• Brown Is the New Green: George Lopez and the American Dream
8 p.m. Wednesday, KRMA-Channel 6
Hispanics are this nation's largest and fastest-growing ethnic group; numbering 44 million, they are also big business.
The show: A new documentary from Phillip Rodriguez examines how cor- porate efforts to profit from the "Latino market" are shaping America's perception of Hispanics. The program features the insight of Hispanic icon and advocate George Lopez through rare behind-the-scenes access to the actor/comedian's life and career.
According to the Selig Center for Economic Growth, Hispanic buying power will grow to $1.2 trillion by 2011.
"Impressive numbers notwithstanding, Americans are in a collective state of confusion about Latinos," says Rodriguez.
"This isn't surprising, given that the Latino image is stage-managed by marketers and media companies. Latinos are caught in a netherworld," Rodriguez adds.
"Mainstream media have largely ignored them, while Spanish-language networks and Hispanic ad companies have served up an exoticized image that has no basis in contemporary American reality."
Lopez, whose ABC sitcom, George Lopez, was the longest-running show with a Hispanic lead in TV history, strives to represent Hispanics in a way true to their realities and aspirations.
In Brown Is the New Green, viewers see Lopez walk a tightrope between ethnic authenticity and prime-time appeal. In his TV sitcom, he plays a guy next door who happens to be Hispanic. In sold-out theatrical performances, he adopts an edgier, more Chicano- specific persona to send up the idiosyncratic details of Chicano life. In writers' meetings, he delicately maneuvers to maintain a Hispanic sensibility amid a staff and industry dominated by non-Hispanics.
Brown Is the New Green features interviews with a variety of influential Hispanics, who weigh in, often with conflicting opinions, on the role of marketing and media in shaping Hispanic identity. The film also features conversations with members of the much-coveted Hispanic youth market, whose tastes and interests are far more eclectic than one might think.
MONDAY
• My Boys
8 p.m. TBS
The show: In the hourlong, two-episode second-season finale, PJ (Jordana Spiro) and Stephanie's (Kellee Stewart) trip to Italy draws nearer, as a dateless PJ mulls which man she'll ask to join her - botanist Evan (Michael Landes), roving reporter Thorn (Jeremy Sisto) or baseball player Matt (Travis Schuldt). Elsewhere, the gang takes in Chicago's tourist sites; and major changes come Andy's (Jim Gaffigan) way.
TUESDAY
• Biggest Loser
7 p.m., 9News
The show: Eighteen contestants are dropped in the middle of the desert as Season 4 begins with a stuffed, two-hour episode. In addition to the usual red and blue teams (trained by Kim Lyons and Bob Harper, respectively), a secret black team is formed, trained by Jillian Michaels. Alison Sweeney takes over as host. It's a good bet the contestants probably haven't tried the Guinness Diet, featured tonight on the Food Network's 8:30 episode of Glutton for Punishment.
THURSDAY
• Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
7 p.m., Fox 31
The show: A Marine Corps captain from San Clemente, Calif., tests his knowledge against the precocious youths. His best tactic if he's stumped might be to reply to host Jeff Foxworthy, "I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you."
FRIDAY
• Nashville
8 p.m. Fox 31
The show: From the creative minds behind Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County comes Nashville, a high-stakes, high-drama docu-soap set in "the biggest small town in America." It focuses on the dreamers and dream-makers in the music industry, as well as those trying to make their mark on Nashville's big business and high society. In the opener, Chuck Wicks plays for record executives; Matt Jenkins and Jeff Allen gravitate toward low-profile gigs; Clint Moseley hosts a party; and Mika Combs moves to Nashville.
SATURDAY
• College Football: Southern California at Nebraska
6:07 p.m. Denver's 7
The show: What's this? For the second consecutive year the Cornhuskers are playing a top national Division I team before the conference season? Arizona State transfer Sam Keller leads the Huskers' offense against linebacker Keith Rivers and the USC defense. The Trojans - ranked No. 1 in early-season polls - beat Nebraska 28-10 last season in L.A. Stay tuned later for ABC's fall comedy preview show.
SUNDAY
• 59th Primetime Emmy Awards
7 p.m., Fox 31
The show: Ubiquitous Ryan Seacrest hosts the 59th edition of TV's night of nights, telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Performers include Tony Bennett and Christina Aguilera, singing Steppin' Out With My Baby. Scheduled presenters include Steve Carell, Kyle Chandler, the cast of Entourage, Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton, Katherine Heigl, Hayden Panettiere, Jimmy Smits, Jon Stewart, Kiefer Sutherland and Kate Walsh.
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