Why did they make Julio's character a Puerto Rican? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Swinefeld · 03-17-2005, 11:19 PM

I have a theory that they wanted to write a hispanic character into the show but did not want to offend L.A.'s large Mexican-American population. There are lots of Latinos in the southern California area but very few of them are Puerto Ricans.

Anyone else have an idea as to why?

magellan333 · 03-20-2005, 12:14 PM

Maybe that is where the actor who played him was from?

catlover79 · 09-02-2007, 09:49 PM

I did read somewhere that Gregory Sierra (like Julio) was born and raised in NYC, Spanish Harlem to be exact. Though I do agree it would've made more sense for his character to be a Chicano.

Ireneparalegal · 09-02-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I did read somewhere that Gregory Sierra (like Julio) was born and raised in NYC, Spanish Harlem to be exact. Though I do agree it would've made more sense for his character to be a Chicano.

Hello Sister!!! You said it. But I guess they preferred that he be what it is he was, Puerto Rican.

Although, Freddie Prinze was Puerto Rican and he was playing a chicano in Chico and the Man. Go figure.

catlover79 · 09-03-2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Hello Sister!!! You said it. But I guess they preferred that he be what it is he was, Puerto Rican.

Although, Freddie Prinze was Puerto Rican and he was playing a chicano in Chico and the Man. Go figure.

Hey, Irene!

I just love these discussions.

GARFIELDKOOL · 09-03-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magellan333

Maybe that is where the actor who played him was from?

Gregory Sierra made a guest appearance on All in the Family playing a Jew. He didn't have a mexican/spanish accent.

Danisel331 · 09-04-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Hello Sister!!! You said it. But I guess they preferred that he be what it is he was, Puerto Rican.

Although, Freddie Prinze was Puerto Rican and he was playing a chicano in Chico and the Man. Go figure.

Yeah, but technically, they did change the Chico character for Freddie to play it. Originally, Chico was Chicano, but there was a big upset over the part being played by a Puerto Rican actor, so to keep people from being too upset, Chico was Chicano on his father's side and Puerto Rican on his mother's side.

Unfortunately, not many people caught that fact and Freddie still had trouble with some people being mad that he was not actually a Chicano.

Ireneparalegal · 09-04-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danisel331

Yeah, but technically, they did change the Chico character for Freddie to play it. Originally, Chico was Chicano, but there was a big upset over the part being played by a Puerto Rican actor, so to keep people from being too upset, Chico was Chicano on his father's side and Puerto Rican on his mother's side.

Unfortunately, not many people caught that fact and Freddie still had trouble with some people being mad that he was not actually a Chicano.

I am glad to report something that my niece informed me of. I am old school and my idea of a chicano is one who is of hispanic origin, but who is born here in the good ol' USA. My niece graduated from UCLA and one of her degrees was for Chicano studies.

Yesterday I brought this topic up during our family barbecue and she informed me that being a chicano is an "ideology" not so much that one is hispanic and is born here. She pointed out that anyone of any race that is not Native American Indian, can be referred to as chicano. It is not only meant for those who are hispanic. Meaning, Julio being of Puerto Rican descent is a chicano.

Danisel331 · 09-05-2007, 05:58 PM

That's a new understanding to me. From what I was always made to believe, Chicano meant of Mexican descent, but born here in the states. It was a take on the words itself meant for Mexican.....Mexicano...Chicano. Thanks for that explanation though!

catlover79 · 09-07-2007, 12:21 AM

^ That's the great thing about this board, you learn something new every day!!

03-17-2005, 11:19 PM	#1
Swinefeld Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Apr 19, 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 3	Why did they make Julio's character a Puerto Rican? I have a theory that they wanted to write a hispanic character into the show but did not want to offend L.A.'s large Mexican-American population. There are lots of Latinos in the southern California area but very few of them are Puerto Ricans. Anyone else have an idea as to why?

09-02-2007, 09:49 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I did read somewhere that Gregory Sierra (like Julio) was born and raised in NYC, Spanish Harlem to be exact. Though I do agree it would've made more sense for his character to be a Chicano.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

03-20-2005, 12:14 PM	#2
magellan333 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 26, 2003 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 822	Maybe that is where the actor who played him was from?

09-05-2007, 05:58 PM	#9
Danisel331 Kisses for my fans! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 11, 2002 Posts: 1,475	That's a new understanding to me. From what I was always made to believe, Chicano meant of Mexican descent, but born here in the states. It was a take on the words itself meant for Mexican.....Mexicano...Chicano. Thanks for that explanation though!

09-07-2007, 12:21 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	^ That's the great thing about this board, you learn something new every day!!