George Lopez fooled me.  During his sitcom’s six-year network run, I never watched an episode, thinking (for some odd reason) that it wouldn’t be funny.  Boy, was I wrong.  WBNX acquired the show in syndication this fall, so I gave it a try and found the family comedy to be edgy and relevant, not at all what I expected.  George is a very funny guy, and his combative relationship with TV mom “Bennie” is the basis for much of the show’s humor.  Ironically, in real life George was abandoned by both of his parents by age 10, so he’s overcome a lot of personal struggles, including a kidney transplant from his wife two years ago.  This summer, the ALMA Awards (recognizing Hispanic accomplishments in media) presented George with the Television Pioneer Award, an honor well-deserved when you consider that only three other Latinos have ever had lead roles in a TV sitcom: Desi Arnaz (I Love Lucy), Freddie Prinze (Chico & The Man) and Paul Rodriguez (the short-lived A.K.A. Pablo).  His appeal crosses into nearly every medium, as George currently has four films in production, an impressive archive of comedy CDs and DVDs, plus an autobiography, Why You Crying?  Oh, and he still tours regularly with his popular stand-up act!  We’re fortunate to spend a half-hour with the “Latin king of comedy” on a daily basis.

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