ABC’s United We Fall highlights the importance of having a positive image of a blended Latino family on television. Especially in a time when multiple Latino oriented programming both on television and on streaming platforms are being canceled or ending too soon, including Vida, Broke, and The Baker and the Beauty.

Following the Ryan family, United We Fall shows a blended Latino and White family, with wife and mother Jo (Christina Vidal Mitchell) and husband and father Bill (Will Sasso) their two young daughters, the loving but blunt mother-in-law Sandy (Jane Curtain), and the very opinionated brother-in-law (Guillermo Díaz). Vidal Mitchell and Sasso are loving partners and parents navigating through life’s curveballs, taking enough time to enjoy the special moment’s parenthood brings into a couple’s life.

Taking on the traditional family sitcom format, United We Fall displays the challenges of modern parenthood. While also emphasizing the importance of family love, and accepting the reality that no family is perfect.

The show has been an audience favorite since premiering on July 15th, with a 0.58 (close to 4 million viewers) on their Wednesday night airings. And, although their subsequent shows have dipped a bit, the are currently on the upswing, attracting a viewership of about 3.70 million, and that bodes well for a possible second season pick up.

United We Fall, was created by showrunner/executive producer/writer Julius Sharpe, who’s best known as a writer for The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Family Guy. Sharpe based this show on his marital and parental experiences, with his wife, Latina actress Stephanie Escajeda, who is also a writer for United We Fall. Both Sharpe and Escajeda have worked on trailblazing Latino primetime shows, with Sharpe as a co-executive producer and writer for ABC’s sitcom Cristela and Escajeda on FOX’s animated series Bordertown as Maria, the mother.

In her interview with Latin Heat, Vidal Mitchell expressed how she felt Jo was, “…a character that I’ve always wanted to play”. Adding, “And then when I read the script, I just loved the writing.” She also noted how her experience as a mother of two young daughters herself, a two-and-a-half-year-old toddler and one-month-old baby, made Jo that much more of a relatable character.

Vidal Mitchell and Sasso are a great comedic duo, with great chemistry, making Jo and Bill a loveable and realistic couple. On her experience working with Sasso, Vidal Mitchell praised him, revealing, “He is a generous person, generous actor, which makes it really easier for the people working with him to kinda like fit into it.” Also adding, “He’s not thinking about just how he can shine; he’s thinking about how to make the picture work.”

Another important part of Vidal Mitchell’s and Sasso’s connection is, “When it comes to sitcoms, we kind of had the same attitude about the timing and the humor to it,” said Vidal Mitchell. “And on top of that, he’s a very kind person. He never makes you feel like you’re screwing up… He is very, ‘I’m here for you’.”

Now Showing on ABC Wednesday nights at 8 PST and streaming on Hulu.

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Premieres Thursday, April 2 (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT)

By Justina Bonilla

The newest CBS multi-camera sitcom Broke, features Jaime Camil as its leading man. Adding to its diverse primetime lineup, the majority of the main cast is Latino.

 Single mother Jackie (Pauley Perrette), works two jobs to raise her son Sammy (Antonio Raul Corbo), while living on a tight budget. Out of the blue, her estranged and very wealthy sister Elizabeth (Natasha Leggero), Elizabeth’s husband Javier (Jaime Camil), and Javier’s assistant Luis (Izzy Diaz) visit. When Elizabeth confesses to Jackie, they are flat broke, Jackie reluctantly lets them stay with her until they can get back on their feet. Forcing the sisters to set aside their differences and reconnect as a family. Reminding them just how much they all need one another.

Camil, before becoming popular among American audiences in Jane the Virgin as Rogelio De La Vega, his entertainment career began in Mexican radio, in the early 1990’s. Later, between 1999 and 2002, he released two albums as a singer. At this time, Camil also started his career in acting in Mexican telenovelas, most notably Mi Destino Eres Tú (You are my Destiny), La Fea Más Bella (The Prettiest Ugly Girl) and Qué Pobres tan Ricos (How Poor the Rich). As well as performing in live musicals on Broadway and in Mexico. Since Jane the Virgin, Camil continues to act and has become very active as a voice character for a variety of animated shows and films, including the Disney properties Coco, Elena of Avalor, The Lion Guard, and DuckTales. 

The character of Javier is portrayed as a well-educated, positive and a loving family man. Challenging the traditional Latino male media stereotypes (criminal, violent, domineering, lazy, womanizing, etc.). Javier’s biggest challenge is attempting to make a life outside of his wealthy and sheltered upbringing. To prove to his wealthy family, he can be financially responsible.

A unique aspect of Broke is the use of Spanish. While English is the primary language of the show, Spanish is sprinkled throughout the show, especially in conversations between Javier and Luis. Further defining their cultural bond and close friendship. Also, the use of subtitles helps the Spanish become more accessible to the audience, especially those of us with limited Spanish skills.

Broke is based on the Colombian telenovela Pobres Rico (Poor Rich People). Coincidentally, in the Mexican version of Pobres Rico, Qué Pobres tan Ricos, Camil starred as the main character, the rich man who turned poor. 

Alex Herschlag, the creator of Broke, is a seasoned comedy television producer and writer, most notably for Will & Grace and Modern Family. Victor Gonzales, the show’s director, has an impressive resume working as a director on multiple contemporary sitcoms, including multiple Latino oriented sitcoms, such as George Lopez, Wizards of Waverly Place, Cristela, One Day at a Time, and Mr. Iglesias. 

Overall, Broke is a warm-hearted family-based comedy. A breath fresh air in a time of tremendous stress and isolation, reminding us all how important family unity is, especially in a time of crisis.  Broke premieres on CBS, Thursday, April 2 at 9:30/8:30c.

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