"Lopez vs Lopez" Ushers in a New Wave of Representation and Respect

When NBC announced a pilot order and subsequent series pickup for Lopez vs Lopez I could not contain my excitement As a 3990s kid I grew up watching George Lopez or The George Lopez Show as we often referred to it during my formative years leading up to high school I was about the same age as Georgeamp8217s onscreen son Max and saw my own hilarious and overthetop family represented throughout the show Lopez was among the few Latinos in television and comedy to hit the mainstream at a time when we were often sidelined to supporting roles or roles that were stereotypical and did not show Latines in the best lightLopez vs Lopez is based on the onceestranged relationship between the reallife fatherdaughter duo George a workingclass divorcee moves in with his Gen Z daughter Mayan and the two try to rekindle their dysfunctional relationship As with any family laughter and drama ensue as the two constantly butt heads about household issues and their generational differences the latter a recently popular trend with shows like Hacks and Only Murders In the BuildingWhile the premise is a tale as old as time kids educating their parents in multigenerational households is an alltoofamiliar concept among Hispanics Young Millennials and Gen Zers are constantly trying to break through their parents39 quotold schoolquot mentalities outdated and now insensitive terminology and dogmatic points of view whether it39s about politics identity or pop cultureWe soon find out that George39s life was heavily impacted by the pandemic He finds himself in a financial bind but is too proud to admit as much to his daughter and instead confides in his exwife Rosie delightfully played by Orange Is the New Black alum Selenis LeyvaMatt Shively plays Quintin Mayan39s partner and the father of her son Chance Quintin is notsosecretly scared of George but is fine with him moving in because he knows how much repairing their relationship means for both of them Matt Shively is pictured at top with Mayan Lopez George Lopez and Selenis LeyvaSixyearold Brice Gonzalez a TikTok star in his own right with over 15 million followers costars as Mayan39s son Chance who is just as quickwitted and hilarious as his grandpa Gonzalez rose to social media fame when he and his father Randy started posting lip syncs and comedy videos on TikTok Although they were always supporters and activists for cancer awareness the two began using their platform to provide levity for current patients and survivors after Randy was diagnosed with colon cancerSocial media plays a big part in the series as Mayan uses TikTok to share short funny and empowering videos for quotwomen with daddy issuesquot as she tells George after he catches her twerking upside down for a video While platforms like TikTok are at first glance seen as a place to share versions of the latest dance or another meme there are also tens of thousands of accounts dedicated to activism education and raising awareness on culture current events and social issuesThe opening scenes of the series and pivotal moments throughout are told via TikToks which is an incredibly effective way to set up the world of the show rather than via excessive exposition as pilots usually rely uponWith showrunner Debby Wolfe One Day At a Time Love Victor leading the charge and veteran sitcom director Kelly Park The Neighborhood Call Me Kat helming the series pilot the laughs are quick and constant and the direction harkens back to classic family sitcoms like All In the Family and Roseanne It39s expected for Mayan and George to have chemistry but the Lopez family and friends comprise a tightknit unit with a fantastic dynamic of tender moments and quippy oneliners throughoutNBC recently shared a slate of exciting guest stars that will join the cast this season including a mini George Lopez cast reunion with George39s former costars Constance Marie Belita Moreno Valente Rodriguez and Luis Armand Garcia appearing in the series39 first Christmas episode Comedy legend Cheech Marin and EGOT Rita Moreno will guest star in an episode slated for January 2023 where Marin will play a curandero a shaman or healer while Moreno will portray George39s late grandmother who appears to him as a spiritLopez vs Lopez continues Georgeamp8217s legacy of bringing hilarious and heartwarming Latine representation to broadcast televisionClick the social buttons to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writers

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"Lopez vs Lopez" Ushers in a New Wave of Representation and Respect

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Juan Ayala

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"Lopez vs Lopez" Ushers in a New Wave of Representation and Respect

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Juan Ayala

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