Author: izaguirrey

By Yoel Izaguirre

Last year, I found myself complaining to my brother, who is equally obsessed with TV, about the lack of contemporary shows that I could relate to as a Latino. When it comes to TV and Latinos, many people immediately think of telenovelas. While telenovelas are indeed a significant part of our storytelling tradition, they aren’t the only way to tell Latino stories.

Take Jane the Virgin, for example, which is a fantastic modern telenovela. The storylines are wild—Jane, the protagonist, is accidentally artificially inseminated and ends up pregnant. The father? An old fling she hasn’t spoken to in years, while she’s dating someone new. The show is packed with drama and twists, just like a traditional telenovela. However, one major shortcoming of the show is its writers’ room, which is predominantly white with only a few Latino writers. Knowing this, I’m not surprised by some of the issues I’ve noticed, particularly regarding the use of Spanish.

Spanish is the dominant language for many Latinos, and we use it in our daily lives. Yet, US shows often fail to capture our relationship with Spanish accurately. Here’s a TikTok from a Latino creator that humorously highlights this common misrepresentation: TikTok Link. Hollywood writers seem to think that Latinos frequently switch back and forth between Spanish and English, inserting Spanish words randomly into English conversations. Jane the Virgin is guilty of this.

Frustrated by this lack of authentic representation, my brother recommended Vida, a series set in East Los Angeles that follows two Mexican-American sisters, Emma and Lyn Hernandez, who return to their old neighborhood after their mother’s death.

From the first episode, I was immediately hooked. Why? BECAUSE THEY GOT THE LANGUAGE RIGHT!!! Both sisters are Chicanas, and their language and slang reflect the blend of English and Spanish they grew up with—something we call Spanglish. An example from the first episode is the verb “parkear,” which means “to park.” Though “parkear” isn’t a proper Spanish word (the correct term is “estacionar”), it’s commonly used in Latino communities in the US.

The use of “parkear” isn’t something you can just look up and write about; it comes from lived experience. This authenticity in language and cultural nuance is what makes Vida so special and relatable. This authenticity stems from the show’s writers’ room, which is predominantly composed of Latino writers who bring their personal experiences and cultural knowledge to the table. The result is a show that accurately represents the Latino experience in a way that feels genuine and deeply resonant.

By Yoel Izaguirre

TV seems to be obsessed with trying to get this new generation of viewers hooked on the next BIG TEEN DRAMA!!! As someone who is a connoisseur of TV, I can confidently say that Netflix has hopped onto this trend and has put Heartbreak High (2022) as their submission to the Teen Drama Genre. Heartbreak High is a teen drama series that follows the lives of a diverse group of Australian high school students as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. The show explores themes such as friendship, love, identity, family dynamics, social issues, and personal growth, all the stuff that you would find in a typical teen drama.

Updating Classic Themes

Heartbreak High (2022) is a reboot of the 1990s series of the same name. The show not only revisits classic themes but also actively engages with new cultural discourses, reflecting the evolving landscape of youth culture and the dynamic nature of genre evolution within the media. One notable change from the original series is the significantly increased diversity in the cast of the reboot. The new cast includes representation from Asian, Black, and Blak communities, showcasing a more inclusive and representative portrayal of high school life in today’s society.

The Teen Drama Genre is a popular genre amongst young audiences, I mean the whole reason I even heard about Heartbreak High was because all my friends and TikTok wouldn’t stop talking about it. In this genre, high school settings become the backdrop for vibrant storytelling, where the lives of students and staff intertwine in a whirlwind of drama and excitement. It’s like the writers took a page from a Mad Libs page, weaving crazy yet relatable storylines that mirror the rollercoaster of adolescence. The formula sounds pretty basic. I can think of so many shows that follow this: Degrasssi (a long running Canadian show), Saved by the Bell (a staple in the category), Euphoria (a personal favorite), Riverdale (a personal love/hate), and Sex Education (a British take on teen dramas).

Engaging with New Cultural Discourses

What sets Heartbreak High apart is its fearless engagement with today’s cultural pulse. From social media’s influence and cyberbullying to the complexities of mental health and LGBTQ+ representation, the show dives deep into the experiences shaping modern youth. These themes reflect the concerns and experiences of today’s youth, making the show more relatable and impactful for its audience. One of the main storylines within the show centers on one of the Blak characters being racially profiled and assaulted by a police officer which leads to an examination of the police brutality that Blak folk face within Australia. In essence, Heartbreak High isn’t just entertainment; it’s a mirror reflecting the diverse and evolving landscape of youth culture

The other day, I was trying to find a show to watch with my friend, and I stumbled upon Veneno, a Spanish biographical drama television series that premiered in 2020. It tells the story of Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez, better known as La Veneno, a transgender icon and television personality who was really big in the 90s in Spain. I’ve seen this show multiple times and love it so much that I didn’t have a problem watching the first episode again with my friend.

The show’s aesthetics are beautiful and larger than life, reflecting the upbringing of its protagonist, La Veneno. Part of the show is about La Veneno telling a life story to a writer, so from childhood to adulthood, we hear what she went through. These flashback scenes are the most iconic parts of the show and the reason being because they’re the most exaggerated parts that satisfy the queer needs and wants of its audience. There’s a scene in which La Veneno is reminiscing about going through her first communion; this scene is one of my favorites because she’s walking down the aisle of this church in front of her town, having cut up her outfit into the shape of a dress while a folk rock song is playing, altogether a different vibe than you would expect in a church. Then feathers sprout from her. You should definitely watch this scene; I love replaying it. It’s the second episode at the 28-minute mark.

At its core, Veneno explores themes of identity, acceptance, and resilience, mainly focusing on the LGBTQ+ experience in Spain during different periods. It delves into gender identity, discrimination, and the quest for self-expression and authenticity. One of Veneno’s storylines that spans throughout her different lives is the fact that her mother still sees her as her son rather than her daughter and demonizes the person that her son has become.

The show’s aesthetics and ideological content often work harmoniously, enhancing the storytelling and emotional impact. For example, the vibrant aesthetics can amplify moments of joy and celebration in the characters’ lives. However, there are also instances where these elements may work at odds. For example, the glamorous aesthetics might romanticize certain aspects of the LGBTQ+ experience, potentially glossing over the harsh realities and struggles faced by the community. There’s a montage scene in episode 3 that does a great job of showing this. Veneno is telling her experience with depression as a result of leaving home and finally being herself but missing her community, and this is contrasted by the montage being her in the same dance club through the 80s, so we have pop music and very 80s-like neon lights glitter the whole shebang.

Veneno skillfully bends genre conventions, blending drama, comedy, and documentary-style storytelling elements. This style encourages viewers to engage with the show’s portrayal of LGBTQ+ experiences, recognizing its strengths in representation and potential biases inherent in its storytelling approach, given that La Veneno is sometimes an unreliable narrator.