When comedian and actor George Lopez strode onstage in San Antonio for his Aug. 8 HBO special, it was a moment made in heaven for him. Sonia Sotomayor had recently been confirmed as the first Latina justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Lopez was performing live to a sold-out house (during an economic downturn, no less) while HBO cameras swirled around him. Sure, it’s cable TV, but allowing him to go live suggests a great deal of trust. The title of his second HBO stand-up comedy special, George Lopez: Tall, Dark & Chicano, had some significance as well. It was the only time I can recall that the term “Chicano” had been used as a self-identifying term in mainstream entertainment TV. The first time I even heard the term used on TV (aside from the news) was in a sketch by John Leguizamo in his short-lived summer comedy series, House of Buggin’ (1995). For those who doubt my ability to keep track of these things, let me remind you, as George Lopez does, that he is only the fifth Latino to star in a mainstream sitcom. You can count them on one hand: Paul Rodriguez (a.k.a. Pablo, 1984), Freddie Prinze (Chico and the Man, 1974), and Desi Arnaz (I Love Lucy, 1951) are the others. (Lopez seems to ignore America Ferrera starring in Ugly Betty, but I would include her as well.)
“Chicano” is most identified with its use during the social unrest of the 1960s and 1970s. Its deeper roots are as a pejorative, reclaimed by youthful, politically active Latinos – mostly Mexican-American in origin – to align themselves with a very specific political and social consciousness of the day. The term is still used today but with a less cosmic spin. (It’s too long to get into here, but there is a whole mythology attached to the term, based in an ancient cosmology that explains the creation of the brown people.) “Chicano” today is shorthand to identify oneself as Mexican-American, with political leanings left of center. So I was most curious to hear what Lopez’s new HBO special would be like, with the term “Chicano” so prominent in its title. The short answer is, whatever fears Middle America has of a brown invasion, Lopez is the last to cultivate them.
First off, we’re already here, and we’re not leaving. Secondly, tall, dark, and dapper in his suit and tie, Lopez was a far cry from the stereotypical bandana-wearing activist that may pop into your head. Thirdly, aside from his views on immigration, the rest of his act is clearly middle of the road and safe. Jokes about Lou Dobbs being married to a Latina (“just because you can’t control your woman, don’t try and send the rest of us back”) to child rearing, food, and aging could have come out of any comedian’s mouth. His riff on Latinas and vibrators was hilarious only because he seems to think Latinas (and other women) need permission from men to enjoy sexual pleasure without them. No, George Lopez is no Paul Mooney when it comes to incisively brilliant remarks on race and culture and America. For better or worse, Lopez has managed to soften the edges around the term “Chicano,” bring it to the mainstream, and perhaps make a few people laugh in the process.
George Lopez: Tall, Dark & Chicano will be rebroadcast throughout the month on various HBO channels. Check local listings.
What Else Is On?
Finally got a peek at Indie Live Austin, the locally produced TV series covering cutting-edge Latino arts and culture. If you’re prowling around your cable channels, be sure to land on Channel 16, where the latest episodes are airing sporadically (until fall). My favorite so far is an episode that features Bombasta, when the band played Austin a few months back, and also includes a chat with John Mulvany, an Irish artist who was showing at an East Austin gallery. More on Indie Live Austin in the future. To check out clips, go to www.myspace.com/indieliveaustin.
And finally, at long last: Mad Men returns for a third season Sunday night at 9pm on AMC.
As always, stay tuned.
E-mail Belinda Acosta at tveye@austinchronicle.com.
This article appears in August 14 • 2009.