Gloria Calderón Kellett and Norman Lear are about to launch the fourth season of Calderón Kellet’s Latino version of One Day at a Time, a mere 45 years after Lear’s original series become a mainstay on the network from 1975 to 1984. Calderón Kellett developed ODAAT, the series with co-creator Mike Royce, which ran three seasons on Netflix, then it was cancelled. After a social media outrage and a call for the return of the much loved show, it was picked up by POP TV but cut short because of the Covid. Then the news came that the series was picked up by CBS, making a full circle back to the television network where it began. Home again.  Originally scheduled to premiere on October 5th, it was pushed back to October 12th at the last minute.

With the trajectory of ODAAT Calderón Kellett and Royce are the TV show creators that could…three times! The season four they shot for POP TV is what will be airing on CBS. Calderón Kellett took to social media to once again elicit the help of ODAAT fans. This season is crucial for the beloved sitcom if they are to get a season 5 on CBS.

If Calderón Kellet has shown anything, it’s that she is resilient and a survivor. And so she recounts her journey to being one of the most sought after show runners on television. Calderón Kellet recalls, “My parents are Cuban. I was raised in Oregon and San Diego, so I guess we are West Coast Cubans. Yeah, they do exist. I was a singer, dancer and actor at a very young age. In the first grade I was performing at malls and retirement communities.  The writing came a little bit later. It really emanated from a deep frustration I felt after coming to Hollywood and going out on auditions. I was stunned by the limited roles that they had for Latinos. ‘Where’s a Latino teacher, a lawyer or a doctor?’ The roles were always gangbangers or girlfriends of gangbangers. This was only fifteen years ago. That really frustrated me, so I figured that the people holding the power are holding the pen. So, I gotta hold the pen.”

Calderón Kellet was doing standup comedy at the time and noticed there were very few Latinas doing standup. “It was very male dominated,” she says. “I was consistently told that women had no place in comedy. So, I put together a one woman show of 15 short monologues for women of various, diverse backgrounds. It was a very simply staged production, just an actor on a small blank stage and a single light. The first night I gave tickets out to all the local charities that I supported and to the businesses around the theater. We were sold out and the rest of the run we had a line going around the block. People seemed to want to see a woman being funny. This is how I got my agent and my manager. I put up another show called Baggage the next year.  Then I wrote a book, Accessories – 30 Monologues for Women, a compilation of the monologues I did in those two shows. And that is really what started my career. That is the thing that caught fire for me and allowed people to see what I could do and make them want to hire me.” 

The once aspiring young singer, dancer and comic moved forward as a writer, actress, story editor and co-producer on the CBS series, How I Met Your Mother. Then she moved on to writer and supervising producer on Rules of Engagement, Lifetime’s Devious Maids, ABC’s Mixology and the ABC series, United We Fall.  In her current series, she has modeled the lead role of Penelope (played by Justina Machado) on herself.  

“It’s true,” she admits. “Our lead character is a veteran and a nurse.  I am not a veteran and I am not in health care. But the way she thinks and feels about the world is me. She is balancing between her mother (played by Rita Moreno), who is much more conservative and her daughter (played by Isabella Gomez) who is very liberal. Penelope is really trying to keep her balance between these very powerful women. She serves as our moderate.”

Calderón Kellett is not finding a huge difference between creating a series for streaming television and having it air on network television. “It really isn’t different at all,” she exclaims. “What is so beautiful about this show is, we were always making a Norman Lear sitcom. On Netflix, the episodes got to be a little bit longer, which was lovely, but this was always in the tone and style of what Norman has been doing for 45 years. It is really glorious to now be on a network which is what this format was designed for. It is having a discourse with your audience and saying, ‘Welcome to this Latino couch.’  The sitcom is a proscenium, a theater, a play. And the couch is the center of every great American sitcom because that’s where the conversations are happening. To be able to do that in the Norman Lear style on CBS so many years later is just a gift. And I am so proud to have it seen through the Latino lens.” 

