Diversity sells, but Hollywood is overwhelmingly white, male (audio)

hollywoodpromo300b“If you want an accurate picture of ethnic and gender diversity in the United States, don’t look to Hollywood,” says NPR.

That’s the conclusion of the “2015 Hollywood Diversity Report” conducted by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA.

The report quantifies the striking — if not surprising — racial and gender imbalances in film and television, both behind and in front of the camera, by comparing the representation of minorities to their actual proportions of the population.

“At every level, in every arena, women and minorities are under-represented in the industry,” says Darnell Hunt, the study’s co-author and director of the Bunche Center. “And the only question really is how serious, how egregious that level of under-representation is.”

Mas…Diversity sells, but Hollywood is overwhelmingly white, male (audio)

Pocho Ocho top reasons not to watch the Oscars

fusionlatinosLot of pochos we know are insisting they won’t watch Sunday’s telecast of the Academy Awards. The big reason, of course, is Hollywood’s apparent inability to find roles for Latin@s other than maid or gangster (see infographic below).

But that’s not all! Here are the Pocho Ocho Top reasons they’re boycotting the Oscars:

8. Reading chingon first edition of The Iliad instead.

7. Machete don’t sext.

6. Six-hour MEChA meeting starts at the same time.

Mas…Pocho Ocho top reasons not to watch the Oscars

Al Madrigal is a coconut on a quest for identity: ‘Half Like Me’ (video)


alcoconutPOCHO Migrant Editor Al Madrigal’s epic quest for identity — Half Like Me — debuts on FUSION next Thursday.

Coconut Madrigal (white inside, brown outside) knew turning an intensely personal journey into a docu-comedy wouldn’t be one easy trick, but he never anticipated what happened next.

“I set out to dial down my pocho level from a ten to a five,” he told POCHO in a text message Tuesday night, “and ultimately something much greater and unexpected happened. I ended up not giving a shit.”

“I encourage others to try it, feels great.”

Al got some help from three mostly-reliable sources:

Mas…Al Madrigal is a coconut on a quest for identity: ‘Half Like Me’ (video)

Does your animation project need a Latina maid?

othercharactersanimatedmaidmariaDoes your video animation project need stereotyped cartoon actors?

How about a Latina?

How about we name her “Maria,” oh, and get this, she’s a “housemaid!”

Maria is ready to say “¡Si, Señora!” in all your corporate video, web avatar and/or white privileged productions.

Sure we could have made Maria the “cool girl” character (above), but get real.

This is America!

All this and more from mCharacter. [Windex not included, deviousness available for an additional charge.]

Mas…Does your animation project need a Latina maid?

My friend’s new movie, ‘The Book of Life,’ is lush, hilarious (photos)

MariachisThe Book of Life opens today in theaters nationwide. This lush and hilarious Day of the Dead-inspired movie is by my friend Jorge Gutierrez and film giant Guillermo del Toro.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the flick’s “red carpet” premiere Sunday, and I had the time of my life. It was a “bucket list” experience, and I want to share some of the images and sounds from that morning of movie madness.

Highlights included photobombing the stars, taking a selfie with Diego Luna, and making Ice Cube snarl.

Mas…My friend’s new movie, ‘The Book of Life,’ is lush, hilarious (photos)

Pocho Ocho reasons why Latinos are Hollywood’s best customers

notorillasU.S. Latinos went to the movies in 2013 way more often than other ethnic groups, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. Latinos are 17% of the population but account for 32% of moviegoers who went to more than one movie a month.

Here are the Pocho Ocho reasons why Latinos are Hollywood’s best customers:

8. Air conditioning

7. You can sneak in your own meal

6. Fewer crying kids than at a birthday party

Mas…Pocho Ocho reasons why Latinos are Hollywood’s best customers

Forget Los Oscars: Mira Los Hectors©! POCHO’s Annual Awards

Behold, The Hectors©, bestowed for Excellence in Mockability.

The Hectors© are named for POCHO Jefe-in-Chief Lalo Alcaraz’ cousin Hector (photo), who is excellent at ruining family gatherings, especially when he has downed his third 12-pack. He hasn’t seen a film since Blood In, Blood Out.

And the Hector© goes to:

Mas…Forget Los Oscars: Mira Los Hectors©! POCHO’s Annual Awards

Mexclusive: Hollywood has called my bluff with ‘Bordertown’ at Fox!

bordetowntoonborderstereotypestweetFox has just announced the pickup of a new animated TV show called Bordertown, debuting in 2014. It was created by the showrunner of Family Guy, Mark Hentemann.

I was offered a gig writing and consulting on the show, and I happily accepted.

This will be the first animated prime time network TV show with a significant number of Latino characters.

Over half the cast will Mexican or Mexican-Americans or Chicanos. It will be historic.

Mas…Mexclusive: Hollywood has called my bluff with ‘Bordertown’ at Fox!

JLo wins Espiritu Award for playing Mexicans

Jennifer Lopez(PNS reporting from BEVERLY HILLS) Actress Jennifer Lopez was honored at the Espiritu Awards last night, netting the coveted Best Non-Mexican Actress Who Plays A Mexican In Every Role Award.

“I’m just so grateful to all of you who see in me what every casting agent in Hollywood sees: a Mexican. Which is actually better than being a real Mexican, because then I can actually get work,” she told a gleeful crowd as she accepted her award.

“If it weren’t for Mexicans, I would not have the career I do today, thank you, thank you!”

Mas…JLo wins Espiritu Award for playing Mexicans

Roberta Valderrama stars in ‘The Callback’ (NSFW video)


PREGUNTA: Why would POCHO run a 15-minute (!) video on a Wednesday without any jokes about chanclas or twerking or nalgas?

RESPUESTA: When it stars POCHO amiga Roberta Valderrama. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll jump and shout when you check out The Callback. Roberta plays an actor who maybe is a little too intent on getting that big Hollywood break with a small part in a TV cop show. (NSFW adult language and situations, but no nudity or nalgas.)

PREVIOUSLY ON ROBERTA VALDERRAMA:

Mas…Roberta Valderrama stars in ‘The Callback’ (NSFW video)

Breaking: Japanese actor Bad Badtz-Maru cast as Chicano

angrybirdog(PNS reporting from TOKYO) Japanese character actor Bad Badtz-Maru will star as a gang-banging, tagging Chicano in a new animated feature called Angry Bird O.G., PNS confirmed on Sunday.

This could be a comeback role for 20-year-old Badtz-Maru (バッドばつ丸). The spiky-haired method actor has found little work since playing the mascot at the 2006 FIBA World Championship of Basketball here.

Mas…Breaking: Japanese actor Bad Badtz-Maru cast as Chicano