Caray, Caray!

OT:

RGV Chick: How's it going with the social distancing down there ?
 

LQNPA

Oh, good grief! I just finished watching Monday's capítulo(s). What a tear jerker!

Anita, I absolutely agree with you that this TN should have won an award. But did they have an "Unintentional Comedy of the Year" category? It certainly would have won.

This Beauty and the Beast story is so full of holes and so silly that only ABC/"Mona Lisa"/Cupcake as Ana Paula, and Jorge Salinas as Black Jack Rogelio could have kept people coming back to watch.

Sheesh! I might actually be glad when it's over  :-)

Andy
 

LQNPA
Unintentional Comedy of the Year? Good one. However, it's definitely in the eye of the beholder. Not sure who is the leader of the comic-pack in this one, Rosaura? Margarito? Efrain? Maria? Then we get to examine Cinthia's belly button up close and personal. Keep an eye on her, Andy, my friend. She's definitely a wild child. There were a lot of folks defending Susana Gonzalez interpretation of Cin. I can't object. She certainly chews up the scenery whenever she's on, but comic? Mmmm--unintentional, yes.

For Unintentional Comedy of the Year there was a contender--EL TALISMAN. We don't know what got recappers and commenters going, but Carayers snark-trashed this almost from the beginning when it was obvious that the avocado groves of California were really the swampy bogs of Florida.

Early on there was another Unintentional Comedy and that was Fuego en la Sangre. It's at its best when you read the recaps along with the action.

Can you think of any others that fit the category?
 

LQNPA

Andy, sure . . . ,

All I could think was: let Cynthia jump, puleeeze! If not, maybe a snake in HER bed would do the trick. Her baby is another problem in the plot. In the end, Gustavo needs to get away from the hacienda and have nothing tying him to her or Cupcake. Gustavo’s only crime is that he isn’t too bright. (LOL)

Ulises doesn’t know how lucky he was when he told auntie she didn’t have to get into the register to do her job.
Maybe she could find a fellow grifter to run off with. Maybe a truck could just run her over on the hacienda or she could get caught in a cattle stampede like Rogelio. I always laugh when I see the cattle being driven right in front of the mansion. The aroma must be delightful!


 

LQNPA

Anita, our comments crossed. The recaps for this one are quite fun. Just from the title FELS sounds like it could be a CONTENDER.


 

LQNPA--
I still chuckle to see how fast they travel back and forth to San Gabriel and Tuxtla when it becomes necessary. At the beginning the Hacienda del Fuerte was in no-wheres-ville, no cell phone service and only the phone in Rogelio's office connected by a land line. Now we have everyone using cell phones and land phones in the living room. It took AP forever to reach the Hacienda the first time, but now, it's just a hop, skip and away so Rogelio gets back and forth to keep an eye on AP at will and AP promises that he can see Margarito as often as he wants--at the Hacienda.

Tuxtla used to be a helicopter trip away, but for Ernesto, Mercedes, Efrain, Cinthia and Gus it seems just down the road.

Jarifa--I don't think you are all caught up, talking about snakes in the bed, but wait until you see Rosaura's reaction to having to live in a one-room pension with AP AND Margarito. I concede, she's the No. 1 COMIC in this, but at the same time we can't wait to see her complete downfall and comeuppance. Such is the craft of a a good actor!
 

LQNPA

Anita, yes, I am finally all caught up. Ana Berta Espín is dong an excellent job as auntie moocher.#1. COMIC is a good one!
 

LQNPA

It's funny about these things. They had the cattle passing in front of the hacienda's main house again today and I noted that there were goats being herded along with the cattle. So how come Rogelio never wears a goat herders hat, hmmm?

The hacienda itself is sometimes more interesting than some parts of the story. The building is very impressive and massive, I suppose to moderate day and night temperatures there in Chiapas. Rogelio's office is the only room where I have seen a ceiling fan. But it's a very interesting and impressive building, and I wonder what it's used for these days; I looked for some mention of it in the end credits but saw nothing but some thanks to the government of Chiapas.

Jarifa, I agree that Ana Bertha Espín is doing a good job. I see her from time to time when I see a little of Vecinos.

Anyway, Cupcake now knows that Black Jack is into self-sacrifice these days. Sure, nothing else says love like hounding the person you love and making her life miserable.

When the anvils come down I sure hope Rogelio doesn't get to completely escape.

Andy
 

LQNPA

Andy, it is always fun trying to find out where buildings/locations are in the novelas.

For me, the highlight today was the pushing match between Cynthia and auntie.

How many more times will Rogelio apologize for throwing a tantrum?.

 

LQNPA
Andy--IIRC, La Hacienda del Fuerte was originally a military fort in San Gabriel in Chiapas. From what I can determine now, it's a niche hotel and there are two in San Gabriel. None of it looks familiar, indoors or out, except for the shot of the cattle walking by in the mornings. They must have filmed the interiors somewhere else. Must be a secret location.

