Ever since NBC’s comedy series, Reba, ended in 2007, the show’s executive producers, star Reba McEntire and Kevin Abbott, and the network have been looking for another project to return McEntire to the world of sitcom. She’s back! McEntire stars in the new NBC sitcom, Happy’s Place, which co-stars Belissa Escobedo (Blue Beetle). The series is scheduled to debut this fall o October 18th (8pm) and will air ahead of the season three renewal of Lopez vs Lopez (8:30pm) the same day. The series will then also stream on Netflix. 

Happy’s Place, which features an impressive supporting cast, characters a bit more combative than her previous family comedy, Reba. However, it’s the tensions that provide fodder for the humor that follows. The fact that her supporting characters are a mélange of diverse co-workers rather than family members, only serves the hilarity.

When Bobbie (McEntire) inherits her late father’s tavern, Happy’s Place, she is shocked to learn that she has a co-owner– Isabella (Escobedo), the half-sister she never knew existed. Isabella is young, inexperienced and has some unusual new ideas about how to run the business. 

Escobedo, whose last high profile gig was starring alongside Xolo Maridueña in the Warner Bros superhero film Blue Beetle, is a Gen Z , but proudly says, “I’m a Chicana from L.A.” Adding that she was a bit intimidated at the beginning, “I went into the first rehearsal with some nervousness, because, in the script, Reba’s character isn’t happy [with my]character.  However, when I met Reba, she gave me a big smile and a hug. I immediately felt welcome.”

Escobedo made her TV acting debut in an episode of the 2016 comedy mini-series, Meet Me @ the Clinic and while still in high school Belissa was part of a spoken poetry team that performed Somewhere in America on The Queen Latifah Talk Show.  

Her  breakthrough role was in ABC‘s 2020 series, The Baker and the Beauty after which her her career began to take off. In 2021 she appeared in two episodes of American Horror Stories, going on to star as Izzy in Hocus Pocus 2.

Along with their Happy’s Place’s close-knit staff, Bobbie and Isabella need to figure out how to work together harmoniously. When Isabella sincerely tells Bobbie, “I’m just looking for a place where I belong,” Bobbie moves her toward the door and replies, “Safe travels.” But Isabella’s inability to recognize rejection, along with her relentlessly positive attitude only add to the humor. 

The supporting cast features characters a bit more combative than Reba’s previous comedy family. There’s Gabby, the bartender, with a love of drama; Emmett, the cook, and man of few words; Takoda, the friendly waiter; and Steve, their brilliant yet eccentric accountant. However, it’s the tensions that provide fodder for the humor that follows. The fact that her supporting characters are a mélange of diverse co-workers rather than family members, only serves the hilarity.

Cast regulars include Melissa Peterman (also a regular on “Reba”) as Gabby the bartender who is the queen of the one-liner. Rex Linn, Tokala Black Elk and Pablo Castelblanco. In the opening episode, each character reveals a quirk that will provide mush comedy to the episodes. When Gabby hears Bobbie complain, “Daddy always said family is the most important thing,” Gabby deadpans, “Maybe that’s why he started two of them.” 

Tokala Black Elk admits, “I’ve had a career playing villains, being a really scary bad guy.” Now he plays Takoda, the nicest waiter in Tennessee. Emmett (Linn), a taciturn cook, gives every evidence he will have more to say in the upcoming episodes.

Then there’s Steve (Castelblanco), the brilliant yet eccentric accountant, who has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and he’s a germaphobe. In the opening episode, the fact that the bar has a new co-owner has him a bit rattled at first. Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, Castelblanco moved to the United States by himself at only 17 to pursue his dream of becoming an actor, living in New York City and then Los Angeles. He was featured in the drama series,  Alaska Daily, starring Hilary Swank.

The opening episode of Happy’s Place spends a bit too much time dealing with Bobbie and Isabella’s family issues. By the end of the first episode, however, they are getting used to the idea of working together. Isabella exclaims, “I’ve always wanted a big sister, even if you’re old enough to be my mother.” Bobbie chuckles and replies, “Oh honey, this is Tennessee, I’m old enough to be your great grandma.”  As the series proceeds, it will eventually find its rhythm. What is clear is that each member of the cast has the goods to make this happen. 

