Francisco Ramos Releases Debut Comedy Special “Venezuela’Merican” on YouTube

Posted on July 14, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Francisco Ramos’ debut comedy special online is …

The Venezuelan stand-up comedian, known for his unique perspective on the immigrant experience, has posted his debut comedy special Venezuela’Merican on YouTube via 800 Pound Gorilla.

No logline was provided for the special, filmed in Las Vegas at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club inside the MGM Grand.

Produced by Garrett, Ed Conover and 800 Pound Gorilla Records, Ramos’ special was directed by Michael Malone.

“I’m beyond thrilled for everyone to finally see the special(ito) we’ve been cooking up!” said Ramos in a statement to Deadline. “Huge shoutout to Brad Garrett for producing it and to the fantastic team at 800 Pound Gorilla for their incredible support. Now, fingers crossed for 1 million views—because that’s the magic number that might finally make my mom stop asking, “When are you getting a real job?””

Ramos’ special comes following the release of his comedy album, Vayalo!. Working as a comic over the course of the last decade, his credits include reaching the Top 10 on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, appearing in Max’s Entre Nos comedy specials, and providing voice work for the animated movie Rio.

He’s also made guest appearances on popular television shows like Shameless, Lady Dynamite, Gentefied and This Fool.

Later this year, Ramos will be seen in his first feature role in The Unexpecteds, an action comedy starring Veep‘s Matt Walsh.

Felipe Esparza Signs with United Talent Agency for Global Representation

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Felipe Esparza has new representation…

United Talent Agency (UTA) has signed the 47-year-old Mexican stand-up comedian and actor for representation in all areas globally.

Rising to fame as the 2010 winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Esparza’s most recent special was the dual-language Felipe Esparza: Bad Decisions, which debuted on Netflix to critical acclaim, in both English and Spanish, in 2020.

His special, Translate This, premiered on HBO in 2017 and continues to be available for streaming on all HBO platforms.

His first, 2012’s They’re Not Gonna Laugh At You, made its way to Netflix after debuting on Showtime.

Esparza has also appeared on series like NBC’s Superstore, Adult Swim’s The Eric Andre Show, Netflix’s Gentefied, and Cartoon Network’s Victor and Valentino.

His notable film credits include Guest House with Pauly Shore, 7th & Union with Omar Chaparro, Daddy Daughter Trip with Rob Schneider, You People with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill, and Blue Beetle with Xolo Maridueña and George Lopez.

The host of the weekly podcast What’s Up Fool?, which has consistently topped comedy podcast charts across platforms since its launch in 2014, Esparza is preparing his fourth special as he performs at theaters around the world, as part of his “Big Foo” tour.

HBO Max Releases Trailer for Aida Rodriguez’s Comedy Special “Fighting Words

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Them’s fighting words for Aida Rodriguez…

HBO Max has released the teaser for the 44-year-old Puerto Rican & Dominican American comedian’s new comedy special Fighting Words.

Rodriguez’s special will take viewers on a journey that extends beyond the stage and into her personal life with a travel diary as she faces her past in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The one-hour special is directed by Emmy-nominated cinematographer Nadia Hallgren and multiple SXSW Film Festival Jury Award winner Kristian Mercado (Pa’Lante).

Known for her no holds barred commentary, Rodriguez will share unapologetic commentary on topics ripped from the headlines, being worn out from political comedy, and getting back into the dating game. The travel documentary will conclude the special following Rodriguez as she reunites with her estranged father and how she pays it forward by supporting up-and-coming comedians.

The special is executive produced by Rodriguez, Michelle Caputo, and Shannon Hartman for Art & Industry.

Other titles from Rodriguez available to stream now include headlining the 2020 HBO LatinX standup special Entrenos available on HBO Max, Showtime’s Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All-Star Comedy Jam, and Netflix’s They Ready, executive produced by Tiffany Haddish and Wanda Sykes.

She was also a finalist on season 8 of Last Comic Standing.

