MediaVillage's Insider InSites podcast on Media, Marketing and Advertising

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a dynamic group of industry leaders gathered for MediaVillage's fourth annual AAPI Leadership Roundtable to discuss the ongoing evolution of inclusion in the media and advertising sectors. The panel featured Suzie Bao, VP Group Account Director for McDonald's at IW Group; Bernice Chao, Chief Creative Officer at Aster and Founder of Asians in Advertising; Irene Kwak, EVP of Client Growth at Starcom; Jinie Kwak, Executive Director of Global Communications and Marketing at VML; and David Lai, President and Head of Global Data, Analytics & Transformation at Publicis Collective.

What defines effective leadership in an era of rapid technological change? For Matt Derella, Vice President of LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, it begins with clarity of purpose, valuing learning, and empowering individuals to lead at every level. In a recent episode of Profiles in Leadership with host Jack Myers, Derella shared career insights, leadership philosophies, and reflections on the transformative role of technology in business.

In celebration of Women's History Month, WomenAdvancing host E.B. Moss is joined by an insightful panel of industry leaders for a special roundtable discussion. Joining us is Nafeesa Bratcher, Director of Customer Success at Optimum Media; Liz Rave, Vice President of Marketing at OUTFRONT Media; and Stephanie Versichelli, Senior Vice President of Ad Sales at Hallmark Media, who shared insights on professional development, work-life balance, and creating opportunities for women in the field.

Joseph Jaffe has never been one to pull punches. A seasoned marketing strategist, author, and business thinker, Jaffe has built a career on challenging conventional wisdom. In a compelling Profiles in Leadership conversation with Jack Myers, Jaffe unflinchingly dives into the fate of corporations, the role of AI, the dangers of fear-based leadership, and why happiness -- not just profit -- should be a priority for organizations.

Luisa Diaz stands as a beacon of kindness, resilience, and leadership in a world that often rewards power over empathy and competition over connection. As the founder of the Luisa Diaz Foundation and the visionary behind the Mi Amor Gala, she has made it her life's mission to uplift survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, offering them not only aid but also the opportunity to reclaim their power.Visit https://luisadiazfoundation.org/maggala2025/ for more information on how to support the MAG Gala and the Luisa Diaz Foundation.

Gemma Atkinson, Global Chief People Officer at AMS, is redefining what it means to lead in a fast-paced, technology-driven world. In a compelling conversation with Jack Myers for Profiles in Leadership, Atkinson shared her insights on culture as a competitive advantage, the evolving nature of leadership, and the innovative strategies that make AMS a global leader in media and corporate trade. Her perspective emphasizes empathy, purpose, and the importance of continuous learning, providing a roadmap for navigating today's complex business landscape. 

Rishad Tobaccowala, a renowned author and thought leader, joined Jack Myers for an enlightening conversation on Profiles in Leadership, diving into themes from his new book, Rethinking Work. In the interview, Tobaccowala discusses the critical changes reshaping leadership, work, and education in the digital age. With insights ranging from integrating technology and creativity to redefining leadership strategies, the discussion highlights the urgent need for businesses and leaders to adapt to an evolving landscape.

In the inaugural episode of Profiles in Leadership, which transitions from Legends & Leadership to align with my new book, The Tao of Leadership, I welcome my long-time friend, colleague, and mentor, David Verklin. The interview offers an engaging discussion on David's expansive career, his vision for the future of advertising and media, and the critical role of creativity and data in the AI era. As we reflected on our shared journeys, David's industry-shaping contributions across advertising, media, technology, and consulting emerged as a rich narrative that underscored his leadership and influence in transforming modern media. Visit MediaVillage.org for more content just like this!

