As a seasoned gamer with decades of TV comedy experience under my belt, I must say that diving into the world of Lopez vs. Lopez was an absolute delight! Having started my career on the hallowed grounds of The Carol Burnett Show and continuing my journey through various sitcoms such as Mama’s Family, The Cool Kids, and even Hannah Montana, I’ve seen a fair share of sets. But let me tell you, Lopez vs. Lopez is one of those rare, happy places to work.
In the upcoming episode of “Lopez vs. Lopez” airing November 1, 2024, family ties will run deeper as Quinten’s parents make a visit. Stephen Tobolowsky reprises his character as Sam, Quinten’s dad, while Vicki Lawrence joins the cast as mom Ruthie, both veterans from “The Carol Burnett Show”. The NBC comedy is gearing up for some comic mayhem, and these two guest stars shared with TopMob their unexpected experiences working alongside George Lopez on set.
Vicki Lawrence boasts an extensive background in TV comedy, particularly noteworthy for someone joining the cast of Lopez vs. Lopez. She kick-started her career on the iconic The Carol Burnett Show, staying with the series for almost three hundred episodes spanning eleven seasons. Her comedy resume also includes roles in subsequent sitcoms such as Mama’s Family, The Cool Kids, and even the popular show Hannah Montana. In essence, Lawrence can claim an impressive roster of comedy credits.
As a gamer, when I quizzed the actress about her experience collaborating with George Lopez – a man renowned for his sitcom prowess and stand-up comedy triumphs in “Lopez vs. Lopez”, she disclosed aspects of the project she hadn’t anticipated:
He’s completely charming, and if you haven’t worked with him before, it’s hard to tell what to expect. But his work environment is smooth-running and enjoyable, which I believe is a reflection of his personality. The key lesson I learned from Carol Burnett is that a well-run set creates a positive atmosphere, and she was such a wonderful person that “The Carol Burnett Show” was a joy to be part of. Similarly, working on “Lopez vs. Lopez” is a pleasure because it’s a cheerful and easygoing environment. It’s a delightful place to work.
Despite George Lopez being undeniably successful, it’s particularly flattering when compared favorably to a television legend like Carol Burnett, especially considering Vicki Lawrence worked with her extensively over the years. Unaware of what awaited her, Lawrence found herself pleasantly surprised by the leading man during her involvement in Lopez vs. Lopez. She further revealed what drew her to play Ruthie on the show, as she hadn’t previously crossed paths with George.
To be completely honest, I hadn’t watched the show before, but recently I began watching a few episodes, and it turned out to be an enchanting tale. The characters are endearing, the writing is top-notch. What really sealed the deal for me was learning that Stephen Tobolowsky was going to play my on-screen spouse, and we had previously worked together on “The Cool Kids.” Given his reputation as a delightful character actor, I couldn’t resist the opportunity. It was a blast to join the cast, and just like Carol would say, it was a joy to frolic with them in the sandbox.
In the upcoming episode on November 1, titled “Lopez vs. In-Laws”, Vicki Lawrence will debut as Ruthie for the first time. However, this won’t be the first appearance of Stephen Tobolowsky, who played Sam Van Bryan in Season 1 and is now returning to the show. When Matt Shively, a series regular, learned that a “legend” was cast as his on-screen father, he was thrilled. You can watch this episode by subscribing to Netflix or Peacock.
Stephen Tobolowsky is a widely recognized character actor, known for his roles in both films and television series, such as “Groundhog Day” and “One Day at a Time”, as well as “The Goldbergs”. He also made an appearance on “The Cool Kids” during its single season run alongside Vicki Lawrence. Upon my mentioning that I was excited to see him again on “Lopez vs. Lopez”, he replied:
That was good news for me. I loved doing the show so much… We all had such a good time, and the characters on that show were so wonderful. And I guess the thing that Lopez vs. Lopez does, too, is there’s always a darker undercurrent to everything, because of George. George is a dangerous character. [laughs] He’s a great leader. This is something that I don’t think I’ve heard anybody say, and was a shock to me. He’s a great leader, and when he comes out on stage, the audience is in the palm of his hand. He is a great leader with the rest of the cast.
George Lopez’s leadership style took Stephen Tobolowsky by surprise when he joined the set of “Lopez vs. Lopez“, as this wasn’t a common observation about the sitcom actor. However, creator Debby Wolfe commended Lopez for his talent in energizing the audience with his stand-up comedy, and a fellow cast member noted that his active involvement was beneficial. Tobolowsky further commented:
I’ve had experiences working under various leadership styles, but George stands out due to his strong character and unwavering passion for excellence. Unlike some leaders who are eager for the work to end, he always wants the show to be top-notch. [laughs] On Lopez vs. Lopez, it’s refreshing to be part of a team that is constantly preparing for the next episode as soon as one ends, creating an exciting atmosphere. After 50 years in this field, I can say it’s a rare and wonderful feeling.
The actor mentioned that everyone involved in “One Day at a Time” shared the same wonderful camaraderie, as they gathered earlier this year for a table reading of the final episodes. It’s evident that George Lopez is an inspiring leader who ensures that working on “Lopez vs. Lopez” is a rewarding experience for guest stars, and his exceptional talent in comedy has earned him admiration from other esteemed comedians.
In the upcoming episode of “Lopez vs. Lopez”, airing on Friday, November 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC, catch Vicki Lawrence and Stephen Tobolowsky as Ruthie and Sam Van Bryan starring alongside George Lopez and company. This episode will follow directly after a fresh installment of “Happy’s Place”. If you’ve missed any episodes from Season 3, you can stream them on Peacock.
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2024-11-01 14:37