Fernandomania, now playing at Casa 0101 Theater, offers a unique and heartfelt theatrical tribute to Mexican-born Major League Baseball pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, whose meteoric rise to fame in the 1980s captured the imagination of fans worldwide. Conceived by Artistic Director and award-winning playwright Josefina López (Real Women Have Curves), the production weaves López’s throughline of muralist Roberto Vargas as he tries to finish Valenzuela’s mural before the legend passes, with twelve world-premiere playlets penned by a diverse group of Los Angeles writers. The result is a collage of perspectives that illuminates Valenzuela’s legacy not only as an athlete, but as a cultural touchstone for the Latino community.

The writing team spans from seasoned playwrights to first-time community writers, underscoring the communal nature of the project. Among the contributors is Valenzuela’s daughter, Maria Fernanda Valenzuela, whose piece Linda emerges as one of the production’s most personal and affecting entries. In it, Fernando (portrayed by Edward Navarrete) is seen in the early days of his career, leaving behind his beloved in Mexico as he is recruited by the Dodgers, only to return years later with a marriage proposal. The story, told through the lens of Maria Fernanda, movingly charts the couple’s journey through Fernando’s career ascent and their life together until his passing this year.

Each of the playlets, drawn from memories and reflections of what Valenzuela meant to the writers, is directed by a different artist, giving the program a broad stylistic range.

Of note is director Vance Valencia, helms three standout works. Kimberly Huff’s Safe at Home delivers emotional resonance, while Our Playground written by Dr. Connie Valencia reimagines the world of Latina baseball players in a manner reminiscent of A League of Their Own, yet firmly grounded in cultural specificity. Most striking, however, is La Habra Ass Foos by Don Huesos—a raucous, high-energy exploration of Chicano identity that electrified the audience. Navarrete, doubling here as the quintessential Chicano character Gabe, commanded the stage with humor and authenticity, demonstrating impressive range alongside his portrayal of Valenzuela.

While the evening varies in polish from piece to piece, as might be expected from a collection of multiple writers and directors, the overall impact is one of celebration, memory, and cultural pride. Fernandomania succeeds not only as a theatrical experiment but also as a community-driven homage to an icon who continues to inspire across generations.

Fernandomania runs through September 21 at Casa 0101 Theater. For admirers of Fernando Valenzuela, and for anyone interested in witnessing a diverse chorus of voices come together to honor a legend, this production is a meaningful tribute well worth experiencing.

Directors of FERNANDOMANIA include:  Emmanuel Deleage (of Silver Lake, CA); Carmelita Maldonado (of El Sereno, CA); Karla Ojeda (of East Los Angeles, CA) and Vance Valencia (of Boyle Heights).

Playwrights include:  Josefina López (of Boyle Heights) (Fernandomania Forever), which anchors the show playing out in 12 transitional scenes between each play throughout Act I and Act II; Maria Fernanda Valenzuela (of Hollywood, CA) (Fernando and Linda Valenzuela’s youngest daughter) (Linda); Oscar Arguello (of La Puente, CA) (No Sabo) (I Don’t Know); Chris Banda (of West Covina, CA) (Blue Days); Gloria Isabel Briseño (of Inglewood, CA) (Nando); Ignacio Gonzalez (of Downey, CA) (Beisbol y Novelas) (Baseball and Mexican Soap Operas); Kimberly Huff (of Azusa, CA) (Safe At Home); Jose Luis Lopez, Jr. (of Riverside, CA) (From Somewhere); Christopher John Magallanes (aka Don Heusos) (of Montebello, CA) (La Habra Ass Foos); Celina Martinez (of Silver Lake, CA) (A Good Hero/Un Buen Heroe); Michael St. Onge (of Fontana, CA) (Once Upon A Time in LA); and Dr. Connie Valencia (of South Los Angeles, CA) (Our Playground).

