Los Americans


Los Americans is an eight-part series that focuses on a multi-generational, middle-income Latino family living in Los Angeles. The show was written and directed by Dennis Leoni and released in 2011.

Plot

The Valenzuela family live in Los Angeles in a multi-generational household. Lee and his mother Lucia differ on how to deal with the problems that arise including alcoholism, teenage rebellion and immigration difficulties. The Valenzuela family is totally assimilated in U.S. American culture, and that's the way the patriarch, Leandro Valenzuela, or “Lee” as Leandro prefers to be called, likes it. He's moved on from speaking Spanish and the ways of the old country. As he proudly says, “We’re not Mexicans. Mexicans live in Mexico. We’re Americans.” Lee is right in that he and his family will face many of the problems and challenges all Americans face, that all human beings face – unemployment, homelessness, alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, abortion, immigration, childhood obesity and others. But Lee will also face another problem in that he has forgotten his native language and moved away from his culture, ultimately losing part of who he is and where he comes from, and he will learn that maybe this is not such a good thing. Welcome to a story about real Americans... Los Americans.

Episodes

NumbertitleDescription
8"Going to Mexico"While everyone worries about the challenges Ariel's pregnancy presents for the family, Lee has finally lined up his perfect dream job. Things go from bad to horrible when Pilar is taken away by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, apparently turned in by Victoria's husband Jack. Pouring salt into the wound, Lee's dream job interview becomes a nightmare.
7"The Truth Hurts"In an attempt to protect Ariel from her abusive mother, the Valenzuelas take in another house guest. but that doesn't stop Ariel's mother from challenging Alma, which escalates into a physical confrontation in full view of the neighbors. Lee meets Victoria's husband Jack, who has a problem with Lee helping his wife, the number of people who are living in the Valenzuela home and the disturbances all those people seem to be creating in their peaceful neighborhood.
6"Secrets"In an attempt to protect Ariel from her abusive mother, the Valenzuelas take in another house guest. but that doesn't stop Ariel's mother from challenging Alma, which escalates into a physical confrontation in full view of the neighbors. Lee meets Victoria's husband Jack, who has a problem with Lee helping his wife, the number of people who are living in the Valenzuela home and the disturbances all those people seem to be creating in their peaceful neighborhood.
5"Lead Us Not Unto Temptation"When Lee helps beautiful new neighbor Victoria get her car started, a gift of chocolate chip cookies sets off a chain of guilt, deception, lies, jealously and hypocrisy. all of it seems fairly trivial when Lee and Alma discover that Paul's fifteen-year-old friend Ariel is pregnant. But none of it compares with what they feel when Paul hits them with a revelation of his own.
4"Family Heirloom"Lee, Alma, Memo and Pilar return to find an unconscious Jennifer in the hands of the boys she invited over. Lee and Alma are angry with Jennifer for inviting boys over and then drinking until she passed out, but they're furious with Lucia for getting drunk, passing out and leaving the children unprotected. Hard lessons are learned about the problems alcoholism has always created for the Valenzuela family.
3"The Legacy"Memo gets a job before Lee does, prompting a celebration that goes awry. with the parents out, Lucia has too much to drink, passes out, and seventeen-year-old Jennifer invites some male friends over for a party, which leads to her drinking too much and also passing out, leaving her vulnerable...to whatever the boys want to do.
2"Fish and House Guests"The Valenzuelas try to adjust to a houseful of strange relatives living in their home, Lucia's growing problem with alcohol and Lee's struggle with prospect of his future unemployment and loss of income. Pilar, Memo's undocumented wife, surprises Lee with her generosity.
1"Happy Birthday"Leandro Valenzuela's idyllic suburban world is shaken as he deals with losing his job, his mother's alcoholism and three new houseguests - his homeboy cousin Memo, who he hasn't seen in thirty years, Memo's undocumented wife and their overweight son. Written By Richard Cummings Jr.

Cast

Alan Greenlee, Vice President of Programs, One Economy stated "this series is an engaging drama that will help millions of riders take action to improve their lives and make informed decisions."