NBCUniversal Renews Mario Lopez’s “Access Hollywood” & “Access Daily” Through 2026

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Mario Lopez still has daily access…

NBCUniversal has renewed its daily talk show Access Daily with Mario & Kit, featuring the 50-year-old Mexican American actor and television host, and Access Hollywood through 2026 in syndication.

The studio has sold entertainment news show Access Hollywood to NBCUniversal Local’s NBC Owned Television Stations, along with leading station groups across the country, for two additional seasons, said Tracie Wilson, Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios & E! News.

“We’re thrilled to continue our successful partnership with the NBC-owned stations, bringing the ‘Access’ brand to local stations for additional seasons,” Wilson said. “Our talented hosts have incredible chemistry and our seasoned production team work tirelessly to bring viewers quality content each day on Access Hollywood and Access Daily.”

For the 2023-24 season, its 28th in broadcast syndication, Access Hollywood is averaging about 1.1 million viewers daily.

“Access Hollywood and Access Daily deliver engaging and entertaining content to our audiences, which has made them an indelible part of our NBC stations’ lineups,” said Therese Gamba, Chief Marketing Officer & Executive Vice President of Acquired Programming, NBCUniversal Local. “We’re excited to continue to serve as the home of Access Hollywood and Access Daily in leading markets across the nation.”

Lopez has served as a host on Access Hollywood since 2019.

Access Daily, a spin-off of Access Hollywood, debuted on September 13, 2010. The daytime talk show – currently hosted by Lopez and Kit Hoover, features entertainment news stories and in-studio guests.

Mario Lopez to Co-Host This Year’s Rose Parade

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Everything’s comin’ up roses for Mario Lopez.

The 49-year-old Mexican American actor/television personality will co-host NBC’s live broadcast of the 134th Rose Parade with Ana Gasteyer.

Lopez, who returns as co-host for the second consecutive year, and American Auto star Gasteyer will lead the network’s coverage of the annual event from 11:30-1:00 pm ET (8:30-10:00 am PT) on Monday, January 2 in Pasadena, CA.

The parade will also be livestreamed on Peacock.

This will be NBC’s 96th year broadcasting the Rose Parade, beginning on radio in 1927 and then televising the annual event beginning in 1954.

Former Arizona congresswoman and gun violence survivor and prevention advocate Gabby Giffords will serve as the 2023 Grand Marshal of the parade, which is themed “Turning the Corner.”

The parade begins with a B-2 Spirit flyover and features floral covered floats, performers, marching bands, equestrian teams and more.

The Rose Parade is produced by LX.TV, a production unit of the NBC Owned Television Stations.

Lopez, a two-time Emmy winner, is host of Access Hollywood and Access Daily with Mario & Kit. He’s known for his starring role on the hit teen series Saved By the Bell and appeared and produced two seasons of the Saved By The Bell reboot for NBC’s Peacock. Lopez, who is under an overall development deal with NBCUniversal, recently appeared on NBC’s This is Us and CW’s Jane the Virgin.

Mario Lopez to Appear During This Year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Mario Lopez has firmed up his Thanksgiving plans…

The 49-year-old Mexican American actor and television personality will appear during this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Lopez, who currently serves as the host of Access Hollywood, will appear alongside his family during the parade.

The parade will also include the traditional line-up of Broadway performances, with Lea Michele and the cast of Funny Girl scheduled to participate, Macy’s has announced.

The Broadway productions listed in the performance line-up this year, in addition to Funny Girl, are Disney’s long-running The Lion King, as well as new Broadway arrivals A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond musical, and Some Like It Hot, the musical adaptation of the 1959 classic film comedy.

Other entertainers included in this year’s parade are Paula Abdul; Carlos PenaVega and his Big Time Rush mates; Cam; Jordan Davis; Blue’s Clues & You! host Josh Dela Cruz; Gloria, Sasha and Emily Estefan; Jimmy Fallon & The Roots; Fitz and the Tantrums; Kirk Franklin; Ziggy Marley; Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles; the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street; Sean Paul; the cast of Peacock’s Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg); the Radio City Rockettes; Joss Stone; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; Jordin Sparks; Dionne Warwick; and Betty Who.

The annual New York event airs live on NBC and Peacock Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24 at 9:00 am in all time zones.

Mexico’s Andrea Meza Crowned Miss Universe

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Andrea Meza will be ruling the world…

The 26-year-old Mexican beauty queen, Miss Mexico, was crowned Miss Universe at the 69th annual pageant, which was delayed last year due to Covid-19.

“MÉXICO ESTO ES PARA TI,” Meza wrote in the caption of an Instagram post, alongside a video of her after the win was announced.