The Cast of FERNANDOMANIA includes:  Adlih Alvarado (of Hollywood, CA); Yasha Alaniz (of Van Nuys, CA); Luis Galilei (of Los Angeles, CA); Veli Gonzalez (of Nuys, CA); Phoenix Marroquin (of South Central Los Angeles, CA); Evelyn Menchaca (of Pico Rivera, CA); Gabriel Montoya (of Sherman Oaks, CA); Martin Morales (of Silver Lake, CA); Jose Nateras (of North Hollywood, CA); Edward Navarrete (of Northridge, CA); Eugene Antonio Negrete (of East Los Angeles, CA); Itzel Ocampo (of Alhambra, CA); Jeremiah Ocañas (of Boyle Heights); Gabriela Pedraza (of Burbank, CA); Alejandro Reynoso (of Santa Ana, CA) and Laura Vega (of Pasadena, CA).

Tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fernandomania-tickets-1402491031429?aff=oddtdtcreator

The post ‘Fernandomania’ at Casa 0101 a Grand Slam Tribute to Fernando Valenzuela first appeared on .

REVIEW By Bel Hernandez Castillo

Leguizamo Does America is back for Season 2, and its return couldn’t be more timely. At a moment when harmful rhetoric and misinformation about Latinos is dominating headlines, this six-episode series flips the narrative. Instead of portraying Latinos as takers, Leguizamo Does America showcases what U.S. Latinos have always been: builders, innovators, and culture shapers. 

In these times the MSNBC TV series becomes more than a docuseries—it becomes an antidote, a cultural resistance providing visibility and celebration wrapped in a bold, funny, and fiercely loving package.

Leguizamo Does America, is an NBC News Studios and Casa NOHO Production, created and hosted by Emmy and Tony award-winning actor John Leguizamo. “For season two, I wanted to go deeper into America and put a magnifying glass on Latino exceptionalism, Latino ingenuity, and Latino genius,” says Leguizamo.

Under director Ben DeJesus guidance and the excellent production skills of showrunner Carolina Saavedra the audience is taken on a cultural journey of Latino excellence in six stunningly shot and powerful episodes filmed in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Denver, Phoenix, Raleigh, and San Antonio.  Leguizamo meets the artists, chefs, activists, and cultural entrepreneurs—who are making an undeniable impact across the U.S.

The opening episode takes us to Philadelphia, the birthplace of the USA where we learn of the major role Latinos played in the American Revolution. We find out the famous Philly cheesesteak has been Latinized and people are loving it…and literally “eating it up”.  

In Raleigh, North Carolina, home to Academy Award winning actress Ariana deBose, we learn, among other things, how immigrants were brought into the US by corporations to help save the poultry industry there; how the Flor de Hidalgo dance group is keeping Mexican folklorico alive — and giving Leguizamo the host, a change to show off his “zapateado”. This episode drives home the notion that whether honoring or correcting historical erasure, Latinos in America are living examples of what it means to own our story while shaping America’s future.

In San Antonio, we meet the Castros—Congressman Joaquin Castro and his mother Rosie Castro, a lifelong activist and community organizer who helped lay the groundwork for modern Chicano politics in San Antonio. We’re also introduced to Shelly Lares, the legendary Tejano artist whose career has not only been preserving traditional music but passing it on with a Tex Mex twist to new generations with pride and purpose.

In Phoenix, Leguizamo goes head to head with WNBA’s great Diana Taurasi in a round of “hoops”. While in Denver Leguizamo explores the birthplace of the Chicano Movement, while also suiting up for a “lucha libre” bout at Hugo’s Lucha Libre cultural landmark arena.

Throughout the series, we meet musicians, chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs who are not just surviving—but thriving. And let’s talk about the food. From Mexican carnitas  to Venezuelan arepas to Tex-Mex fajitas the series celebrates Latino culinary excellence. Several featured chefs are James Beard Award winners and nominees, further proving what we’ve always known—Latinos are impacting cuisine in a most delicious way.

Think about it: tomatoes, vanilla, avocados, chocolate —these and so many other staples of global food culture are gifts from the Americas, cultivated and cherished by Indigenous and Latin communities for centuries. Leguizamo Does America honors that legacy, and reminds us of the central role Latinos play in the culinary world globally.

