Two Latinos stars will be the subject of PBS’s highly rated series Finding Your Roots, hosted by university professor Henry Louis Gates, this week. Mario Lopez and Melissa Villaseñor represent a first and a breakthrough presentation for Finding Your Roots as two Mexican American celebrities appear in the same show.

Lopez, who is probably best known for his role in the NBC teen comedy Saved by the Bell, has since distinguished himself as an accomplished director, writer and actor. He hosted Warner Bros.’s entertainment news show Extra for over a decade, winning two Daytime Emmys. Lopez currently hosts NBC’s Access Hollywood.

Villaseñor, a marvelous stand-up comedian and comic actress, is a current cast member on NBC’s long-running hit show Saturday Night Live.

Both Lopez and Villaseñor are proud Latinos who make no bones about acknowledging and honoring their Mexican American heritage. So, what historical facts and unknown buried family secrets will Gates’ investigation into their cultural backgrounds reveal to the two bright lights of Latino Hollywood?

In past programs, Gates has produced documents, records, photos and letters that often evoke powerful emotional responses from his guests. Some guests have had to come to grips with disturbing family histories. Others have found joy and new pride in their family background when an ancestor proves to be someone of importance or a significant accomplishment.

Culturally and ethnically, Mexico is a rich country. Of Indigenous and Spanish roots, the country has also embraced and absorbed cultures from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, making Mexico a most delectable international menudo. It will be interesting and enlightening to find out what ingredients went into the making of the menudos of Lopez and Villaseñor.
Finding Your Roots airs Tues., Feb. 1 on PBS. Check local listings for times.

Featured Photo: Mario Lopez (Photo: NBC) / Melissa Villaseñor (Photo: Courtesy)

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The 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards is ready to make you laugh out loud as Saturday Night Live’s Melissa Villaseñor has been tapped to host. 

Due to the Covid pandemic, this year the show will not be live from Santa Monica Beach, as usual. The show will air on Thursday, April 22on IFC and AMC+ at 10 p.m. ET. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Melissa Villaseñor into the club of smart, funny film lovers to host the Spirit Awards. The time to laugh has definitely arrived, and not a moment too soon,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. 

Villaseñor began her comedic journey as a stand-up comic in Los Angeles and gained further recognition after being a semifinalist on the 2011 edition of America’s Got Talent. The stand-up comedian, actress and impressionist is the first-ever Latina cast member of SNL. 

“As someone who considers herself a pretty dependent person, I’m truly honored to host the Film Independent Spirit Awards,” said Villaseñor. 

The Mexican talent is best known for her impersonations of Owen Wilson, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and more.

Outside of SNL, Villaseñor has provided voiceovers in films such as Toy Story 4; Ralph Breaks the Internet, Family Guy and American Dad. She is currently working on her first book, a creative self-help journal forthcoming from Chronicle Books. 

Said Blake Callaway, Executive Director, IFC and SundanceTV, “Melissa and the unique circumstances of now will make this year’s ceremony like no other. It will certainly be a departure from the past, but with Melissa, the chances of Dolly, Ariana Grande, Bjork, Gwen Stefani, Julie Andrews and Lady Gaga showing up have skyrocketed.”

Film Independent, a non-profit organization cultivates the careers of emerging filmmakers and promotes diversity and inclusion across the film industry. For the first time, the Directors Close-Up, an annual series featuring in-depth panel discussions with the year’s lauded filmmakers, will only have Spirit Award nominees as panelists. The series, which will be available for streaming, will include nine sessions over two months, featuring the best directors from indie film, documentary, and television. This year’s Spirit Award nominations include a new TV section. This year’s Best Feature nominees include First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Minari, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, and Nomadland. The full list of nominees can be found HERE:

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