Saturday, March 18, 2006

Rare 1970's PBS Sitcom "¿Qué Pasa, U.S.A.?" Available on DVD

¿Qué Pasa, U.S.A.? La Completa Collection
¿Qué Pasa, USA? was America's first bilingual situation comedy. The program explored the trials and tribulations faced by the Peña family of Miami as they struggled to cope with a new country and a new language. The series focused on the identity crisis of the members of the family as they were pulled in one direction by their elders - who wanted to maintain Cuban values and traditions - and pulled in other directions by the pressures of living in a predominantly Anglo society.

The series was bilingual, reflecting the mix of language often heard in Cuban-American neighborhoods - from Spanish in the home and English at the supermarket to the inevitable combining of both into "Spanglish."

¿Qué Pasa, USA? aired on PBS nationwide from approximately 1977-1981. A total of 39 episodes were produced over 3 seasons. The show was produced and taped live before a studio audience at PBS affiliate WPBT in Miami, Florida. In recent years, the series has been shown on Galavisión.

The cast included Manolo Villaverde as Pepe, Ana Margarita Martin-Casado as Juana, Luis Oquendo as Antonio, Velia Martinez as Adela, Rocky Echevarria (now known as Steven Bauer) as Joe, and Ana Margarita Menéndez as Carmen.

¿Qué Pasa, U.S.A.? La Completa Collection is available to purchase on the official site via their store. The 5-Disc Collector's Edition includes all 39 episodios of the ground-breaking comedy series. It will set you back mucho dinero: $99.95 plus $6 shipping and handling. This seems like an internet-only offer. You won't be able to order it on Amazon.com or buy it in stores.

The site, owned and operated by WPBT Channel 2, includes a number of other goodies including a photo album, desktop wallpapers, video clips, and an addicting Qué Pasa Concentration Game.

Related Links:

  • ¿Qué Pasa, USA? Official Site
  • TV.com Episode Guide
  • Internet Movie Database
  • Wikipedia
  • Jump The Shark
    Posted by Todd -- SitcomsOnline.com at 3:03 AM

    • Sitcoms Airing Tonight

    Monday, September 20

    The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Family" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
    When Dave starts researching his genealogy, he makes a surprising discovery: he and Calvin are more than just neighbors. Also, Tina offers to help Gemma when she’s overcome with morning sickness, and inadvertently stumbles on a new business idea.

    Bob Hearts Abishola - "Welcome to Lagos" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
    After Bob and Abishola land in Lagos, they rush to rescue Dele from his dad’s place and are a bit surprised at what they find once reunited. Also, Auntie Olu and Uncle Tunde explore their old stomping grounds and realize things have changed since their last visit to Nigeria.

    Complete TV Listings

    Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 20)

    Monday, September 20

    • Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy/American Dad!/The Cleveland Show) - Watch Seth on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • Brendan Hunt (Ted Lasso) - Brendan appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
    • James Wolk (The Crazy Ones) - James is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. He also talks about NBC's Ordinary Joe on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour and on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
    • Ken Jeong (Dr. Ken/Community) - Ken will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
    • Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) - Wilmer appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
    • Scott Foley (The Goodwin Games/Scrubs/A.U.S.A.) - Scott talks about his role in the new TV series The Big Leap on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
    • Ariana Grande (Victorious/Sam & Cat) - Ariana will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
    • Awkwafina (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens) - Awkwafina appears on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Fran Drescher (Indebted/Happily Divorced/Living with Fran/The Nanny/Princesses) - Fran is a guest on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
    • Tia Mowry (Family Reunion/Instant Mom/The Game/Moesha) - NBC's Today has easy power snacks with Tia on The Quick Fix Kitchen in the 10am hour.
    • Jerry O'Connell (We Are Men/Do Not Disturb/Carpoolers/My Secret Identity) - Jerry will be on The Dr. Oz Show, so check your local listings.