Happy’s Place is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.  Writer Kevin Abbott executive produces with Michael Hanel, Mindy Schultheis, Julie Abbott and Reba McEntire

Happy’s Place premieres on NBC October 18.  Check your local listing

@nbchappysplace

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The lead role of Jaime Reyes (AKA “Blue Beetle”) is portrayed by the talented Xolo Maridueña known to audiences from his role in the TV show Cobra Kai.  Blue Beetle also boasts a remarkable cast that includes George Lopez (Lopez vs. Lopez), Elpidia Carillo (Predator), Academy Award-nominated actress Adriana Barraza (Babel, Rambo: Last Blood), Harvey Guillen, newcomer Belissa Escobedo (American Horror Story, The Baker and the Beauty), Raoul Max Trujillo (Mayans M.C.), and Hollywood star Susan Sarandon (Bull Durham, Thelma & Louise). Additionally, the renowned singer Becky G lends her voice to the film as “Khaja-Da.”

The community screening, totally funded by the presenting entities, comes at a crucial time for the film industry, with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG/Aftra) currently on strike, the talent of the film are not able to promote the opening of the film.  That is when the organizations saw the need to rally support for Blue Beetle, a groundbreaking movie that holds significant importance for the future of Latino representation in Hollywood. This film showcases Latinos in a positive light, breaking barriers and paving the way for more inclusive storytelling in the entertainment industry. A special effort was made to include groups of student to attend because they will see themselves represented on the big screen.

In a city where Latinos make up 50% of the population, three screenings alone are not enough to spread the word. Latin Heat Media and HCSB are committed to ensuring that more individuals and in particular the students, have the opportunity to enjoy the film at the screening and be empowered by seeing a superhero who looks like them. The response has been overwhelming.  An hour after posting the free tickets on social media, all tickets were gone.

Bel Hernandez, President/CEO of Latin Heat Media and Chair of HCSB’s Arts and Entertainment Committee, emphasizes the importance of engaging the Latino audience in supporting films that authentically represent their community. “The power of the Latino audience has not always been fully tapped, especially when it comes to movies as important as Blue Beetle. The studios must involve and market to our community. Warner Bros., the studio releasing this film, hasn’t always had a stellar track record with Latino-focused film marketing. It’s time to see a commitment to our community and an  adequate marketing investment if they wish to access our significant consumer buying power.”

According to the Motion Picture Association (MPA), Latinos who comprise 19% of the population, accounted for 29% of movie tickets sold in 2020, and this trend continues to grow. Latin Heat Media and HCSB’s Arts and Entertainment Committee are dedicated to promoting awareness of projects with Latino participation, aiming to increase the visibility of the Latino representation in the entertainment industry.

The community screening of Blue Beetle promises to be an unforgettable event, celebrating diversity and unity, and inclusivity, and hopefully, a catalyst for more audience to go see it on their own.

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Two Hour Season Finale, Monday at 10 PM on ABC

David Del Rio, who finds himself in the “middle” of ABC’s hit romantic dramedy, The Baker and the Beauty, plays the aspiring DJ and record producer Mateo Garcia. Del Rio is a gregarious, thoughtful, and multi-talented, young actor who shared his journey of working on The Baker and the Beauty.

Del Rio is a Miami, Florida native of Cuban heritage. For such a young actor, he has an eye-opening resume of career accomplishments that have served him well and will be the foundation for what, no doubt, will be a long career.  

Upon graduating from the New World School of the Arts in Miami, David fine-tuned his acting and filmmaking craft in the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, School of Film and Television. Shortly afterward, David got the part of Felix Garcia on Nickelodeon’s The Troop. In between seasons Del Rio made his Broadway debut in Lin Manuel Miranda’s hit musical In the Heights. He kept himself busy appearing in hit films like Pitch Perfect and The Belko Experiment, as well as a critically acclaimed television performance in Grease Live!

Del Rio recalls with his characteristic, upbeat and good humor, how he got the role of Mateo Garcia on The Baker and the Beauty.

“I was doing the auditioning rounds during pilot season. Originally, I read for the part of older brother, Daniel, the one who gets involved with the supermodel, entrepreneur, Noa Hamilton, Del Rio recounted”.  He heard nothing for three months, then he got a call from the show’s producers to read for the part of the younger brother, Mateo.

“I was thrilled to become a part of the show.”

The Baker and the Beauty revolves around the chance meeting and improbable, culturally-at-odds romance between Daniel Garcia (Victor Rasuk), a working-class, Cuban baker’s son and Noa Hamilton (Nathalie Kelley), the beautiful Australian, supermodel and businesswoman. However, series creator, Dean Georgaris, has skillfully woven together several interesting sub-plots and intersecting storylines that David described with just a thinly veiled hint of cultural pride. “The show brings to mind those great Latin American telenovelas.

