Starring: Eva Longoria, Jencarlos Canela, Diana Maria Riva, Amaury Nolasco, Jose Moreno Brooks, Jadyn Douglas, Alex Meneses, Izzy Diaz
Created by: Chrissy Pietrosh/Jessica Goldstein/Robert Harling
Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 1
Episodes expected: 13
Running time: 30 min
In the television production world, a mid-season replacement is needed when a scheduled time slot opens up. They bring in new shows that would have otherwise premiered during the premier season. So it’s not really unorthodox for a show to premier in December/January, but in this case it was very much applauded. Telenovela premiered in the first week of December right about where all the big shows were scheduled to go on break. The show revolves around the cast and crew of a telenovela show based in Mexico but shot in Miami. The lead actress of the show Ana Sofia Calderon is a huge Telenovela star who doesn’t speak any Spanish. She just memorises her lines and complements her acting with a lot of drama. Ana is the star of the telenovela and calls the shots around the set; that is until the Network brings her ex-husband Xavi to be her co-star.
Xavi and Ana’s marriage ended with a bad divorce. Because of her frustration with the hiring of her new co-star and ex-husband, Ana goes to see the Network President. She finds out that there is a new president, his name is James McMahon. Ana finds herself smitten by James and tries hard to impress him by being more like her sassy character in the show.
Ana’s best friend is Mimi the costume designer on set. Mimi is divorced, has three kids, and is the only person who can tell Ana the harsh truth. Gael is also one of Ana’s closest friends and he plays her love interest in the telenovela show but he is actually gay in their “real life”. Rodrigo is also Ana’s co-star and he plays a villain in the telenovela.
But Ana’s real rival is Isabela, the former leading lady of the telenovela who was replaced by Ana because she is getting older. As a result Isabela is really sensitive about the subject of her age.
The best way to describe the show would be “a show within a show”. Because we get just as much of the telenovela they are shooting as we are the real show that is behind the screens.
The show offers a playful take on the world of Mexican soap operas. It is witty, insightful, fun and definitely unique in its setting. The show is not hilariously funny but it sure does have its moments. It is not uncommon to stumble upon some cleverly written jokes and punch lines somewhere within the 30 minutes.
The show stars the ever fabulous Eva Longoria. No seriously, if you don’t watch it for the entertainment you might as well watch it for the fashion. The show also stars real life telenovela actor and musician Jencarlos Canela.
Another great addition to the show is Amaury Nolasco known for his supporting role on the hit TV show Prison Break. Although only four episodes have aired the show does give a promising impression for the future.