    New on DVD/Blu-ray (June-September)

    Head of the Class - The Complete Third Season Family Ties - The Complete Series (2021 Release) Hot in Cleveland - The Complete Series (2021 Release) Young Sheldon - The Complete Fourth Season I Dream of Jeannie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

    06/08 - The Critic - The Complete Series
    06/08 - Fuller House - The Fifth and Final Season
    06/08 - Fuller House - The Complete Series
    06/08 - Our Cartoon President - Season 3
    06/15 - The Office - Season 1 (Blu-ray) / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
    06/15 - Parks and Recreation - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    07/07 - No Activity - Season 2
    07/13 - The Unicorn - Season 2
    07/20 - Head of the Class - The Complete Third Season
    07/27 - Family Ties - The Complete Series (2021 Release)
    07/27 - Hot in Cleveland - The Complete Series (2021 Release)
    07/27 - The Neighborhood - Season Three
    08/20 - The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet - Deluxe Edition (100 Episodes) (Time Life)
    08/20 - The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet - Standard Edition (50 Episodes) (Time Life)
    08/24 - The Jim Gaffigan Show - Season 2
    09/07 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Fourth Season (Blu-ray)
    09/21 - I Dream of Jeannie - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
    More TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest

    Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

    09/19 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 20, 2021)
    09/18 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Brooklyn Nine-Nine Comes to an End; FXX Goes Full Blown Animation Domination with New Acquisitions
    09/17 - Fri-Yay: NBC Reportedly Wants to Reboot The Office; Remembering Norm Macdonald of The Norm Show/Norm
    09/16 - Comedy Central Fall 2021: Seinfeld Joins Lineup; Apple TV+ New Comedy Acapulco Premieres Oct. 8
    09/15 - Only Murders in the Building Renewed for Season 2; HBO Max's Love Life New Season Starts Oct. 28
    09/14 - Columbo 50th Anniversary Marathon on COZI TV; BET+ R-Rated Sitcom Renewed for Season 2
    09/13 - Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris Headlining Halloween on Discovery+; The Last O.G. Is Back Oct. 26
    09/12 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 13, 2021)
    09/11 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Fox Mulls Future of Animated Comedies; Saturday Night Live Season Premiere Date Set
    08/10 - Fri-Yay: A.P. Bio Quietly Continues Its Daring Humor on Peacock; Remembering Producer/Writer Irma Kalish, Michael Constantine of Room 222 and Art Metrano of Joanie Loves Chachi
    09/09 - Wheel of Fortune Hosts Extend Contracts; Dancing with the Stars Announces Season 30 Cast
    09/08 - Netflix Comedy On My Block's Final Season; Parks and Recreation Podcast Premieres Sept. 14
    09/07 - FX on Hulu's Reservation Dogs Renewed; Comet and Stirr Celebrate Star Trek Day
    09/06 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2021
    09/05 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 6, 2021)
    09/04 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Life Goes On Reboot in the Works with Kellie Martin Reprising Original Role; Martha Plimpton Cast in Greg Garcia Comedy
    09/03 - Fri-Yay: 30 Rock Returns to Netflix As It Attempts to Build Back Its Library; Did I Do That to the Holidays? A Steve Urkel Story Coming to Cartoon Network
    09/02 - Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween Schedule; MeTV Network and Decades Remember Ed Asner
    09/01 - The Game Returns Nov. 11 on Paramount+; New Bel-Air Series Announces Casting of Will Character
    08/31 - Run the World Gets 2nd Season; Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Trailer and Guests Revealed
    08/30 - Remembering the Legendary Ed Asner of The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Cobra Kai Season 5 Ordered Before Season 4 Premiere
    08/29 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 30, 2021)
    08/28 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Steve Harvey to Become Judge in Unscripted ABC Series; The Goldbergs to Pay Tribute to George Segal
    08/27 - Fri-Yay: Apple's Ted Lasso Continues to Impress In Its Second Season; TCA Summer Press Tour: ABC
    08/26 - Home Economics Returns with NFL Themed Premiere; New Flintstones Goes from Stone Age to Streaming Age on HBO Max
    08/25 - New Baking Series Hosted by Two Comedy All-Stars; Showtime Orders The Wood to Pilot
    08/24 - New Adult Swim Comedy Premieres Sept. 19; NBC Taps British Top Comedian for New Comedic Game Show
    08/23 - Superstar: John Ritter Airs Wednesday (Aug. 25) on ABC; Two HBO Max Comedies Add More Cast Members
    08/22 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 23, 2021)
    08/21 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Peacock Cancels Punky Brewster Reboot; The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet Arrives on DVD from Time Life
    08/20 - Fri-Yay: Brooklyn Nine-Nine Is Addressing Police Misconduct On Its Way Out the Door; Netflix Renews Never Have I Ever for Season 3
    08/19 - Lifetime's Highway to Heaven Premieres November 6; COZI TV's Dog Days of Summer on August 21