This is part of our resistance showing Latin joy, Latin success, Latin excellence, Latin genius, Latin exceptionalism and innovation” — John Leguizamo.

The historical context, too, is essential. The episodes filmed in New Orleans, Phoenix, and San Antonio underscore that Latino roots in America run deep—long before the arrival of the European immigrants. These are not stories of outsiders or newcomers; these are stories of indigenous peoples and Latinos who helped build this nation.

At the recent MSNBC LA premiere for Leguizamo Does America, Leguizamo spoke to a who’s who of Hollywood executives, actors, directors, producers and executives about the upcoming series.  “This is part of our resistance showing Latin joy, Latin success, Latin excellence, Latin genius, Latin exceptionalism and innovation” he said. That is exactly what Leguizamo Does America does once again in season 2. The series shines an undeniable  bright light on a community that has been here longer than America itself. Latinos in the U.S. are 65 million strong, they are American and they are here to stay.

WHERE TO WATCH:

• MSNBC: The series airs on MSNBC on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. 
• Peacock: You can also stream the show on Peacock. 
• Roku: The Roku Channel offers access to the show, with options to buy episodes or watch through streaming services that carry MSNBC. 
• Other Streaming Services: Check platforms like Fubo, Sling TV, DIRECTV, Xumo Play, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video for availability. 

The post ‘Leguizamo Does America’ Is the Cultural Resistance We Need Right Now first appeared on .

The Emmy nominations were announced this morning, and while the 75th Emmy nominations are being touted by industry trades as record breaking, especially for Black women who garnered four Emmy nominations in just the supporting comedy actress category, nominations for Latino/as as a whole were down. Even though Latinos are the largest minority in the U.S. at 18% of the population, the Asian Pacific community (7% of the US population) had one more nominations, with four to only 3 for Latino performers. Black Americans are 13.6% of the U.S. population.

The three Latinos nominated for the coveted television acting categories, Pedro Pascal, Jenna Ortega and Aubrey Plaza represent less than 3% of the total number of actors (102) nominated for an Emmy this year.

Pedro Pascal is top of the list with two Emmy nominations, one for HBO’s The Last of Us and the other for Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Saturday Night Live.  Jenna Ortega has received her very first Emmy nomination as Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in the title role in Netflix’s Wednesday, which was the second-most watched English-language Netflix series last year.  Aubrey Plaza received her nomination for her role in HBO’s social satire The White Lotus as Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Once again, the underrepresentation of Latinos at the Emmys is glaring. However, Ortega’s nomination makes her only the third Latina to ever be nominated in this category. Jenna Ortega is a favorite to take the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and if this happens it will be a big win for our community. and this nomination

In the interest of not being redundant, citing stats (as we do year after year on these occasions and nothing ever changes) that prove the lack of Latino representation in Hollywood, let me just say, aqui estamos y no nos vamos! We are here to stay, we are not going away anytime soon. With a U.S. Latino economic power of $1.9 trillion annual GDP, is it time to leverage our community’s buying power for equal representation? For now our voice is our power, and we need to speak up.

Selena Gomez, snubbed again? There are three leads in Only Murders in the Building.  Martin Short, Steve Martin and Selena Gomez. Both Short and Martin were both nominated last year in the Best Lead Actor category, but the third lead, Gomez was overlooked. Why? Some would say (like her 426 Million instagram followers) that her acting chops are on par with her co-stars.  This year Martin gets a 2nd Emmy nomination and Gomez is once again overlooked. Something is just not making sense. Her Mabel Mora character is the linchpin in the whole dang series!

We are grateful to the writers and producers who write the kind of roles that merit the attention of the Television Academy members.  We are grateful for the showrunners that cast a wide diversity net and think “out of the box”.  Thank you to the casting director of Wednesday Florina Fernandes and director Tim Burton for casting Ortega.  

