Actor/comedian George Lopez, whose ALMA Award-winning George Lopez Show ran on ABC for 120 episodes (2002 2007), has now added his daughter, Mayan Lopez, to the world of sitcom TV, in NBC’s Lopez vs Lopez, which will launch November 4 (8pm). “I am happy to be back on network TV, George exclaims. “I just think as times have changed, social media has changed, the comedy has changed, but yet the use of multi-camera doesn’t change. So, to have done it 20 years ago is great; but now, it is so gratifying to do it with this incredibly talented cast.”
Mayan nods in agreement. “The series does reflect my history with my dad. My parents got divorced about ten years ago. There was a time where we didn’t speak and were estranged. But within the last two years, my dad and I really solidified our relationship. The pandemic brought us back together. I started making TikToks with my family.” It turns out that Debby Wolfe (Showrunner/Executive Producer) was scrolling one day and she saw one of her TikToks. “This whole Lopez vs. Lopez was kind of born from that idea.”
Wolfe, who is of Salvadoran descent, feels the show is also an amalgamation of the cultural references from the writing staff’s own upbrings, infusing the parent-child references of any minority. She states, “I think George Lopez’s original show paved the way, opened a lot of doors and inspired a lot of Latinx talent to pursue their dreams. And now, 15 years later, here we are. Writing a sitcom about a Latino family and casting Latinos is so much easier today.”
The series also stars Selenis Leyva (Gloria Mendoza in Orange is the New Black) as George’s ex-wife, Rosie, Matt Shively, best known for his role as Ryan Laserbeam on the Nickelodeon television series True Jackson, VP stars as Mayan’s ultra-Caucasian husband, Quintin and Brice Gonzalez (featured in upcoming Flamin’ Hot, Eva Longoria directorial debut) as Mayan’s 5-year-old son, Chance. Bruce Helford (George Lopez, The Conners) and George are Executive Producers.
“This series is also a result of me coming to terms with myself,” George added. “I used to give up on people, whether it was my fault or not. I would remove people from my life. And if I was to blame, I would just never have to see them again. So it was very difficult to be able to have to look at myself, to be honest and know that whether it worked out or not, I was going to do something that was entirely new to me that was going to take me on a very painful journey. But much like life, laughter is the best medicine. I don’t think it’s as good as antidepressants, but it can be a good medicine.”
George Lopez’s self-titled original series was based on his comedy act, which featured hilarious reminiscences of living with and working with his ethnically rigid grandmother in a factory. Procured by Sandra Bullock, It featured Constance Marie as his wife and Belito Moreno as his alcoholic Mother (subbing for his grandmother), along with Masiela Lucha, Luis Arman Garcia, Valente Rodriguez, Aimee Garcia and Emiliano Diaz.
Like his previous broadcast sitcom, Lopez vs Lopez will include some real-life history about his and daughter Mayan history adding the dynamic of the other characters in the show. Mayan and Shively play young adults with a child, attempting to have carve out their own life. Their journey together brings lots of rich material to the show. And Lyeva as Lopez’s ex-wife Rosie, adds so much texture to the show.
The role of Rosie is a fictionalized character Wolfe clarifies, and it is based on her own Salvadoran-born mother and mothers of some of the show’s Latino writers, making her a blend of many Latinas in one.
“I feel like every actor has to find a little bit of themselves to bring to a show,” says Lyeva. “George and Mayan, although they are playing themselves, they’re not showing up, opening their mouths and being George and Mayan. And I’m doing the same thing. There is maybe a little bit of Ann Lopez (George’s real ex-wife) going on. But I strive to create my own character and make my own path to tell the story.”
As the interview draws to a close, Mayan reminisces about being a young child when the original George Lopez Show was being made. “That was actually my first job. They called me “kid AD.” I even had a little headset. I made $20 bucks an hour. In about four weeks, I was able to buy an American Girl doll. I would go and get Constance, who played George’s wife Angie, from the set, and take her to makeup.”
Mayan also made her acting debut on the show. She went on to study comedy, then began working as an actress and producer, more recently known for Kill Her! Handsome (2017), A Netflix mystery movie and Mr. Troop Mom (2009). But she affirms her fondest memories were watching her dad work. “Now I have the honor and privilege of playing alongside him in something that’s so personal. It’s the dream of a lifetime.”
When asked if he had any advice for Mayan, that might make her road a lot smoother in life and in the business than his has been, George replied, “I’ve said to Mayan on occasion, ‘I’m going to tell you something my grandmother never told me. I want you to be happy’.”