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This winter NBC debuted a pair of new workplace comedies “Telenovela” and “Superstore” starring two popular and talented Latina actresses. Sadly, neither of the shows is deserving to the immense talent of their leading ladies.
First, Eva Longoria whose comedic timing was one of the bright spots of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” stars as telenovela star Ana Sofia Calderon. Ana is the leading lady on her show “Las Leyes” but her life is anything but glamorous. In this “show within a show” Ana has to contend with jealous co-stars, wacky sidekicks and her sexy ex-husband who has been added to the cast by the network. Longoria is a master at slapstick and brings a great deal of charm to the role. One fun aspect of the character is that although Ana is a telenovela star, she’s not actually fluent in Spanish.
Unfortunately not even Eva Longoria can save the lackluster writing of “Telenovela.” It’s a shame because her supporting cast is quite strong, but after watching multiple episodes i come to same conclusion of just not caring about the world with in they operate.
With the popularity of real telenovelas, I wish a network would develop and English language version of a show that’s not a comedy (“Ugly Betty”, “Jane the Virgin”) but instead a straight forward interpretation of of the genre.
Next, Emmy winner America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”) stars in “Superstore.” I don’t have the words to describe this show, other than NBC was trying to replicate the late comedy “Community.” I never got that show, and I don’t get “Superstore.” It’s writing and directing is sluggish. We’re given no reason to care or root for any of the characters. This show is a mess and I can’t get through an entire episode without either rolling my eyes or turning it off.
America Ferrera and Eva Longoria are great talents who deserve better than what they’re being given on these shows and they should demand better. It’s shows like these that make me want to give up on broadcast comedies.
It’s frustrating that NBC is spending a lot of time promoting these two shows while basically ignoring the best comedy on their schedule “Undateable Live.”
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