Univision and telenovelas...

[Squat]

Hi guys, this post is here to get your thoughts on the phenomen of latin soap-operas, called telenovelas... The most famous ones are on Univison, some on Telemundo... After many years living in DR, and some time in Venezuela, I am astonished at the success of these terrible programs !!! They are very badly played, with stupid dialogs, and mediocre actors, and display an hysteric world where revenge and impossible love are reigning, most of the time one of the hero is very poor and falls in love with a very rich one... lots of tears, lots of frustration...
However, America Latina as a continent follows these novelas like it was the most exciting stories in life !!! First I thought it was only the low-class, very uneducated people (mostly women) who would watch, then I discover that middle-class was watching as well, and I wouldn't be surprised to see some rich girls watching as well, although they might deny it in public...
In the US, there has been soaps like Dallas, Dynasty and more, but the level of mediocrity wasn't as huge as the Univision's novelas... Mostly shot in Mexico, sometime in Venezuela, they are the star-programs of the chanel : on prime-time, lots of comercials...
-Do any of you DR specialist, like TW, Hillbilly and others think that the Latino audience would beneficiate by being fed better quality TV programs ?

 

[John]

America Latina, a new continent?

well, Dinasty and Dallas are more TV series than soap operas.
you can compare the latin soap opera or telenovelas with General Hospital and many others american "culebrones", i am not a soap opera analists, but i will tell you something. american soap opera are even worse.
i have a question for you. you know i am a little ignorant. there is a new continent called America latina? i thought it was part of America.

 

[Squat]

Re: America Latina, a new continent?

Well, you know what I mean... In a way, America Latina is a different "cultural continent"... Even if the concept isn't very academic... North America and America Latina, 2 different planets... And now please don't tell me you never knew North America was a planet !!!

 

[John]

Re: America Latina, a new continent?

North America and America Latina?
there is only one continent: America
and if you dont know Mexico is part of north america

 

[Ross Rucker]

novelas dominicanas?????

Why aren't there any dominican-based programs on these networks???? I know, I know..... Santo Domingo Invita, a
tourism show about where to go in DR.
But how about those comedy shows with that guy El Hombre
Travalenguas or soap operas made in DR? I'm sure they would
go over big in NYC

 

[ChicacagoChris]

Carita Pintada??

Not Dominican but why did a crusty old fart like me get addicted to "Carita Pintada" when in Costa Rica? Its a Venezuelan novela that I saw here in the States a couple of times. I must have seen 50 episodes in CR. Can this be found in the states now? I've looked for it in RD but can't find it. Can it be found in RD? If so, when and where? It makes it easier to watch it here in the States though. Anybody got too much time on their hands and have info?

 

["The Tourist Watcher"]

Squat: Telenovelas are watched by all classes of people, and the way they have been able to reach the rich people is by using high price actors and using the status symbols the rich people identify with(Miami mansions, fast cars,designer clothing and resorts).

There is not much difference between Latin Novelas and American morning and afternoon soap operas. American soap operas are written with the same formula of stupid dialogs, fake tears, fights and day to day life gossip and eventualities. Dallas was a TV series with soap opera style but it is not categorized as such. For example "Days of our Life" one of the American institutions in soap opera history had nothing to envy Latin novelas. It also never seemed to end, whereas Latin novelas have endings. They also use popular songs as themes to attract audiences. A very successful promotional package.

Novelas are the peoples choice and there is nothing anybody can do about it. It is the same with Top 40 Music. This is the worst music but it sells. The worst artists like N Sync, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Britney Spears are the best sellers and we have to put up with that music, so are telenovelas. Besides, telenovelas have beautiful people and basicly are like the bachata of television, no literary content but plenty of meat.
TW

 

["The Tourist Watcher"]

Re: novelas dominicanas?????

Very few Dominican syndicated programs can compete with Univision programs and that includes in DR where the highest rated programs are not Dominican but Mexican programs. Dominican humor could not be understood in the United States. For instance "Perdone La Hora", a very popular humor program in DR would not go well in the US market because the humor is related to Dominican politics, Dominican sarcasm and rather crude dialog. Only Dominicans would be able to understand it or like it, which is hard to do anyway. Dominican comedians are a bunch of idiots who can no longer find new jokes unless related to politics. Dominican TV has a long way to go. But who cares with Cable?
TW

 

[Loren]

Carita de Aaaangel!!

