El Chavo, Jorge Benavides, Alejandro Toledo, Fernando Olivera and more

Carlos Alvarez (Lima, 1964) masters the art of making people laugh seriously and seriously. He draws on national events, the news, politicians and his environment to create and recreate his countless characters. Four decades after his first appearance on television, in the historic “Springboard to Fame”, which has become one of the most important references in Peruvian comedy, the national comedian reflects on his vigorous artistic career, his imitations, his goals achieved and breaking moments. He also acknowledges having made mistakes that he paid for in spades. These are his confessions.

At the age of 18, a year before arriving on the program of the imposing Augusto Ferrando, Alvarez Loayza He joined the Voluntary Military Service in the Peruvian Navy. In that place where discipline and obedience prevail, and jokes are out of context, the comedian found much more than a space to express his humor.

“From the Armed Forces I have the greatest, most beautiful and sobering patriotic memories. I imitated almost all my commanders, but they never found out (laughs). I have an anecdote from that time. When Sergeant Cabrera realized that he was imitating him, he said: ‘It seems that there is a mimic here who wants to be an artist. That funny, humorous, who makes fun of his superiors, step forward, otherwise he will pay the whole company. As I came forward, he asked me to get into a 90 degree position. Then he gave me the good luck kick“, remember.

His destiny was written and his relationship with humor was imminent. Álvarez Loayza has been part of more than 30 humorous programs, such as “Risas y salsa”, “Las mil y una de Carlos Álvarez”, “Caiga quien caya”, “El especial del humor”, among others. He currently leads “The humor vaccine” by Willax Television. He also made it to the big screen. He acted in the films “El buen Pedro” and “Until the mother-in-law separates us.” And his funny imitations have been applauded both in Peru and abroad. But there were also some that brought him problems.

─ Is making political humor dangerous?

It is dangerous because many times it is irreverent and rebellious. It brought me very big and difficult problems: many notarized letters, I was on the verge of lawsuits. I fought with Paolo Guerrero over Paolín because he imitated him very conceited, also with General Donayre. Then we became friends. I remember that he went to “El especial del humor”, we did a parody together.

─The former president of Chile Michelle Bachelet was annoyed that you called her ‘Chanchelet’. In these times when there is a fight against the normalization of discrimination, do you think that you have gone too far?

I admit that I made a big mistake. I put him like that by mistake and offered him a public apology. When she came to Peru for a meeting of former presidents at the Sheraton Hotel, I went to see her and apologized to her again. She was surprised when I told her who she was. She first became serious, then she showed that she had a lot of strap. She recommended me to imitate her with her shorter hair. We ended up laughing that day. Another unforgettable memory was meeting the great Roberto Gómez Bolaños, whom I always admired.

“Doing political humor is dangerous because many times it is irreverent and rebellious”

How was that meeting?

When he came to Peru to put on a play, I visited him in his dressing room to express my admiration and respect. I had planned to tell him many things, but because I got nervous when I saw him, I couldn’t speak. My face burned. He congratulated me for doing political humor. He told me that it was difficult because it is elaborate and intelligent humor. Later, when I told him that he was great, he responded with a laugh: “Is he making fun of me?” It was a very fun meeting.

─What was your first imitation?

I started as a child. My uncles were the first ones I imitated, but they never found out (laughs). I was always respectful of that.

─Which character represented the greatest challenge?

It was hard for me to imitate Fujimori and Ollanta Humala because they are characters who, it is said, have no political biography. Ollanta is boring, he is monotonous when he speaks. Nadine Heredia is more entertaining.

─Who is in charge of the scripts?

Raúl Dávila, who is also my general producer, and we put our stuff on him. I have a talented team. We are always creating new characters, like the imitation of Dina Boluarte.

“It was hard for me to imitate Fujimori and Ollanta Humala because they are characters who -it is said- have no political biography”

─What do you think of the return of street comedians to television through “Jirón del humor”?

I see it well because they have a job and make people happy. This country needs to laugh, have fun, get rid of stress, depression and that political class of crap we have.