When asked about the makeup of the writers room and how many are on staff, Kellett explains, “Every year it varies a little bit. I believe this year there were 12 of us. It’s normally between nine and twelve. It is a glorious room to be in.”

There are a lot of Latinos in there. We are heavily Latino and we also are heavily queer because one of our main characters is from the LGBTQIA community. It’s a lot. And we also have various ages amongst the writers which is also very important to us because the show spans so many ages. That is what happens when you put a Latina in charge.  We’re very intentional in making change.” 

As far as filming in front of a live audience, Kellett goes on to say, “Lear’s series featured live audiences. And, yes, we did most of ours live.” But then, the whispers about COVID started, so our sixth episode did not have an audience. The six episodes are what CBS has signed on for this season. We did a seventh animated episode, the ‘Election Episode,’ which we are praying CBS will let us air just before the Presidential election. We wrote this entire fourth season for Netflix but only got to shoot half of it. The hope is that CBS will love it and we can fold the remaining shows we have written for season four into season five. That is our deep wish and desire.  However, the great hope is that our community will come out and really show up big on October 5 to 19. That will be a clear statement to the network that the public wants to have the show on the air and we’ll be able to provide the series for many years to come.”

Aside from One Day At a Time, when asked about any other projects she’s working on, Calderón Kellett laughs. “I have many projects I am working on. I don’t know how many I am allowed to talk about yet.  My new deal is with Amazon. They have already greenlit several pilots for me. Then I have a movie with Natasha Rothwell, an incredible African American actress and writer. She and I have a movie called We Were There Too, being produced by Greg Berlanti’s company for HBO Max.”   

Wondering if Calderón Kellett ever missed her old days as a performer, she tells us, “I do but of all the things that I do, the writing, directing and producing have had the most impact. So, right now, that is where my focus is. I certainly love acting, being able to pop over and do somebody else’s show or do one of my own. But my priority is still the pen. Once I get another show on, I am sure I will make an appearance in it. There are a lot of very talented Latina actresses out there but not a lot of Latina writers and directors who are given the opportunity to create. So, I f eel that is where I need to put my focus at this moment.”

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By Ana Perez

Monday, October 5th:

If you are a fan of One Day at a Time from the start, you probably started watching the show on Netflix. Then it was cancelled and then you probably watched Season 4 on Pop TV, but the sitcom has a new home. On October 5th, One Day at a Time will have its CBS network debut. This is the lauded sticom that would and it did! It’s essential for fans to watch in order for the show to be renewed for Season 5. One Day at a Time is a comedy-drama that follows the life of Penelope, portrayed by Justina Machado, who is a single-mother and Army vet trying to readjust and raise her kids and her mother, played by great Rita Moreno, who lives with them. 

And, if you can’t get enough of Machado, tune in to Dancing with the Stars on ABC where you can watch the incredibly talented actress, a judge and fan favorite, light up the dance floor or watch the next day on Hulu.

Tuesday, October 6th:

Season 18 of NCIS may not be out yet, but CBS is airing Season 17 again for fans to get their fill. Make sure to tune in to see what Wilmer Valderrama (That ‘70s Show, Grey’s Anatomy) character, Nick Torres and Cote de Pablo as the super loved Ziva David are up to on CBS’s NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service at 8/7c.

While you’re watching CBS, be sure to catch Alana de la Garza (Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Law and Order) on FBI at 9/8c. Garza, a Mexican-American actress, portrays Special Agent in Charge Isobelle Castille. CBS is currently airing reruns of Season 2, but the show has been renewed for Season 3.

On PBS catch KCET’s new documentary entitled 187: The Rise Of The Latino Vote. The 90-minute film, which chronicles Proposition 187, a California ballot measure passed in 1994 that sought to deny public services to undocumented immigrants. Premieres Tues., Oct. 6 at 8 PT, and encores on Thurs., Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal, as well as Sun., Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV nationwide (Dish Network 9410 and DirecTV 375). The documentary will also be airing in the San Francisco area on Fri., Oct 9 at 8 p.m. PT on KQED and in the Sacramento area on Thurs., Oct 29 at 8 p.m. PT on KVIE.