As the television landscape undergoes a seismic shift with the rise of streaming platforms, cord-cutting, and evolving audience preferences, one figure stands at the crossroads of its rich past and uncertain future: Doug Herzog. In the latest installment of Jack Myers Legends & Leadership series, Herzog - former president of MTV Networks and the executive responsible for launching the careers of Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and many more -- shares his candid thoughts on the future of broadcast and cable television. This conversation promises to be a must-watch for anyone invested in the future of media, from executives to creatives and curious viewers alike. Visit MediaVillage.org for more of our content just like this!

aspireTV launched its Power Players programming hour block earlier this month with the premiere of Style Kings and Cut To It, the former of which follows the daily goings-on of interior designer Justin Q. Williams and custom clothier and stylist Dedrick Thomas, showcasing their entrepreneurial endeavors and “elevate the discourse on Black men's contribution to art and culture”, as the network describes. Joining us for this edition of Behind the Scenes in Hollywood are the series' stars for a conversation on how the show came together, some of their proudest career achievements, and what they hope viewers take away from the series.

In an engaging Legends & Leadership conversation, series host Jack Myers and special guest Michael Strober, Chief Revenue Officer of Nexstar Media Group, discussed the transformative journey of the media industry and Strober's dynamic career and influences. Strober, who joined Nexstar in 2023 after several years of consulting with Nexstar management, provides a wealth of experience from his time at Turner Broadcasting, as an entrepreneur, and as a consultant, making him well-suited to lead advertising sales for Nexstar's expansive and diverse media assets.

Mike Law, the CEO of Carat, a dentsu company, has spent nearly 25 years in the media industry, growing alongside Carat and shaping its evolution. In a recent conversation with Jack Myers, Law shared insights into Carat's journey, its relationship with dentsu, and the broader advertising and television industry through the lens of his experience. His story is one of growth, innovation, and a commitment to people -- a narrative that mirrors the trajectory of Carat itself.

In a riveting conversation at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Jack Myers and Screenvision Media CEO John Partilla discussed the transformative power of cinema advertising and how Screenvision is thriving in a tech-dominated world. Their discussion, part of Jack's "Legends and Leadership" series, highlighted the irreplaceable impact of cinema in an evolving media landscape and its unique ability to captivate audiences in ways digital platforms cannot. Their discussion provided deep insights into the enduring value of cinema advertising amidst a landscape increasingly dominated by tech companies. Thanks for watching!

In this week's episode of Jack Myers' "Legends & Leadership," I hosted an insightful and controversial conversation with Mike Linton, renowned Chief Marketing Officer, and former agency President Jeff Culliton, now host and Executive Producer of the CMO Confidential podcast. Jack Myers' conversation with Mike Linton, and Jeff Culliton provided a wealth of insights into the current state and future direction of the marketing industry. From the evolving role of CMOs and the impact of AI on agencies to the challenges of education and the growing influence of procurement, the discussion highlighted the complex and dynamic nature of modern marketing. For current and future marketing professionals, this is a must view. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

In a Legends & Leadership conversation hosted by Jack Myers, Radha Subramanyam, the Chief Research and Analytics Officer of CBS and President of CBS Vision, shared profound and even surprising insights into the robustness and enduring appeal of network television, specifically highlighting CBS's leadership in primetime programming. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

In the digital age where advertisers are vying for consumer attention across various platforms, cinema advertising stands out as a uniquely compelling medium. Christine Martino, Chief Revenue Officer at Screenvision Media, emphasized this during her insightful discussion with WomenAdvancing.org host E.B. Moss. Screenvision leverages the traditional appeal of the big screen while harnessing modern data analytics to deliver impactful advertising messages to a captive audience. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

In a recent engaging session of Jack Myers' Legends & Leadership series, Shirli Zelcer, Chief Data and Technology Officer at dentsu, shared her extensive insights into the evolving role of data and technology in advertising. Link above and here to view the video conversation. With over two decades of experience in analytics, AI, and technology, Zelcer has been a pioneer in adapting and leveraging data to shape marketing strategies. Her journey from the early days of statistics to the advanced realms of artificial intelligence and machine learning reflects the industry's transformative trajectory. "It started out in analytics... and then AI and machine learning came in... So I've sort of been on that path my whole career," Zelcer remarked, highlighting her foundational role in integrating these technologies within dentsu's operations. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

