Starring: Cristela Alonzo, María Canals Barrera, Carlos Ponce, Terri Hoyos, Andrew Leeds, Sam McMurray, Justine Lupe
Created by: Cristela Alonzo & Kevin Hench
Genre: Sitcom
Number of seasons: 1
Episodes: 22
Running time: 22 minutes
Cristela Hernandez wants to be a lawyer more than anything in the world. It took her six years to complete law school, and even that didn’t get her down. For her final credit, Cristela has to take an internship. She lands an unpaid internship at the great Culpepper law firm. Because of her financial situation, Cristela is forced to live with her sister Daniela, her brother-in-law Felix, their two kids Izzy and Henry, and lastly her own mother Natalia. Between her mother’s expectations of marriage, her sister’s push to get a paying job and her brother in law’s hints of being a freeloader, Cristela’s life is definitely too much to handle.
However, Cristela shows that the only way one can survive a tough life is through humour. She pokes fun at her mother’s harshness and laughs at her boss’s racist comments towards her. At her new workplace, Cristela makes friends with her fellow interns. Josh is the competitive guy who at times seems to like Cristela more than a colleague; and Maddie is the boss’s rich, spoiled daughter. She even plays along when she is confused as the nanny. But Cristela’s passion for the law is a serious one. Her motivation to study and become a professional earns her the admiration of all, especially those of her niece and nephew.
Cristela Alonzo is a stand-up comedian, and this is her first time on to appear as a regular on a TV series. Aside from creating the show and starring in it, she also produces and writes for some episodes. She is the only Latina to create, produce, write, and star in her own primetime comedy. Cristela is a relatable show especially to those from tight-knitted families. The series is a semi-autobiographical and is loosely based on Alonzo’s life.
However, the main support, in the comedic sense of the script, is definitely Terri Hoyos. Terri’s portrayal of Natalia’s critical, sarcastic and tough approach is not only hilarious but realistically reflective of a Latina immigrant woman. Natalia constantly refers to her childhood growing up in a poor Mexican village. Her “in my village” references are entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. Sometimes, as an audience, you seem to be waiting for her next reference. In her world, the ‘free lifestyle’ that her children and grandchildren have is too lavish.
María Canals Barrera who plays Daniela is a well renowned Latina actress, and is commonly known for her role in Wizards of Waverly Place. The series guest stars Mark Cuban and Tim Allen among others.