Wednesday, October 7th:

Entertainment takes a break to bring you the Vice Presidential Debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris. 

Vote! Your voice matters! 

Make sure to catch Cuban-American actor and musician Yul Vazquez on the premiere of of Books of Blood on Hulu. The film is based on Clive Barker’s acclaimed and influential horror anthology of the same name. The film takes audiences on a journey into uncharted territory through three uncanny tales tangled in space and time. 

Thursday, October 8th:

Clear your schedule for the premiere of Connecting…, the new NBC ensemble comedy series that follows a group of friends trying to stay connected (and sane) while social distancing due to the pandemic. Connecting… will feature Otmara Marrero (Clementine, StartUp), a Cuban-American actress, in her first leading role. The series was written and executive produced by Martin Gero (Blindspot) and Brendan Gall (The Lovebirds). Check back with us later for a profile on the talented Marrero!

Friday, October 9th:

Fridays are for the movies! Make sure to watch Antonio Campos’s psychological thriller The Devil All The Time on Netflix. Campos is a Brazillian-American director, producer and screenwriter, is best known for directing Afterschool, Simon Killer and Christine. The movie stars Tom Holland (Spider-man: Far From Home, Avengers: Endgame), Robert Pattinson (Twilight, Tenet) and Bill Skarsgard (It, Castle Rock).

For the kiddos: Let’s go on an adventure with Santiago, an 8-year-old pirate, and his crew as they embark on rescues, uncover hidden treasures and keeps the Caribbean high seas safe. The show, which premieres on Nick Jr., is infused with Spanish language and Latino-Caribbean culture.

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As the TV series pick up or renewal period is coming to an end, ABC television executives are still keeping us in limbo about The Baker and the Beauty. Although the season finale, a two hour special clocked in their highest rating delivering a 0.6 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic for the first hour and 3.01 million viewers, ABC is slow in announcing a renewal.

But since we are still in the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantined, the only thing that is certain is that executives continue to scramble to decide which shows stay and which will be cancelled.

Here’s a ShowBuzz on who is IN or OUT on Latino themed series across the scope of broadcast TV, Streaming and cable:

The Baker and the Beauty — In or Out?

The ABC dramedy is still waiting for an official Season 2 pickup. Our favorite bakery family has not been told if they will be renewed. What! It should be a slam dunk that fan-favorite series be renewed. The Baker and the Beauty is about a young man named Daniel Garcia who works in the family bakery, but then he meets superstar Noa Hamilton, and his life moves into the spotlight. The story ride is hilarious, painful, and joyful. The series is high quality, great writing, and with a stellar cast starring Victor Rasuk (Fifty Shades of Grey), Natalie Kelley, Carlos Gomez, Dan Bucatinsky, Lisa Vidal, David Del Rio, Belissa Escobedo, and Michelle Veintimilla.

The series is an adaptation of the Israeli romantic-comedy Beauty and the Baker. The American version was developed and executive produced by Dean Georgaris, Becky Hartman Edwards, David Frankel, Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman, Peter Traugott, Assi Azar, and Rachel Kaplan for Universal Television. To date, ABC has yet to renew or cancel. Stay tuned.

Vida Cancelled — Sad and Bittersweet Goodbye

Who knows why on earth the suits at Starz decided to end this critically acclaimed drama after just three seasons. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the executives decided to rob us of this award-winning complex dramedy set in Boyle Heights and with an LGBTQ-focused theme of Season 4.

The third season of Tanya Saracho’s Chingona Productions Vida debuted on the Starz network in May 2018. On April 26th Starz announced that the series starring Melissa Barrera (In the Heights), Mishel Prada (Riverdale), and Ser Anzoategui (East Los High) had canceled the series. When Vida first debuted, many television reviewers deemed it “one of the best new shows of 2018.” During its second season, the show won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2019.