In this week's episode of Legends & Leadership, Jack Myers is joined by Angela Cannon, the dynamic Senior Vice President of Multicultural Networks and General Manager of aspireTV. Their conversation covered a range of engaging topics, from the Harlem Globetrotters to the impressive growth and success of aspireTV. Angela shared her diverse responsibilities within the network, her passion for culturally specific content, and her commitment to nonprofit initiatives, providing an in-depth look at her work and vision. Both Jack and Angela reminisced about their childhood memories of the Harlem Globetrotters, expressing their excitement about a new collaboration that will bring the Globetrotters' international experiences to the screen in aspireTV's new series Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City. This partnership promises unique merchandising and marketing opportunities for brand marketers and advertisers, enhancing the timeless appeal of the Globetrotters. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

In a riveting video conversation hosted by Jack Myers for his Legends & Leadership series, Dave Morgan, the founder and CEO of Simulmedia, explores the implications of the continuing transformation across the media and advertising ecosystem. The conversation not only reflects on Dave's career at the forefront of innovation but also explores the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities within the industry, particularly focusing on the need for transparent, data-driven approaches in television and video advertising. As an outspoken critic of advertisers' shift to procurement and purchasing strategies that have eroded advertising effectiveness, he rhetorically commented, "Marketers have taken the costs out of advertising, but do they still have a growth engine." In our conversation about fraud in the industry, he drew an analogy to the "dirty fuel" pumped into freighters as a procurement-led cost-cutting measure that ultimately caused the MV Dali to crash into the Baltimore Bay Bridge --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

As the Emmy-winning daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless recently celebrated its 50th year on television, and over 12,000 episodes, the series gave starts to many actors' careers in Hollywood throughout its historic run, including Penn Badgley, Justin Baldoni, Eva Longoria, Shemar Moore, Vivica A. Fox and even Tom Selleck. One of its newest cast members is Mexican-born actress Zuleyka Silver, who joins us on this episode of Multicultural TV Talk to talk about her experience on the iconic series, transitioning to the fast-paced world of a daytime series, and teases an exciting upcoming storyline for her character Audra Charles.

FX's Mayans star Carla Baratta has been with the show since the very beginning and reflects on her time on the series, the life changes she experienced during that time, and praised recent breakthroughs for Hispanic and Latin representation in the U.S. New episodes of Mayans air Wednesdays at 10pm ET on FX, available to stream next day on Hulu

One of last year's most pleasant surprises of new series came from the freshman comedy series The Bear, centering on an award-winning young chef, played by Critics' Choice winner Jeremy Allen White, who returns to his hometown of Chicago to revamp his family's crumbling sandwich shop. Among the boisterous gallery of characters that help keep the restaurant running is Tina, played by this week's guest Liza Colón-Zayas, a line cook with no filter who she describes as part “mama bear” and part “general”. The veteran actress of stage and screen looks back at her varied career, what she looks forward to most in season two of The Bear, and makes a call to action for restaurant and hospitality workers to earn the salaries and benefits they deserve. 

In celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we are thrilled to be joined by a delightful group from across the entertainment industry and the LGBTQ+ community: Damian Terriquez, Netflix's Glamorous; Mrs. Kasha Davis, RuPaul's Drag Race and All Stars; Tyler DiChiara, The CW's Gotham Knights; and former child actor-turned-country music star Brian Falduto.  The group discusses the figures and performances they saw growing up that made them feel represented, how some of their current work is helping push for meaningful representation and authentic storytelling, the impact of recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation throughout the country, as well as sharing words of wisdom and courage for anyone in the community who may be fearful of celebrating this month. 