But what about the Latino writers who have created and cast Latinos in some of the most lauded shows on TV? Where is the recognition for them?   For one, I am talking about Gloria Calderon Kellett who created and was the showrunner on the Netflix TV show, One Day at a Time (2017 – 2020). The critics raved about it. Lead actress Justina Machado was even named as one of the most “Most Dynamic Actresses on TV” by Harper’s Bazaar. But where was Kellett’s writing Emmy nomination or Justina Machado’s Best Lead in a Comedy Series Emmy nomination? 

We will keep asking the questions, as we celebrate Pascal, Plaza and Ortega on their Emmy nominations, and acknowledge the behind the camera Latino Emmy nominees for 2023: 

Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Special

The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna / FOX – Maria Garcia, Art Director

Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes

Hocus Pocus 2 / Disney+ / Walt Disney Pictures – Salvador Perez, Costume Designer

The Mandalorian / Chapter 22: Guns For Hire / Disney+ / Lucasfilm Ltd. – Elissa Alcala, Assistant Costume Designer

What we do in the Shadows / The Wedding / FX / FX Productions – Barbara Cardoso, Assistant Costume Designer

Outstanding Contemporary Costumes For A Series – Only Murders In The Building / Framed / Hulu / 20th Television / Dana Covarrubias, Costume Designer

Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling – Only Murders in the Building / Fabian Gonzalez, Hair Stylist

@belscoolist @latinheatmag

The post Latinos Are Less than 3% of The Performer Emmy Nominees first appeared on .

By Bel Hernandez

The new ABC series The Baker and The Beauty takes a Cuban family who owns a bakery, a scorned Latina ex-girlfriend, an international fashion mogul and her overprotective manager, and breaks all stereotypes — giving us the all American rom-com.  This colliding of cultures creates the impossible love story which premieres tonight on ABC at 10/11 EST.  

ABC is counting on the fact that a romantic comedy is just what America needs now — and this was before the “Stay in Shelter” order currently in place because of the CoronaVirus 19. It is based on an Israeli hit TV series created by Assi Asar and currently airing ist 2nd season. It has been praised by audiences and critics alike, the American version was fast tracked, announced in early 2019 and in just over a year, it is premiering in the U.S.

Daniel Garcia (Victor Rasuk) is working in the family owned Miami bakery and doing everything that his loving Cuban parents and siblings expect him to do. But on a wild night, he meets international super star Noa Hamilton (Nathalie Kelley) and his life moves into the spotlight much to the angst of her manager (Dan Bucatinsky).  As for Daniel’s family his younger sister (Belissa Escobedo) was already a of Noa followers on social media; his brother, DJ Cubano (David Del Rio) wants her to play his music at her events; and Daniel’s parents (Lisa Vidal and Carlos Gomez) take a wait-and-see attitude — with trepidation.  Meanwhile the ex-girlfriend, Vanessa (Michelle Veintimilla) dismayed at being scorned, although heart broken forges on, as she is not going to the breakup get in the way of conquering the world.

Kudos are in order to the producers and casting executives; and the writers of the show, both these elements deliver an authentic peek at a bi-cultural world.  The multi-generational Garcias include three American born and bred kids whose parents were born in Cuba and whose culture lives on in each one of their kids. The combinabination of the music, the spanglish and the delicious Cuban food and pastries their world revolves in, is what gives this series the flavor of life.

In the first three episodes you get a glimpse into each character’s back story, their personalities and the dynamics that each of the relationships will seemingly explore.  By the fourth episode I was anxious to what is coming up next in the international romance in store. On the homefront, Vanessa takes on a role in Mateo’s life that can prove to be very fruitful for both of them.  

Then there is Escobedo who in her very first series series role is a revelation.  Her talent draws you into the character of Natalie with her powerful yet nuanced performance.  I immediately wanted to know “who is Belissa Escobedo”? An alumni of the Los Angeles County High School of Arts, Escobedo moved to New York for five years to study and do theater.  Upon her return she worked at the Boyle Height theater Casa 0101 run by her creative idol screenwriter/producer, Josefina Lopez.  Escobedo went on to work on three plays at Casa 0101 for a span of one year.  She played the lead, Ana in Lopez’s play Real Women Have Curves (which was produced into a movie in 2002 starring America Ferrera as Ana).  In The Baker and the Beauty Natalia’s character comes into her own and the audience is compelled to want to join her on her journey.

