Inside the Show at ABC TV’s “Cristela” a New Sitcom Created with Heart and Soul, Not Stereotypes #Cristela #Trailer #Interview [Video]

“Inside the Show” by Emilie Hagen, RCR Entertainment Writer and Host,
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The Red Carpet Report joined writers, reporters and mommy bloggers on the 20th Century Fox studio lot for a production viewing and meet and greet interview with the cast of ABC’s new family sitcom, “Cristela.”

Based on the real-life personality and experiences of Mexican-American stand-up comedienne, Cristela Alonzo, the show centers around Alonzo’s character, a struggling law student who moved back home to live with her immigrant mother, sister and brother-in law.

“Cristela” films in Studio 20, the studio with the Simpsons mural plastered on the building. Standing outside, were a number of journalists speaking about how excited they were for a Mexican-American woman to be the lead on a new network television show.

The show’s publicist walked all of the media to the set to observe some of the day’s production. We sat above the stage, right where a studio audience would sit for a multi-camera comedy and watched some of the cast perform.

Immediately, we all spotted Alonzo, cracking jokes with the cameramen as she waited to take her mark in the scene. She stood out in a bright red t-shirt and patterned cardigan, her highlighted locks giving her an extra bit of glow. (She later shared with us that her hair was much darker in the pilot and she absolutely hated it).

Young actress, Isabella Day, who plays “Isabella,” Cristela’s niece on the show, sat at the kitchen table doodling away in her notebook. Alonzo naturally matched Day’s youthful energy and managed to add humor to a more dramatic dialogue of the episode.

After the scene, Alonzo went to shoot some scenes green screen, while the law firm cast made their way to the living room to answer some of our questions. We joined Sam McMurray “Trent,”  Andrew Leeds “Josh,” and Justine Lupe, “Maddie” who make up the law firm cast that works with Cristela at her law-firm office.

McMurray, who plays “Trent,” a top-notch lawyer at the firm where Cristela’s interning,  raved about Alonzo’s performance on the show, referring to her as “not just a comic, but also an actress.”

Leeds, who plays “Josh,” Cristela’s fellow law intern, agreed and encouraged viewers to tune in October 10th, for the show’s premiere, emphasizing that it’s a show you can watch with your entire family.

“It’s a wonderful story that is told with humor and warmth and love.” described Leeds.

Journalists began asking the actors about their experience working with a diverse cast and asked if the show was going to center around breaking down Hispanic stereotypes.

Alonzo joined the three actors on the couch, and answered this question, making it clear that she isn’t trying to represent Hispanic culture, but instead give viewers of all cultures and backgrounds something to laugh at and relate to.

“It’s not like I’m trying to represent a culture,” said Alonzo.  “Because when you aim to do that, you’re going to disappoint somebody. The best thing I can do is be myself, tell my story from my point of view with the people I’ve surrounded myself with.”

Alonzo admitted to watching tons of television sitcoms when she was young and always felt she related to the characters, even though the leads were a different nationality.

“As different as we may all look, we all have the same struggles and dreams,” Alonzo said.

She also mentioned that she wanted to make sure the set decoration of her mother’s house in the show wasn’t over the top and stereotypically Mexican.  Besides for a few traditional Catholic candles, woven blankets and family photos hung on the walls, it represented a cozy family home.

This doesn’t mean first-generation Hispanic stereotypes aren’t going to be sprinkled into each episode.  In the pilot,  Alonzo is dressed professionally at her law-firm office and is mistaken for the office maid and immediately after, the parking attendant.

The meet and greet wrapped up after Alonzo’s TV family, Carlos Ponce (Felix, Cristela’s brother-in-law), Maria Canals-Barrera (Daniela, Cristela’s sister) and Terri Hoyos (Natalia, Cristela’s mom) joined Alonzo on the couch and shared some hilarious set experiences.

Ponce joked that Alonzo’s real-life brother booed him off the screen after seeing the pilot, saying “he wasn’t good looking enough.”

Each one of the family cast members had the media roaring with laughter with each of their responses.

Alonzo reminisced about her first days doing stand up in Dallas, TX in 2003 at the Addison Improv.  Her first joke was about the horrible customer service she received at Walmart (You can find this set on YouTube). Ten years later, she’s landed her own show on ABC, and serves as not only the star of the show, but also the Executive Producer, involved in every part of the creative.

“I have to do the work,” she explained to the journalist who questioned just how involved she was in the production process.

“When we first started working on the show, I wanted to be in the writer’s room and write. I refused to not be in the room because I didn’t want to give up any kind of power or control over the story or the voice.”

She went on to explain that she is doing everything she can to make the show the best it can possibly be.

“The name of the show is Cristela, and you only get one shot to get a show named after you,” she said.

It was very clear that Alonzo will become an inspiration to dreamers of all genders and races. She shows that if you keep working hard at something and believing in yourself, good things will come.

“Maybe we can inspire kids that if they like the show, they too, can be inspired to do whatever they want,” she said.

Check out the latest Cristela Trailer for this funny new series on ABC!

Tune in October 10th on ABC at 8:30PM for the season Premiere of Cristela