Whether it’s on the comedy stage, on television, in concerts or on film, comedian George Lopez has been making audiences laugh for over 25 years.
Earlier this year, the California native had a six episode stint on BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood; co-created and starred in the FX comedy Saint George; and returned to the big screen voicing the character Rafael in the animated blockbuster, Rio 2.
In 2012, George debuted his third solo stand-up special on HBO called It’s Not Me, It’s You. In 2009 he also hosted his own late-night talk show Lopez Tonight which aired on TBS for two years. That same year, he filmed his second HBO comedy special, Tall, Dark and Chicano, which was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Comedy Album.
From 2002-2007, Lopez starred in his own sitcom, George Lopez, which he also co-created, wrote, and produced. Never one to stay idle, Lopez has also penned two memoirs. The first published in 2004 titled, Why You Crying? was co-written by Emmy winning TV journalist and author, Armen Keteyian. The second book, I’m Not Gonna Lie And Other Lies You Tell When You Turn 50, was released in 2013, and gives Lopez’s hilarious take on aging.
George Lopez recently spoke to the Banner about his television shows, his new movie, Spare Parts, and who makes him laugh these days.
I loved seeing you earlier this season on the Real Husbands of Hollywood. How did that come about and will you be back on the show?
George Lopez: If they want me back I’ll do anything those guys require me to do. I did have so much fun. Everybody is hilarious. Kevin [Hart] is just the greatest. Chris Spencer and the guys that I’ve known for a long time just asked me. They had this 48 Hrs. vibe and they wanted me to play the “Nick Nolte.” So, I did six episodes. I’m not sure if they got to the premiere of the movie yet but it was all fun and all great. It’s one of those things where you have a great experience because you’re working with people who appreciate humor and they’re always trying to create better humor.
Your sitcom, George Lopez, was groundbreaking in showing a modern Latino family that was like any other family. What’s your take this season on shows like Cristela on ABC and Jane The Virgin that you may have helped to bring about, where they’re showing different types of people on television?
GL: That’s very kind. I think the show was very important for that and that it has still been on 12 years after it premiered, still on TV, and has never been off TV, is a wonderful testament to the kind of vision that Bruce Helford and Robert Borden and I had from the beginning in creating the characters, and making the situations not about color per se but about behavior in situations which is always better. Color, a little bit, but in a fun way. Cristela is doing well in the fact it’s been picked up, it’s been great for her, for her family, for the actors, for everybody. It’s a successful show that works that puts families to work and who are benefitting from the show. It’s a happy situation when you have a show that is starting and is a success.
Do you have any plans to do another late-night talk show?
GL: I wouldn’t rule it out because I think in that way, Lopez Tonight, including the great band that I had with Michael Bearden, and the bookers that I had who are now running great shows, other shows, and the shrapnel from my show would end up in some great places. In talking about it, seeing it, we were doing something that was different. If it were on now, it wouldn’t infringe on either Jimmy [Fallon or Kimmel] or Letterman. It had its own kind of situation, its own vibe. To have that taken away and not replaced with anything is probably sadder than the show not being on.
You’ve been on film and on television. You’ve written a book and you’re still performing stand-up. What else do you want to conquer?
GL: Well, you know I produced this movie Spare Parts that’s coming out in January that Marisa Tomei is in and that Jamie Lee Curtis is in. It’s about these high school kids in Arizona who went to an underwater robotics competition and competed against every major college and did very well. I won’t ruin the ending. It’s a little movie that doesn’t play to color but it is about a Latino group of kids. It’s about hope and how things still come true.
Who makes you laugh these days?
GL: Well, you know I just did a show with Charlie Murphy. We raised money to finish Richard Pryor’s statue last week. I asked the guys to help me raise the $8,000 that we needed. I had Mike Epps, and Cedric, and D.L. and Charlie Murphy and Eddie Griffin. All great guys and each one of them is very different and incredibly hilarious. Watching those guys still do it makes me proud that I still do it.
The Wilbur presents George Lopez on Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets: $55-$75; www.ticketmaster.com.
