Tag Archives: TV Land

George Lopez Teams Up with Daughter, Mayan Lopez, for New NBC Comedy Pilot “Lopez vs. Lopez”

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It’s a family affair for George Lopez…

The 60-year-old Mexican American comedian and actor will star alongside his daughter in Lopez vs. Lopez, a working-class family multi-camera comedy, which has received a put pilot commitment by NBC.

George Lopez & Mayan Lopez

The project hails from two key creatives behind another hit blue-collar family sitcom, The Conners executive producer/showrunner Bruce Helford, who co-created George Lopez with the comedian, and co-executive producer Debby Wolfe.

Written by Wolfe with Helford supervising, Lopez vs. Lopez, starring George Lopez and his real-life daughter, Mayan, is a working-class family comedy about dysfunction, reconnection and all the pain and joy in between.

It’s a reunion of sorts for father and daughter…

When she was 11, Mayan made her acting debut in an episode of her father’s eponymous ABC blue-collar family sitcom.

George Lopez, Wolfe and Helford executive produce with 3 Arts’ Michael Rotenberg and Katie Newman. Mayan Lopez is a producer.

Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group is the studio.

The project originated with Wolfe, a Salvadoran-American writer, who came up with the idea and worked on it with George and Mayan Lopez. Helford, who was executive producer/showrunner on George Lopez, helped connect Wolfe with the Lopezes and has been involved in the project in a supporting role.

This would mark the return to broadcast for George Lopez. His eponymous sitcom aired on ABC for six seasons and 120 episodes. While not a major hit in its original run on ABC, George Lopez was a solid performer and enjoyed a strong afterlife in syndication. A decade after its ABC premiere, the show continued to do well in primetime on cable, Nick at Nite and a Spanish-language version on MTV’s Tr3s, and in the afternoon in broadcast syndication.

After the end of George Lopez, the veteran comedian headlined two other comedy series, Saint George, which aired on FX, and Lopez, which ran on TV Land. He also hosted a late-night talk show for TBS.

STXtv Developing Chicano-Themed Series “Once Upon a Time in Aztlan” to Star George Lopez

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George Lopez has a little Timeon his hands for an ode to California’s Chicano culture…

STXtv is developing Once Upon a Time in Aztlan, a new television series anchored by the 59-year-old Mexican American actor/stand up comedian.

George Lopez

The project includes the participation of  famed photographer Estevan Oriol and iconic Los Angeles-based artist Mister Cartoon aka Mark Machado.

Michael Connolly, under his Mad Hatter Entertainment banner, brought the elements together. 

Lopez is in final talks to star and executive produce the project through his Travieso Productions, with Javier Rodriguez writing the pilot. Oriol and Cartoon will executive-produce.

“I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Cartoon, Estevan, Jada and Michael for this series and developing a show with STXtv,” Lopez said. “Cartoon and Estevan are the DaVincis of our community; they have been the street chroniclers of our uniquely Chicano story … our American story. I’m looking forward to working with them and the rest of the team to expand their canvas to capture the diverse stories and people that make our culture and community so amazing, colorful and vibrant.”

This authentic L.A.-based series examines a family coming to terms with the falsehoods of the American Dream and their ability to defy expectations.

“I want to create a vision of Los Angeles inspired by my tattoos and murals that enriches and showcases the culture, opening it up to new audiences,” Cartoon said. “Putting together the dream team of Latino street culture and a collection of creative minds headed up by George Lopez, who is born and raised in L.A. and is an icon of our community. George’s experience and sense of humor acts as a foundation for this team.”

The pilot will be directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, who helmed Eva Longoria and Demián Bichir in the Blumhouse/Imagine East L.A.-set drama, Lowriders.During that production, he worked closely with Oriol and Cartoon, who were also involved in the production. 

Oriol and Cartoon’s longtime collaborators Mark Suroff and Marco Valadez, who produced LA Originals, also will serve as executive producers with Connolly.