The competition was held in Hollywood, Florida, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Access Hollywood‘s Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo, the 2012 Miss Universe, co-hosted the event, which also featured a performance by Luis Fonsi.

Meza beat 73 other women, including Miss Brazil Julia Gama, who was runner-up, and Miss Peru Janick Maceta Del Castillo, who was second runner-up.

“I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight,” Meza said in a news release from Miss Universe Organization. “It is a dream come true to wear the Miss Universe crown, and I hope to serve the world through my advocacy for equality in the year to come and beyond.”

In her final statement during the pageant, Meza spoke about beauty standards.

“We live in a society that more and more is more than advanced, and as we advance as a society, we’ve also advanced with stereotypes,” she said. “Nowadays beauty isn’t only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirit, but in our hearts and the way that we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you’re not valuable.”

Meza, who is from Chihuahua City, is a model and make-up artist and has a degree in software engineering, according to Miss Universe Organization’s news release.

She is also an activist, and “works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence,” the release said.

Meza also serves as the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for her hometown of Chihuahua, according to Miss Universe Organization.

Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, the first Black woman from South Africa to win the crown, had held the title since December 2019.

“What a moment!” Meza wrote in another Instagram post, sharing a photo of when she was crowned. “Ready for this journey!”

Meza will move to New York City “to represent the brand and various philanthropic organizations during her reign,” Miss Universe Organization said.

Melissa Fumero Taking Part in NBCUniversal’s New “The More You Know” Social Justice, Equality and Equity PSAs

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Melissa Fumero is helping people get in the know…

NBCUniversal will launch a new series of its popular The More You Know PSAs that tackle systemic racism and speak up for social justice, equality and equity, with the 38-year-old Cuban American actress and Brooklyn Nine-Nine star among the artists taking part.

Fumero joins a roster of NBC talent that includes Dulé Hill, James Roday Rodriguez and Kelly Clarkson, among others.

The campaign was developed in collaboration with social and racial justice organizations Fair Count, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the NAACP, the National Action Network and the National Urban League, and focuses on standing up against injustice, teaching children about equity, and the importance of voting and completing the census, especially for how it impacts the Black community and communities of color.

The campaign kicked off this week on NBC’s Today with a spot on teaching children about inclusion and acceptance. The campaign will be rolling out over the next few weeks, with spots now available on TheMoreYouKnow.com and YouTube.

The More You Know site also includes comprehensive resources and educational guides.

“For over 30 years, ‘The More You Know’ has sought to bring light to the nation’s most pressing social issues,” said Craig Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, NBCUniversal, “and we hope this new iteration will continue to educate, encourage and inspire people of all ages to take an active role in improving the world we live in.”

In addition to Fumero, Hill, Roday Rodriguez and Clarkson, stars participating in the campaign include: Carlos Adyan (En Casa con Telemundo), Freema Agyeman (New Amsterdam), Notah Begay III (NBC Sports), Gizelle Bryant (The Real Housewives of Potomac), Kandi Burruss (The Real Housewives of Atlanta), Victor Cruz (E! News), Dexter Darden (Saved by the Bell), Ester Dean (Songland), Ryan Eggold (New Amsterdam), Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster), Damon Hack (Golf Channel), Zuri Hall (Access Hollywood), Ana Jurka (“En Casa con Telemundo and Titulares y Más), Aneudy Lara (100 Días Para Enamorarnos), Howie Mandel (America’s Got Talent), Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Organized Crime), Wendy Osefo (The Real Housewives of Potomac), Jeimy Osorio (Telemundo), Nina Parker (E! News’ Nightly Pop), Nichole Sakura (Superstore), Jocko Sims (New Amsterdam), Chris Sullivan (This Is Us”), Justin Sylvester (E! News’ Daily Pop), Elyfer Torres (Enemigo Íntimo) and Reno Wilson (Good Girls).

Morales Named “Today” West Coast Anchor & “Access Hollywood” Host

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Natalie Morales is headed west…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican/Brazilian American broadcast journalist is moving to Los Angeles to become Today’s West Coast anchor, as well as host of NBCUniversal’s Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live.

Morales, who has been part of the Today show team since 2006, will also continue to play a prominent role on Dateline.

“Natalie has already been spending a lot of time in California, reporting live from special events like the Oscars, Golden Globes and Billboard Latin American Music Awards, conducting celebrity interviews and set visits, and spearheading two big series spotlighting women who are leaders in Silicon Valley and Hollywood. With our show’s increasing focus on West Coast stories, it became clear to me that having a permanent anchor presence in LA would be of enormous value,” says Today’s SVP Noah Oppenheim in a memo. “Additionally, when NBCU Domestic TV Distribution heard that a talent of Natalie’s caliber and entertainment experience might soon be LA-based, they immediately jumped at the opportunity to have her host Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live.”

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