George Lopez, D.L. Hughley to Close 2016 With Some Laughs at L.A.’s Orpheum Theatre

Stephanie Hernandez

George Lopez delivers jokes and stories that are blunt, sincere and address his Mexican-American culture with both self-deprecation and deep affection. Amid performing on the Comedy Get Down tour, Lopez will be bringing fellow comedian D.L. Hughley for a two-night stint at the Orpheum Theatre.

Lopez, a graduate of San Fernando High School, had been popular on the stand-up circuit and on Mexican TV when Sandra Bullock suggested he produce and star in his own television show. Concerned with the lack of Latino-oriented sitcoms on American TV, she helped push to get his point of view to audiences. In 2002, ABC picked up the series and George Lopez became a household name. The “George Lopez” show didn’t do much in the ratings during its original run, but became a hit in syndication. He then got his own talk show, which helped grow his fan base. As he treated Latino themes that hadn’t gotten adequate attention before, Lopez succeeded in contributing to the national dialog.

Since then, he has starred in two series, “Saint George” on FX and “Lopez” on TV Land. He is one of the rare Latinos to star in a sitcom. In television history, that places him alongside Desi Arnaz and Freddie Prinze. As a talk show host, he stands by himself. He has also appeared in several films, including “Bread and Roses,” a story of labor organizing in Los Angeles, by British director Kenneth Loach.

Opening for Lopez will be African-American comedian D.L. Hughley. A high school member of the Bloods, he was expelled but turned his back on gang life when he got a job at the Los Angeles Times. He’s known for his role as host of BET’s ComicView and for ABC’s “The Hughleys.” The mix of observations from African-American and Chicano points of view, delivered with their own personal takes, will be interesting to catch given the current political climate.

George Lopez and D.L. Hughley will perform at Orpheum Theatre Dec. 28-29.