When an injury ended his dreams of playing soccer on a professional level, Cristo Fernández decided to tackle his other dream: filmmaking and acting. Little did he know that the perfect opportunity would come along in which he could combine all of his talents in a single role, Ted Lasso fan favorite Dani Rojas. “I never imagined when I dreamed of being a soccer player that it would come back to me in this way, but I was always open thanks to my friends and family who pushed me to study and find something else. I learned discipline and hard work from the sport, being an athlete, and using it in my new dreams as an actor and filmmaker. Now here I am doing the two things I love the most in my life.” You can stream seasons one through three of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+

In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Multicultural TV Talk host Juan Ayala is joined by a panel of three actors from the AAPI community to discuss what performances made them feel represented growing up, the current state of AAPI representation in entertainment and media and what changes need to take place in order for progress to continue in a meaningful and positive way. Joining us for this roundtable are actress, model and advocate Julia Lee; star of Paramount+ series School Spirits Kristian Flores; and star of Netflix's Sweet Tooth Aliza Vellani. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Visit MediaVillage.com for more of our reviews, interviews, podcasts and more! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

Rising star of stage and screen, and a former fellow classmate of mine, Jhulenty Delossantos joins us to talk all about his time working on multiple CBS series, including a role that went from a co-star to recurring guest starring role with action-packed scenes on “The Equalizer”. You can see Jhulenty Delossantos back on The Equalizer on Sunday, April 23rd at 8pm ET on CBS Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Visit MediaVillage.com for more of our reviews, interviews, podcasts and more! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

Continuing the legacy of the 1978 film Grease, and the 1971 musical it was based on, comes the new musical dramedy Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, a prequel series set in 1954 which focuses on the misfit students at Rydell high school who create the iconic Pink Ladies clique. In his television debut, triple-threat Alexis Sides talks with us about his early love of acting that began when he was growing up in Mexico, what it felt like working with such a diverse cast in a typically white-centered time period, and how he is similar and differs from his character Pedro aka Potato. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

As we approach the final season of the Emmy-winning comedy “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, we spoke with two of the newest cast members on the series, Reid Scott and Jason Ralph, who respectively play late-night talk show host Gordon Ford and his talent booker Gordon Ford. The two stars share their experience tackling their larger roles, from recurring in season four to main cast members for the final season, as well as some of the biggest lessons they've learned while in production and how the show has championed breaking the glass ceiling and telling powerful, female-driven stories. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

As one of the most critically-acclaimed and awarded comedies of the last decade bids farewell, we are pleased to have had the chance to speak with some of the cast of Prime Video's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ahead of its fifth and final season. Tony Shahloub, Kevin Pollak, and Michael Zegen play the titular stand-up comedian Miriam “Midge” Maisel's father, father-in-law and ex-husband, and look back at the last five seasons, how they've changed as individuals in that time, and what they hope audiences take away from the show. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

While he may play a mild-mannered accountant on NBC's hangout comedy Grand Crew, Aaron Jennings has practically been in the industry his entire life with Brent Jennings (The CW's All American) and Juanita Jennings (FOX's STAR) as his parents. “The art world is something I was very familiar with growing up but I didn't see myself making a career out of it until I was in about 10th grade and I dove right in,” he explained. “They didn't want me to do it as a child. They wanted me to know what it was like to be a normal teen, but I was always around sets and backstage. I'd go to auditions with them and help them run lines. It was an interesting childhood.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

Award-winning journalist, Chief Investigative Correspondent of Inside Edition and now author Lisa Guerrero joins us to talk all about her new memoir Warrior: The Path To Being Brave, a tell-all about her most vulnerable moments and how she overcame them. Though Lisa is nowhere near the end of her career, the usual point in time for memoirs to be written, she says that this was the perfect time for Warrior to come out. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

