“Devious Maids” - a new Lifetime show that premiered this past Sunday, June 23, 2013
Go to the link on CNN to read the about the controversyhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/06/23/showbiz/devious-maids-controversy/index.html
After seeing a preview on television, I entered the information on my personal calendar with anticipation to see what was going to be the first episode like. Only to missed the show and then having to go to the saved shows on cable. I saw this evening and while not necessarily an exhilarating episode it was adventurous. I saw a lot of potential for the rest of the season.
The names of Eva Longoria, Roselyn Sanchez and Judy Reyes were inviting and I was excited to see them in action. I was unfamiliar with Ana Ortiz and Dania Ramirez. I later realized that Longoria is one of the Producers, she is a beautiful, intelligent, elegant and a witty ass - holds a Master’s Degree and was on the famous “Desperate Housewives” show the entire length of the show with many exciting riveting scenes and positive reviews. And a great supporter of many causes.
However, I was wondering what would be different from this show in which Latinas were cast as maids in comparison with past shows in which Latinas were portrayed the same way - a maid! I was rather surprise by many elements on the show. First, an all Latina cast who are beautiful, intelligent, classy and sexy and who have made a name for themselves in Hollywood.
The characters were surprisingly divine, they had a voice, no accent or barely one, courage and determination, and guess what - they all had a personal agenda. Who doesn’t have an agenda today, other than earning a paycheck to pay bills. One have to bring her son from her country after becoming a widow; another is a single mother supporting her daughter who is also a maid; yet another one has a secret, a young son in jail - who happens to be a blonde hair boy, ha but who says that there are no whites with blonde hair in our ethnicity; and poor Flora who kills herself and claims she was raped. Do you know the rape statistics in this country - 1 out 4 females are raped.
While some people are saying that once again Latinas are being stereotyped, I disagree because these same actresses have portrayed other roles away from a maid. What I see is a mix of Latinas from various Spanish speaking countries with real life-dramas that need to be told. That all Latinos have different cultures even thought we come from the Caribbean, Central and South America, so many cultures and dialects. It is time we educate this nation on who we are.
In my personal view, one minor setback, I saw a little of the movie The Help, without the slavery and blackness, then again minorities have been maids front he beginning of time. Something else that trouble me was the “music” before some scenes much like in “Desperate Housewives”, can the creator and Longoria think of something else.
We will have to wait for the evolution of the characters and explanation of the social issues represented.
Until next Sunday for the second episode!
