I Might Be Mexican, but I Don't Have to Like 'Lopez Tonight'

Comedian Trots Out Tired, Unfunny Ethnic Humor

Posted by Laura Martinez on 11.10.09 @ 11:00 AM


Laura Martinez

Last night, along with many other Latinos in America (and non-Latinos), I tuned in for the premiere of "Lopez Tonight," a new one-hour late-night show hosted by Mexican-American comedian George Lopez. Truth be told, I wasn't expecting much; I've never been a fan of Mr. Lopez's comedy but I was curious to witness the "cultural revolution" that promised to show the world the increasingly diverse face of America's late-night television.

Mr. Lopez kicked off the night with a monologue that included jokes about -- what else? -- his abuela and growing up in a family that thinks Asians are there to do our manicures and blacks are there to steal our stuff. Other jokes were just too obscure for me to understand (or just not funny), but overall it was clear the host was playing his Mexican (multicultural?) heritage as a funny token.

Sure, Mr. Lopez is darker than Leno, Letterman and Fallon. And, yes, I am aware he is of Mexican origin. But I don't see how that makes my TV more diverse: I might be missing something here, but I don't find jokes about Mexican food and the gases it produces really funny. And no, they are not funnier because they are told by a guy who is of Mexican origin (well, maybe if it was my 6-year-old nephew I'd laugh -- a little).

Overall, I found "Lopez Tonight" neither revolutionary, nor funny.

I stopped watching when Eva Longoria arrived on the set (sorry, it was time for "Seinfeld" reruns) but I did catch a glimpse of a contest in which Mr. Lopez challenged two members of the audience to show how prejudiced they were. I suppose the original idea may have been witty, but the execution was truly poor. A man and a woman were brought to the stage and asked to watch a video, after which they were required to answer a series of questions about people interviewed in the street: whether an Asian man had a small penis, a white man used the "n word" or a Latino pays for his cable or not. Ha, ha, ha.

As a member of the so-called minorities in this country, I know Mr. Lopez can get away with a lot of things when it comes to talking about race and color issues. (Hell I know I can!) But I would appreciate it if he could do it in a funnier way and spare us the jokes about anti-flatulence medication. To paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld, still one of my favorite comedians, Mr. Lopez's comedy doesn't offend me as a "minority"; it offends me as a funny person.

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Read more from Laura daily at Mi Blog Es Tu Blog.

16 Comments

By golyadkin1 | Phoenix, AZ November 10, 2009 12:30:24 pm:

Using a Mexican comedian is just an excuse to be able to make racist jokes, but "they're ok" because he's Mexican. If it was a gringo making the same jokes, it wouldn't be ok, but this way, we can poke fun at Mexicans (and others) just because now it's ok. His ethnicity allows it to be so.

I'm Mexican and I'm not laughing. Not even a little bit.

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By Mary999 | Burbank, CA November 10, 2009 01:38:21 pm:

I'm Cuban and I thought it was hilarious. How unprofessional to review a show that you didn't watch all the way through..and admit it! I think this show was amazing and different than any talk show out there. It is a talk show, you can't reinvent the wheel but Lopez Tonight was exciting, racy, and very multi-cultural. During a commercial I flipped to Conan and was astounded at how boring his show was after seeing the party Lopez was having. You admitted you aren't a fan of Lopez and your review shows it. Next time be professional.

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By tkmiller67 | Greensboro, NC November 10, 2009 01:45:43 pm:

The more that we tolerate racist jokes, humour or commentary regardless of the source, the more racism will permeate the fabirc of our society. And we have noone to blame but ourselves for the subsequent hatred and perpetuated stereotypes.

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By msalup | Coral Gables, FL November 10, 2009 02:04:56 pm:

Not because Laura is a personal friend, but she is dead on on her review of Lopez

(1) He is lame lame lame lame as a comedian. Really lame. The show last night just howlighted what a poor sense of timing he has as well as the fact that his humor would not make an 8-year old laugh.