Carlos Gomez and Lisa Vidal are the parent you would love to have. Mari Garcia, if she is a wise cracking, former showgirl mom who has it all worked out and breaks into dance at the sound of salsa music.  As for the patriarch of the family, played by Gomez, he plays your unstereotypical loving and knowing dad, who makes the most delicious pastries and can cook up Cuban pollo fricassee for special family dinners, like no other.

And then there is Vanessa played by Michelle Vientimilla.   Although Vanessa gets dumped in the first episode by Daniel, her character is not going anywhere soon. As a matter of fact, word is her role only kept getting bigger during the filming of the series.  Vanessa stays connected to the family, even though her life with Daniel is seemingly over. She is hurt that the Garcia family would cut her off because her son broke of their relationstion after four years of dating. As strange as that sounds, Veintimilla shared at the TCA press tour that, “This is the first show that I can say, I totally understand the character”.    

Kelley who plays Noa and whose family is of Peruvian and Ecuadorian background, almost didn’t get the part of Noa because she self identified as a Latina.  The producers wanted the culture clash dynamic for the two lead characters, so she went back in to audition and this time she used her Australian accent, which she isn’t faking since she lived in Australia since the age of two. That did the trick.

As for the lead in the show, Rasuk, he likens his background to Daniel’s.  Rasuk grew up in a working-class family, born and raised in New York to Dominican parents. He’s has a laid back charm that he brings to the role and it’s what makes the chemistry between Daniel and Noa spark. In spite of all the adversities, their decision to move forth with their relationship is when the real adventures begin.

This is a story of a family you have rarely seen on TV.  It is a romantic comedy, with an authenticity of characters that are universal in story and culturally rich.  It’s the American story redefined.

ABC has a lot invested in this series and they are supporting it in every way possible.  They put the series in a prime time slot, right after The Bachelor. They believe in the series.

The Baker And The Beauty is based on the hit Israeli series by the same name created by Assi Azar for Keshet Broadcasting. For ABC it’s written by Dean Georgaris and produced by Universal Television and ABC Studios in association with Keshet Studios. 

Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.

The post When You Take A Hit Israeli TV Show And Add Cubans first appeared on .

Last night’s season three finale of ABCs The Good Doctor shocked fans worldwide when their beloved character of Dr. Neil Melendez, played with profound conviction by Nicholas Gonzalez was killed off.

It was a surprise to fans around the world but for Gonzalez he had been been told by show runner David Shore, two thirds of the way into season, three that Dr. Melendez would be killed off.

In an interview with TV line, Gonzalez talks about the awkwardness of the situation; Continuing to film each episode knowing, what some of his cast members did not, that the season finale would be his last.

In an interview with TV Line, Gonzalez talked about that.

“TVLINE | So you really only had a few weeks to process everything…
[Gonzalez]: Which is really interesting, you know? Filming all that with the knowledge [that Melendez was going to die].”

In yet another interview with Entertainment Weekly Gonzalez talked about his feelings about leaving the show:

“Part of me is sad to see a character I respected a lot go, someone I felt that still had a lot more to say but there wasn’t always that opportunity, and I feel like we really built a beautiful world around that character, as much as can be in a show like ours where we’re still a procedural as well. The ever gracious Gonzalez added, “So to me, it’s been nothing but a blessing.”

The storyline certainly did not prepare viewers for the sudden death of Melendez, in fact there is not a specific reason in the story line that this was coming. Shore was vague about the reason of the demise of Dr. Melendez when Deadline writer Matt Grobar point blank asked him that specific question:

“DEADLINE: So, there was no specific reason Dr. Melendez ended up on the chopping block?
SHORE: I’d rather not go into it, particularly. None of it is personal. You know, Nick was fantastic, and there’s nothing I can say to you that will make you go, “Oh, yeah. Okay. It had to be that way.” We wanted to lose a character that we would feel something about, and feel pain about, and certainly, he’s a character that so many of them have been in touch with. Lim had a relationship with him; Claire was starting a relationship with him; Shaun obviously had his thing with him, although their paths don’t really cross in the finale. I think that would have been largely true for any of our characters, but it’s particularly true for him. Look, this is the nature of these sorts of shows, I believe, is you go forward, and people come and go…”

Fans across the world who took to social media had plenty to say about their favorite doctor’s death. Hundred of thousand fans took to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to express their opinion — almost every single one wants Dr. Neil Melendez back at the operating table.

