Desi Arnaz & Lucille Ball’s “I Love Lucy” to Receive Television Academy’s First-Ever Legacy Award

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Desi Arnaz’s lasting legacy alongside Lucille Ball is being celebrated in a special way.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced that the seminal sitcom I Love Lucy will receive its inaugural Legacy Award, a new honor to be bestowed upon a television program that’s made a profound and generational impact on audiences and remains relevant to society, culture and the industry today.

Arnaz and Ball’s landmark comedy is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. It will be feted in a special tribute during Night 2 of the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on September 6.

I Love Lucy starred Ball and Arnaz as homemaker Lucy and conga drummer Ricky Ricardo and their neighbor friends Ethel and Fred Mertz (Vivian Vance and William Frawley).

The situation comedy that defined the term aired from 1951-57 on CBS and was an was an out-of-the-box smash. It ranked among in the year-end Top 3 among primetime shows in each of its six seasons, topping the list for four of them including 1952-53, when it posted a 67.3 rating — meaning that fully two-thirds of all homes that had a TV were tuned in on a average night.

Arnaz, who also was an executive producer, and the I Love Lucy production team pioneered the use of the three-camera filming format before a live studio audience, setting a production standard that continues to influence television comedies today.

The show won four Emmys — including Best Situation Comedy Series back-to-back in 1953 and 1954. Ball won twoBest Actress in a Comedy Series Emmys for the show, was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1984 and received the Governors Award in 1989.

Arnaz was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

Ball and Arnaz were able to maintain creative control of the series by taking a substantial pay cut in exchange for full ownership of its negatives, allowing them to replay episodes. That move by the duo behind Desilu Productions invented the concept of TV syndication and the blueprint for residuals.

“I Love Lucy truly helped define what television could be,” said Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy. “Beyond its place in television and cultural history as one of the medium’s most beloved shows, its creative ambition, technical innovation and groundbreaking approach to the business of television established a blueprint that continues to influence our industry 75 years later. We are proud to celebrate a series whose impact is so enduring as the first recipient of the Television Academy’s Legacy Award.”

The two-night Creative Emmy Awards will be edited into a single broadcast airing Saturday, September 12, on FXX.

The 78th annual Primetime Emmys is set for Monday, September 14, live on NBC and Peacock.

Eva Longoria to Direct Film Adaptation of Xochitl Gonzalez’s Novel “Anita de Monte Laughs Last”

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is laughin’ last…

The 50-year-old Mexican American actress, director and producer will re-team with Searchlight Pictures to helm author Xochitl Gonzalez’s film adaptation of her novel Anita de Monte Laughs Last.

Longoria also will produce the film through Hyphenate Media Group, her production company with Cris Abrego, along with Jada Miranda.

The New York Times bestseller tells the story of a first-generation Ivy League student who uncovers the genius work of a female artist decades after her suspicious death. Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a propulsive examination of power, love, and art, daring to ask who gets to be remembered and who is left behind in the rarefied world of the elite.

The book was on Reese’s Book Club Pick and listed as Best Book of 2024 by Kirkus, Time, NPR, Goodreads, Electric Lit and more.

Longoria and Searchlight last teamed on the 2023 feature Flamin’ Hot, which served as the multi-

hyphenate’s feature directorial debut. Based on the novel A Boy, a Burrito and a Cookie: From Janitor to Executive by Richard Montañez, the feature stars Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez and Tony Shalhoub. The dramedy received written by Yvette Chávez and Lewis Colick earned multiple awards and nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

SVP Production’s Taylor Friedman and creative executive Daniel Yu will be overseeing Anita de Monte Laughs Last for Searchlight Pictures, reporting to co-heads of production and development DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas.

Gonzalez published her debut novel Olga Dies Dreaming in 2022, which became a New York Times bestseller and was ordered to pilot by Hulu, which Gonzalez adapted.

She is a staff writer at The Atlantic and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for her work there

Longoria’s recent work also includes Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain, an eight-part CNN Original series chronicling her immersive gastronomic journey across Spain, following the success of her previous Searching for Mexico.