In honor of Women's History Month, we are thrilled to be joined by the leading ladies of The CW's Kung Fu: series star Olivia Liang, her onscreen sister Shannon Dang, her mentor Vanessa Kai, and their villain Yvonne Chapman. Fresh off their season 3 finale earlier this month, the four actresses reflect on the past three years they've worked together, sharing the most significant lessons they've learned, the women in their lives they used as inspiration for their roles, and the improvements they hope to see in the entertainment industry regarding representation. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

Emmy-winning star of stage and screen Loretta Devine joins us to talk about her upcoming film, A Snowy Day Oakland, where she plays the hilarious local gossip Jeanette, with an all-star cast including Nicole Ari Parker, Michael Jai White, Kimberly Elise, Tony Plana, Keith David, and Jackée Harry. A Snowy Day In Oakland is in theatres March 17th. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mediavillage/message

Underdog stories and sports have crossed over for decades. Rocky, The Little Giants, The Waterboy, Bend It Like Beckham, The Blind Side, even Kung Fu Panda, these stories follow the unassuming protagonist who is dismissed by their peers as they go on a journey of self-discovery and to come out on top, proving themselves to their doubters. Tackling the classic genre is writer and director Jingyi Shao, making his feature film directorial debut, and rising star Bloom Li in the hilarious, poignant and heartfelt semi-autobiographical sports comedy film Chang Can Dunk, coming to Disney+ March 10th. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

Just in time for tonight's season finale, we are joined by two of the stars of The Winchesters, Jojo Fleites and Nida Khurshid, for a look back on the year since the series pilot was filmed, how they've grown as actors and individuals throughout production, and the impact of being part of The CW's mission to increase diversity and representation. The series takes place in the post-Vietnam War 1970s, creating a perfect backdrop for a more diverse cast during this decade of social change and progression. Visit MediaVillage.com for more of our reviews, interviews, podcasts, and more! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

Closing out this Black History month we are joined by a delightful panel of actors, from rising stars to industry veterans, including Chad L. Coleman (The CW's Superman & Lois), Ayesha Harris (Netflix's upcoming Glamorous), Angela Lewis (FX's Snowfall) and Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut (Star Trek: Picard, Paramount+), for a conversation on diversity, inclusion, and representation in entertainment. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

For her first lead role in a romantic comedy, star Isabella Gomez was whisked away to Ireland for a fast-paced, 15-day shoot and was able to unleash her inner chef for the E! Original Movie Royal Rendezvous. Gomez stars as Cat, a talented young chef from East LA who is picked by a royal family to prepare a banquet. Romances blossom, chaos ensues and Gomez returns to Multicultural TV Talk to chat all about her role in the upcoming TV movie. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

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In honor of Black History Month, we are thrilled to present this special roundtable interview with a trio of talent, executives, and industry professionals to discuss the current state of diversity and representation in the industry and what the next steps are for continued progress, brought to by Ampersand. Joining us for this discussion: Karrington Symonds, VP of Content and Programming, HBCUGo; J. Bernard Calloway, actor, The Ms. Pat Show, BET+; and Aaron Finklestein, Head of Recruitment, Ampersand --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

After just wrapping up season two of their hit Hulu series How I Met Your Father, stars Tien Tran and Suraj Sharma chat with us about what fans can expect to see in the double size second season, how the cast chemistry and trust is stronger than ever, and what it was like filming in front of a live studio audience for the first time for their season two finale. Visit MediaVillage.com for all of our reviews, interviews, podcasts and more! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

Rising star Germain Arroyo joins us this week and talks about his early days coming up as an actor, reflects on what it was like pursuing an acting career in a pre-pandemic Hollywood, and discusses some of his biggest television roles, including a recent episode of ABC's The Rookie, Netflix's Ratched where they worked closely with Brandon Flynn and Sharon Stone, and his latest appearance in CBS series SWAT which airs tonight. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

