Matt Shively and Al Madrigal Talk Family Bonds and Comedy Inspiration In Lopez vs Lopez Season 3
The Lopez family is back! Season three of the hit NBC sitcom Lopez vs Lopez returned this October and fans are elated to be reunited with their favorite television family. The story follows George Lopez and his real-life daughter Mayan Lopez as they try to mend their estranged relationship. We sat down with stars of the show Matt Shively and Al Madrigal to learn what’s in store for this dysfunctional, relatable, and most of all lovable family this season.
Comedian Madrigal plays Oscar, George’s best friend and employee. He shared that while his character can serve as an oddball and comedic relief, he also has a lot of depth and emotional weight to contribute to the show. “I think that my character of Oscar is so weird, like he lives in a van. But ultimately, I think the writer’s realized that I’m super flexible,” he told me. “I can do goofy physical comedy, I can give heartfelt advice, I can play the stoner. If anyone is in for a con, I’m the guy they run to. If you want to run a con, I can have a weird idea and execute it… poorly.”
Known for starring on Nickelodeon’s hit show True Jackson VP, Shively candidly spoke about the jarring experience of jumping from a teen star to playing a full-fledged sitcom dad on this show. He explained how his role as Quinten, the father of George’s grandson, has changed his life and his admiration for the writer’s choice to make him an active, present father. “My favorite thing about the character from day one was that he was kind of the polar opposite of what all of these television dads usually are,” he shared. “They’re usually the lazy, curmudgeon guys who are thinking about themselves before their family. That’s like every trope of the television dad. And Quinten was the polar opposite where his entire life is his family and making sure they’re safe, happy, and comfortable has always been his number one goal.”
It’s clear Shively holds so much respect and love for his role as Quinten. “I am a different person now than I was when I started the show in such a great way. It kind of coincided with what Quinten became,” he continued to explain how playing Quinten has made him stronger, more independent, and a more loving person. He expressed how thankful he is for this show, not only for his career, but for his personal life. He told us, “It’s saved my life and also made me better, which is rare.”
Madrigal shared the “Mount Rushmore of comic actors” he loves to draw inspiration from, including legends Don Knotts, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, and John Ritter. “Not only am I pulling from childhood heroes in comedy and acting, but, when I’m working, I’m learning on the fly from the great people I’m working with,” he gushed about the talented Lopez vs Lopez cast. “The people I’m working with and the people I loved all come together to create this thing that I regurgitate.”
When asked about their favorite memories from creating this show, it was very clear how much respect and admiration they have for their time on the show. “I got to do a really big emotional scene with George about our friendship. Then I stormed off in a very silly way and then came back,” said Madrigal, sharing a moment where he got to work with Lopez and show Oscar’s depth. “It was just a ton of heart and silliness all in the same scene. I love when I can do that.”
Shively cherishes a memory of golfing with Lopez and Madrigal in Ireland, but also shared he loves watching his on-screen son Brice Gonzalez grow up as the show progresses. “One of my favorite things is that I get to spend time with him and I’m watching him grow up,” he said. “That’s just been really cool.”
Both actors hope that season three brings in a larger audience that continues to see themselves represented in the story. “You want to be considered a great television comedy, not a Latino comedy. You just want to be a great comedy. You want to be universally loved,” said Madrigal. Shively explained that, while the show covers heavy topics including sobriety, infidelity, and abandonment issues, the writers and the cast are able to highlight these realistic issues while showing that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Shively praised the show for it’s ability to beautifully depict the hard realities humans face. “I think that the reason they’re hard to make funny is because so many people go through them. So half the time you’re watching it and going, ‘Oh, well, this is exactly what I’m going through right now,’” he said, “but we’re presenting it in a way to make you feel better about it and to see yourself in this family.”
With a cast so passionate about their messaging and the joy that exudes from each one of them on the screen, season three is sure to make audiences fall more in love with the Lopez family.
Catch new episodes of Lopez vs Lopez season three airing Fridays on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
