Cisneros Media Developing New English-Language Comedy

MIAMI: Cisneros Media is working with Part Time Hero Productions on American Girl Trapped on a Telenovela, an English-language comedy aimed at the U.S. market but with a "Latin twist."

The series is being developed and produced by Cisneros in partnership with Part Time Hero, which was founded by game show host Jeff Sutphen. The show was created by Sutphen and Stacy Asencio-Sutphen. The project has enlisted Gina Rugolo, who was a co-executive producer of the American sitcom Just Shoot Me, and telenovela leading man Guy Ecker, whose production company, Amistad Productions, is also on board. Bungalow Media + Entertainment, a Cisneros strategic partner, will collaborate on the U.S. production and distribution of the series.

American Girl Trapped on a Telenovela centers on Sarah Forlenza, a Puerto Rican-Italian actress from Brooklyn who has been struggling to become a working actor in Los Angeles. She finally lands a starring role on a brand-new show, which is a telenovela, 100 percent in Spanish (which she does not speak a word of).

“It’s hard to ignore the ratings that telenovelas achieve in the U.S. Hispanic market,” said Sutphen. “And I believe the American market has been trying to figure out ways to capitalize on that demographic. We feel this project has cracked the code; especially tapping into the creative juices of Guy and Estela, and the expertise of Cisneros Media, and all of their years of telenovela experience. As far as we are concerned, no one knows it better.”

Bob Friedman, Bungalow's CEO, added, “This kind of unique content venture reflects the brave new world and viewing habits of both Hispanic families and general market audiences—both of whom are interested in great storytelling reflecting a U.S. Latin culture.”

Jonathan Blum, the president of Cisneros Media, said, “This comedy series offers the best of both worlds. One might consider it to be a parody of the overdramatic soap opera and the overzealous passions of a telenovela, but it’s basically an America comedy with a Latino flavor that will reach audiences of all ages, regardless of their understanding of the Spanish language. It’s what Hispanics of all generations have been waiting to see on national networks, and precisely what American brands and advertisers have long awaited.”