George Lopez: It's Not Me, It's You

George Lopez is front and center in this HBO live comedy special featuring the comedian alternating between English and (non-subtitled) Spanish before an enthusiastic audience. The show opens in clever fashion with Lopez driving through L.A. and greeting the likes of Cheech and Chong, Ray Romano, and Sarah Silverman from the driving seat of a beat-up, low-rider car spewing toxins. This Latino stereotype joke is followed by many more during Lopez's stage act, which is largely about contrasting Latino family life and culture in America with that of whites and African-Americans. The bottom line in most of Lopez's jokes is that Latinos don't coddle anyone: not strangers, not spouses, not children, and especially not politicians, ignoring them and exploiting immigration issues. “Latinos know the difference between a wet floor and a dry floor,” Lopez says of public bathrooms. They don't need a sign.” Latinos, apparently, don't mince words either. “She's not my cup of tea,” goes Lopez's impression of the dainty way whites politely express disapproval, with the Latino alternative being, “I don't want her in my fucking house.” Eventually, Lopez moves on to political topics, noting the gathering strength of Latino voters to make or break elections, and recalling his three visits to the White House as a guest of President Obama. “Obama is the closest thing we have to a Latino,” Lopez says. “Everybody wants to see his birth certificate, too.” DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette. Recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)