Resurrect Dr. Neil Melendez on The Good Doctor. #ResurrectDrMelendez

The post Fans Decry Death of Dr. Neil Melendez on “The Good Doctor” first appeared on .

Premieres on Netflix February 21st

By Bel Hernandez

I have been waiting for Gentefied chisme since I first heard about the web series in 2016!  It was about the neighborhood I grew up in with characters who talked like me as I was growing up.  It was the authenticity that spoke to me.

Boyle Heights is certainly happening now!  Just east of Downtown L.A. I go back often to see plays at Casa010, eat at La Parrilla, which has been there for 45 years, or King Tack on the iconic corner of Soto and Brooklyn (now Cesar Chavez).  All the landmarks, the people, the issues that are ever-changing, the code-switching, the mariachi music, and the panaderias — all stamped with the Boyle Heights brand. This is the backdrop to Marvin Bryan Lemus and Linda Yvette Chavez’s new half-hour drama Gentetfied, which drops today on Netflix.  

Gentefied is addicting.  I watched it all in one sitting. It is about a predominantly Mexican American neighborhood where families, like any other family across the nation, deal with issues of family squabbles, unrequited love, trying to make ends meet, LGBTQ, death, and the G-word: gentrification. The difference her are the residents dealing with being American and still being proud of their Mexican heritage. The majority of them are “code switchers” They switch from Spanish to English without skipping a beat while still sprinkling in a “cabron” or a “chingado” for emphasis. 

For writers Lemus and Chavez the timeliness of the story of Gentefied comes from an idea they could relate to, both having grown up is similar neighborhoods like Boyle Heights; Bakersfield and Los Angeles respectively

The idea really took off in 2016 when a mutual friend at Film Independent suggested to Lemus to connect with Chavez and brought the two writers together.  They instantly hit it off.

“We would do one hour of chisme before we started our writing session,” laughs Chavez. “The character Chris (who struggles with cultural identity) is based on Lemus, and I am a proud, loud Chicana!”  

The project was developed by Charles King owner of MACRO Ventures. They shot seven 10-minute episodes.  King presented the idea to actress/producer America Ferrera, who immediately committed to coming on board as executive producer as well as to be able to direct and even did a cameo in the digital series and does the same in the Netflix.

Gentefied centers on three cousins, the Chicana artist Ana Morlaes (Karrie Martin), the deadbeat cousin (Joseph Julian Soria), and the “Brown on the outside, White on the inside (the coconut) cousin (Carlos Santos). Working together to keep their Grandfather’s (Joaquin Cosio) popular Boyle Heights taco shop in business as the neighborhood becomes more gentrified. Throughout the show’s first season the cousins confront their differences in their connections to their community, their heritage, and their commitment to the family business, all while navigating larger themes of gentrification and the marginalization of Latinx’s in America.

Once the proof of concept was in and they began shopping it around, they were constantly being asked if this could be a half hour show. And so it was after Netflix beat out the other six bidders for the show, it became a Netflix series. 

Latin Heat had the privilege to speak to the two creators about the journey of an idea that was developed at a coffee shop, to now be airing on the biggest and most prestigious  streaming network.

Latin Heat:  Congratulations on your series premiere! Thank you for sharing your journey. I know having had America Ferrera come on board was a big get.  How hard was to get the project to America?

Marvin Lemus:  It was easy.  Charles [King] had had a meeting with America about her projects and mentioned Gentefied.  He sent off the script and that same week she responded wanting to know how she could get involved. She has been our Madrina. She is is a perfect partner and an activist herself.  

