George & Mayan Lopez turn real life into hit show

“Lopez vs Lopez,” which wraps its third season Feb. 7, rates as a hit NBC sitcom that is the only Latinx show currently on a broadcast network with national exposure.

It’s a father-daughter relationship saga that echoes the real lives of pioneering sitcom star of George Lopez, now 63, and his daughter Mayan, 28.

“For me, it’s interesting that the family legacy is putting our personal stuff out there,” Mayan said in a joint Zoom interview.  “For us it’s not a foreign concept having a show based on your life.

“The first sitcom ‘George Lopez’ was loosely based on my dad’s real life. When we started ‘Lopez vs Lopez,’ yes, it’s a different George. It’s a different Mayan than who I am. But the themes of reconnection are the same.

“These are some issues,” she noted, “that weren’t made public. So I commend my dad and I, both, for being very brave. Now, being into the third season, you see the impact it’s made with viewers and the fans.

“I’ve had someone come to me and say, ‘This is something I’m able to now talk about to my dad.’ It’s men reaching out to their daughters, mothers reaching out to their sons. It’s going past what a normal sitcom would do.

“It’s connecting in making people laugh, making people look next to each other on the couch and start conversations.”

A Season 4 is hoped for but must wait until spring to be announced.

“Our culture,” George said, “doesn’t have an opportunity to have dozens of sitcoms that come and go so easily. So when you wonder, Is this the end of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’? I hope not.

“Because it’s been 20 years since my first one. I’m the person that put the first one on. And I’m the person that brought the second one on. The story is relevant to our culture; it’s relevant to all people.

“And the truer I’ve made it to myself is the reason that it succeeds.”

Latinx representation remains key in a volatile time.

“Ever since the new administration has come into power,” Mayan said, “I’ve noticed the comments get a little more racist. Even towards Brice Gonzalez, who is nine years old  and plays my son.

“People are telling him to pack up. People are asking, ‘Oh, is Season 4 going to be in Mexico?’ And that’s only just the tame ones.

“It only makes our presence more important than ever. It’s a little comedy, a bit of make-believe — and those comments are real life. It’s hurtful that people would have so much disdain for somebody.”

“Lopez vs Lopez” airs Friday on NBC

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