It was also recently announced that Longoria will expand the “Searching For” franchise with Searching for France, which is in production.

Through her Hyphenate Media Group, Longoria champions creator-led stories for global audiences.

She has a history of directing over the last decade, with past credits including the boxing documentary La Guerra Civil for DAZN.

Up next, she will also direct the Paula Pell-penned Netflix comedy The Fifth Wheel with Gloria Sanchez producing.

FX & Disney+ Latin America to Release Eva Longoria’s Docuseries “Necaxa” in August

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is getting in the game…

FX and Disney+ Latin America’s Necaxa docuseries from the Mexican American actress, director and producer and Welcome to Wrexham‘s Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds, will premiere Thursday, August 7 on FXX.

Episodes will be available next day on Hulu and the series will also be available on Disney+ internationally.

Necaxa will premiere two episodes each Thursday for the first three weeks followed by one episode each Thursday until the season finale on Thursday, September 18.

The bilingual sports docuseries will “chronicle a turbulent, transformational time marked by staff shake-ups, career-defining injuries and the relentless grit of a football team determined to defy expectations and deliver hope to its city of Aguascalientes, Mexico,” according to the logline.

The series promises “unprecedented behind-the-scenes access” as it follows the emotional journeys of the players, fans and skeptics.

Necaxa is executive produced by Longoria, Cris Abrego, Rachelle Mendez, Nicholas Frenkel, Jackie Cohn, George Dewey, Mac, Reynolds, Alex Fumero and Diana E. Gonzales. The series is produced by Hyphenate Media Group, More Better Productions, Maximum Effort and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Eva Longoria Partners with “Welcome to Wrexham” Team on New FX & Disney+ Latin America Bilingual Sports Docuseries Following Mexico’s Club Necaxa

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is getting in the game…

The 49-year-old Mexican American actress, producer, director and business woman is steaming up with Welcome to Wrexham‘s Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds on a new FX and Disney+ Latin America bilingual sports documentary series following a new soccer club.

The untitled project, currently referred to as Bienvenidos a Necaxa, follows Mexico’s Club Necaxa, who were relocated to Aguascalientes, a working-class city known as the “land of good people,” after struggling for several seasons in their original home in bustling Mexico City.

The Spanish/English language series will be led by club owner Longoria, who, alongside co-owners McElhenney and Reynolds, will help breathe new life into Los Rayos as they focus on reclaiming the team’s place as one of Mexico’s top.

Production is set to start soon, which makes sense given that Liga MX, the top professional soccer league in Mexico kicks off its season in July.

The show won’t, however, follow promotion and relegation, as Welcome to Wrexham does given that Liga MX has scrapped both until at least 2026 due to financial problems with lower league teams.

Welcome to Wrexham was a new concept for actors and producers McElhenney and Reynolds that not only boosted their profiles but also interest in the titular team and soccer all over the world, specifically in the U.S. where the sport isn’t as popular as in Europe and South America.

The FX series recently concluded its third season, which followed the team as they landed back-to-back promotions, having been promoted out of non-league to the fourth-tier league. The docuseries was recently renewed by the network for a fourth season, which will follow their journey in League One, which confusingly is the third tier of English soccer.

The new series is executive produced by Longoria, Cris Abrego, Rachelle Mendez, Nick Frenkel, Jackie Cohn, George Dewey, McElhenney, Reynolds and Alex Fumero.

Fumero will serve as showrunner for the series, which is produced by Hyphenate Media Group, More Better Productions, Maximum Effort Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Eva Longoria to Host CNN’s Latest “Searching for” Series, “Searching for Spain”

Posted on May 15, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is sill searching…

The 49-year-old Mexican American actress, producer, director and business woman is returning to CNN for a revival of the Searching For franchise, with the latest installment focused on Spain.

Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain was announced during the Warner Bros. Discovery upfront in New York, with plans for a premiere in 2025.