Linda Yvette Chavez: She is a mentor and an advocate for us. She grew up in the same kind of community as we did.

LH:  How great is it to have a series and have it air on Netflix? 

ML:  We have always wanted to be on Netflix! We work with an amazing team people who gave us the opportunity to do the show and the time frame to move forward. It was important for us to do the series bilingually and they allowed us to do that.

LYC:  They see our vision and basically have told us ‘Whatever you guys want. We trust you’.

LH:  How would you describe the series?

ML:  This series is about the American dream.  It is about the immigrant story and its is also about the Mexican American experience.

LH:  You’ve done a couple of screening prior to the premiere of the series on Netflix and what has been the response for the audiences?

MBL:  We had a screening at NALIP and we were blown away. The biggest compliment we got was when one of the audience members came up to us said, ‘I feel like I am watching our family.’  That is exactly want we wanted.

LYC:  At the Cal State L.A. screening the audience consisted of a lot of Boyle Heights residents. There were lots of laughs and it was a great community conversation. The applause was loud and it told us they loved it! But also, knowing that this is coming from an audience of different generations of viewers was so gratifying.   

MBL:  We have had people of different backgrounds tell us they see themselves.  Everyone just wants to see a reflection of themselves, something that has been missing for too long for many of them. We were even asked if we could make a series about their cities.

Gentefied is gloriously personal and realistic in its portrayal of characters of all ages. Perhaps the writers have started a new trend here… think about the endless stories coming out of other communities across the nation– there’s an Oakland Gentefied, a Tucson Gentefied, a Pilson Chicago Gentefied, the possibilities are exciting.

The post Netflix’s “GenteFied” Gloriously Personal And Authentic first appeared on .

I spent my first three days of driving a beautiful racing inspired “Sports Red” colored Buick Regal GS sedan in Palms Springs.

I had not been back to Palm Springs since that time in the late 1980’s when I stayed in a 60’s decor condo which featured a fluorescent green shag rug. That jolting eye sensory experience was forever seared in my memory of Palm Springs until this past December when I was invited to be a part of GM’s Buick in the Desert Architectural tour.

I drove in style from my home in West Covina, cruising down the 10 freeway towards Palm Springs, sun shining through the sun roof, listening to my podcast; enjoying the Buick’s quiet tuning and air ionizer features while turning a few heads.  It was the perfect start to an amazing three-day rediscovery of Palm Springs — with shades of a different color.

Since the 1920s Palm Springs has been called “Hollywood’s Backyard”. Conveniently located only two hours away from Los Angeles, it is where the stars came out to play and still do.  Some loved it so much, they purchased homes like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. (part of the Rat Pack), Bob Hope, and Elizabeth Taylor back in the day….even Albert Einstein had a home there. More recent homeowners include Leonardo DiCaprio, President Obama and family, Suzanne Somers, and superhero actor Robert Downey Jr.

While still others famous couples like Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Lucy and Desi Arnaz loved to rendezvous with their paramours.  Rumor has it that President John F. Kennedy when in town stayed at Peter Lawford’s home (his brother-in-law), which coincidently just happened to be around the corner from Marilyn Monroe’s home.

While the allure of Palms Springs waned a bit during in the late 80s, Sonny Bono (of the mega duo Sonny & Cher) when Mayor of Palm Springs (1988 – 1992) founded the Palms Springs International Film Festival.  Now every January Hollywood stars stream in to promote their films, enjoy the weather and party in style!

Speaking of “style” the Buick in the Desert Architectural tour was all about it.  We stayed at the beautiful La Serena Villas. Lars Viklund, the owner was very helpful and attentive during our stay.  Our group was a mix of media, influencers, and VIP’s who all drove into town in a Buick.  

Naibe Reynoso and I were invited as a team to the Buick in the Desert experience.  We are both executive producers and host our own TV talk show, TheTRENDTalk. That first evening we joined the whole group on the rooftop of La Serena Villas for a welcome dinner under the stars which was simply amazing.  While we enjoyed the specialty cocktails, appetizers, and main course, we bonded as Buick drivers (for the occasion).  