Vida was inspired by a short story titled Pour Vida Richard Villegas Jr. The series went on to also star Chelsea Rendon, Carlos Miranda, Maria-Elena Laas, and Roberta Colindrez.

Netflix’s Gentefied— Renewed for 2nd Season!

Another dramedy that started out as a web TV series, premiered on Netflix on February 21, 2020. The series stars Karrie Martin, Joseph Julian Soria, Carlos Santos, and Joaquin Cosio. In recurring roles are Julissa Calderon, Annie Gonzalez, Laura Patalano, Felipe Esparza, Rafael Sigler, Jaime Alvarez, Bianca Melgar, Michelle Ortiz, and Alejandro Patino. Gentefied is about familia, following three Mexican-American cousins and their struggle to chase the American dream.

The series, created by executive producers Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chavez, alongside Monica Macer, Aaliyah Williams, America Ferrera, Charles D. King, Kim Roth, and Terri Weinberg. The series was premiered on January 21, 2020, and on May 18th, Netflix renewed the series for a second season!

The Expanding Universe of Ashley — Renewed for Season 2!

This hilarious, feel-good, coming-to-age sitcom features a 15-year-old scientist Ashley Garcia who explores the great unknown of modern tendon after moving across the country to pursue a career in robotics. The comedy stars Paulina Chavez and Jencarlos Canela. Created by Seth Kurland and Mario Lopez, who is an occasional guest star. The first eight episodes are now on Netflix and add to Netflix’s huge investment in teen sitcoms. The series, which is promoted heavily on Netflix’s LatinX social channels arrived on Netflix on February 17th, 2020. The word is still out if there will be a second season.

One Day at a Time — Now at Pop TV Still Finishing 4th Season

After enjoying three seasons on Netflix, the sitcom got canceled. It has been a rollercoaster of a year for the cast and shows creators, but ODAAT got a save by Pop TV! However, just as they were geting off to a great start, COVID-19 hit and they only shot 6 episodes and still have one more episode to shoot.

One of the most acclaimed TV sitcom, frans love the all the family and their neighbor, from the feisty senior Lydia to progressive Gen Z’er Elena and goofball landlord Schneider. One Day at a Time looks, sounds, and feels like a loving bear hug from a beloved grandma. Inspired by Norman Lear‘s 1975’s series of the same name, ODAAT enjoyed three seasons on Netflix. Season 4, premiered on Pop TV on March 24th, at 9:30/8:30c to June 15, 2020, following an all-new episode of Schitt’s Creek. ODaaT stars Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz, Stephen Tobolowsky, and the legend, Rita Moreno. If you don’t have cable, ODAAT is available on the Pop app/website for free and without a cable subscription. You can also watch Pop TV if you are a subscriber to a number of streaming platforms: fuboTV, AT&T TV NOW, YouTube TV, or Hulu With Live TV.

On My Block — Season 4 Is Coming!

Season 4 release date on Netflix is still under wraps, however it is looking good.

What we do know is that Lauren Iungerich recently signed a multi-year overall deal with Netflix, so it looks good. Co-creator Eddie Gonzalez recently told digitalspytv.com, “What we can tell you is that, in communities like that, there are so many great stories. Because of that, that will help us with the story moving forward.” He also added, “I have 117 first cousins. I can mine a lot of material from those cousins alone.”

We are going out on a limb (not), and saying the best-case scenario is March 2021– next year!

On My Block stars Sierra Capri, Jason Cenao, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco, Jessica Marie Garcia, and Julio Macias.

Mayans MC — Is Back For a Third Season!

The next chapter for the “Sons of Anarchy” Mayans MC spin-off, continues! Season 3 is slated to premiere on FX on Hulu in the fall of 2020. This drama has first-rate acting starring J.D. Pardo, Sarah Bolger, Clayton Cardenas, Edward James Olmos, Michael Irby, Carla Baratta, Antonio Jaramillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Richard Cabral, Danny Pino, and Emilio Rivera. Mayans MC was co-created by Kurt Sutter and Elgin James. The series is executive produced by Sutter, James, and Kevin Dowling.