(2) The show embarassed me, not has a Hispanic, which I am, but as an admirer of stand-up. I don't know if anyone out there has tried it, but doing even a 60-second routine in front of people takes real balls and I admire people like George Carlin who was 1,000% more racist than Lopez. I just think he is an embarassment for stand up comedians.

(3) There's racism and there's racism. When Carlin insulted everyone (black, white, brown, green and polka dotted) there was a massive "wink" in the air; he was sharing with us the fact that we are all flawed to a degree. When Lopez does it, he absolutely lacks the finesse to carry it on.

Lopez Tonight sucks. Not because he is or not Hispanic, Mexican or human. Just because he is a lousy comedian with lame jokes and no sense of timing. The hugeness of his set served only to highlight the smallness of his comedy.

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By PATRICK | ATLANTA, GA November 10, 2009 02:15:11 pm:

Great points, Laura. I agree. More to the point, Lopez is unfunny in any language. http://www.thelintscreen.com

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By kgpugh | CHEVY CHASE, MD November 10, 2009 02:54:46 pm:

Are you all seriously need to get over it.

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By markshafer | wilmington, DE November 10, 2009 04:16:47 pm:

As a general rule, an ethic comedian doing jokes about their own ethic group is bad humor. Richard Prior wasn't funny when he was making jokes about the brothers.........Lenny Bruce wasn't funny when he was making jokes about Jews...........and Lopez isn't funny when he makes jokes aobut Mexicans.......but the biggest difference is that Lopez (unlike Prior and Bruce) isn't funny AT ALL.

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By Joe DiBello | Portland, OR November 10, 2009 04:41:13 pm:

I'm not a huge fan of ethnic humor, for most of the reasons stated here by others... but, the comments from markshafer aside, can anybody deny that Chris Rock is hilarious when he dishes it out to sterotyped Blacks?.. Can you really watch Jackie Mason's Jewish comedy without laughing? Even Lopez, with the freedom of an HBO-type environment (check out "Why You Cryin"?) can be amusing. The format and what it will allow has a lot to do with the level of humor... yes, as does the talent of the comedian.

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By victorcamara | Plano, TX November 10, 2009 04:46:14 pm:

This is what is wrong with Latino's, they are haters. Even if you don't like George Lopez you should support the show, rag on his comedy or whatever doesn't please you, or should I say whatever offends you, but at least he has more diversity in his show.

Let's see, Kimmel has Bill Simmons and Chirs O'Donnel on tonight and Leno has Howie Mandel, not much diversity there!

George had Ellen, Santana, Kobe, and Eva, and tonite is Jamie Foxx and Mark Anthony. Like Ellen said, it's good to have a show that supports diversity.

Sorry but I'm watching George tonight, again! His deliver and jokes were 1000X better than Jimmy Kimmel, who stutters and messes up EVERY line. If you don't like racial humor that means you can't laugh at yourself and therefore are a self absorbed and behind the times, or just plain old.

Way to support diversity Laura Martinez.. you just joined the ranks of Rush and other conservative prudes.

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By msalup | Coral Gables, FL November 10, 2009 05:45:41 pm:

Victor: you don't make a logical argument at all.

Just because Kimmel is not funny (and, he's not) doesn't make Lopez funny (and, he's not)

Hispanics having to support Lopez because he's Mexican sounds really knee jerk to me. Should I then not support Chris Rock (whom I personally like) because I'm not black? Or should I then watch Leno because we both have a great head of hair?

Bottom line, this is about comedy, not about race (and, by the way, Hispanics are not a race... we are an ethnic group; I have white tan lines) and, honestly, having dozens of other bad commedians doesn't make Lopez a good one... just one more of the bad ones.

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By victorcamara | Plano, TX November 10, 2009 06:17:53 pm:

msalup, I never said George is funny. Some of his comedy makes me laugh but it is not to the quality of Chris Rock or Dave Chapelle, but at least it's better than Kimmel and I would say on par with Leno (not the style but the level of funnyness, if there is such a thing).