Rodriguez was handpicked to appear in The Comedy starring Robert DeNiro by director Taylor Hackford.

She is currently developing an animated series with ITV.

Aida Rodriguez Books First Hour-Long Stand-Up Special with HBO Max

Posted on August 22, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Aida Rodriguez is bringing the funny to HBO Max…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican/Dominican stand-up comedian will appear in her first hour-long solo stand-up special for HBO streaming service.

The special will confront today’s audiences about cancel culture and the social issues of the day — not just because they’re ripped from the headlines but because they’re in the pages torn out of her personal life.

Trigger warning: Her comedy might offend those who are too uptight to listen anyway.

The show will be produced by Art & Industry.

The premiere date for the special will be announced at a later time.

Rodriguez was a contestant on the eighth season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and served as a commentator on The Young Turks. She appeared in Netflix’s Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready, which was released last year.

Netflix to Launch Felipe Esparza’s English & Spanish Comedy Specials “Bad Decisions / Malas Decisiones” Next Month

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’s decision(s) time for Felipe Esparza…

The 44-year-old Mexican American stand-up comedian and actor will be bringing the laughs to Netflix with his first original comedy special Felipe Esparza: Bad Decisions.

And, the bilingual special will go by the title: Felipe Esparza: Malas Decisiones in Spanish.

Esparza’s specials will be released globally on Tuesday, September 1.

Filmed in Santa Ana, California as two separate performances — one in English and one in Spanish — the specials showcase Esparza’s edgy style of humor as the perfect vehicle to weave through difficult anecdotes of his childhood and mistakes in his adult life with ease.

Bad Decisions/Malas Decisiones mark the first time a Netflix comedian has recorded a stand up special in two languages that are set to be released simultaneously.

The comedian won Last Comic Standing in 2010. Prior to Bad Decisions/Malas Decisiones, Esparza had two comedy specials including They’re Not Gonna Laugh At You(2012) on Showtime and Translate This (2017) on HBO.

He can be seen in the upcoming Steve Byrne comedy feature The Opening Act, as well as the feature 7th & Union. His television credits include NBC’s Superstoreand the Netflix series Gentefied. He’s also the host of the podcast What’s Up Fool, where he talks to random people he finds interesting.

Aida Rodriguez Developing Comedy Series Based on Her Life for HBO Max

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Aida Rodriguez soon be livin’ life to the Max…

HBO Max has put in development a half-hour comedy series based on the life of the 42-year-old Puerto Rican/Dominican American comedian, starring and co-written by Rodriguez.

Co-written by Rodriguez, Chris Caseand Nastaran Dibai, the project examines the struggle of an Afro-Latina comedian (Rodriguez) who is trying to kick start a career while raising two very different teenagers on her own over multiple time zones. It’s an uplifting story of survival and triumph in the face of a darkly funny Miami ghetto upbringing, where she learned skills that allowed her to thrive and survive.

Rodriguez, Case and Dibai executive produce with Tiffany Haddishvia She Ready Productionsand Evan Silverbergand Daniel Rappaportfor Management 360.

Rodriguez was one of six comedians whose half-hour stand-up specialswere featured by Haddish in Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Readyfor Netflix.

Rodriguez made history as the first Latina to appear in two specials aired in one month on both HBOand Showtime. Rodriguez has also appeared on Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show, the finals of NBC’sLast Comic Standing. And she’sa five-time host of the PBS’ Imagen Awards, and a regular panelist onThe Young Turks.

Guerra Wins StandUp NBC and Earns NBCUniversal Talent Holding Deal

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Nick Guerra’s star is rising in Hollywood…

The Latino stand-up comedian has been declared the winner of the 11th annual StandUp NBC comedy showcase.

Guerra’s victory comes with a one-year talent holding deal with NBCUniversal.

The showcase, held at the Hollywood Improv in Los Angeles, capped a talent search to find the funniest comics of diverse backgrounds in the country. Comedians were evaluated on the originality of their material, delivery, cast-worthiness and overall performance.