“I’m looking forward to developing this with Cartoon, George, Jada and Michael,” said Oriol. “STXtv truly gets what it takes to develop a real show that can only be made in LA. This is the dream team. Period. It doesn’t get more authentic than this and I’m proud and privileged to be invited on this ride.”

Lopez recently released his first Netflix comedy special. 

He previously starred in Lopez for TV Land and Saint George for FX. And he had a talk show that ran from 2009-11. While his hit comedy George Lopez, whichended in 2007, ran on ABC, STXtv will zero in on buyers in the cable and streaming markets.

Cartoon is L.A.’s legendary tattoo artist, designer and cultural icon whose stylish and influential global work has been featured on countless celebrities including Kobe Bryant, Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Beyoncé, Lewis Hamilton, Snoop Dogg and many others. Cartoon also designed the logos for Cypress Hill and Eminem’s Shady Records, and his résumé includes cutting-edge designs for Nike, the LA Clippers and T-Mobile and others.

Oriol is an internationally celebrated photographer, director and urban lifestyle entrepreneur. Beginning as a tour manager for Cypress Hill and House of Pain, he developed a passion for photography as he documented life on the road to become hip-hop’s best-known chronicler; his work has been showcased in bestselling books, select galleries, and institutions, including the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives,Mesa Contemporary Art Center, Petersen Automotive Museum, and The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles’ and New York’s Art in the Streets exhibit. He has photographed Eminem, Kim Kardashian, Cypress Hill, Dennis Hopper, Blink-182, Forest Whitaker, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Danny Trejo, among many others. He most recently executive produced the film Lowridersand directed the hit Netflix documentary L.A. Originals.

L.A. Originalswas critically acclaimed and extremely successful, introducing new fans to the world to Oriol and Cartoon.

Raúl Castillo to Star in the Indie Film “El Chicano”

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Raúl Castillo has landed a super new role…

The 39-year-old Mexican American actor will star in El Chicano, the indie film directed by Ben Bray (Supergirl) from a script he co-wrote with Joe Carnahan (Smokin’ Aces).

Raúl Castillo

It’s described as a dark, urban-inspired superhero movie, detailing the crime-fighting exploits of the mysterious barrio vigilante known as “El Chicano.”

The film also stars Lucifer star Aimee Garcia, George Lopez and Kate Del Castillo.

David Castaneda, Noel G, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Marco Rodriguez, Sal Lopez, and Mr. Criminal are also among the cast of the film, which is currently in production.

Castillo recurs in the Netflix series Atypical and was cast as a regular in the streaming giant’s upcoming crime drama series Seven Seconds.

Garcia recently wrapped shooting the film What They Had, opposite Michael Shannon and Hilary Swank.

Lopez currently stars in the TVLand sitcom Lopez.

del Castillo stars in the Netflix series Ingobernable.

Obradors to Star in FX’s “Sons of Anarchy” Spinoff Pilot “Mayans MC”

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Jacqueline Obradors has landed a mother of a role…

The 50-year-old Argentine American actress has been cast opposite JD Pardo in Mayans MC, Kurt Sutter’s Sons of Anarchy spinoff pilot for FX.

Jacqueline Obradors

Set in the aftermath of Jax Teller’s death at the end of SOA’s seven-season run in 2014, Mayans MC will focus on the struggles of Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (Pardo), a prospect in the Mayan MC charter on the California-Mexico border.

Obradors will play Marisol Reyes, the soulful matriarch of the Reyes family and EZ’s mother. Her rosary may be worn, but her righteous sense of justice remains vibrant. Edward James Olmos plays the Reyes clan’s patriarch.

Mayans MC was co-created by Sutter and Elgin James. Sutter is set to executive produce and direct the pilot; James is co-executive producer for Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.

Known for her role as Detective Rita Ortiz on ABC’s NYPD Blue, Obradors most recently did an arc on George Lopez’s TV Land comedy series Lopez.

TV Land Releases First Look at Second Season of Lopez’s Comedy Series “Lopez”

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George Lopez is taking his (television) show on the road… to Sin City.

TV Land has released the first official trailer for the 55-year-old Mexican American actor/comedian’s TV Land comedy series Lopez ahead of its March 29 premiere.

