LATINOWOOD
■The Beginning: Familia Corporation—Univision/Televisa
By Elia Esparza – A Hollywood insider who brings her 26 years of working with Latinos in entertainment to the forefront. After 26 years living in Los Angeles and working in Hollywood, I have accumulated memories and experiences that at times I find hard to believe. Some are fascinating, some a bit bizarre, some painful, but most are glorious. At Latinowood you will read about my personal journey into the Hollywood odyssey, the people who have impacted my life along the way, Latino writers, filmmakers, actors, and executives. I will also venture into niche and Latino PR and marketing in Hollywood providing my own expertise and interviewing leading experts in this field. For this firs….

■National Latino Media Council Releases “Report Cards” on Network Television Diversity
Ten years ago, a coalition of Latino organizations, including the National Latino Media Council, the National Asian/Pacific American Media Coalition, the NAAACP and the American Indians in Film and Television persuaded the four major television network – ABC, CBC, Fox, and NBC – to sign unprecedented Memoranda of Understanding. The goal: to diversify the networks’ workforce in front and behind the camera, and to open up procurement opportunities for people of color. Since then, the world of network television has changed – albeit slowly. In 1999, 24 new programs debuted at those four networks, and not one featured a person of color in a lead or regular role. Ten years later, the Screen….

■George Lopez Dishes Out Love Advice & Dishing at the ALMAs
LatinoWood, U.S.A. — George Lopez giving Love advice? Check out his love advice on his www.LopezTonight.com/link website. Would you trust George to fix your lovelife? His TBS Lopez Tonight page also offers tickets to his upcoming late night show, exclusive video of George as he goes about his daily life of filming Valentine which stars Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba and a whole lot more A-list actors. There is also backstage footage of the ALMA Awards which aired last Friday…and speaking of the ALMAs. OK, tell me you tuned in to see George Lopez and Eva Longoria Parker hosting the ALMAs. Did you not tune in? Well that w….

■Cheech Ties the Knot for the third Time
LatinoWood, U.S.A. — Actor/Comedian Cheech Marin said “I Do” for the third time and married his girlfriend of five years Russian pianist Natasha Rubin. The happy couple had a sunset wedding on Saturday and were joined by 70 of their best friends and family. The wedding took place at sunset, at the couples Malibu home with friends Don Johnson, Robert Rodriguez, Carlos Mencia and Geraldo Riveralooking on. They were married by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The bride wore a traditional wedding gown while Cheech wore a white silk suit. The bride’s 13 year old son Max and his band played at the ceremony. Conratulations are in order!

■Benicio del Toro as a Stooge?
LatinoWood, U.S.A. — If you ever had a doubt that Benicio del Toro was one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood, this will convince you. He most recently embodied the revolutionary icon Che Guevara in Steven Soderbergs bio flick; he is currently filming The Wolf Man in which he plays the title role; and now he has been announced to play Moe of the Three Stooges. No doubt he will do a terrific job as he always does…but Moe? of Curly, Larry and Moe! This comedy is in the good hands of Farrelly brothers who will be directing for MGM and which has also snagged the contemporary king of physical comedy, Jim Carry as Curly (already at work on putting on about 40 pounds); and Oscar w….

■Latina Drug Smuggler; Vergara On Broadway; Diaz in Swingles
LatinoWood, U.S.A. — Women (Latina women) and drugs seems to be the cup of tea lately. In the works for a couple of years has been the film adaptation of Arturo Perez Reverte’s crime novel La Reina del Sur which has been option for a film entitled Queen of the South. The film is currently listed as in production and has some heavyweight producers behind it, namely Elizabeth Avellan whose films domestically have grossed close to $700 million dollars and who is the other half of ex-husband Robert Rodrguez film sucess, having produced all his hit films. Also producing is Sandra Condito who has executive produced Grindhouse and Planet Terror as well as the critically acclaimed Secuestro Exp….

■Latinas in Hollywood Making News in Beauty, Films and Vodka
LatinoWood, U.S.A. — In recognition of National Women’s Month, read on about these Hollywood women. Salma Hayek’s beauty creams…First Salma runs off and gets married this past Valentines Day and now she’s got a few more surprises up her sleeve. She recently announced that she is coming up with her own cosmetic line and get this…it’s for the “older”…more “mature” woman. She is still searching to find the perfect name for her cosmetic line, which she says was inspired by her grandmother Maria Louisa, a former cosmetologist. Hayek tells us her grandmother used secret ingredients in her homemade creams that can only be found in Latin America. According to Hayek, her grandmother, ….