Per CNN, the series will feature “a gastronomic pilgrimage across the rich tapestry of Spanish cuisine.” Longoria “will enjoy some of Spain’s most iconic traditional dishes and explore how innovative Spanish cuisine is propelling the future of fine dining.”

Longoria previously partnered with CNN on Searching for Mexico. The series order is a signal that the network, after announcing a cutback in original series and films from outside suppliers, is returning to an emphasis on such longform projects under new CEO Mark Thompson.

Searching for Spain comes from Hyphenate Media Group.

Longoria, Cris Abrego, Rachelle Mendez and Shauna Minoprio are executive producers for Hyphenate Media Group. Amy Entelis and Lyle Gamm are the executive producers for CNN Original Series. Banijay Rights will handle international distribution of the series.

Episodes of Searching for Mexico are available on Max.

Dany Garcia Appointed to Television Academy’s Executive Committee

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Dany Garcia has joined the committee…

Television Academy chair Cris Abrego has announced his appointees to the Television Academy Executive Committee for 2024, including the 55-year-old Cuban American film producer and businesswoman.

Garcia is the founder of GSTQ and the CEO and chair of The Garcia Companies overseeing a portfolio of brands in business, entertainment, and food, including Seven Bucks Productions, Teremana Tequila, Athleticon and the Project Rock Collection at Under Armour, VOSS, Atom Tickets, Salt & Straw, ZOA Energy, Acorns and the UFL.

In addition to Garcia, other appointees include returning members Pearlena Igbokwe and John Landgraf, along with Brandon Riegg, Paul Buccieri and Amy Reisenbach.

They will advise Abrego on the organization’s direction and its core initiatives and work with the Television Academy’s officers and the board of governors to guide the Academy throughout the year.

“I am thrilled to welcome these industry luminaries to the Academy’s Executive Committee and feel fortunate to be able to count on their counsel to drive the Academy forward and bolster its mission,” said Abrego. “Their partnership will be invaluable to the Academy, and to me personally, as we work together to lead this organization and the Emmys themselves into the future, ensuring both their relevance and impact.”

The Academy’s Board of Governors also has elected the following Peer Group Governors as their representatives on the executive committee for the 2024 term: Wendy Aylsworth (Science & Technology), Eddie Bonin (Special Visual Effects), Jo DiSante (Television Executives) and Larry Rosenthal (Stunts). Tina Perry, chair of the Television Academy Foundation, will also serve on the committee.

Eva Longoria to Appear on Season Four of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building”

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is entering the building…

The 48-year-old Mexican American actress, who recently made her feature film directorial debut with Flamin’ Hot, has been cast in Hulu‘s Only Murders in the Building Season 4 in a recurring role.

Details regarding the new season’s plot and character descriptions remain under wraps. However, new episodes will reportedly focus on unraveling the murder of Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch), Charles-Haden Savage’s (Steve Martin) mind-bogglingly identical stunt double from his years on the series Brazzos and its 2020 revival.

Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich revealed in a recent Deadline interview that the Only Murders In the Building trio: Charles, Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez), will kick off the new season with a trip to Los Angeles before returning to The Arconia in their search of Sazz’s killer.

Longoria’s character becomes integral to the twists and turns of this season’s investigation, sources close to production reveal.

She joins Molly Shannon, the first new cast member announced for Season 4, in the role of a high-powered LA businesswoman who finds herself drawn into the world of the investigation in New York.

Meryl Streep recently set her Season 4 return reprising the role of Loretta Durkin.

In the Season 3 finale—following her highly praised performance in Oliver’s Broadway hit Death Rattle Dazzle— Loretta received two offers in productions that would require her to relocate to Los Angeles. Her new beau Oliver is into this idea as it would allow him to visit the City of Angels. Mabel’s new love interest Tobert (Jesse Williams) is also headed west, and surprisingly, she’s also keen on taking a little break from New York.

