Life of Mayan

Mayan Lopez likes to joke that she has a master's degree in her parents' divorce.

After her parents' marriage ended in 2011, Mayan and her father, actor and comedian George Lopez, were estranged for nearly a decade. Now they've turned their story of an adult daughter reconnecting with her father into Lopez vs. Lopez, a multi-camera comedy premiering November 4 on NBC.

While semi-autobiographical, there are of course changes. Mayan is a vet technician and has a son on the series, but not in real life. And George owns a moving company, he's not a comedian. But the essence of their relationship is the same. "We wanted impactful and authentic storytelling," says Mayan, who serves as a producer, along with George, an executive producer. "It's an amalgamation of not only my experience, but the experience of the writers, the culture, the community."

The genesis of the series started when Mayan began making TikTok videos featuring her famous father. They caught the eye of Debby Wolfe, who could see the foundation for a comedy and would become Lopez's showrunner and an executive producer. "As an adult I have to take responsibility for my own suffering, and I work every day for my happiness," Mayan says. "And one thing that makes me happy is my relationship with my dad."

Here, Lopez talks about representation, reconnection and bringing her life to television.

What made you start doing TikTok videos about your relationship with your dad?

It was during Covid. I had just graduated from the conservatory at Second City and I wanted to try to find a way to be creative. I think my family really came together during that time.

You and your dad play fictionalized versions of yourselves, but you are definitely sharing a lot about your relationship with the viewing audience.

What's so interesting about our show is I'm playing a version of myself. But there are moments when you see that I am talking to my dad, and you can see the tone shift, which I think makes this so dynamic. I am airing out my dirty laundry a little bit.

Growing up, sometimes a joke was the only way I could communicate with my dad. I like to think that in my life and my relationship with my dad, it's always kind of been Lopez vs. Lopez. When I was younger, it was always, what jokes could I tell him? Even then I was learning joke construction, how to be a comedian, finding my target and where to hit. In a way, we've always collaborated. Now we are able to collaborate on something that is so personal to both of us. I've always known that I wanted my pain and my personal story to mean something.

What does it mean to you to represent a Latino family on television?

There's a great story I always remember my parents telling me. When they were designing the kitchen for the George Lopez show, [production added] chili peppers and a tortilla press. My dad said, "Why are you doing that?" and they said, "We need the audience to know that it's a Latino kitchen." And my dad said, "How about the Latinos in the kitchen? That will make it a Latin kitchen."

My parents were always fighting for the representation of Latinos in media. Growing up, people would come up and say how the show impacted them. It only grew my fire and my need to take that torch. And now I am.

I am a proud Latina. Especially to have this platform, in this time, when our stories are very needed, I do not take that lightly. We are sharing our culture through themes that really resonate with a lot of people.

You grew up watching your father perform. What have you learned about the business by starring in your own show?

My parents very much didn't want me to get into acting; they wanted me to have a childhood. So I rode horses for thirteen years, but I always wanted to be a comedic actor.

I remember a time when my parents were living paycheck to paycheck. I was about five years old when the George Lopez show started. So from a young age I got to see both sides of the business and understand how hard it was, and I fell in love with that hard work.

What have you learned about yourself by being a part of this show?

My character is actually a lot more confident around my dad than I am in real life. She's taught me a lot. This has been such a healing experience. Everything in my life has prepared me for this moment, and I'm so excited to share my story and be a vestibule for a lot of people.

In addition to George Lopez and Debby Wolfe, Lopez vs. Lopez is executive produced by Bruce Helford, Katie Newman and Michael Rotenberg. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, produces in association with Mohawk Productions, Travieso Productions, Mi Vida Loba and 3 Arts.