─ Was it true that you were removed from Channel 2, from “El especial del humor”, for a sketch about Carlos Carlín?

What was said was a mask, a catalyst. They fired me for a political issue, from politicians who were recycling themselves and who wanted to return to power. I whatI would like certain candidates to go so that it is a plural program, and some did not agree with that. Something similar happened on Channel 9, when he was on “El cartel del humor”. Ollanta and Nadine didn’t like the parodies we did. Especially that of Los Humadams, which was the Humala family as “Los locos Addams”. That sketch never came out.

─Will you make a pair with Jorge Benavides again, either on television or in the networks?

For me “El Especial” was a gift to the public. With Jorge, who is a great professional, we decided to revive some parodies and it worked very well. Between us there is no disagreement. There has always been great respect, but every marriage has an end, a cycle has been completed.

Hard times

And he becomes serious when he remembers the death threats he has been receiving through social networks, and the hard times he experienced in the 90s when he was accused of collecting money from the SIN to favor the government of former President Alberto Fujimori. That time he faced a trial from which he was acquitted after eight years.

“They were false accusations, slander. A political persecution was carried out with me, very cruel, in which I was about to go to prison ”, he points out. “I never received a penny from the SIN. I supported the government of that time because it fought against terrorism, something I experienced firsthand when a ton of dynamite was blown up at the gate of Channel 2 and people I loved very much died. We had left 20 minutes before that happened, otherwise we would also have died. When I returned, I found the channel in rubble, it smelled of death, of gunpowder. There were people buried. That night I felt a lot of hate and pain. That is why I supported that government, ”he emphasizes.

– Was it a mistake?

That’s how it is. I was wrong, I made this mistake of good will and I paid dearly for it. I asked the public for forgiveness and it took me years to reconcile. And I’ll make a reveal. During the trial, the invoices for the payment I received from Channel 7 disappeared. The one for the last seven months was missing, but I was able to get away with that issue because I had the copies. With that the judgment fell. Who disappeared them? The government of that time? Alejandro Toledo was as president and Fernando Olivera as Minister of Justice.

─After being acquitted, you recorded a sketch with Fernando Olivera for “El estelar del humor”. Did they talk about this topic that time?

First I talked to Alejandro Toledo because he invited me to his house, in Camacho. We had a cordial relationship. He had helped him in several campaigns, he went to my birthday, he had a lot of fun with me. When I asked him why he chased me like that. He told me that Fernando Olivera asked him to do it. It was a political issue and lies. And when I met Fernando, I complained to him. He told me that it was Toledo who ordered them to persecute me. And I say this before God, before the soul of my mother and the bones of my father. I decided to reveal it because many people called me a montesinist and corrupt.

─Why didn’t you tell it at the time?

It was very difficult, I felt that everything was against me: the judiciary, the prosecutor’s office, the attorney general’s office, the press. I felt like I was plowing into the sea.

Threats of death

In mid-2022, the artist said he had received death threats after making a parody of former first lady Lilia Paredes. And this Wednesday, last, she went to the Dirincri to denounce that he has been the victim of extortion by a group of foreign criminals who left a bullet near his home.

“Through false profiles, they told me that they were going to kill me on the way. I asked for guarantees for my life and took different protection measures. And now that I’m raising this flag against foreign crime, the threats have increased. It is a social flag that I am uniting with my political humor work. Peru is our home, we must respect it and make it respected. If they come from abroad to earn their bread, to join Peru, but for hitmen, assailants to come, it is not fair. I love my country and I don’t want it to be damaged”, he points out.

Finally, he evokes great memories that he embraces with nostalgia and gratitude, like the day he represented Peru at the International Festival of Colombia. Celebrate her 40 years of artistic career with “El Candidato”, a show in which she will parade her most acclaimed political figures, on June 9, 10 and 11 at the Bianca Convention Center.

“As a comedian I am an eternal fighter and I will continue on that path. As long as God gives me health and the people continue to tell me yes, I will continue without fainting. I plan to retire at the best time. Of that I’m sure. When? Don’t know. I leave it in the hands of God and fate”, he emphasizes.