The Emmy-nominated comedy, produced by 20th Television, is co-created and co-written by Steve Martin and John Hoffman who also executive produce alongside Short, Gomez, Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal.

Longoria recently kicked off promotions for her new Apple TV+ series Land of Women in which she executive produces and stars opposite Carmen Maura. The six-episode dramedy series is inspired by Sandra Barneda’s best-selling novel of the same name and will be presented in both Spanish and English.

In addition to her work directing, acting and producing through her production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, Longoria partnered last fall with Cris Abrego to form the new media holding company and premium content studio, Hyphenate Media Group. Land of Women is the company’s first project.

Up next, she is set to star in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Longoria will also produce and star in the TV adaptation of Isabel Allende’s bestselling novel The House of the Spirits for FilmNation Entertainment. The series is a family saga following the extraordinary lives of three generations of women in the Trueba Family, Longoria will portray Blanca Trueba, one of the passionate and courageous women leaders.

Other upcoming projects include the Disney+ original series, from 20th Television, Paola Santiago and the River of Tears, currently in development. The series is inspired by the legend of La Llorona (the weeping woman) and follows teenage Paola on a quest to save her best friend from a different world steeped in Latin folklore that defies logic and legend; and the HBO film A Class Apart, which tells the incredible true story of a group of Mexican Americans fighting for their civil rights during a landmark case that leads to the Supreme Court.

Cris Abrego Elected Chairman of Television Academy

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Cris Abrego is officially a chairman…

The Latino television producer, writer and television executive has been elected by the Television Academy’s Board of Governors as its chairman for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2024.

Abrego succeeds Frank Scherma, who was no longer eligible after serving two terns as chairman.

It was previously reported that Abrego was poised to become Chairman of the Primetime Emmys organizer. He was reportedly running uncontested with strong internal support stemming from his work on the Academy’s executive committee and as chairman of the Television Academy Foundation since 2021.

Abrego is the longtime Banijay U.S. chief who recently set up his own production group with Eva Longoria. He is Chairman of Banijay Americas and oversees the North American and Latin American divisions of Banijay, which acquired Endemol Shine a few years ago.

Previously, Abrego served as CEO of Endemol Shine Holdings. As co-founder of 51 Minds Entertainment, Abrego is considered an early architect of the unscripted television genre. He grew that company from its boutique beginnings to a major unscripted studio acquired by Endemol five years later.

Last month, he also launched Hyphenate Media Group with Longoria, where he is CEO, a Banijay-backed venture that will develop and produce its own slate as well as invest in creator-led companies.

“I am honored to step into this role and feel the significant weight of responsibility in leading the Television Academy into the future, especially in this transformative moment in our business,” Abrego said. “As the entertainment ecosystem continues to undergo seismic shifts, I look forward to linking arms with our new officers and governors to lead our Academy and support our membership as we forge the path ahead together.”

The Academy also announced its newly elected officers and governors for the 2024-2025 term. Additionally, TV Academy President Maury McIntyre has added CEO to his title as he has renewed his contract through 2026. Chief Financial Officer Heather Cochran has also been named Chief Operating Officer. She and Chief Marketing Officer and SVP of Media & Brand Management Susan Spencer have extended their contracts through 2025

The incoming officers, elected by the Board of Governors, who will serve a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024, through December 31, 2025, are: Sharon Lieblein, Vice Chair; Rickey Minor, 2nd Vice Chair; Allison Binder, Secretary; and Ann Leslie Uzdavinis, Treasurer.

The Academy’s newly elected governors will serve a two-year term through 2025 along with their co-governors who continue to serve two-year terms ending December 31, 2024.

The Emmys are set to air on Fox on January 15, 2024, pushed due to the writers and actors strikes. They will be preceded by the Creative Emmys the weekend before.

Eva Longoria Teams Up with Cris Abrego to Launch Hyphenate Media Group

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is proving to be a real (multi)hyphenate…

The 48-year-old Mexican American actress, director and producer and Cris Abrego, two of the most high-profile Latinos in Hollywood, have joined forces.