Mr. Iglesias — Is Back For a Season 2!

Netflix has renewed the beloved Mr. Iglesias sitcom for a second season! Starring Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Sherri Shepherd, Jacob Vargas, Maggie Geha, Richard Gant, Cree Cicchino, and Fabrizio Guido. Show creator, Kevin Hench also returns as showrunner and will serve as executive producer alongside Iglesias, Ron DeBlasio, and Joe Meloche.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine — Renewed for a Season 8!

It’s official, Brooklyn Nine-Nine will return for an eighth season according to an NBC Instagram announcement:

With two Latina leads (Melissa Fumero and Stephanie Beatriz front and center the show can’t help but be Latino/a themed. According to an NBC the cast found out about being renewed during a table read, “We want to dispel some of these crazy rumors about next season. We want you to come back.” Congratulations to the large ensemble cast: Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumero, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Chelsea Peretti, Andre Braugher, Joe Lo Tru, Joel McKinnon, Jason Mantzoukas, Marc Evan Jackson, Eva Longoria, Dirk Blocker, Adam Sandler, Gina Gershon, and Katey Sagal.

Further, it was reported that on linear TV, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which NBC saved in 2018 after it had been canceled by Fox, averaged a 1.2 rating and 3.2 million viewers overall in Live+Same Day ratings last season, up +15% versus the prior season on Fox. After 35 days of linear and digital delayed viewing, the show last season grew to a 3.1 rating in 18-49 and 6.4 million viewers overall, with 59% of that 18-49 rating coming from nonlinear sources — the #1 biggest digital percentage for an NBC series last season.

The Good Doctor — ABC’s Most-Watched Show

It was great news when ABC announce that the critically acclaimed show The Good Doctor had been renewed for Season 4. However, when Dr. Neil Melendez, one of the most beloved characters of the show played by Nicholas Gonzalez is killed off in the season finale, it was a shocker. it’s ABC’s most-watched show and killing off your original cast member, for “creative reasons” was a stab at the hearts of fans all over the world. they took to social media, but what was done was done. The Good doctor goes on without Gonzalez who helped make the show a hit. . The cast consists of Freddie Highmore, Paige Spara, Antonia Thomas. Its a diverse cast, however we hope that the producers do the right thing and bring on another Latino character, since Latinos are the largest minority in the U.S. and not having Latinos represented in the show is just not right.

Party of Five – Gone After Just 1 Season

Freeform cancelled the re-boot of Party of Five a month after season one. The series reimagend the original series that ran from 1994 to 2000 with a Latino family whose parents face deportation. Their children are left to fend for them with the older brother having to shift his life to run the family restaurant, while the high school daughter is now having to be the “mom” for her younger brother and sister.

The Party of Five cast included Brandon Larracuente, Emily Tosta, Niko Guardado and Elle Paris Legaspi. Bruno Bichir and Fernanda Urrejola as the parents. Amy Lippman and Chris Keyser who originally created the series served as executive Producers along with Rodrigo Garcia the (The Affair, Nine Lives)who also directed.

Narcos: Mexico – Will there be another year of Narcos?

While season 3 of Narcos: Mexico has not been confirmed by Netflix, showrunner Eric Newman is game to continue the drama—even up to the present day Mexico, which is still working through drug wars.

With resignation, we mourn our favorites TV shows which got cancelled, look forward to the continuing shows and anxiously await new shows which are in the pipeline. It’s called the Hollywood wait and see game.

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By Bel Hernandez

The fact that Gloria Calderon Kellett, Executive Producer/Showrunner (One Day At a Time) signed an “overall deal” with Amazon Studios this past week is a major “Big Deal”. For starters, this would be a major accomplishment for any woman in Hollywood, the fact that she is Latina puts her in an elite group.

