Well, not quite. George Lopez made his talk-show-host debut on Lopez Tonight with a bright, loud party that was neither revolutionary in format nor a laugh-a-minute, but it had a lot of energy and established a good mood.
Ellen DeGeneres showed up early on, wearing pyjamas and a sleeping cap. The joke was that she was trying to sleep somewhere nearby and Lopez’s tumultuous band and audience were keeping her awake.
Then she welcomed Lopez to the talk-show fold, said, “Everybody needs to be represented on television,” and had jello shots served to some folks near the stage. Well, Lopez did yell at the top of the show, “The revolution starts right now!,” didn’t he? Who knew it would come complete with jello shots?
Lopez, looking sharp, like the long-lost Latino Rat Pack member in a tight black suit, seemed perfectly at ease shouting his jokes over the frequent cheers of an audience who rarely sat down during the hour. His opening monologue was a combination of crowd-flattery (“This is what America looks like!”) and the kind of jokes you probably wouldn’t hear from, say, Conan O’Brien: “50 Cent has a fragrance called ‘Power’– it smells like illegitimate children and gun-powder.”
Lopez Tonight wasn’t necessarily funnier than the other talk show that debuted in the past week — The Wanda Sykes Show — but it had a more polished surface, and two things in common with Sykes. Lopez and his Latino heritage play as important a part in his humor as being black does for Sykes, and both have announced their intentions to bust open the white-boys club of late-night.
The opening-night guests here included Kobe Bryant, Carlos Santana, and Eva Longoria Parker. Guess which guest was invited to wriggle around on a stripper-pole? (Not that this was sexist or anything — Lopez himself took a turn on the pole.)
While some of Lopez’s jokes seemed pretty random (“Even Glenn Beck is black in bed”), he maintained an air of controlled celebration that was fun. As an interviewer, Lopez lobs the softballs that are standard for most of the white men (to Bryant: “Do you know how beloved you are?”), but he already has a disarming, relaxed air that puts him ahead of, say, Jimmy Fallon’s jittery opening night.
Lopez Tonight, which will air Monday through Thursdays on TBS, will take a while, as all talk shows must, to reveal its true quality. But for once I don’t have to write that it will take the Lopez show a while to find its groove. With its heavy use of good music from his house band, that’s one thing Lopez has already accomplished.
Did you watch? Did you find Lopez Tonight amusing?
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Comments (1-30) of 44 Add your comment
i am hispanic, i should love him, yet i cannot stand george lopez.i think my reason why comes from this line in the post: “shouting his jokes”. I feel like he is always shouting and just isn’t funny.
The man is consistently funny. I’ve seen his live shows several times and he always know how to crack up his fans. Some won’t like him, but most of those would rather watch Fox News and listen to Rush anyway.
Unfair statement Ben. I’m a big fan of George Lopez…but also watch Fox news!
Not fair Ben, I watch both also. It is all about being Fair and Balanced
i dont like lopez or fox news!
Yeah, let’s throw the race card in here.
Hey Ben… You’re clueless and bigoted, just like all of those who listen to FOX News and Rush, right? You fail.
Cochinos cabrones
I really hopes he’s the next Arsenio Hall. Late night is in need of that kind of funny!
I only saw the first few minutes, but it was already funnier than Wanda Sykes’ show. I hope they both improve and keep their shows.
OMG, the Wanda Sykes debut was such a disaster!
I thought the show had an amazing opening night- It did not have the pasty white guy thing going on, which was a great change. This show is only going to get better and better
I love george lopez his funny as hell.I’m Hispanic too… and you don’t need to be hispanic to like george lopez(PJ). Oh yeah and I also watch fox news!!!
Watched the opening monologue. He needs to remember that most of us are watching at home and stop playing so much to the overexcited crowd. He also needs some sharper jokes. He seems polished, he just wasn’t funny enough.
He also needs to tell the audience to SIT THE F DOWN!!!
well stop watching it then : )
In a word – NO – no impressed – will not be coming back for more
I’d take Wanda over this hack any day.
I watched the first part and wow I didn’t laugh once I’ve always liked Lopez but he was trying to hard with the racial jokes sure a couple are fine but that was his whole format it seemed. I ended up turing it to the Daily Show which made me mad I missed Lewis Black.
I love George. He just needs to polish up his act a little. Too much interaction with audience. We do not care about the audience. I don’t. It was funny but not hysterical. I will for sure tune in and give him a chance. Oh and poor Wanda, her show really sucked big ones. But i still love her too.
