As a seasoned gamer of sitcoms, I’ve seen my fair share of shows and characters that have come and gone. However, when it comes to the unique blend of humor, heart, and real-life issues that is “Lopez vs. Lopez,” I must admit, I’m hooked! With its clever writing, top-notch performances, and a dash of family dynamics, this show has managed to strike a chord with me.
Spoilers ahead for the November 2 episode of Lopez vs. Lopez Season 3, called “Lopez vs. In-Laws.”
In the last three seasons, the TV series “Lopez vs. Lopez” has been graced by well-known actors as guest stars alongside George Lopez, his real-life daughter Mayan, and the rest of the regular cast. The most recent episode in the 2024 TV lineup saw comedy veterans Stephen Tobolowsky and Vicki Lawrence appear as Sam and Ruthie Van Bryan, Quinten’s parents. As Mayan and Quinten prepare to tie the knot, with the Van Bryans helping George and Rosie pay for the wedding, there is speculation about whether Sam and Ruthie will make a reappearance. Both guest stars discussed their roles on “Lopez vs. Lopez” and the possibility of returning.
In “George Lopez’s sitcom,” Vicki Lawrence made her debut as Ruthie in an episode titled “Lopez vs. In-Laws.” Unaware of what awaited her on the set of “Lopez vs. Lopez,” Lawrence shared her thoughts with me about potentially reprising her role:
Absolutely, it was a delight to work there since the environment was so pleasant. To be honest, not all sets are inviting, enjoyable, and effortless, but this one certainly was. I believe that says a lot about George, given his friendly personality. That’s just how the entire production goes. Frankly, I was quite taken aback by how well it went.
In the character portrayal of Ruthie, there seemed to be less “fun,” “easy,” and “silly” than one might think, given the tension between Ruthie and Rosie. However, this wasn’t Vicki Lawrence’s genuine experience while working on Lopez vs. Lopez. Later, she shared her delightful surprise about her time spent on the sitcom.
I had never crossed paths with George Lopez before. Since I wasn’t acquainted with anyone else on the show, I never knew what to expect on set. Upon entering my trailer, I found an enormous bouquet of flowers from George. Everyone was exceptionally kind from the get-go, which was a pleasant surprise indeed. It certainly made a difference.
Without a doubt, given that it’s a multi-camera sitcom performed live before an audience, the tempo of “Lopez vs. Lopez” naturally needs to be brisk. Given that her initial role in show business was as a player on “The Carol Burnett Show,” this aspect didn’t come as a surprise to her. Lawrence mentioned:
They captured it live, which is something I always find enjoyable since that was my upbringing. That was how we produced The Burnett Show. We conducted two shows on a Friday with a meal break in between, and two distinct audiences, and that’s essentially how such productions function.
Vicki Lawrence’s ease in performing before a live studio audience persisted throughout her career, extending to the brief Fox sitcom titled “The Cool Kids“, where she worked alongside David Alan Grier, Martin Mull, and Leslie Jordan during its solitary season. The actress spoke highly of that show while also commending “Lopez vs. Lopez“.
It’s funny – when I did The Cool Kids, I was the first person cast on that show, and they said, ‘We’re having trouble casting one of the characters.’ And they said there are so many actors that don’t want to come in and audition because they don’t want to work in front of an audience. I said, ‘Really? That’s funny, because that’s the way I grew up.’ So to me, that’s lovely, but a lot of people are not used to working in front of a live audience. For me, it’s fun. I would go back and do that show anytime they asked.
Interestingly enough, Stephen Tobolowsky previously appeared on the series “The Cool Kids” from 2019, making his role in “Lopez vs. Lopez” a delightful reunion for him and Vicki Lawrence. The upcoming episode on November 2 (streaming with a Peacock subscription) marks Tobolowsky’s comeback to George Lopez’s latest sitcom, as he – referred to by “Lopez vs. Lopez” actor Matt Shively as a “legend” – originally portrayed Sam Van Bryan in Season 1. Given this, it seems plausible that he may consider making a third appearance on the show. When asked directly about this possibility, Tobolowsky was straightforward in his response:
I’m optimistic since I’ve heard a whisper that it might happen. With sitcoms, anything can happen, depending on the scriptwriters. However, if they propose, “Stephen, would you like to be part of a wedding?” My response would be, “I’ve got my tuxedo ready. Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.” It’s one of those exceptional shows that I feel fortunate to be involved with, and whenever they ask me to join, I’m in.
That’s truly a compliment to the show coming from Stephen Tobolowsky, who has been quite prolific on the small screen over the years. He recurred on a wide variety of shows across genres, including Deadwood, Heroes, Glee, Californication, and The Goldbergs, to name just a handful. He was also a series regular on One Day at a Time and among the cast members who reunited this fall for a throwback table read.
Essentially, Stephen Tobolowsky brings a wealth of diverse set experiences to the table, and he offered insights comparing ‘Lopez vs. Lopez’ with ‘One Day at a Time’. He elaborated particularly on this comparison.
In the series Lopez vs. Lopez, they tackle significant personal matters and milestones in life, such as my son getting engaged and married, which was my own experience. The show delves into major life events like people finding love. As for George striving to create a new and improved life for himself and making amends for past mistakes – how does one accomplish that in real life? It’s all about doing it with affection and a sense of humor, which is exactly what Lopez vs. Lopez addresses. The show resonates with me deeply when I watch it, and it’s a privilege to be part of its creation. It’s an outstanding project to contribute to – a truly excellent show.
In a more casual and straightforward manner: George Lopez and Mayan Lopez playing fictionalized versions of themselves gives the show Lopez vs. Lopez an emotional punch, especially when it tackles heavier topics. Yet, they continue to deliver laughter just like Stephen Tobolowsky has done before, and he’s returning along with Vicki Lawrence to reprise their roles as Van Bryan parents.
It remains unclear at this time if the series Lopez vs. Lopez will reintroduce the Van Bryans in Season 3. For the moment, viewers should continue to watch NBC every Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET, following new episodes of Reba McEntire’s Happy’s Place. Each episode of Lopez vs. Lopez can be streamed on Peacock, and the first two seasons are available with a Netflix subscription.
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2024-11-02 04:37