This is not Calderon Kellett’s first TV deal. Her hit show, the adaptation of Norman Lear’s One Day At A Time, she worked with writing partner Mike Royce, falls under their current overall deal with Sony Pictures TV, which lapses in June 2020. At the time of this deal’s lapse, her three-year overall deal with Amazon begins.

Calderon Kellett belongs to an elite group of Latinas that have secured deals at TV or cable networks. Other Latinas who have had or still have production deals are America Ferrera with a deal at NBC/Universal; Salma Hayek with an overall film deal at Lionsgate; Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) has a TV overall deal with CBS; Zoe Saldana whose deal with DreamWorks Animation’s AwesomenessTV is to produce original content for the company’s forthcoming Awestruck service; and Eva Longoria who has had two deals, one with ABC under which she produced Telenovela and one with Fox Studios under which she produced the recent Grand Hotel which also aired on ABC.

However, Calderon Kellett’s Amazon deal has the distinction of being a three-year deal and she is the first-ever Latina writer/creator to sign an eight figures deal.

Calderon Kellett began her career in entertainment as a playwright whose scripts went on to win distinction and awards. She did stand up, writing her own comedy routines before turning to a career writing for TV. In 2005 she joined the writer’s room on How I Met Your Mother and she has worked herself to the top of her game from there.

Calderon Kellett is not only making news as an Executive Producer/Showrunner she has also joined the small ranks of woman directors in Hollywood and is one of only a handful of Latinas who have taken their turn directing for TV. While on hiatus from producing One Day at a Time, she directed an episode of the reboot series Mad About You. Her other directing credits include having directed episodes on One Day At A Time and Mr. Iglesias on Netflix.

When Netflix canceled One Day at a Time earlier this year after the third season, there was a social media uproar with audiences and critics alike calling for its return. Netflix did not reverse the cancellation, however, the series was picked up by POP TV giving them a fourth season which is set to premiere in the Spring of 2020.

With Latino TV writers as a whole only making up 2.8%  of all writers staffed on TV shows, the percentage of Latinas, derived from that percentage is much smaller. With that in mind, what Calderon Kellett has accomplished becomes even more impactful as this twice Emmy nominated and Peabody Award nominee only getting started.

The Latino community is lagging when it comes to TV writers and more specifically executive producers/showrunners. This community needs a prolific writer/showrunner with not just one, but several Latino series on the air. Longoria has been leading in this area, with having had two series in the past five years go to series. Both Telenovela (under the ABC deal) and Grand Hotel under the FOX deal aired on ABC. Both these series starred an all Latino cast, however, both were canceled after only one season.

Calderon Kellett’s One Day at A Time already a three seasons series will premiere its 4th season on POP TV. And, if Calderon Kellett chooses to produce more Latino themed content under her Amazon deal, she would be the front runner for the title of “the Latina Shonda Rhimes”. It’s a tall order, but given Calderon Kellet’s track record, it could well be a possibility.

The post Gloria Calderon Kellet Is A “Big Deal” at Amazon first appeared on .

One Day At A Time fans asked for the series to be saved, and Pop TV has answered the call. The comedy will have a 13-episode fourth season and will be on CBS-owned Pop in 2020.

Netflix canceled the show after three seasons and it caused a major backlash from the fans and many high profile entertainment industry figures. According to news reports, Gloria Calderon Kellett, ODAAT‘s Co-showrunner stated they had been in talks with various networks before choosing its new home at Pop.

One Day At A Time was inspired by Norman Lear‘s 1975 series with the same name. The show follows three generations of a Cuban-American family. A newly single mom and military veteran, portrayed by Justina Machado, is about the triumphs and tribulations that come with raising two strong-willed children (Isabella Gomez and Marcel Ruiz), all the while enlisting the help of her old-school mother, brilliantly played by Rita Moreno, and her building manager-turned-invaluable confidante portrayed by Todd Grinnell.