■Oscar Night at the Conga Room
LatinoWood, U.S.A — Still basking in the Penelope Cruz win for Best Supporting actress at the Oscars this past February at the Oscars. You could almost hear a collective cheer coming from all over Latin America and Spain as Penelope’s name was called. There was a pretty loud cheer coming out of the Conga Room in Los Angeles as well, which was where of much of Latino Hollywood had gathered for the Hispanic Foundation of the Arts’ Oscar Night America viewing party. Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Sonia Braga and Felix Sanchez were all on hand to enjoy the festivities and help raise money for the foundation and the Charles Drew University School of Medicine and Science which was also one of th….

■Ricardo Montalban Theater Producing Theater Again
LatinoWood, U.S.A — It seems The Ricardo Montalban Theater has regained its identity as a theater once again. For several months it had turned into a Nike store. It was disheartening to see a theater named after such a distinguished and respected gentleman hawking sneakers. We hope that this bit of news was kept from him in his final days. It now seem that the divergence might have only been temporary, since the run of a new production Luisa Fernanda The last of the great Zarzuelas was recently announce for a run of three days starting from February 19-21 at the venue. We hope that this will mark the permanent return of the theater that carries the name of such a great man. Later ….

■Golden Globes: The Glitz, The Glamor, The Skin
LatinoWood, U.S.A — White was the color of the Golden Globes, and not to be partial but, Eva Mendez takes the prize for Best Dressed in a White Gown, a fitted white gown by Christian Dior with a big bow at the waist, accessorized with an eye-popping turquoise necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels. That turquoise necklace made her the stand-out glamor girl for the night. Beyonce had the same look going, necklace, updoo and all, however even though her necklace was glitzier, Eva still shone brighter. And Eva isn’t all about looks; she’s a good business woman, as well. She announced that her home décor line is now available at Macy’s. that’s a few notches up from Sami Hayek’s (Salma’s brother….

■ACTORS VYING FOR A ROLE IN “IN THE HEIGHTS”?
LatinoWood, U.S.A. — How do you get a movie produced in Hollywood? First you write a Tony-award winning play and the rest is history. With the announcement of Universal Pictures acquiring the rights to the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In the Heights the rumors of who can play what role are beginning to swirl. But first things first. Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the musical who also wrote the lyrics and music is expected to reprise his role in the film in addition to producing duties alongside Meryl Poster. Quiara Alegria Hudes, who wrote the book for the show, will write the screenplay. The story explores three days in the characters’ lives in the New York City Domini….

■LINDSAY LOHAN KICKED OFF UGLY BETTY
LatinoWood, U.S.A. — If controversy is good for ratings then Ugly Betty’s ratings will be experiencing a spike. It seems Lindsay Lohan was scheduled to make a six episode guest appearance on Ugly Betty and was cut down to four because of her bad attitude. Apparently she thought she was the star of the show, refusing to go on the set until America Ferrera (the real star) was there first. Further claims include trashing her dressing room, bringing along her entourage, and smoking a mile a minute during filming. One of Lohan’s entourage came to her rescue, “America was mean to Lindsay. Producers give her too much power,” this anonymous friend said. “Lindsay didn’t do the last two epis….

■RODRIGUEZ STARS IN HORROR FILM; RASUK BOOKS HBO PILOT; & BOLERO STEP INTO THEATRE ROLE
Freddy Rodriguez is set to star alongside Dominic Monaghan in the timely horror thriller Fotuna set in 2100. The storyline centers around a collapsed economy and climate crises where only a few rich survive and the masses subsist in poverty. Production begins this coming November in Sofia, Bulgaria with Laurent Zilber and Scott Duncan

■WHAT HAS CONSTANCE MARIE BEEN UP TO?
If you’ve wondered what Constance Marie, who played the wife on George Lopez for five years, has been doing since the show ended, we have your answer. In addition having launched her own clothing line last year (which is on hold until she can figure out how to make a “green” clothing line) she is busy making a baby! She and longtime boyfriend and fiancee, Kent Katich, are expecting a little girl this coming February. Constance looking quite beautiful and pregnant walked regally down the red carpet at the Padres Contra El Cancer fund raising Gala. Ever the environmentalist, she is also busy decorating the nursery to welcome her baby girl into a “green” world. Meanwhile Constance is ….

■ALEXA VEGA ON HER TWO NEW FILMS AND HER “PAPI” ROBERT RODRIGUEZ
LatinoWood, U.S.A — It happened at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). Alexa Vega, who I’m sure you all remember as the daughter in Spy Kids is all grown up, blonde and oh so cute. Walking the red carpet, she stopped by to talk about her upcoming projects, both of which required not only her acting talent but her singing as well. The first is Repo! the Genetic Opera a fantasy/horror flick which is all done in song. Also, starring in the film are Paul Sorvino and Paris Hilton…interesting mix. Release date is November 7th. Alexa also just got back from Australia where sarred as Kat Rodgers in Broken Hill. Although she is thrilled with all the work, she….

Source: LatinHeat.com a media partner of Chicano Radio Network U.S.A. – www.CRNLive.com

Link: http://latinheat.com/channel.php?cha=75