I loved it. I think he brings something different to the table that other hosts don’t. Its like he doesnt give a s**t whether u like it or not. although i think he needs to prepare better questions for the guests…things related to what their doing and not talking about m&m’s. I will be watching again though!
I ken never do nothing!!!
I loved the show yesterday.. good guest, the band was great, Ellen giving him a little support was very cool of her, the jokes were funny. But I did noticed the monologue was a bit long.
The show was really fun. Very Good for George!
i thought it was funny….not as funny as his stand up……but who else is going to get a asian man to say he has a small penis on tv..LOL
All I can say is that ITS ABOUT TIME!!! Last Latino host that I watched was Paul Rodriguez hosting a talk show and how I missed it. I am proud that George has a show.. it’s about time! The variety was good and I look forward to the future shows as well. VIVA GEORGE!! Chicago (La Villita loves ya)…
P.S. I watch Fox News – HLN News – ABC News.. and more
The show was not funny. It was racist, pandered to the idiots who liked Carlos Mencia, and resorted to the oldest jokes in the books time and time again.
The show was definatley entertaining, but I’m sure he has better jokes lined up. I agree, the crown needs to sit down. I’am big fan of G. Lopez and Fox News
Was it just me or did anyone notice how hot/cute the chick playing the guessing video game was?? … Chaoouuu!!!
First off… Fox is not news by any stretch on any imagination even those of the simplest mind. It is more like watching a really bad train wreck.
Now on to the subject at hand…. G. Lo is very proud of his heritage and why not! It’s the American success story, to have nothing and aspire for greatness. So he might have a way to go but at least he is taking his shot.
Oh yea, Elvis, and ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and CNN report the news without any slant. Bwaaa Haa Haa Haa!
I don’t understand…we are supposed to watch because he’s mexican? He acts like he’s been hurt by his heritage rather than been made a multi-millionaire. That wasnt what america looks like…it’s what los angeles looks like…and he should tone it down if he wants the show to last. Conan and dave and jay dont go on about being white…i just dont get it.
ok so are you saying that America isn’t all mixed? … i just don’t get you…
Rudy- Conan an Jay do play up there European (white) ancestry. Conan even did a show from Ireland. Everyone deserves their time. If you don’t like it, just don’t watch it.
Hey “Jorge”, I am a proud Hispanic immigrant and I have a favor to ask: can you please stop making every other stupid joke a referral to our Mexican-cabron- orale-party-fiesta-taco-50 word Spanish vocabulary stereotype??? Please, it gets reall, really old… You keep talking about how every race is equal (duh!), but keep making all these unfunny racial jokes that not only are irrelevant but NOT FUNNY…..
you want politically incorrect and INTELLIGENT humor?? Listen to George Carlin, for God’s sake…….
Seriously, some of us have higher standards for humor.
Aim high m’hijo, we deserve better….
Yeah George Lopez! Echale cabron! You are a great inspiration for people everywhere. However I must admit I love that you’re latin. Some of your jokes remind me of my father. And I’m so happy to see you live and freestyle. Live it up papi! Eres bakanisimo! Me encantas ! =)
Lopez is another comedian (?) who gets a free pass with the race card. If a white man were to tell half the jokes Lopez does he would be driven out of town and lynched. Racism is indeed alive and well in America, and Lopez keeps it alive with his weak attempts of trying to make stereotypes humorous. I am not laughing.
I was impressed. As I was looking for the show I accidentally landed on Leno who was showing stupid internet clips aka America’s Funniest Home Videos. I thought George’s bits were fresh and funny and not hackish at all (I can’t stand Carlos Mencia). I’ll be back for more.
Lopez is more annoying then funny
I would rather watch someone scratch a chalkboard
TBS hired a no talent clown to represent the latino population
As for your comments on fake news I mean fox news….
His delivery is so contrived. He seems devoid of a genuine personality and trys to pander to each segment of his demographic in an awkward act that just stinks of the marketing department choreography. It takes a certain person to to late night well and George just doesn’t have it. In fact, he even makes Jimmy Fallon look like Johnny Carson.
F-
I’m cautiously optimistic about this show. It’s a little rough right now, the jokes are hit or miss. It’s a little too simple America right now. Maybe it will build in complexity/depth as time goes by. I already notice a huge improvement on the standup stuff between day 1 and day2
Way to go George! The posts that refer to white comedians not using the race card. Wake up! Every other stinking night they use it. But those critics will try to tear down anything that “ain’t white.” Just keep doing what you’re good at George, a great big hug from San Antonio, TX