“We are thrilled beyond belief to be making more One Day At A Time,” said co-showrunners Calderón Kellett and Mike Royce. “This show has meant so much to so many, and we can’t wait to dive in with our amazing new partners Pop and CBS. And we’d especially like to thank all of the fans for their undying support, helping us turn #SaveODAAT into #MoreODAAT.”

Norman Lear state the following in a statement released:
“Three months ago, I was heartbroken with the news of our beloved One Day At A Time‘s cancellation. Today, I’m overwhelmed with joy to know the Alvarez family will live on,” said executive producer. “Thank you to my producing partner, Brent Miller, our incredibly talented co-showrunners, Mike Royce and Gloria Calderón Kellett, and of course, Sony, for never once giving up on the show, our actors or the possibility that a cable network could finally save a canceled series that originated on a streaming service.  And one last thank you to, Pop, for having the guts to be that first cable network.  Even this I get to experience – at 96.”

How amazing it is to be involved with the brilliant and culturally significant series that deals with important themes one minute while making you laugh the next. We couldn’t be more proud to continue telling heartwarming stories of love, inclusion, acceptance, and diversity that pull on your emotions while putting a smile on your face.” –Brad Schwartz, Pop TV.”

The series will also be broadcast on CBS later in 2020, as part of the pick-up deal, after its run on Pop. CBS was home to the original series which aired on the network over 40 years ago.

The post “One Day At a Time” Is Back! Season 4 on Pop TV first appeared on .

TheTRENDTalk Show, 4th Season’s, 1st Episode

If you miss any of the TheTRENDTalk shows, airing Sunday mornings at 7AM on MeTV, you can also watch on YouTube. Be sure to Subscribe.

In this episode hosts, Naibe Reynoso and Bel Hernandez welcome Justina Machado, the woman Harpers Bazaar called, “One of the most dynamic actresses on TV.” She’s fun and down to earth. Watch and listen to why she was such a hit on Norman Lear’s One Day At A Time, where she portrayed a single mom living with her two kids and her mother, played by the fabulous Rita Moreno.

Also featured in this episode are entrepreneurs Christina and Willy Escobar, a husband and wife team who have learned to successfully balance running a business and keeping family first.

Enjoy!

Follow Justina Machado on social media:
Twitter @JustinaMachado
Instagram @JustinaMachado

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By Nina Castillo

With a career that spans over 70-year Rita Moreno has consistently knocked down barriers for generations of Latinas and women of color with her undeniable talent, boundless energy, and stubborn perseverance.  She has already reached EGOT status, one of only 11 people to have received the four major entertainment honors—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. Now she will add a Peabody Career Achievement Award to her collection—the first Latinx performer to do so, officially making her a PEGOT, tonight when she is celebrated at the 78th Peabody Awards in New York

Moreno has forged a vibrant career spanning seven decades and several mediums, starting with her breakthrough role as Anita in 1961’s West Side Story for which she received an Oscar; a Grammy Award for the Best Album for Children (The Electric Company Album); a Primetime Emmy for The Rockford Files, and a Tony Award for The Ritz which played on Broadway. But at 87 years old she is busier than ever, and don’t expect her to be slowing down anytime soon.

Her recent three year run as the tough matriarch Lydia on the Netflix reboot of Norman Lear’s comedy series One Day at a Time has only served to solidify her as the most respected Latinx performers in the history of television and film and has introduced her to younger audiences. 

The visibility has lead her back to the project that launched her career. Moreno will return to the next big-screen in the latest adaptation of West Side Story that Steven Spielberg is directing. Not only will play Valentina, a take on the original peace-making shop keeper Doc role, only it will be expanded to a bigger role, but she is also on board to serve as executive producer.

The Puerto Rico-born actress shattered culture and color barriers in the pre-Civil Rights era, becoming one of the few artists of color to reach mainstream audiences on the big screen, the stage, and in their living rooms.

