In 2023 when This Fool starring Chris Estrada was unexpectedly cancelled after season two, fans were quick to rally—sparking online petitions and talk of lobbying Hulu to bring it back. Estrada’s unique comedic voice stood apart from the sitcom stars who came before him. Unlike the broader humor of Freddie Prinze, George Lopez, or Gabriel Iglesias, Estrada’s deadpan delivery, sharp wit, and occasional mean streak brought a refreshing edge to Latino comedy on television.

This Fool didn’t just make waves—it made Estrada a breakout star. It also proved there was an audience hungry for stories outside of the usual tropes. Estrada’s sharp writing and original voice earned him millions of new fans and solidified his place as one of comedy’s most exciting new comedic talents.

Now, Estrada is back with a brand-new project, and this time he’s stepping into network television.

Estrada is set to co-write and executive produce Forklift, a single-camera warehouse comedy currently in development at NBC. As with This Fool, Forklift is loosely inspired by Estrada’s own life. Before landing his first series at Hulu, Estrada spent years grinding in warehouse jobs, an experience he now flips into comedy gold.

Co-written with Rick Cisario, Forklift centers on Victor (played by Estrada), a forklift driver who is suddenly promoted to warehouse supervisor. His promotion changes the dynamics with his coworkers, who now view him in a completely different light and have a hard time adjusting to his new role. The premise promises the same grounded, working-class humor that made This Fool so resonant—this time through the lens of workplace politics and friendships.

Estrada’s rise is a big win not only for his fans but for the ongoing push to amplify Latino voices in Hollywood. While Latinos make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population, the stories told about them—and more importantly, the people telling those stories—remain disproportionately few. Estrada stands out because he’s not just starring in these shows; he’s writing and producing them.

By creating characters and situations pulled from his own lived experiences, Estrada brings authenticity and specificity to Latino storytelling that feels both universal and unapologetically personal.

Forklift has the potential to broaden his reach even further, introducing mainstream NBC audiences to his unique perspective. It’s also a hopeful sign that networks are starting to invest in stories that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Estrada and Cisario will also executive produce alongside Good Walk’s Kent Alterman and Sarah Babineau will serve as executive producer for Good Walk their production company. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

With Forklift in the works, Estrada is proving that he’s not a one-hit wonder but a creative force with staying power. As he continues to navigate Hollywood on his own terms, fans can look forward to more of the sharp, socially conscious comedy that first put him on the map.

Estrada isn’t just back—he’s leveling up.

The post Chris Estrada Is Coming Back to TV and Building His Own Lane in Hollywood first appeared on .

Season two picks up right on the heels of season one, telling the story of twenty-something Máximo Gallardo (Enrique Arrizon), whose dream comes true when he scores the job of a lifetime as a cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco, Las Colinas. In 1985, Máximo must contend with upheaval at the resort, unexpected problems at home and a new love interest who just might rival the girl of his dreams. Under Don Pablo’s (Damián Alcázar) guidance, he sets his eyes on one day running the entire Las Colinas operation by becoming Diane’s right-hand man. Meanwhile, in present-day, Older Máximo returns to Acapulco to make peace with the recent passing of Don Pablo, where he is forced to confront some unfinished business young Máximo left behind.

 Acapulco is inspired by the box office hit film How to be a Latin Lover which starred Derbez and Salma Hayek, produced by 3Pas Studios and Pantalion, and released by Lionsgate. The TV show is a global production that includes Lionsgate Television, 3Pas Studios, Zihuatanejo Productions and The Tannenbaum Company, created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman. Jay Karas is both executive producer and director. In addition to starring, Derbez serves as executive producer alongside Ben Odell for 3Pas, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum and Jason Wang. Sonia Gambaro is co-executive producer on behalf of 3Pas Studios.

For viewers that want to know why Acapulco is considered a global hit, they can catch season one which is currently streaming on Apple TV+.

Fun fact: Apple TV+ was also behind the distribution of CODA in which Derbez stars as Dr. Bernardo Villalobos. The streamer bought the film for a record $25 million after it was screened at the Sundance Film Festival

The post Global Hit Comedy ‘Acapulco’ Back Oct. 21 For 2nd Season first appeared on .

Mercedes’ character, Fay, is a recently divorced woman who is looking to start fresh in the City of Angels. Fay’s friends in Grand Crew are: Noah (Echo Kellum), a hopeless romantic too eager to settle down; Nicky (Nicole Byer), a go-getter in real estate who is adventurous in romance; Sherm (Carl Tart), a low-key genius who plays the dating odds; Anthony (Aaron Jennings), whose true love is his career; and Wyatt (Justin Cunningham), who is relieved to be married and out of the dating scene.

Mercedes is a Dominican-American actress from New York City who has relocated to Los Angeles. A former improviser and sketch comedy actor, she has appeared in the shows 9-1-1, Good Trouble, Southland, The Affair and Criminal Minds. Mercedes also recently wrapped season two of her podcast Not (Blank) Enough.

The Jan. 4 episode three of Grand Crew will air at 8:30 p.m. ahead of the final season premiere of the multiple-Emmy winning series This Is Us.

To watch the first two episodes click here.

Featured Photo: Grand Crew cast members at the show’s premiere party. From left: Dan Goor, Carl Tart, Nicole Byer, Grasie Mercedes, Justin Cunningham, Aaron Jennings, Echo Kellum, Phil Augusta Jackson at Alta Adams in Los Angeles. (Photo: Trae Patton/NBC)

Check out this video featuring the cast and their characters:

The post Grasie Mercedes Co-Stars in NBC’s New Comedy Series ‘Grand Crew’ first appeared on .

In the Netflix original series, Salaz plays Kaylie Konrad, a rich, nineteen-year-old selfie obsessed celebrity who receives a community service court order to lead the wilderness club at an inner city middle school. When she is forced outside of her comfort zone in every possible way, she proves to her followers, the kids, and herself that she is more than just the pretty face her domineering mom-ager has always prized.

Team Kaylie was created by Emmy-winning producer Tracy Bitterolf (Emma Approved). The series was developed and is executive produced by Emmy-nominated producer Pamela Eells O’Connell (Jessie, Bunk’d) through her company Bon Mot Productions. She also serves as showrunner. The series is being directed by Bob Koherr (The Conners, Jessie).

“I set out to make a show that I would have wanted to watch when I was eight years old,” said Tracy Bitterolf. “I ended up with a show that I want to watch as an adult, too, which means Team Kaylie is for kids and adults alike, or that I haven’t matured at all. Either way, I’m thrilled to be in business with Netflix at a time when they are so committed to making compelling content that resonates with kids and family audiences.”

Starring alongside Salaz will be Alison Fernandez (Once Upon a Time) as Amber, a tough, impulsive, and street smart student leader of the Wilderness Club, who is less than thrilled by Kaylie’s presence. Symera Jackson (Disney Channel’s Sydney To The Max) as Jackie, a straight A-student; Elie Samouhi (Bizaardvark) as Chewy, a bumbling class clown who stumbles to the beat of his own drum; Eliza Pryor (Alexa & Katie) as Valeria, a would-be witch whose spells are almost as bad as her people skills

Over the course of the series, Kaylie and her Wilderness Club members will come together to find common ground: they’re all a little lost; they’re all looking desperately for a roadmap through life. And they will find that the only way to come out safely on the other side is to find some good friends to stick it out with.

The post Bryana Salaz Takes The Lead in “Team Kaylie” first appeared on .