Mateo is the middle child of the Garcia family, stuck in the middle between older brother, Daniel, who is gaining notoriety as the boyfriend of Noa Hamilton, and his super whiz, perennial Honor Roll student little sister, Natalie (Belissa Escobedo).

Music is Mateo Garcia’s passion.  He bills himself as MC Cubano, and dreams of becoming a DJ and music producer. Unfortunately, Mateo’s father, Rafael Garcia (Carlos Gómez) and mother, Mari Garcia (Lisa  Vidal) would prefer Mateo become more involved in the family bakery business and put aside his musical ambitions.

When Vanessa Sanchez (Michelle Vientimilla), Daniel’s ex-girlfriend, becomes Mateo’s manager, and books some gigs for him, Mateo’s confidence grows. Eventually, Vanessa gets Mateo a meeting with a record producer that promises to lead to bigger and better things.  The meeting does not go well.

The producer tells Mateo that, as a performer, he is not interesting.  He calls his music derivative and advises Mateo to forget about his music career. It is a devastating, heart-breaking moment. Del Rio, in a touching piece of acting, portrays the disappointment of the gut punch to his ego, with just a subtle shift in his facial expression. No dialog was necessary.

“Rejection,” explains Del Rio, “is something every actor will experience in their career. But you learn from it and move on. That’s what Mateo is going to do.”

Subsequently, his dad, Rafael builds a small recording studio for Mateo, and gives his blessing to his dream sealing the deal with a loving embrace.

“That scene was so cool,” recalls David fondly, “Carlos planted an authentic Cuban kiss on my neck, like all the men in my Cuban family do.”

David loved working with the all-Latino cast and crew, and felt it created an atmosphere of cultural unity and cooperation on set that inspired everyone involved with a sense of common purpose.

“Whenever we felt like we nailed a take, it was festive and incredibly supportive for each other. The idea was to highlight the culture, not highlight individual characters.”

Del Rio went on, “The individual characters are part of the culture and vice versa. Plus working with a crew that is 99% Hispanic, felt like we were all striving together, as part of a team, to tell a story. It was real kismet with everyone working in harmony and with fiery, fiery passion.”

Mateo is a hyper-kinetic, slightly madcap, and often less than serious young man. However, when it comes to his relationship with his kid sister, Natalie (Belissa Escobedo), he does an emotional 180-degree turn. Mateo is a loving, doting, concerned brother and confidant to Natalie as she is going through a difficult sexual identity crisis —  he is always there for her. According to both David and Belissa, the on-screen, loving sibling relationship has morphed into a seamless transition from the script to their off-screen friendship.

Asked if he could put, in a single sentence the one thing he personally loves about working the hit ABC show.

“It’s so great to be in a show that is set in Miami and also celebrates Miami,” Del Rio said. “It is also great to see a show that celebrates the Latino family, which by extension, honors and celebrates the All-American family.” 

In a recent episode, Vanessa and Mateo share a brief, spontaneous kiss, which set social media buzzing and viewers into thinking there might be a budding romance between the two. That kiss might be the intersection of another storyline by creator, Georgaris.

So as we all wait patiently to hear if there will be a season two of The Baker and the Beauty, what becomes of that kiss between Vanessa and Mateo is anyone’s guess. However, we will not have to wait too long to see David Del Rio grow, as an actor, producer, and director. Armed with his boundless enthusiasm and talent, David Del Rio’s show business future is as promising as a Miami sunrise.

The two-hour season finale of The Baker and the Beauty airs on ABC, Monday, June 1 at 10 PM.

The post David Del Rio Strikes All The Right Notes “In The Baker And The Beauty” first appeared on .

Not To Be Missed! Monday, May 18, 10 PM

By Roberto Leal

Can a working-class Cuban kid find true love with a beautiful, Australian superstar? This question, and many others, are explored in ABC’s sparkling, hit romantic-comedy-drama, The Baker and the Beauty.  The series is an adaptation of an Israeli romantic comedy, Beauty and the Baker and it features an all-star cast of gorgeous, talented Latino actors showcasing a loving, but complicated Cuban family in Miami.

When Daniel Garcia, a baker’s son, (Victor Rasuk, The Lords of Dogtown, Godzilla), turns down a surprise proposal of marriage from his long-time girlfriend, Vanessa Sanchez (Michelle Vientimilla, Gotham, Seven Seconds), Daniel runs out and has a chance encounter with an international supermodel and entrepreneur, Noa Hamilton (Nathalie Kelley, The Vampire Diaries, Body of Proof). A whirlwind romance ensues between Daniel and Noa that stirs up conflict, controversy, and complicated family dynamics, that challenges the strength, stability, and the values of the close-knit, loving Garcia Family.

