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Devious Maids fills the Desperate Housewives void rather nicely

Jaylen Christie — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 16:00:08 +0000

Lifetime’s new soapy sudser has been filling the void left by Desperate Housewives. But why did a program featuring five Latinas in lead roles take so long to hit the airwaves?

Good television shows can be so hard to find. While that may not be a documented Nielsen statistic exactly, it’s certainly my unadulterated opinion. It’s common knowledge among my friends and colleagues that I’ve been on the search for a good TV show to watch ever since Desperate Housewives went off the air in 2012. I’ve tried several programs and, well, they all left something to be desired. Luckily for me, a new summer drama has come to the rescue – and it’s from the minds behind Desperate Housewives no less.

There’s a little murder, scandal and betrayal thrown in for good measure, but that’s all a part of the fun.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to the Devious Maids of Lifetime – a channel I haven’t watched since, well, come to think of it, I don’t think Lifetime has ever really been appointment television for me. Nevertheless, I’m now glued to the network every Sunday night to see what devious activities these beautiful maids are going to be involved in. An adaptation of a fun telenovela, Devious Maids stars Ana Ortiz, Roselyn Sanchez, Judy Reyes, Edy Ganem, and Dania Ramirez, talented actresses that used to compete against each other regularly in Hollywood for the role of the token Hispanic chick. The show, an equalized mix of drama and comedy, takes a cue from Housewives by following the lives of five gorgeous and exceedingly clever women with big dreams. Of course, there’s a little murder, scandal and betrayal thrown in for good measure, but that’s all a part of the fun.

Anyone with access to the internet may be privy to the fact that the show has generated a bit of negative buzz regarding its portrayal of Latinas as maids. However, as someone who works in public relations, I know the value of attention – whether it’s good or bad. But, you see, the thing about Devious Maids is that it’s honestly pretty good. Perchance this is why the show has seen a pretty steady increase in viewership, gaining more and more with each passing episode. Entertainment Weekly recently reported that Maids garnered a four percent increase from its premiere in June, and is now shy of three million viewers – which is solid for a cable network. And why wouldn’t it continue to gain viewership?

As a man of color, who also happens to write a column on ethnic diversity, I find it absolutely refreshing to see five capable and talented Latina actresses in lead roles. To be honest, isn’t it about time? I’m not remotely offended by having these wonderful women of color playing maids. After all, being a maid doesn’t define their characters. On the contrary, these women are portrayed as being smarter than their spoiled and pampered employers. Reyes’ character Zoila, one of my favorites, is frequently paired up with Susan Lucci’s wonderfully hilarious Genevieve. Zoila serves as the voice of reason for Genevieve, a woman who has never had a job and who has been married six – count em, six – times just to have a husband pay for the mortgage of her luxurious mansion. Now, what does that tell you? Mmmmhmph.

It’s not the leads that are portrayed as stereotypical. I think it’s the employers.

With that being said, is Devious Maids stereotypical? Maybe a little — but not in the way you’d expect. I don’t think it’s the leads that are portrayed as stereotypical. I think it’s the employers. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Marc Cherry’s shows are known for being over-the-top fun. I don’t think Maids is trying to prove anything. It’s just a good summer show meant to entertain.

And entertain it does.

Seven episodes in, I have a few favorite moments so far. I liked seeing Carmen (played wonderfully by Sanchez) doing the salsa at a party to impress the music mogul whom she hoped to sign with. I also enjoyed Rosie (portrayed marvelously by Ramirez) walking in on her employer cheating on her husband and then asking what kind of coffee she wanted. And I’m really enjoying Marisol (played beautifully by Ortiz) snooping around to find out who the hell killed Flora. Oh, and any scene with either Lucci or Rebecca Wisocky is pure genius. Wisocky can do more with a facial expression than some actresses can do in a lifetime.