What surprised me the most, perusing images, is that Margarito, who used his outside voice all the time, inside and out, is now about 21 and is or was part of Como Dice el Dicho. He's an attractive young man. Hard to believe he was around 11 during his LQNPA days. Here is a short You Tub video of an interview with him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcHw9HLpMOs
 

GENERAL

I’ve been watching LQNPA and have dropped in here without commenting. I’ve only been able to watch the second hour. I only remember some of the stuff that happened in the story so I do go back and read the original recaps lol can’t say that AP and Rogelio are my favorite telenovela couple but the overall story is good.

Anyone watching Simplemente María?
 

GENERAL
TF--So happy to see you back. Wish you were with us on some of the Prime Time Fare.
Wasn't the new version of Simplemente Maria already broadcast? What TV Channel is it on? I don't see it on UniMas.
 

Anita — It’s on Univision. It starts after LQNPA is over. And yeah it’s a repeat of the new version that aired a couple years ago. If I’m not mistaken there’s no recap of it on this site. I didn’t watch all of it the first time around.

As of right now I’m not watching anything on Univision in prime time. Instead I’m watching the Fatmagul rerun on UniMas. I might consider at least checking out Dulce Ambicion and if I like it I’ll stick with it.
 

GENERAL

ETA: Actually I lied lol I am trying to keep up with Médicos. I record it and watch it later. So far it’s not too bad. Before COVID-19 I did hear plans for a second season so we’ll see if that comes to fruition and isn’t another unfinished story like LDVDEC.
 

LQNPA

Anita thanks for the info on the site of the old homestead and Márgaro.

Auntie can get a lift to her job at 4:30 a.m.! That was the best laugh of the episodes.

It looks like we are on the road to a big and triumphant church wedding but we still have a while to go before the end. I wonder what could postpone it? A million things I have not even imagined. . . I am sure. ; )

 

LQNPA
Just as I was about to give up hope and accept Cupcake's move to Sta. Catalina, the make-up w/o sex was very moving--although I think Rog "gave up" his douchebag role too easily. For me, the best scene was between the two of them in Rog's office, where she takes off his hat and hugs him from behind. You can see his face soften and the ice in his veins begin to melt as he strokes her arm and then suddenly has a change of heart. He certainly looked vulnerable just then. Yay for AP for keeping her cool.

Cin, on the other hand, is losing it. It's an impossible task for her deranged mind to keep both men in line when all she can think about is her inheritance, conspiracy, treachery and how to get rid of AP.

Yep, there's still a lot of rutty roadway ahead for the Man in Black and the Cupcake.
 

As a Floridian who is hoping that Isaias will pass to our East (sorry Bahamas), and before campaigns for relief for Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic hit their stride, I'd like to assuage my guilt for my hurricane NIMBY-ism by urging others to join me in pitching in to Ana Brenda's (Anabreco) gofundme for victims of Hanna in the Rio Grande area.


https://gf.me/u/yiwvwc



https://www.diezminutos.es/telenovela/a33465648/ana-brenda-contreras-huracan-hanna/


I apologize for popping up without a bit of snark to offer and I know I'm a stranger here after years away -- though I've been lurking a bit lately as I try to catch up watching LQNPA and reading the original recaps and comments on LQNPA (and Sortilegio).

In any case it's a good cause,

Chriss in Fla


 

LQNPA

I think I lost a comment from yesterday, perhaps I didn't hit "publish" or something because I see no notice that it was removed by me or somebody else. Or maybe I just dreamed that I wrote something  :-)

Anita, thanks for the info on the hacienda, interesting. Maybe something to add to the post-Covid19 bucket list. Maybe.

Lots of "patrocinados pagados" lately, including a tour of del Fuerte. And PSAs. Are they just running out the clock now?

And some funny scenes too. Unintentionally funny, I think, and just not edited out. Like where Rogelio is looking when Cupcake bends down to talk with him; but there have been quite a few interesting body image shots throughout.

They don't seem to have done much reshooting in this TN. I have seen a few scenes with visual bloopers, of no great importance, but they didn't bother to edit or reshoot.

And sometimes I just like to nitpick, especially when the show devolves to PSAs and product placement   :-)

Uh, oh! I'm getting grouchy and it's not even close to Christmas.

Andy
 

LQNPA

Andy, other people are having problems with their postings just disappearing amd have been talking about it on the evening section of the blog. Let us hope the glitch works its way out soon. Nothing worse than having a comment or recap all done just to have it disappear when posted.

Anita, “rutty roadway” was a good one.

After seeing today’s episode, I was happy to see the lightbulb go off in Rogelio’s head as to the identity of those who might behind his financial collapse but was sorry to see that Cupcake, all full of sweetness and light, put an end to that —twice. That deserves a big “Duh?”

I think that Íngrid Martz is good here but I liked her so much better in a comic role in QPTR. She is truly gifted in that area.
 

LQNPA and Amor Real
Jarifa--it's hard to believe it's the same Ingrid Martz that played the abused young wife of a nasty old man in Amor Real. She was Pilar, Matilde's best friend and go-between. She looks exactly the same 8 years later. Some of the commenters on a Weekend Discussion about characters they disliked, picked her out for criticism for being squeaky and mousy. She never bothered me the way Rosaura does. Dany is always there for AP, no matter which way the Rogelio winds blew.