Born Rosa Dolores Alverio in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Moreno began acting at an early age and by her teens was landing small roles in film and on Broadway. By her 31st birthday, she had become the first Latina to win an Oscar for best-supporting actress for her role in West Side Story. A versatile artist who could dance, sing, and tackle comedy and drama, Moreno’s multi-faceted talents found her working with directors such as Mike Nichols, performing alongside Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and James Garner.

Moreno has used her celebrity status to raise awareness around issues that affect her community, including diabetes and heart disease. In 2017, she contributed to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s song “Almost Like Praying,” the proceeds of which went to benefit Puerto Ricans affected by Hurricane Maria. 

The documentary Dolores is also receiving a Peabody tonight. For the complete list of Peabody Award Recipients CLICK HERE

The Peabody Awards honor radio and television stations, networks, online media, producing organizations, and individuals from around the world. Established in 1940 by a committee of the National Association of Broadcasters, the Peabody Award was created to honor excellence in radio broadcasting.

For more information on the awardees, the full scope of the organization’s work and how to submit your project next year CLICK HERE.

The post Rita Moreno Receives the Peabody Career Lifetime Achievement Award Tonight in New York first appeared on .

Netflix has been under much criticism for the recent cancelling Norman Lear’s reboot of One Day At A Time starring Justina Machado and Rita Moreno, but are now tooting their own horn with a new original sitcom, Mr. Iglesias, starring the Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias that is set to premiere on Friday, June 21, 2019.

Netflix has been on a global TV conquest adding monthly to their already massive content library with incredible original programming and the rebooting of series favorites like Tales of the City, Designated Survivor and many more. 

Stand-up comedian phenom, “Fluffy” Iglesias in recent years has experienced some painful and emotionally hard life experiences when in 2017, while on a national tour, he was forced to cancel sold-out shows. On social media (Instagram) he reached out to his fans with a heartfelt apologize, where he poured his heart out admitting some hard truths:

“…Attempting to work through my problems was not going over and I had to stop everything b4 things got worse. Failing to make better choices and never taking a break in 20 years of intense touring, has finally caught up to me. I need to get better b4 I can return to making people laugh and smile….”

Fast forward to 2019 and Netflix has been all over the media world promoting Mr. Iglesias, a sitcom about a good-natured high school history teacher who tries to help his gifted misfit kids.

And, this type of show and premise makes total sense as a Netflix social media post states that if the 42-year old Iglesias had not become a stand-up comic, he would have been a history teacher.

“So we gave him a chance to live out that alternative reality with Mr Iglesias…” the Netflix post read. 

Another Instagram from Iglesias himself confirmed:

“It’s official, Fluffy has a sitcom. #MrIglesias premiers Friday, June 21^ston @Netflix #GabrielLglesias #mriglesiasnetflix,” as he captioned the post.

Mr. Iglesias co-stars Jacob Vargas, Maggie Geha, Cree Cicchino, Richard Gant, Tucker Albrizzi, Fabrizio Zacharee Guido, Coy Stewart, and Sherri Shepherd. The show follows Gabe as he teaches gifted but misfit kids at a public high school.

Is Mr. Iglesias the current version of the ABC’s 1975 hit sitcom, Welcome Back, Kotter? Well, if Fluffy’s fans are steering this TV ratings ship, Netflix can expect another hit. Plus, it is impossible not to be drawn to Iglesias warm and lovable personality. And, the dude is funny as all heck!

Iglesias is known for the stand-up films The Fluffy Movie and Gabriel Iglesias: I’m Sorry for What I Said While I was Hungry. He has also starred in the stand-up specials Hot and Fluffy, I’m Not Fat… I’m Fluffy and One Show Fits All.

Gabriel Iglesias is repped by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Arsonhouse Entertainment (management), and Marleah Leslie & Associates (Publicist).

Follow Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias on social media:

@fluffyguy (Twitter)
Gabriel Iglesias (FB)
Fuffyguy (Instagram)
Website:  https://www.fluffyguy.com

Netflix’s Mr. Iglesias premieres Friday, June 21, 2019

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