As the evening wound down Naibe and I decided that despite the fact that it had begun to rain we just had to try out the jacuzzi.  You’ve not lived if you haven’t jumped into your private jacuzzi while the skies rain upon you.

The next morning, the tour officially began.  After meeting everyone and every car…yes, we were introduced to each car and got to know them pretty well.  From our classy, sassy Regal GS to an Enclave Avenir, an Encore, Envision, Regal TourX, various Lacrosse’s, all beautiful and for any size family. Naibe and I were thrilled with our car, however the Regal TourX, “Luxury Wagon” was a close second. With its hands-free power liftgate, eight-way power driver seat with two-way power lumbar, heated leather strap steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror and much more, it was pretty dope. It’s a good thing the “Regals” share a lot of the same features!

We then all caravaned as a group to check out some of the most iconic architectural homes in Palm Springs and we stayed connected via a conference call. Our tour guide Michael Stern, an expert in mid-century modern architecture, was able to point out the most famous homes and landmarks while we each drove along in our own car.  That in itself was too cool.

Michael also included a little bit of “chisme” on the lore of the very famous people who at one time resided or still reside in some of these famous homes.  He pointed out Melvyn’s Restaurant, an old restaurant/piano bar where the Rat Pack used to party.

We bonded, our cars bonded and we saw the most beautiful homes.

Arrangements had been made for the group to actually go inside a few of these properties.  One of my favorites was the Franz Alexander home. High above the city with its swooping roofline, 50s decor with furniture in rich yellows and orange. It has a magnificent sweeping, three-room window view of the whole Coachella Valley; a guest house, and a beautiful pool as the central point. It was hard to believe someone actually lived there.  It was pristine.

We also visited the home of William Holden, one of the biggest stars of the 50s.  Although this home has not kept its original decor like so many other homes owned by celebrities, it was breathtaking in its own right.  This home was recently renovated by designer Rodrigo Vargas in a stunning exercise in open space, flawlessly merging interior and exterior.  The manicured one-acre lawn and the pool were breathtaking; contrasted by the all-white interior. I could definitely live here.

Our last evening in Palm Springs we dined at the old Frank Sinatra estate. It was surreal to think we were actually walking around in the same house that Old Blue Eyes lived in. The showpiece of the home is a recording system (see green arrow below) that Sinatra used to record on and then satellite his music over to Capital Records. At that time it was considered state-of-the-art equipment and now priceless considering who owned it.

As martini’s flowed, music played, and we all enjoyed our five-course meal, we were regaled with stories of Ava Gardner and Sinatra who lived in the estate while married. We were shown the famous crack in the bathroom sink from a champagne bottle Sinatra had thrown at Gardner.  Just imagining that story, while being in the same spot where it happened made the home come alive with the memories of Sinatra, an Academy Award-winning actor (From Here to Eternity) and dubbed “the greatest singer of the 20th century” by American music critic Robert Christgau. The perfect way to end the night.

The next morning I left with a new sense of Palm Springs. What it was, and what it continues to be.  A place with a lot of history, glamour and style. I think the Regal GS fit right in.

But we was not done yet.  We had three more days with the Regal GS.  The day after I drove to the Rick Lozano Celebrity Golf Tournament in Morongo where my husband (who is an actor) was invited to play.  We were able to fit his golf bag in the trunk easily, along with our other travel bags. I was the caddy for the day — but I did it in style.

The next day we drove to Pacoima where Naibe and I, as hosts of theTRENDTalk, where invited to ride in their Christmas parade along with my husband.  We rode in a very nice car, but it would have been perfect if I had asked, just for this parade, to trade the Regal GS for a Cascada Sport Touring and ride in a hot red convertible!

And as Christmas was upon us, we drove the Regal GS to the South Coast Repertory Theater in Costa Mesa, to see our son Sol Castillo (also an actor) in the role of Fred in A Christmas Carol.

And then it was really time to say goodbye to the Buick Regal GS…or was it?  

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