The Good
An insightful show that does it’s best to show the humanity of it’s characters.
The Bad
Not enough bonus features. Why is there no commentary track with George Lopez?
Filled with laughs George Lopez: The Complete 1st and 2nd Seasons features 28 episodes of one of the most modern American families currently on the small screen. Comedian George Lopez rker who is promoted to management in the first episode of this show. With his wife Angie (Constance Marie) and two children (Luis Armand Garcia and Masiela Lusha), George does his best to be a good provider, husband and parent. His mother (Belita Moreno) is a cagey sort who gives her son the kind of tough love that can only be accepted on sitcoms.
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There are many solid episodes amidst this 28 show set but a few of them that stand out are “Prototype” in which George realizes that just because he’s a manager and gotten closer to “the man,” that doesn’t mean that he is “the man.” “Token of Appreciation” focuses on Carmen Lopez (Lusha) and the problems she has when one of her friends isn’t accepted amongst her friends at school. And “Meet the Cuban Parents” sees George doing everything he can to show his in-laws what a great provider he is. In the typical sitcom way, nothing really goes how it’s supposed to.
Showing us a very 21st Century Family, George Lopez: The Complete 1st and 2nd Seasons is groundbreaking TV on it’s own terms.
Features
Inside the Comedic Mind
Overall, I thought this was really well put together. Executive Producer Sandra Bullock talks about how she got involved in this show, and how George Lopez was chosen to be it’s star. We hear from other members of the cast as they discuss what makes George Lopez the comic talent that he is. He says things he shouldn’t say, he finds humor in simple situations, and he isn’t afraid to draw from his own life for this show. This featurette doesn’t just look at Lopez, we also find out how the other actors got their roles and how episodes are worked out week after week.
Gag Reel
From 2002-2003 we get to see characters messing up lines, interrupting one another, and purposely blowing scenes by saying outrageous things. The stand out for me was an exchange between Max and Angie Lopez. As I always say, if you have watched one gag reel you have watched them all but this one is worth looking at.
Video
Standard Version presented in a format preserving the aspect ratio of it’s original television exhibition. As these shows are from the 21st Century, I wasn’t surprised at how pristine they looked in this four disc set. Everything played basically how I thought it would (traditional editing, three camera set up, audience laughing at the right times, etc.), but that is what we have come to expect from sitcoms. There are 584 minutes of content on these discs and everything plays well. I didn’t see any real dirt or any other impediments on the images presented.
Audio
Dolby Digital. English - Dolby Surround Stereo. Spanish - Dolby Surround Stereo. There was a familiarity the back and forth banter that I really appreciated. Also, this is one of those sitcoms that from a dialogue and subject matter perspective isn’t ever afraid to go for it. From the things George says to his wife, his kids say to him, he says to his friends, and his mom says to him… the relationships seem to have no boundaries. I liked the way that things sounded here. Warner Bros. has done a very good job of keep everything leveled quite well across all these discs.
Package
The front of this slipcase cover features a large image of George Lopez’ head as he pulls his shades down. In the background is his family and everybody is all smiles. The back cover features another promo shot of everybody, a description of this show, a Special Features listing, some shots from the various episodes, a cast list, and system specs. The four discs that make up this set are in two slim cases that list out each episode, it’s airdate, and a thumbnail description. I applaud Warner Brothers for packing two seasons into one release.
Final Word
I had never really watched this show but I did watch a.k.a. Pablo in the mid 1980s, and I also grew up spending many afternoons (and nights) in the homes of my Cuban, Mexican and Asian friends. Watching George Lopez: The Complete 1st and 2nd Seasons, I was quite surprised at how accurate they got a lot of the characters. Things weren’t 100% right on but there were the little things, the phrasings (“for reals”), the facial expressions, and other comic tones that really made this show stand out in a special way. When George talks with his kids, or his wife, one can tell he cares but he’s also angling to tell a joke. I never witnessed any of my friends having the relationship with their mothers that he does here, but this show got so much right I feel it would be wrong to unduly look at what it changed for comic or story purposes.
George Lopez clearly is a big part of this show. Without him it certainly wouldn’t exist. That said, the other players might be seen in a supporting capacity, but they really add to this show’s flavor and vibe. I think when we look back at landmark TV in 2020, George Lopez will be revered in much the same way that terrific shows like Cheers are now.
