“Al diablo con los guapos”: a telenovela: my review

Another telenovela (soap opera) had its “gran final” (grand final) on the Spanish language channel Univision on Friday 9/19/08. This show had the somewhat droll title “Al diablo con los guapos” which means “to hell with all the handsome ones!” or “damn the handsome ones!”. This is a phrase uttered by the telenovela’s main character, a young woman named Milagros (meaning “miracles”; played by Allisson Lozz). This is the story of a poor orphaned girl named Milagros, who is also known as Mili or Miligol, because she loves soccer and is good at the game (soccer is the most popular sport in Mexico, which is were the novela takes place). Mili grows up in a convent but at 18 must leave and go to work. She happens upon a young man named Alejandro Belmonte (Eugenio Siller)whose father is a business tycoon named Constancio Belmonte (Cesar Evora), an extremely proud ambitious man whose career goes before his family. At first when Alejandro expresses his interest in Mili, she refuses him. But soon his persistance pays off as Mili ends up going to work for the elder Belmonte and for his wife; Alejandro’s mother Luciana (Laura Flores). Mili falls in love with Alejandro as he does with her, but there are numerous obstacles: Alejandro’s girlfriend Andrea (Tania Vezquez), a very ambitious, ruthless woman whose only interest is money so she pursues Alejandro and Constancio; Alejandro’s mother also does not want them together and collaborates with Andrea to seperate them, Alejandro’s cousin Hugo Arango (Andres Zuno)who also falls in love with Mili and tries to win her–somettimes going to extremes. Alejandro’s sister Valeria (Altair Jarabo) also does not approve of Alejandro loving “una sirvienta” ( ” a servent” or “maid”). Constancio also does not want them together.
The biggest obstacle to Alejandro and Mili being together, however, is that they could be brother and sister! Mili soon learns that that is not true, although she discovers her actual relationship to Alejandro’s father. But alas Alejandro has married Florencia, whose father is also an important business man and he leaves the country with her. So Mili decides to give a chance to Hugo. She does not see Alejandro again for three years and even then does not tell him the truth right away as she discovers Florencia is pregnant. By the time the truth comes out that Mili and Alejandro are not brother and sister, Mili is married to Hugo and Hugo is reluctant to let her go and Mili does not want to hurt Hugo. But the love of Mili and her “guapito” as she calls Alejandro is too intense so finally Hugo and Florencia have to give them up. They do get together after their divorces as everybody realizes that they cannot fight the love of Mili and Alejandro. Luciana, Constancio, Valeria come to accept their relationship. Valeria herself falls for her chauffeur Rocky or “Morgan”(Ricardo Margaleff) as she calls him. She marries him and Mili and Alejandro get married. And the novela ends showing the happy couples together as many years pass and finally Mili and Alejandro are in their 90s and still together in love!
This is a likable, charming soap opera, though I believe this sort of “Cinderella” story has been done before. Like all telenovelas, it has its serious moments, such as dealing with Luciana’s alcoholism, but, as is evident by its title, it has some humorous parts, too. The actors playing Mili and Alejandro show potential in their telenovela debuts on this show, except I thought at times that they could tone down their screaming and crying. Also I think the singing done by Allisson and Eugenio was rather unneccessary. I thought it took too much time from the story. Plus, I think their acting was better than their singing. Allisson sang ok. She did the show’s theme song with a group K-Paz but the song did not measure up to the theme song of the telenovela “Pasion” and of course she is no Sarah Brightman. Some of the other cast members sang too and I think that was overdone. Veteran telenovela actors Cesar Evora and Laura Flores were excellent in their roles (Cesar Evora is one of the few who does not sing on this show), as was another veteran actress (Alicia Rodriguez) who appeared early in the novela as Constancio’s mother Regina Belmonte. Overall, I give this novela a “B”. Like I said, it had charm but not a lot of originality. And too much singing and slowing down of the plot. And I didn’t see as many handsome men as in “Pasion” although I found the actor who played Hugo rather attractive:)

What’s up, CBS? CBS disses Lifehouse

I have a little “bone” to pick with CBS for their NFL coverage on 9/14/08–specifically during the 4:15 pm Pats-Jets game. Now, I couldn’t be home that Sunday afternoon so I set up my VCR for not only the game but also because my favorite band Lifehouse was slated to perform during halftime of that game and frontman Jason Wade was to sing the national anthem. Much to my chagrin, when I got home later and watched the tape, there was no Lifehouse performance to be found! I’m like “What the hell?” I read that Lifehouse was to appear at halftime and Jason was to sing the anthem more than once. Where were these performances? Why did CBS cut them? It is just not right, it is not fair. Lifehouse is a tremendously talented band that deserves more credit then they are getting and they deserve more air time. And Jason is a great singer–one of the best in the world. His rendition of our national anthem deserves to be heard. Why did CBS not show it? What did CBS do what they did? They “fumbled” on this one! Just last year, I think, they showed singer Josh Groban perform “The Star Spangled Banner” before an NFL game. He did an excellent job but Jason can also sing and he deserves to be heard! So does his band Lifehouse. Lifehouse deserves R-E-S-P-E-C-T. CBS made a “bad call” on 9/14/08. I hope in the future the network and NBC and ABC and FOX, too, will use better judgement and not just show a so-called “popular” or “glamour” act.
I also think that the National Anthem performance before all sport events should be shown on tv.

Olympics

The games of the XXIX Summer Olympics have come and gone. I watched them on TV as I have always done. I’ve always enjoyed them–always enjoyed the ceremonies and all the nations coming together and I enjoy the competition. I am a big sports fan. I watched these Olympics on NBC (who I think have televised them since 2000, if I’m not mistaken). I give their coverage of this year’s Games a B, or, if a medal was to be awarded to the network, I think they would get the bronze medal. I enjoyed the coverage of the swimming, diving, gymnastics. I thought Michael Phelps was just awesome–winning gold in all eight of his events in less than a week! He is truly a great champion and seems a nice, down-to-earth, humble young man, too (kind of cute also ). Glad I got to see LeBron James of the Cavaliers and team USA get basketball gold and the Argentine men take soccer gold (broadcast on Telemundo). But I think NBC put too much emphasis on volleyball (both the beach and indoor kind). I think they should have put more emphasis on soccer and basketball. I do not think that volleyball is more internationally popular than soccer and basketball. Basketball is obviously growing and gaining fans globally. This could be seen in the Opening Ceremony of these 2008 Olympics–where 5 of the flagbearers in the Parade of Nations were NBA players. I think I may have liked to have seen more of the equestrian events, too. I also did not like how at times, NBC would start covering an event then they would cut away to another then back again. I think they should start and finish an event; showing it in its entireity before going to another. And show more of the medal ceremonies after the events. So NBC’s Olympic coverage of these Olympic Games for me earns a bronze medal. I do think they need to step up and show more of basketball and soccer. ABC is not afraid to show soccer. I think NBC overdid the volleyball coverage.
I am glad however that these were a fairly peaceful Olympics; that the athletes are returning home safe and sound. In a year and half; in 18 months (2010), it all happens again, with the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. I look forward to watching again.