We recently interviewed Belissa Escobedo who plays the challenging role of the youngest of the Garcia clan — Natalie Garcia, the troubled 15-year old struggling with her sexual identity. We asked Escobedo who is 21, how it felt to be on a huge, primetime hit show.

“Surreal! Vibrant. Amazing!”

The Garcia Family is brought to life by Carlos Gómez, (Madam Secretary, The Glades) as Rafael Garcia, the father, and owner of Rafael’s Bakery. Lisa Vidal, (Star Trek, Being Mary Jane) is Maria Garcia, Rafael’s wife, and hands down, the sexiest Latina mom in TV history. The oldest son, Daniel, is portrayed by Rasuk. David Del Rio, (Pitch Perfect, The Belko Experiment), plays younger brother and aspiring DJ, Mateo Garcia, and Escobedo, (Don’t Look Deeper) as Natalie.

Escobedo described how the experience on the set of The Baker and the Beauty feels like a symbiotic effort between cast, crew, and writers, held together by a heartfelt sense of Latino community and sincere, mutual affection and respect.

She explained what it was like shooting most of the episodes in Puerto Rico, and she quickly responded, “With a Puerto Rican crew and all Latino cast, Spanish became the first language of choice.”

Recalling the ever-present Latino ambiance of that set brought the young actress closer to her Mexican heritage. Her character as Natalie Garcia, a 15-year-old who recently “came out of the closet,” declaring she is gay is almost the exact parallels of Escobedo’s own personal journey. “I was also 15-years old when I just blurted out to my parents, on a car ride back from dinner that I was gay, and they could no longer dislike gay people,” she recalled.

The angst of that experience has proven to be a valuable emotional tool in her portrayal of Natalie and in the communication between Natalie and her mother, Mari (Vidal). The writers on the show, according to Belissa, have been willing to tap into her own personal story to make Natalie more authentic and real.

“Today, the younger people are more comfortable and accepting of being gay,” Escobedo explained. “But the older Latino generation still has difficulty with it. Our show brings out both sides of that and I think it’s good.”

Natalie’s relationship with her fictional brother Mateo, seems very true-to-life and natural. The characters needle each other, confide in each other, and comfort and support each other, just like siblings do in real life. “On the set, people often could not tell if we were doing a scene or just interacting with each other naturally. It was funny,” laughed Escobedo.

The LA-born Latina vividly recalls the moment she decided to go into acting. “I saw America Ferrera in Josefina López’s Real women Have Curves. It was at that moment, I decided to become an actor.”

Escobedo spent a year in New York, studying and performing in theater. It was there she developed her love for the stage. “At some time, in my career, I would love to return to stage acting. It’s my first love,”

The young actress shared that the upcoming Monday, May 18, 10 PM EDT, episode of The Baker and the Beauty simply titled, Side Effects, will find all the major characters dealing with the consequences of their decisions.

“And, Natalie is going to find herself in some trouble too.”

When season two of The Baker and the Beauty is picked up by ABC, what does Escobedo foresee happening with her character, Natalie Garcia?

“I’d like to see Natalie navigating through school life with all the challenges being a teenager presents. I think it’s important young Latinas see people who look like them being represented on shows like ours.”

Following Natalie Garcia’s journey on The Baker and the Beauty will certainly be interesting, as will following the journey and career of Belissa Escobedo a rising, young star.

During the Great Depression, Hollywood provided escapism entertainment for a troubled nation by producing frothy, upbeat, romantic comedies and musicals with men dressed in tuxedos, women in evening gowns, sipping sparkling pink champagne and dancing in glitzy nightclubs to the music of Gershwin. Unfortunately, we are in such a moment again.

In these times, we need to believe in the possibility of romance. We need to laugh and cling fast to the love, safety, and security of our family. We need to see a happy, successful Latino family, like the Garcia’s, living the American Dream. We need to savor the delicious anticipation, of those intoxicating, aromatic, life-affirming pastries baking in Rafael Garcia’s oven.

Belissa Escobedo’s other TV credit include Bloody Maria, where she appears as Mosca. She is repped by A3 Artists Agency and Anonymous Content (manager).

Roberto Leal is a life-long movie buff. He writes about Latino-related subjects revolving around film, TV and multi-media for Latin Heat. He resides in San Antonio, Texas.

The post Belissa Escobedo Shines In The Angst Driven Role In “The Baker and the Beauty” 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 .