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Lopez Tonight (TBS)

common sense media says

Host makes late-night history ... but in a crude fashion.


parents & educators say
  • 67% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this late-night talk/comedy show hosted by comedian George Lopez supposedly celebrates diversity and cultural unity -- but Lopez frequently uses crude humor and racial/ethnic stereotyping to garner laughs. Expect frequent strong language (words like “s--t” are fully bleeped, while those like "bitch" -- and the wide variety of Spanish curses Lopez uses -- aren't) and jokes that refer to a variety of sexual acts, drinking, drug use, guns, and other violent activity. Women are shown in sexy outfits dancing during musical numbers.

Positive messages: Although Lopez talks about the importance of diversity, multiculturalism, and unity, any positive messages are diluted by his use of racial/ethnic stereotypes.
Positive role models: Lopez is the first Latino late-night talk show host in the history of American television.  While not everyone may agree with his attempts to reclaim stereotypes (or his reliance on cultural/ethnic humor, some of which can be pretty crude) he has broken down a lot of barriers.
Violence: Jokes sometimes refer to guns, gang activity, and other violent events.
Sex: Some strong sexual innuendo, including specific references to having sex and to various sexual acts. A celebrity guest dances on a stripper pole, and women are frequently shown dancing in skimpy outfits. One segment asks audience members to guess about the size of a man’s penis.
Language: Words like “bitch” and “ass” are audible; curses like “s--t” are fully bleeped. Lopez also uses a lot of Spanish curse words.
Consumerism: Like any late-night talk show, the series features celebrities promoting their latest projects.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some jokes refer to drinking and drug use.

More on Lopez Tonight

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how the media represents different races and ethnicities. Do you think that someone from a specific racial/ethnic background automatically represents his/her community? Should that person automatically consider her/himself a role model for that community?
  • What exactly does “reclaiming” a stereotype mean? Do you think using stereotypes is ever necessary and/or appropriate to make a point?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Hosted by actor/comedian George Lopez, alk/variety/comedy show LOPEZ TONIGHT earns the distinction of being the first American late-night show to be hosted by a Latino performer. The series serves up a glitzy, party-like atmosphere highlighted by female dancers and music performed by the show’s in-house band. Lopez delivers his trademark edgy humor during his opening monologues and throughout various comedy segments that incorporate street interviews and audience participation; celebrity interviews and live musical sets round out each episode.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

LOPEZ TONIGHT offers all of the traditional trappings of late-night entertainment but also attempts to offer messages about diversity, unity, and change inspired by Lopez’s Chicano heritage. The comedian pays homage to multiculturalism by frequently referring to family-inspired racial/ethnic jokes and relying on crude cultural stereotypes (including jokes about the size of Asian genitalia and the racist nature of "white people") for laughs.

Lopez's place in the late-night roster is certainly groundbreaking and may even be inspiring for some. But his overuse of racial/ethnic humor leads to more cheap laughs than empowered moments. And sometimes he just isn't very funny.  As a result, he seems to be undermining the very messages about change and cultural unity that he's trying to promote.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: TBS
Cast: George Lopez
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: TBS

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 67% say there are positive messages
  • 33% say there are positive role models
  • 33% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

realitycheck69
parent of 11 year old
 
Caution... Lopez Tonight, a show for adults with an open mind!
Lopez Tonight IS a show for adults, no doubt about it! I Love it, although I can understand the shock everyone is experiencing and the fact that many non-hispanics don't understand many of his jokes. It's also quite difficult to view it with an open mind, when most of America is used to the same format over and over again. Yes, Leno, Letterman and the rest are funny, but they follow the same rules. It get's boring after a while! It might also be true that his humor is not for everyone, but this is what he has been doing for years in his standup and the reason that we love him. I am a First generation American born Mexican who grew up in a very White community. It was difficult growing up to identify with anything or anyone in the media. My family did not fit into the Brady Bunch or Happy Days Models. So, for me the Lopez Tonight show gives me a feeling of "Wow, someone else understands where I am coming from!" Some one once said, that making fun of the stereotypes of our own culture gives us power. We know many people who don't fit the stereotype, but we also know that one person who does, and that is what makes it funny!

some kid
kid, 12 years old
 
Good for older kids.
Really not as kid friendly as Conan. Many bad words and inappropriate skits. Could in fact, be rated TV-MA! Iffy for 13+


kid, 12 years old
 
Lopez Tonight
Rating: IFFY 14+ for adult content, cigarettes, spanish bad words, dangerous/disgusting content. "Why We Rated This OFF for ages 13 and under (NOT AGE APPROPRIATE), IFFY for ages 14-17 (14-15 where just doing the good stuff, 15-17 can handle all profanities), and ON for 18 and up including ages from -1 until 18, see your kids about this This is adult content".


teen, 14 years old
 
Lopez Tonight
Rating: IFFY 14+ for adult content, cigarettes, spanish bad words, dangerous/disgusting content. "Why We Rated This OFF for ages 13 and under (NOT AGE APPROPRIATE), IFFY for ages 14-17 (14-15 where just doing the good stuff, 15-17 can handle all profanities), and ON for 18 and up including ages from -1 until 18, see your kids about this This is adult content".


kid, 11 years old
 
Lopez Tonight
Rating: IFFY 14+ for adult content, cigarettes, spanish bad words, dangerous/disgusting content. "Why We Rated This OFF for ages 13 and under (NOT AGE APPROPRIATE), IFFY for ages 14-17 (14-15 where just doing the good stuff, 15-17 can handle all profanities), and ON for 18 and up including ages from -1 until 18, see your kids about this This is adult content".


kid, 12 years old
 
dont watch this ... stinks - - the show george lopez is better!


teen, 14 years old
 
dont watch this ... stinks - - the show george lopez is better!


kid, 11 years old
 
dont watch this ... stinks - - the show george lopez is better!

Mrs Prince
parent of and 14 , 15 , 17 , 19 year old
 
I luv this show!!!!

blewnc
adult
 
Honest Lopez interview
Lopez tonight is terrible. Monologue is stale and he copies the other late night shows segments. Audience is bogus with those forced cheers. Leave the interviews to people experienced in that area.

Cowtails
teen, 15 years old
 
Not George Lopez
I was always a huge fan of the George Lopez show. When he came out with his own talk show I thought it be just as funny. I was wrong here me out Lopez tonight is nothing like George Lopez. There's a ton of inappropriate language used and sexual refrences are also in there to. Here's an example of what I'm talking about the second show of it they had Slash the famous guitarist. Well I thought he was a pretty cool guy that doesn't have a sick mind and doesn't curse on live television. I was agian wrong. In the second episode he gave George Lopez a guitar and signed Hey brother your the funniest MF that I've ever known. They had to bleep it out and the words on the guitar because you can read it. I'm warning you this show isn't all that it seems to be so let your teen or child watch the show and observe how they react when they hear inappropriate dialogue used and them talking about sex. I guess it's back to Nick at Nite!

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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