“There are two things every comedian needs for his career to stay alive – recognition of talent and car repair money,” said Guerra. “I’d like to thank NBC for continuing to show me support and for the new transmission.”

Guerra competed on the most recent season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. He was a writer, actor and assistant director on the second season of mun2’s Pitbull’s La Esquina and also performed on Comedy Central’s Gabriel Iglesias Stand Up Revolution and Nuvo TV’s Stand Up & Deliver and the Stand Up & Deliver Cabo Relief Special.

Guerra will be joined by other 2014 finalists on the StandUp NBC College Tour, including Aisha Alfa, Darcy Michael, John Nguyen, Langston Kerman, Katrina Braxton, Lavar Walker and Ricarlo Flanagan.

Alonzo’s Semi-Autobiographical Comedy Project “Cristela” Still Alive at ABC

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Cristela Alonzo’s television dreams are still alive…

The Mexican American actress and stand-up comic’s semi-autobiographical comedy Cristela still has a shot at ABC with a potential Fall 2014 premiere date.

The network, which originally bought the 20th TV-backed comedy in August, has given the green light on what it describes as a “proof of concept” for the project, which has acquired many fans among ABC’s top leaders.

On the recently released breakdown for Cristela, it’s listed as a pilot presentation with John Pasquin directing a cast of 10, led by Alonzo.

The show, co-written by Alonzo and Kevin Hench, tells the story of Cristela (Alonzo), an American Latina straddling two cultures while not fully belonging to either.

Cristela, in her sixth year of law school and living rent-free with her sister and brother-in-law, hopes to land a prestigious law firm internship as her mother badgers her about getting a real job, her brother-in-law encourages her to move out and her sister runs low on patience.

20th Century Fox Television is producing the project, with Alonzo executive producing.

Alonzo, originally from the South Texas, has appeared on Conan, Live At Gotham and Last Comic Standing.

Alonzo Receives Script Commitment from ABC for Her Sitcom “Cristela”

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Cristela Alonzo is television-bound…

ABC has given the 34-year-old rising Mexican American standup comedian/actress a script commitment with a sizable penalty, reportedly in the six figures, for the half-hour multi-camera comedy she co-created as a starring vehicle.

Entitled Cristela, the project, inspired by Alonzo’s life, is the story of an American Latina (portrayed by Alonzo) straddling two cultures while not fully belonging to either.

Alonzo will co-write the script with writer-producer Kevin Hench.

20th Century Fox Television and 21 Laps/Adelstein will produce the series.

Alonzo, originally from the south Texas border town of San Juan, has appeared on Conan, Live At Gotham and Last Comic Standing.

She made her acting debut on FX’s Sons Of Anarchy. And Alonzo’s first stand-up special, The Half Hour, recently premiered on Comedy Central.

Alonzo Developing Comedy Series Inspired By Her Life

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She’s a rising star in the world of comedy… And, now Cristela Alonzo could soon become the Latina version of Louis C.K.

The 33-year-old Mexican American standup comic could soon be creating and starring in her own comedy series.

Alonzo has signed a deal with 20th Century Fox Television and Marty Adelstein and Shawn Levy‘s studio-based 21 Laps/Adelstein for a multi-camera comedy inspired by her life/standup as a hard-working, truth-telling, straight-down-the-middle blue-collar Latina from Deep South Texas who navigates the white-brown world she lives in.

Based on Alonzo’s experiences growing up in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, the project is expected to be centered around a blue-collar Mexican-American family.

The search is underway for a scribe to co-write the script with Alonzo, who will co-executive produce the project.

Alonzo moved to Los Angeles in 2005 and got her first break in 2006 when she was hired to write for Comedy Central’s Mind of Mencia. She was a semifinalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2010, has appeared on standup specials for Showtime and Comedy Central and has been touring college campuses. Most recently, Alonzo made her late-night debut on Conan.

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