?Co?o! Ya metiste esa canci?n en la cabeza y no lo puedo borrar!
My 2 pesos are as such:
Soap operas overall are DUMB. I would rather watch Dukes of Hazzard reruns.
Latin soap operas have a different flavor and atmosphere generally. American ones are pure drama but many Latin ones write in humor.
Children are FAR more prominent in Latin Soaps and TV in general. Look at the little gremlins that come out and dance on Sabado Gigante, and also in so many commercials. You even have them as centers of shows like: "Carita de Angel!"
Latin Telenovelas end, so if one on is insufferable, wait a few weeks and the next one may only be annoying.
Many telenovelas embed a moral, or theme of someone trying to overcome something. "Betty la Fea" changes and gets the prince charming and lives happily ever after, etc. They more closely follow the format of a novel that comes to a conclusion and makes a statement (not necessarily a profound one) as opposed to the indefinite soap operas of the USA that go on interminably.
Mexican telenovelas dont employ Mexicans, at least not as actors.
Telenovelas are less unbearable than American soap operas
.
The best show on Dominican TV is clearly "ATRAPADO." They should get the first "Latin Emmy."

 

["The Tourist Watcher"]

Re: The Best program is Nuria on saturdays *DC*

 

[hillbilly]

Hummm, something I do not watch anymore

I am surprised that you all have not mentioned the Brazilian "novelas".
These are, by far, the best of the best. There is usually a strong social or historical theme and the actors are really professional: Sonia Braga in several and others of equal rank.
Years ago, I actually enjoyed watching "La Cobocla(?)" ; "La Esclava Isaura"; "Dancing Days" and other really cool brasilian series.

The PR and Venezuelan novelas are pure crappola. Mexicans aren't far behind. There have been some fine works out of Chile, which shares, along with Brazil, a fine cinematographiic tradition. Both countries have professional acting schools to fine tune their talent.

As far as the "Latin American" continent goes, I have to say you are correct, except that we call it Hispano America and it includes Mexico, which is physically, part of the North American Continent.

HB

 

[El Jefecito]

Re: Carita de Aaaangel!!

tou mean those are reuns??? I thought Daisy had found the key to immortality.

 

[Joachim]

Re: novelas dominicanas?????

What about the week long discussion about finding a Dominican man in a hotel room with "Una chiva" yes a real live goat. It was on everyone's lips for weeks.

 

[Bobs]

Telenovelas in Ruski

Was in Moscow few months ago. Venezuelan telenovelas are their favourites, as are Brazilian soaps, especially if the storyline contains mischief between master and slave-girl. Never figured why. I believe the channel was MHP TV.

 

[Susan]

having just left...

and also having caught several while I was in Puerta Plata, I can say that these shows are very similar to soap operas in the US in the 60's and 70's......

and even today! Go watch, if you can stand it, one snippet of General Hospital, where the Mafia have a big set up in Nowhere, NY.... c'mon! Diversion is the bottom line in ALL entertainment.

I appreciate the forthright simplicity, rather than the "pose" many other countries have on their airwaves.

Give me some spanish novellas over german head banging music anyday!

ta ta 4 now, S.

 

["The Tourist Watcher"]

Re: Hummm, something I do not watch anymore

Yes, Brazilian novelas are the class of the field. The only drawback is the translations. It seems there is a guy who voices over and his voice appears in every leading actor. Its kind of cumbersome.
TW

 

["The Tourist Watcher"]

Re: Hey, watch out with German music!

Hey, watch out with German techno stuff. Thats kind of kool. OK?
TW

 

[Keith R]

Re: Hummm, something I do not watch anymore

HB,

Y'know, I was thinking the same thing. I've spent alot of time in Brazil, so I've seen some less than stellar novelas there, but the ones "exported" for the rest of us to see are usually top-notch. As you said, the actors are usually quite good and the novelas are often based on historical figures or incidents, which makes them more interesting. A few are serializations of famous novels. BTW, the one Sonia Braga is probably best known for in Brazil, "Gabriela," is based on Jorge Amado's wonderful novel about life in turn-of-the-century (20th) Ilheus, Bahia, entitled "Gabriela, Cravo e Canela" ("Gabriela, Clove & Cinnamon").
Atenciosamente,
Keith

 

[Loren]

Musique non stop, Techno-Hop

I actually got numbers & Computer games by kraftwerk on 45. I got 2 copies of Trans-Europe Express vinyl EP still sealed in the shrink wrap. I got Tour de France, all on 12" wax.

Kraftwerk used to be the joint, and influenced so many genres, not just techno but techno-hop. Remember Electric Kingdom, Planet Rock, Looking for the Perfect Beat?

 

[criss colon]

Re: novelas dominicanas?????

"TW", what about the girl "Dancers" on all the dominican shows?I like that part of the "show"! Criss