Andy--Product placement doesn't bother me much, if it's just tastefully displayed in Ulises store, because most of the time they are products I don't use. BUT, and here's a BIG BUT, when Maria whips up some salsa and guacamole and tests it in front of Gus with a big crunchy Tostito, it drives me mad. First, I think it's crass and belongs in a Grade-B commercial it's so tawdry and Second, it makes me want to eat a whole bag.
 

LQNPA
Andy--Maybe AP's cleavage was to get Rogelio in the mood?
Also nothing of yours showed up on the Awaiting Moderation page for administrators. I can't sit on it all day long, but do check at least once or twice a day. Sometimes a comment will come in after the 6-day limit and those do come to the Moderation page. I always post those when it's a current thread. But when one comes in to post for Fuerza del Destino and is gibberish, I deny publishing it. Is that any clearer?

Do what so many of us have resorted to, copy your comment before you publish, just in case.

As an aside, Blogger is trying to transition us to a new format--which we didn't ask for and in "prettying up" the functions, only made them harder and slower to navigate. I don't think they are the cause of LOST comments, but they can't be excused completely.

 

LQNPA

Anita and Jarifa, I don't really think that Blogger "lost" a comment of mine. Much more likely is that I simply had something to say in mind but never actually submitted it. I will do that sometimes, start a comment but then wander off in another tab to read something else. Then later I close the browser and everything goes bye-bye.

I can't even claim senility as I have been doing this for many years other places. I also often don't notice that postings are closed, subject to moderation, but Anita has helped me out there a few times.

I have to admit that I am getting a little bored with this story and won't be too sad to see it wrap up. It has been a great run, mostly because ABC is almost shockingly attractive in this TN, but I think it has run its course. I'm even to the point where I am more concerned for Ulises and Macaria, but would just as soon see Sinthia/Efraín/Goose (I've been reading recaps again :) drive off a mountain road and plummet into history.

Now to watch today's capitulo(s).

Andy
 

LQNPA

Andy, I can understand the boredom setting in. This is at what I call the telenovela “doldrums” where the protagonistas are still acting stupid and the antagonistas have everything going there way amd the end is too many capítulos away. It will be interesting to see what event is going to break it all open. Who is going to open their mouth when somebody with a conscience Is listening? Is Efraím going to fall out the window trying to climb in? Can’t wait to see but then I have the advantage of watching this for a just couple of weeks, so it is still all fresh to me.
 

LQNPA
Jarifa, you nailed it--"This is at what I call the telenovela “doldrums” where the protagonistas are still acting stupid and the antagonistas have everything going there way amd the end is too many capítulos away."

There were other factors that converged. Audiences could no longer be counted on to sit through 200+ episodes EVERY NIGHT. Productions became more expensive. Thus, we have (or are supposed to have) tighter, shorter stories. Unfortunately it doesn't save us from the protagonistas acting stupid, antagonistas with everything going for them and most of all, uninteresting side stories, when the galan and the gallina [sic] were paid the big bucks for us to watch.
 

LQNPA

Jarifa, telenovela doldrums! Yes, exactly! Time for a little FFWDing.

Wow! Bruno got to Vanesa at just the right time for him, just the wrong time for her. Poor Vanesa looked a little shell-shocked at what she had done, as well she should. Euwww... Bruno!

I feel bad for her. I also feel bad for ever-frantic, dimwitted Goose. Who's that knocking at my window? And what could you possibly want? There's nothing much here other than my crazy wife, in bed and eating bonbons.

Rogelio must have been really smart when he hired the people who work for him. He must have placed ads like "Experienced, masochistic ranch hands wanted. Will be verbally abused and occasionally whipped. Low pay, no benefits other than those already mentioned."

The only bright spot I can think of right now is Ulises and Macaria. Yes, I am that desperate. (At a certain point in any TN's run, maybe when the doldrums arrive, I just love to grouse and grumble :)

Andy
 

LQNPA

Anita, so true about these shorter versions not avoiding the same problems with protagonistas/antagonistas. As for the “doldrums”, currently with “Como tú no hay 2” with only 75 episodes, it seems like we are coming to the end of the same “doldrums” period occurring at the usual point of the novela before we will wrap it all up in the next five episodes. The number of episodes might have shrunk but the plot structure seems to have remained the same at least in some of the shorter contemporary novelas. Limited series like “La Reina del Sur” are in a class of their own.

Andy, I laughed at your “ad” that Rogelio must have posted to get his employees. I know I have said it before but there is something so 19th century about the whole ranch experience as it is portrayed. We soldier on! ; )
 

LQNPA
I got a kick out of Andy's Want Ad, too. Seems to me this would have been the perfect vehicle for another novela de epoca and actually set it at the end of the 19th C. Women were still dominated by men and had very little freedom. They were just beginning to have careers as teachers and nurses, while among the men, there was a lot of backstabbing, deceit and betrayal to make money, stay in power and have control over women. HEY! That sounds a lot like today, too (in some corners of the world).