So, is the show a carbon copy of Desperate Housewives? Well, yes…and no. But I guess, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. The show is something of a real valentine to people who miss Housewives. I think it’s filling the void rather nicely. Hopefully, Lifetime renews the program for a second season. I believe they have a real hit on their hands, and I’m finding great pleasure in seeing these amazing Latinas have their (long overdue) moment in the spotlight. It’s a shame really that it’s taken so long to have a show like this. But let’s focus on the positive. At least it’s here now.

Having to wait any longer would have been downright devious.

Enjoy the article? Follow Jaylen Christie on Twitter @thesuperflynerd!

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Photo Credit: Lifetime

Where has Justina Machado been hiding?

Jaylen Christie — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:44:12 +0000

How hard is it to act in Hollywood? Hard apparently. In this week’s Clacking in Color, the hip column celebrating ethnic diversity on television, writer Jaylen Christie spotlights Justina Machado, a chick that’s really working hard for the money!

You know, one of the things that I enjoy about watching television is discovering hidden gems — actors and actresses that possess immense talent but, for some bizarre reason, aren’t the stars of their own programs. I think we’ve all seen these capable individuals pop up in sitcoms or dramas, and we wonder to ourselves who, what, when, and where the hell they came from. Well, this week’s Clacking in Color is about one of those enigmatic performers — Justina Machado.

Machado was given a two-episode story arc and managed to knock it out of the park like an athlete on steroids.

Who is this woman and why haven’t I heard of her until recently? Anyone that knows me knows that Desperate Housewives used to be my shi…um, show. Yes, it used to be my show. During its eighth and final season, Machado guest starred as the enraged wife of a creep that one of the housewives killed. Machado was given a two-episode story arc and managed to knock it out of the park like an athlete on steroids … or maybe Lance Armstrong on dope. During her story arc, I honestly remember stroking my chin and asking myself, “Who the hell is that chick?”

I shrugged it off thinking to myself that I’d never see her again, that Machado was just one of those many struggling artists trying to climb out of the deep dark abyss of non-recognition. However, I was pleasantly surprised and equally pleased to see her pop up in Private Practice as Dr. Sam Bennett’s new main squeeze — a pity he dumped her in the final episode of the series though. Nevertheless, she did leave a lasting impression.

The woman is talented, folks.

So, what is it about Justina Machado that does it for me? Well, she is pretty so there’s that. She is also of Hispanic descent which means she garners points for contributing to ethnic diversity on TV. However, despite these things, I’d say it all boils down to her aptitude. The woman is talented, folks. I’ll admit that I haven’t seen her in much else. Nevertheless, a quick trip to Wikipedia indicates that she’s been in quite a bit including — NYPD Blue, Ugly Betty and Six Feet Under.

Perchance that’s a testament to her talent. Heck, I’d like to think so.

I distinctly remember the scene of Machado nearly kicking down Teri Hatcher’s door in Desperate Housewives in order to find her missing husband and, I quote, ring his neck like a chicken. Hell, I thought the lady was serious. Also, did anyone see Machado tell off KaDee Strickland’s Charlotte in Private Practice? Now, how awesome was that?

I don’t know how it is to be an actor or actress in Hollywood. I’m not sure I want to know. I imagine it must be challenging. In fact, I don’t even think that’s the proper word. Maybe traumatic is. However, it’s nice to know that Machado is making a name for herself. She’s clearly getting steady work and in this economy, that’s a good thing. It’s moments like these where I wish I was a successful screenwriter and show runner a la Shonda Rhimes. If I were, I’d cast Machado as a lead character in a drama. I think that would be cool. Yet I digress.

Maybe there’s some good to flying under the radar. After all, the gossip columnists aren’t all over you and you can also avoid negative attention. Who wouldn’t want that? I always said that if I made it to Hollywood, I’d want to be an actor and not a celebrity. There is a definite difference. That’s what Machado is — an actress and not a celebrity.

And there ain’t a damn thing wrong with that.

Do you enjoy reading Clacking in Color? Jaylen sure as hell hopes so. Keep up with his opinions and ponderings by following him on Twitter @thesuperflynerd!

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Photo Credit: ABC