After the freeze-out at the Emmys, it’s nice to see some genuine interest and authentic focus on Latinos from one of the biggest players in the entertainment business: the Disney Channel.
We don’t often quote big chunks from studio press releases, but this time we’re happy to:
Disney Channel celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month beginning Thursday, Sept. 15 with a host of original programming, including:
- Kid-focused interstitials highlighting family heritage and cultural traditions.
- A brand new “Handy Manny Great Garage Rescue” special, featuring guest stars Ed O’Neill (Modern Family), Freddy Rodriguez (Ugly Betty), George Takei (Star Trek) and Harold Perrineau (Lost) alongside series star Wilmer Valderrama.
- A new episode of Special Agent Oso featuring Rita Moreno (West Side Story), Rico Rodriguez (Modern Family) and Raini Rodriguez (Prom).
The new interstitial series began last Thursday, September 15 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. This Is Me features real-life kids talking about what makes them and their families unique, including favorite foods and traditions that help define their family origins. Disney XD will debut new spots highlighting stars Ryan Ochoa (Pair of Kings) and Mateo Arias (Kickin It) discussing their family traditions and role models.
Disney Junior also had a debut of a new episode of Special Agent Oso, featuring guest stars Rita Moreno, Rico Rodriguez and Raini Rodriguez. In “For Tamales with Love,” Oso teaches Carmen and her cousins how to make their abuela’s (voiced by Moreno) famous tamales and helps Luis (voiced by Rico Rodriguez) and Miguel with a piñata for their sister Mariana’s (voiced by Raini Rodriguez) quinceañera.
Finally, on Monday October 3 a new 45-minute special, “Handy Manny Great Garage Rescue,” premieres at 1P. This episode follows loveable handyman Manny Garcia (voiced by Valderrama) and his talking tools. They travel to Concrete Falls to help Manny’s brother, Ruben (voiced by Freddy Rodriguez), save the family’s auto repair shop before Mayor Johnson (voiced by O’Neill) tears it down. Takei and Perrineau also guest star as residents of Concrete Falls.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is all-too-often simply ignored or offered lip service in the form of a few self-congratulatory PSA’s. This time, however, The Disney folks chose to do something real…and that matters.