Longoria and Abrego have launched Hyphenate Media Group, a new Banijay-backed venture that will develop and produce its own slate as well as invest in creator-led companies.

The company, which has been in the works for months, was announced during a keynote with the duo, who have been friends for years, at Mipcom.

Abrego will serve as the CEO of the company, and Longoria will serve as its Chief Creative Officer.

As part of its launch, Hyphenate has acquired the full slate of Longoria’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, which has been behind series such as NBC’s Telenovela, ABC’s Grand Hotel and CNN’s Searching for Mexico.

As such, Hyphenate will take on Apple TV+’s Land of Women, a six-part series starring and exec produced by the Desperate Housewives star that will launch in 2024.

The company will develop and produce both scripted and unscripted series and both of them will produce for the business with all television projects directed by Longoria also coming under the new banner, which is set to firm up its leadership team later this year.

Abrego, who founded Below Deck producer 51 Minds Entertainment in 2003, will remain Chairman of Americas for Banijay and he also serves as Chair of the Television Academy Foundation and a member of the Executive Committee for the Television Academy.

The move marks Banijay’s first investment into the scripted space in the U.S.

Speaking at Mipcom, Abrego spotlighted the decision-making behind launching a diverse content company, as he quoted research that found 50% of American under-18s are not white.

“Supporting creatives in their vision is what we will do,” he added. “The train has left the station and the content has to reflect that.”

He cited influential and talented diverse creatives such as Jordan Peele and Ali Wong, whose work “used to be niche but is now the center.”

Reflecting on the company’s name and MO, Longoria said people had always mistaken her for an actor-turned-producer but she is in fact a “producer-director that fell into acting.”

“That multi-hyphenate is not surviving in Hollywood because the industry wants you to stay in your lane, particularly women,” she explained. “So it was my frustration and Cris’s ambition a couple of years ago after I realized it’s not just me who feels this way. I know creators who are being suffocated by the system so Hyphenate will create the ultimate model.”

Longoria added that the current U.S. labor action is “a direct result of creators taking control back.”

Eva Longoria to Deliver Keynote Address at Mipcom Cannes Next Month

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Eva Longoria is preparing for a special keynote address…

The 48-year-old Mexican American actress, director, producer and Desperate Housewives star will deliver a joint keynote at Mipcom Cannes next month.

Alongside Banijay Americas chairman Cris Abrego, the Emmy-nominated Longoria will delve into the latest themes defining the entertainment industry, forecasting how they may shape the future both creatively and commercially.

The keynote will take place in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on Monday, October 16 at 4:00 pm local time, as part of Mipcom’s Media Masterminds track.

Longoria and Abrego have been professional collaborators for more than two decades. Their talk will highlight their experiences and insights as industry leaders.

Besides her acting roles, Longoria has run her own production business UnbeliEVAble Entertainment since 2005. The company is behind ABC’s Grand Hotel, NBC’s Telenovela and Netflix’s Emmy Award-nominated documentary Reversing Row, as well as the culinary docuseries Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico for CNN.

She made her feature directorial debut through Flamin’ Hot, which was released earlier this year through Searchlight Pictures on Disney+ and Hulu, and engages in philanthropic work and activism on issues such as diversity in the media and Latina entrepreneurism.

Abrego, the founder of 51 Minds Entertainment and a key player in the establishment of reality television in the U.S., is one of the most prominent television executives in the Americas and currently leads acquisitions and new business ventures across North and South America for Banijay.

“Mipcom Cannes is one of the industry’s most significant global marketplaces, and it’s an honor to join the conversation as a keynote speaker alongside Cris,” said Longoria. “Our industry is facing tremendous disruption and transformation which can lead to opportunities that can transform and reshape the future of what content looks like. I’m looking forward to discussing how we can drive what’s to come.”

Mipcom will run from October 17-19 in Cannes, France. Several industry keynotes such as Warner Bros Discovery International president Gerhard Zeiler have already been announced.

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