I'm not saying support Lopez personally, or his jokes, just because he is Mexican, but he has a good mix of guests and conversations on his show, like he did with Eva and Kobe (even though I hate Kobe, go Mavs!).

I wouldn't say it's ALL about comedy either. Latinos, blacks and other races need more representation on TV than what is currently out there and if the only person that can bring that to us right now is George Lopez then so be it, not like I have a choice. Plus, this will pave the way for others who come after George, whether it be someone you like better or worse is really not your choice or mine, the studios decide that anyways.

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By nycelife | New York, NY November 10, 2009 06:22:26 pm:

I'm sorry, Richard Prior's jokes about the brothers was funny and I'm a brother. Let's be clear Lopez in not in Prior's league.

Anyway, was Lopez's debut great NO, was it good AHHHH, but I give him a pass. The talk show format is not easy to master - remember Conan had trouble the first week too. Give George a little time to settled down. Once he comes to terms with the fact that he can't handle this like an HBO concert and looks at some old Carson & Arsenio Hall tapes - he'll find his way.

I for one plan to give another chance tonight. Never mind the fact that Eva Longoria Parker is the new face of the London Fog brand and she didn't mentioned the new campaign. I'm pissed, but let's not digress.

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By hotmail | insider November 10, 2009 08:35:24 pm:

Well, at least you know how most black people feel when they turn the channel to BET.

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By BoricuadeVerdad | Miami, FL November 11, 2009 01:02:35 pm:

I am taking the time to submit a comment because I think it's extremely important that we do not miss the greater issue here.

The persons who commented they do not like George Lopez as a comedian both named white American comedians as their preference. Maybe it's because they cannot name any other Latino comedians. I cannot name many and that right there IS THE POINT.

This is the FIRST time a Latino has been given the opportunity to host a late night talk show. The opportunity is on CABLE not even a major NETWORK television channel.

The point is that we have to create opportunities for diversity where there have been NONE in the past.

Your personal opinion becomes trivial alongside the greater issue. Latino's deserve the right to try, to right to learn, the right get better and to succeed. If there is no opportunity there will never be a chance to SUCCEED. I really hope that simple fact bothers you more than a corny joke.

I would like you to check the tv guide and see the guest line up on the major networks tonight. Can you find your likeness there? I don't so I am happy to see a first step, a beginning to more doors opening to new talent of all shades and accents.

If we do not support the first Latino given the opportunity how can we expect other Latinos to get their opportunity?

Peace & Love people. Let's make this planet a better one for the upcoming generations.

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By JackJones | Chicago, IL November 11, 2009 04:57:19 pm:

I always thought Lopez was funnier before his sitcom, which tried too hard to be charming in a Cosby style. This talk show is not bad at all – especially when you consider the other talk shows that have come before it (compared to, say, the Magic Johnson debacle, Lopez looks like the second coming of Johnny Carson). In some ways, I think he's working too hard to hype the cultural aspect, pointing out all the color he's bringing to late-night TV. He should play it like Arsenio. That is, don't keep telling everyone you're being cultural. Just be cultural. Otherwise, you come off like bad multicultural advertising.

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By Derek Walker | Grand Prairie, TX November 13, 2009 11:02:12 am:

I watched a couple of shows before I decided to write this.

Is his talk show as funny as his stand up? No. But the energy and structure of the show is better than other late night talk shows. The interaction with Jamie Foxx was nice.

I think we have to give him time to hit his stride. I don't think Carlos Mencia would be as funny on a talk show. It is the nature of the beast we call talk shows.

For the record I'm a fan of Carlos Mencia, Gabriel Iglesias, Pablo Francisco and Jeff Garcia. There was a woman on Showtime who had me rolling on the floor but I forget her name. Funny knows no color.

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