George Lopez

After working all through Season 1 to get a residency show in Vegas, Season 2 picks up with Lopez’s increased frustration with the tedium of having to do the same show every night. Along with his manager Olly (Hayley Huntley), and his opening act Maronzio, George tries to move on to bigger and better things that will make him relevant again. So, he decides to go out and pitch a network drama that he would produce and star in.

This season also will see Lopez exchange one-off dates for a steadier romantic relationship, and Manolo heading back to school to earn his degree.

We also meet new series regular character Hector, played by Ray Diaz, and recurring character Coco, played by transgender actress Rain Valdez.

Lopez is executive produced and written by Lopez, John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky.

Lopez Season 2 premieres on Wednesday, March 29 at 10:30 pm ET on TV Land.

Garcia Joins Cast of Fox’s Comic Book-Themed Drama “Lucifer”

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Aimee Garcia is headed back to television…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican and Mexican American actress has joined the cast of Fox’s comic book-themed drama Lucifer as a new series regular for Season 2.

Aimee GarciaGarcia will play Ella Lopez, the department’s new forensic scientist…and she sure does love her job. Ella grew up in a pretty rough neighborhood in Detroit, but also in a strong Catholic family, under the watchful and protective eye of her five brothers…which might explain some of her opposing personality traits. Her mutual belief in both faith and science proves a point of interest to Lucifer (and the rest of the department) as they get to know and love her quirky ways.

Known for her role as Dexter’s nanny Jamie Batista on Showtime’s Dexter, Garcia recently co-starred in CBS’ Rush Hour and filmed the indie Sister Cities with Alfred Molina, Jackie Weaver, Jess Weixler and Kathy Baker.

Her other credits include TV Land’s Impastor and Jose Padilha’s RoboCop.

TV Land Renews George Lopez’s Comedy Series “Lopez” for Second Season

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George Lopez isn’t leaving TV Land anytime soon…

The cable channel has ordered a second season of its comedy series Lopez, starring and executive produced by the 55-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor.

George Lopez in Lopez

The announcement comes ahead of the show’s June 22 Season 1 finale.

The series revolves around George as he struggles with wanting to give back to the Latino community where he grew up but also feeling as though he can never satisfy all the demands placed on him by both the celebrity world and his hometown.

The series also stars Anthony “CiTRiC” Campos, Maronzio Vance, James Michael Connor, Hayley Huntley and Ashley Zamora.

Zamora to Star Opposite George Lopez on TV Land’s “Lopez”

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Ashley Zamora has landed her first series regular role…

The Latina actress has booked a series regular role on TV Land’s Lopez, a semi-autobiographical, single camera comedy starring and executive produced by George Lopez.

Ashley Zamora

It revolves around America’s most successful Hispanic American comedian (Lopez) playing himself, and explores how he struggles between his two worlds and crises – often of his own making.

Zamora plays Erica, George’s expressive teenage daughter. Smart and observant, Erica is constantly embarrassed by her dad’s actions, especially as George personally struggles to find his place among the worlds of race, class and fame.

A Hollywood newcomer, Zamora previously appeared on Fox’s Gang Related.

Moreno Cast in CBS’ Comedy Pilot “Joe Time”

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Rita Moreno is joe momma…

The 83-year-old Puerto Rican actress, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s SAG Awards, has landed a series regular role in CBS’ comedy pilot Joe Time.

Rita Moreno

The project centers on Joe (Steven Weber), a family man who struggles with the fact that everyone around him is pursuing their dreams and enjoying their lives more than he is.

Moreno will play Judy, Joe’s (Weber) mom. She’s in love with her husband Mitch, and also preoccupied with physical fitness and her amazing personal trainer.

Moreno, one of an elite group of performers who have won an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony and a Grammy in their careers, was recently cast as Jane’s (Gina Rodriguez) grandmother on the CW’s hit telenovela-inspired series Jane the Virgin.

She has earned two Emmys for her guest appearances on The Rockford Files and the Muppet Show and also co-starred on the TV Land comedy series Happily Divorced.