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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 30 March 2019
Cancellations of Latino-themed shows spark anger, reflection

By RUSSELL CONTRERAS actress.
Associated Press "Roma" appeared to signal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) that Latino-themed shows
— Netflix's cancellation of and movies might get more
"One Day at a Time" has support from networks,
led to an outcry on social Nericcio said.
media by the show's view- While fans lament the end
ers. And fans of CW's "Jane of "One Day at a Time" and
the Virgin" are preparing to "Jane the Virgin," other TV
say goodbye a show enter- shows featuring U.S. La-
ing its fifth and final season. tino characters are trying
The departure of the two to capture the attention
Latino-themed shows dem- of fragmented audiences,
onstrates the challenges including those looking for
such projects still encounter diversity.
on networks and stream- Starz is scheduled in May
ing services. Networks may to unveil the second sea-
feel pressure to tap into the son of "Vida," which follows
growing Latino population two Mexican-American
— now the largest minority sisters in East Los Angeles.
group in the U.S. — but the This month, Netflix is releas-
shows often receive limited ing the second season of
promotions and are on a the teen dramedy "On My
short leash from execu- Block," set in a working-class
tives who want to see good This image released by Netflix shows Rita Moreno, from left, Marcel Ruiz and Justina Machado in Latino and black neighbor-
ratings fast. Advocates of a scene from "One Day At A Time." hood in Southern Califor-
more diversity on television Associated Press nia. And Nickelodeon is
say these shows are often putting the final touches on
given difficult time slots season. The show aired late with Hispanic characters. For shows to be successful, "The Casagrandes," a spi-
or are buried deep in the on Fridays and averaged William Nericcio, a profes- they must overcome lim- noff of its animated series
maze of streaming apps. around 5 million viewers. sor at the Center for Latin ited publicity from networks "The Loud House," featuring
"It was such a bummer with Likewise, Fox drew criticism American Studies at San and sometimes must rely a Latino family.
'One Day at a Time'," Mishel when it canceled the 2016 Diego State University and on word-of-mouth recom- "Jane the Virgin," starring
Prada, who plays Emma adult animated sitcom co-author of the upcoming mendations, Nericcio said. Gina Rodriguez as Jane
in the Starz series "Vida," "Bordertown," also after book "Talking #BrownTV: The success of Netflix's Villanueva, is a reboot of
told The Associated Press. one season, despite its cult Latinas and Latinos on the "Roma," for example, was the Venezuelan telenovela
"Things are changing, but it following in a tough Sun- Screen," said there is a driven by the streaming "Juana La Virgen" and saw
hasn't changed (enough)." day timeslot. hunger for Latino-themed service's public relations its ratings slowly decline
ABC faced a similar reac- The cancellations of "Criste- shows. campaign but also by Mex- since it debuted in Octo-
tion when it canceled the la" and "Bordertown" drew "But the business is the busi- ican-Americans who ral- ber 2014. Its final season
2014 sitcom "Cristela," star- anger from Latino audienc- ness. Shows need viewers," lied around its star, Yalitza began Wednesday and
ring stand-up comedian es and demands that net- Nericcio said. "It's show Aparicio, the Oscar-nomi- the finale is scheduled for
Cristela Alonzo, after one works produce more shows business, not show art." nated indigenous Mexican this summer.q

Steve Earle's 'Guy' digs deep in mentor Clark's work

By PABLO GORONDI "Guy" came along. "When career Clark co-wrote
Steve Earle, "Guy" (New I get to the other side, I with Darrell Scott, and the
West Records) didn't want to run into Guy change from Clark's more
Guy Clark was one of Steve having made the 'Townes' reflective reading suits it
Earle's main mentors— record and not one about just grand. Touching closer,
Townes Van Zandt, the oth- him," Earle says, and the "Old Friends" expands the
er — and Earle has honored Clark songs fit him and his circle to include vocals
the brilliant songwriter, who weathered voice like a from other Clark acolytes
died in 2016, before. second skin. like Harris, Crowell, Terry Al-
On his previous album, from Earle chose nine of the len and Jerry Jeff Walker.
2017, Earle wrote a farewell 16 tunes here from Clark's From Johnny Cash to Lyle
to the master, "Goodbye 1975 debut ("Old No. 1") Lovett, Clark's songs have
Michelangelo," and sang and its 1976 follow-up, been covered extensively
"The Last Gunfighter Bal- "Texas Cookin,'" including over the years, but the
lad" on an extended 2011 such classics as "Despera- Texan had a knack for re-
Clark tribute record that dos Waiting for a Train," cording the definitive ver-
also featured Willie Nelson, and "L.A. Freeway," and sions himself. Still, "Guy"
Emmylou Harris and Rod- the performances with The ensures that, whenever
ney Crowell, among many Dukes add some occasion- Earle's next meeting with
others. al electricity to the originals Clark may come, Earle has
With the Grammy-winning but don't stray far. done well by his old friend
"Townes" added to Earle's The wattage gets an ex- with this heartfelt tribute This cover image released by New West Records shows "Guy," a
catalog in 2009, it was only tra boost on "Out in the and there'll be no need for release by Steve Earle.
a matter of time before Parking Lot," which a late- reproaches.q Associated Press