With the increased diversity and representation across Disney's properties, from animation to Marvel and Star Wars titles, their next hero to tackle the small screen is Moon Girl in the upcoming animated series Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. Joining us to talk all about the energetic, loveable and genius titular hero is her voice actor, actress and singer Diamond White. “One girl can make a difference. One person can make a difference,” Diamond explained of what she hopes audiences take away from the series. “Lunella's superpower is her brain. So use your brain, don't let things get you down, and don't let people be the villains of your story because you can make a difference in your community and environment.” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

After a hit debut season in 2021, Netflix's Bling Empire has expanded to the East Coast as it follows original cast member Dorothy Wang for a New York City adventure in Bling Empire: New York. Described by many as Crazy Rich Asians meets Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the series follows affluent Asian American families and individuals, from designers to billionaire CEOs and mega-influencers. To tell us all about the new season, we are joined by series cast member, fashion editor and actor Blake Abbie. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

For our final episode of Multicultural TV Talk of the year, we are delighted to be joined by actress, singer and producer Analisa Velez, who plays Raquel on the Paramount+ series The Game, to talk all about season two of the revival series. As this was Velez's first series regular role, she harkens back to her audition, remembering that she made it a goal to have fun with it. "It was one of the first auditions where I just dove in," she recalls. "I gave it everything I had and didn't care to be right. I wanted to make her this person I'm really excited to be and they're gonna have a good time watching. As artists, you have to come back to that [inner] child." --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

For our final episode of the year, we are delighted to be joined by actress, singer and producer Analisa Velez, star of Paramount+ series The Game to talk all about season two of the revival series. As this was Velez's first series regular role, she harkens back to her audition for the role, remembering that she made it a goal to have fun with it. “It was one of the first auditions where I just dove in. I gave it everything I had and didn't care to be right, I wanted to make her this person I'm really excited to be and they're gonna have a good time watching it! As artists, you have to come back to that [inner] child.”    She also reflected on how equally excited and nervous she was when first arriving to set and meeting the stars of the series whom she had watched in the original run in 2006. “I remember my makeup artist had to constantly help me reapply because I kept crying, I kept thinking to myself, ‘I made it.' I remember seeing Wendy [Raquel Robinson] and Hosea [Chanchez] thinking ‘oh my god, that's Tasha, that's Malik' and having these inner freak-out moments. I was just so excited!”   New episodes of The Game are available to stream Thursdays on Paramount+

Television and film star Constance Marie joins us just before the holidays to talk all about her guest-starring role in the upcoming Christmas episode of NBC's Lopez vs. Lopez, where she plays a member of George's ex-wife's extended family visiting for noche buena (Christmas Eve). Constance starred for six seasons alongside George Lopez in his self-titled sitcom before it was abruptly canceled in 2007. During our conversation, she reflects on how far Hispanic and Latine representation has come since her early career days, and what it was like reuniting with George and several other co-stars from their previous show. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

Television and film star Constance Marie joins us just before the holidays to talk all about her guest-starring role in the upcoming Christmas episode of NBC's Lopez vs. Lopez, where she plays a member of George's ex-wife's extended family visiting for noche buena (Christmas Eve). Constance originally starred alongside George Lopez in his self-titled sitcom for six seasons before it was abruptly canceled in 2007 and during our conversation, she reflects on how far Hispanic and Latine representation has come since her early career days, what it was like reuniting with George and several other co-stars from their previous show, and    “Brownface isn't happening as much,” she said. “They used to slap a little bronzer on Catherine Zeta-Jones or George Hamilton and all of a sudden they're Latino! Glenn Close played a Latina, Anjelica Houston, and Marisa Tomei. Now we actually get to be in our own storylines. Before they'd write this great [script] and not even see Latinos for it. You can't do that with any other ethnicity, but it doesn't happen as much. The time for that is over.”   Having been part of so many trailblazing projects for Latinx representation, from PBS' American Family or The George Lopez Show to 1997's Selena, we asked Constance who made her feel represented growing up, and the actress had this to say. “There wasn't any really, except for one and it was profound. It was Lynda Carter in Wonder Woman, because I found out she was half Mexican-American and I was like “yes! Some representation that I love!” Once I found that out, it made me feel like I had a place. I don't think people realize that if you don't see yourself reflected, you don't feel include or a part of this wonderful melting pot of America.”   Lopez vs Lopez airs Fridays at 8pm ET on NBC, available to stream next day on Peacock.  

