Showtime To Premiere ‘The Original Latin Kings of Comedy’ During Hispanic Heritage Month.

Full of Latino pride and outrageously funny, THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY premieres exclusively on SHOWTIME on Monday, September 15 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT). The Hispanic version of the popular “Kings of Comedy” special, THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY, starring Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, George Lopez, Joey Medina and Alex Reymundo, is directed by Jeb Brien and executive produced by Lou E. Perez, Paul Rodriguez and Scott Montoya, who also acted as producer. SHOWTIME’s third annual LATINO FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE will air immediately following THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY at 9:30 PM ET/PT) to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Filmed in El Paso, Texas as part of their highly successful “Yo Quiero Comedy Jam” comedy tour, THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY is hosted by Cheech Marin, who also entertains the crowd in between each performance. On stage, the five comedians tackle such topics as the love of Mexico, the difference between men and women, the French, Hispanic nannies and the possibility of going to jail. Each comedian brings his own wit and Hispanic background to the stage, leaving the audience roaring with laughter.

Showtime, which presents compelling and diverse programming throughout the year, will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) with a number of programs along with THE ORIGINAL LATIN KINGS OF COMEDY that feature Latino themes and talent. The network will mark the directorial debut of Oscar(R) nominee Salma Hayek on Oct. 12 with its SHOWTIME Original Picture For All Ages THE MALDONADO MIRACLE, which was well received at several prestigious festivals including Sundance Film Festival and The Tribeca Film Festival. The network will also highlight the works of aspiring Latino filmmakers during its annual LATINO FILMMAKER SHOWCASE, for which the network has awarded one lucky filmmaker a $30,000 grant to make a short film that will premiere exclusively on SHOWTIME in the future.

Paul Rodriguez’ career as an actor and comedian spans more than two decades and includes starring roles and featured appearances in over 29 films and countless television series and specials. He has worked with the industry’s top film directors, including Michael Mann (“Ali”), Jerry Zucker (“Rat Race”), and Simon Wincer (“Crocodile Dundee In LA”). Most recently, he had the opportunity to work with the legendary Clint Eastwood in the Warner Brothers film, “Blood Work.”

Cheech Marin is best known as one half of the comedic team “Cheech and Chong.” With “Cheech and Chong Up in Smoke” in 1978, the duo made six films together over the course of eight years. Marin’s other feature film work includes “Born in East LA,” “Ghostbusters II,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Desperado,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Spy Kids” “Spy Kids 2,” “Spy Kids 3-D” and “Once Upon A Time in Mexico.” His television credits include “The Ortegas,” “Nash Bridges” and SHOWTIME’s original series RESURRECTION BLVD.

George Lopez is the co-creator, writer, producer and star of the ABC sitcom, “George Lopez,” which will return for a third season this fall. His new CD “Team Leader” was recently released and was a follow up to the previous best-selling CD “Right Now Right Now.” Television credits include regular appearances on “The Tonight Show,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Craig Kilborn”, “On the Record with Bob Costas” and SHOWTIME’s Resurrection Boulevard. Lopez’ feature film credits include “Real Women Have Curves” and “Bread and Roses.” He recently signed a major book deal with Touchstone Fireside, a division of Simon & Schuster, for an autobiography which is to be released in 2004.

Rated one of the top 10 Latin comedians in America, Joey Medina has recently written his first screenplay “El Matador,” which he will also direct. Medina has had an illustrious career in television, film and comedy clubs. His television credits include “Roseanne,” “Extreme Gong Show,” and “Movies For Guys That Like Movies.” Besides “El Matador,” his feature film credits include “Devil’s Knight,” “On the Turning Away,” and “Super Spy,” among others.

Alex Reymundo has appeared on many television comedy specials, including “Loco Slam,” “Evening at the Improv,” and SHOWTIME’s LATINO LAUGH FESTIVAL. He also was seen in the feature films “The Movement” and “El Matador.” Ever since he joined Paul Rodriguez on the comedy circuit, Reymundo has played comedy clubs across the nation including the Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store. Reymundo has also released a comedy CD entitled “Stop Me When I Lie.”

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