Saint George

Saint George was a sitcom that premiered on FX in March 2014. The series is a product of the creative genius of Matt Williams, David Zuckerman, and George Lopez, with the latter starring in the title role. Although cancelled after its first season, the show offered a fascinating glimpse into the complex cultural and social scenarios shaped by identity and familial bonds in contemporary multicultural American societies.

The plot of Saint George revolves around George Lopez, a successful entrepreneur of Mexican-American descent living in Los Angeles. George is a recently divorced man who is now faced with the challenges of navigating his newly single life, while juggling several roles. He is a well-to-do businessman who runs a successful energy drink company, a generous friend who spends quality time with his buddies, an attentive single father who is raising his 11-year-old son Harper, and an ex-husband, still dealing with the on and off fiery bouts with his ex-wife Mackenzie.

George Lopez’s character portrayal is inherently autographic, drawing largely from his Mexican-American heritage, personal experiences, and career history. George is earnest, humorous and often found in situations that blur the lines of comedy and despair. His penchant for comedic relief while grappling with life’s multilayered tasks illuminates the narrative and ensures that the series remains engaging throughout its 10-episode run.

A recurring theme in Saint George is love and relationships. George's close relationship with Harper is a consistent narrative thread that underscores their interdependence and shared experiences. As a single father to Harper, George doubles up as a friend, a guide, and a role model, constantly ensuring that his son is equipped to handle the convoluted world of adolescence.

The series also sheds light on George’s relationship with his ex-wife and mother of his child, Mackenzie. Their dynamic is often fraught with tension and differences but also portrays their mutual understanding and occasional joint efforts for Harper’s sake. Mackenzie, an assertive, independent woman, is equal parts antagonizing and captivating for George, contributing to the sitcom's overall dramatic flavor.

The ensemble of characters in the show includes George's "compadres" (Spanish for "godparents"), a hilarious trio of friends who frequent George’s living space, and Alma, his overbearing yet loving aunt, who lives with him and contributes to the multiculturalism of the narrative.

Written from a third-generation immigrant's perspective, Saint George does a commendable job of exploring the Mexican-American cultural milieu in Los Angeles. It provides insights into the lives of successful Hispanic-Americans, their experiences with cultural assimilation, and their constant struggles to navigate between two distinct worlds. The series brings to the forefront the linguistic, cultural, and behavioral amalgamations that often constitute the lives of immigrants in multicultural societies.

The humor in Saint George comes from various sources: madcap antics of tertiary characters, slapstick, puns, and wordplays on cultural differences and language barrier-related misunderstandings. Above all else, it is the sitcom's novel exploration of acculturation, parenthood, divorce, and individual identity that make it a commentary worth noting.

Saint George is aesthetically shot with typical sitcom cinematography and well-crafted set pieces that accentuate the domestic and professional aspects of George’s life. Every character is styled distinctively, visual cues amplifying their personalities and stories. The casual, dialogic style creates a realistic and engaging narrative that resonates well with audiences.

While Saint George may not have continued past its first season, it remains a unique take on the sitcom genre that tried to blend comedy with social and cultural commentaries about being a third-generation immigrant in America today. For fans of George Lopez's comedy, or for those interested in a sitcom that includes multiculturalism and more into its narrative depth, Saint George stands as a reference point.