We are joined in this edition of Multicultural TV Talk by Emmy-winning journalist, author, podcast host and CEO of Agua Media Rick Sanchez, whose career spans nearly 30 years as an anchor on CNN, Fox News, NBC, Univision and iHeartRadio. Our conversation with Rick ranges from Hispanic representation in entertainment, to the current state of news and media, to the many changes that must be made to improve how Hispanics are perceived. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

We are thrilled to be joined by the CEO of Agua Media, an Emmy-winning journalist, author, and podcast host, Rick Sanchez, whose career spans nearly 30 years as an anchor on CNN, FOX News, NBC, Univision, and iHeartRadio. Our conversation with Rick ranges from Hispanic representation in entertainment to the current state of news and media, and the many changes that have to be made to improve how Hispanics are perceived.    “We're 20% of the population and are cast less than 4% of the time in movies,” he shared, citing USC Annenberg's Hispanic and Latino Representation in Film: Erasure On Screen & Behind The Camera. “It's not representative of who we are in the country. And when they do cast as us, 37-40% of the time we're cast as a criminal. Another 20-30% of the time… it's as a domestic worker. If that's how they paint us, that's what all people are going to think we are.”    Speaking on the contributions that Hispanics and Latinx make in the US and the skewed perception depicted in the news and media, Rick shared, “We are the 5th largest GDP in the world and the 3rd fastest-growing GDP, behind only China and India, and ahead of the United States. 80% of Latinos are U.S. citizens and 95% of Latinos under the age of 41 speak English. These are facts and nobody knows them. Instead, they think we're just a bunch of guys jumping a fence or swimming in a river who got here last week and are just sitting around watching Telemundo. It's really weird.”    Watch our full interview with Rick Sanchez above, and tune in to The Rick Sanchez Podcast at AguaMedia.com or wherever you get your podcasts.   

Alex Rich, a Critics Choice Award nominee for his acclaimed role as the young version of the title character in the National Geographic limited series "Picasso," joins us to talk about his physically and emotionally taxing role as Elias, the victim of a serial killer, in the chilling FX on Hulu series The Patient. Rich worked alongside Steve Carrell as Alan, a troubled therapist held prisoner by his homicidal patient; Domhnall Gleeson as the murderous Sam, and one of our previous guests, Linda Emond, who plays Sam's villainous mother. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mediavillage/message

Critics Choice Award nominee Alex Rich joins us to talk all about his physically and emotionally taxing role on the chilling FX on Hulu series The Patient where he worked alongside Steve Carrell, Domhnall Gleeson, and Linda Emond (you can see our interview with Linda here) as Elias, who falls victim to Gleeson's psychotic, homicidal character Sam.   Despite the heavy subject material, Alex describes his experience as “high stakes with a small cast, and the episodes read as a play. You're in one set and staying in the emotional peaks and valleys of these people in a confined area.”   As his character Elias is captured, tied and blindfolded by Sam, Alex explained that he did all he could between takes and off set to keep a calm demeanor to not exhaust himself from the long days of shooting as his character is almost constantly under duress. “Staying in that space for days on end can be taxing. It was a really dynamic place to try to stay in. That experience, every actor should have the good fortune to sit in because it was a challenge but in the right ways.”   “Domhnall is such a great guy and that made it easier,” he said of working with the actor in a very intense role. “I can't see what's happening because of [the blindfold] but Domhnall would come in and authentically scare me. He'd do something unexpected and it was really intimidating. He's scary! But we're able to separate the person from the character and he's lovely.”   The Patient is now streaming on Hulu.