The Rhythm of Tragedy and Time That Informs Comedy: A Conversation with ‘Lopez vs. Lopez’ Co-Creator and Showrunner Debby Wolfe

George Lopez and his daughter, Mayan, return to NBC to put the fun back in dysfunctional family comedy. This time there will be big life changes for Mayan and the whole Lopez familia while George takes his first step in sobriety. Get ready for another season of Lopez vs Lopez that will have you laughing, crying and shouting ‘ta loca!

Comedy is healing. As we all go on this journey, self-reflection and healing bring a different awareness to how we move forward in life (hopefully for the better) – and as storytellers, it certainly reflects on the page and on the screen (hopefully). Family healing is a rollercoaster of emotions, vulnerability, and patience. And with season two of Lopez vs. Lopez, George and Mayan, and the collective family as a whole, are doing the work – no matter how messy and in most instances, how incredibly silly, it all can be. 

On the heels of being honored by the Imagen Foundation as an Influential Latino in Media, and the announcement of Lopez vs Lopez being renewed for season three, Debby Wolfe returns to Script and discusses exploring themes of personal growth, healing, and reconciliation both on-screen and behind the scenes.

This interview has been edited for content and clarity.

Sadie Dean: What was the thematic North Star in season two?

Debby Wolfe: It was interesting, right when we wrapped season one, the writer’s strike happened. And so, there was a lot of time there to reflect. And also, to go on my own healing journey during that time, too. I did a lot of therapy. And I did a lot of self-reflection and healing. And I think out of that came ‘let's figure out the season.’ We want to continue what we did in season one, but really go deeper.

And I think what we were thinking the theme was like expectation versus reality. I think we all hold, like our relationships to these certain expectations that we have in our head, but it never really matches the reality. The thing that the family has to reflect on as George goes through his sobriety journey, is that they have to meet him where he's at. And that requires a lot of patience, a lot of empathy. But these are the lessons that I want to share with the world...that we have to have love and empathy for others, and we're all connected. And I think that bled through to the room and the journey that we took George on this season.

Sadie: Did you bring in new writers for this season as well?

Debby: No, unfortunately, we had to let go of a few writers because of budget cuts. So that was sad. But because of that, my message for writers was, ‘OK, there's less of us. Now, we all have to step it up, and make up for that loss.’ And everyone came to the table and brought in great ideas, and really shared their lives because that's where our stories come from - either something that happened to George or Mayan, even our other actors, I bring them in as well. In the beginning of the season, they all came in the room and shared their stories and things that they wanted to see their character go through. Every story comes from an authentic place. And everyone brought it. My room is just an incredible room of writers and we're a diverse group with all different points of view, which I think makes for a great show.

Sadie: Bringing all these great minds together was there anything unexpected that you tapped into or that was exciting for you all to tackle?

Debby: I also went on a sobriety journey last year as well. And the thing that happened to George in episode one where he's accidentally served a drink after five weeks of being sober, that actually happened to me. I was five weeks sober. I was having all this like clarity. And I was feeling so good about myself. And then I ordered what I thought was a virgin Mai Thai [laughs] and I was talking to my friend, and I was like, ‘Why are you kind of looking funny to me right now?’ And then I realized that it had alcohol in it…I cried and I freaked out. I've been through it and so that's where we started. And that’s where we wanted to start with George on his journey and where he was at.

Sadie: Can you talk about the rhythm of tragedy and time that informs comedy while also being able to ap into those vulnerable moments?

Debby: Yeah, I’ve been reflecting on this a lot. And I think the more oppressed you are, the funnier you are. [laughs] Which is why drag queens are the most hilarious beings on the planet. When you're beaten down, and the odds are stacked against you - you just have to find a way to laugh about it. And, it's very healing to laugh. And I think naturally. As Latinos, that's what we do.

Everyone that writes on my show, and George and Mayan as well - George, especially as somebody that just really understands what's funny about the tragedy that he's been through, and he's passed that on to Mayan. George, Mayan, and I would have morning meetings before every day of production, and if they got into a fight it immediately would be turned into a joke, and that's just who they are. And that's how I think it's just very natural to all of us - to know what's funny about our pain.

Sadie: I don't know if this was intentional or not, or if it’s just something he's feeling at the moment, but George's hair - visually it’s like a literal sign of personal growth for his character and his development.

Debby: [laughs] I never thought of it as a metaphor. But you know what? That's so smart. At the beginning of the season, he grew it over the strike. And then we saw him and he's like, ‘I don't think I want to cut it.’ And Mayan’s like, ‘No, you have to cut it.’ And I was like, ‘You know, what, I don't think he does.’ It really does represent who he is and how he's trying to grow.

And what's interesting is, this is also happening very much behind the scenes, with everybody - with George and Mayan, with the cast, with the crew. We are all on this journey with George and Mayan and as George and Mayan are growing behind the scenes, they're becoming closer and healing their relationship, it's passing on to others. I've never had a better relationship with my parents than I do now, because of the journey I've gone on with George and Mayan. An executive came up to me and she was like, ‘I reconnected with my father after being estranged from him for a while because of the show.’ And we hear that a lot. It's really powerful in a way because this is this real father-daughter showing us that this is possible. We can also make it possible in our own lives.

Sadie: I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about a few comedy heavyweights you have guest starring this season, that truly have a profound impact on the characters - Gabriel Iglesias and Cheech and Chong. What was it like weaving those characters and personalities into this season?

Debby: That story was pitched by George. He is the most woke, now 63-year-old Mexican man I have ever met. [laughs] He pitched me a story about meditation and about letting things go. And I was like, ‘That's amazing.’ And he wanted them to be in white robes. [laughs] And I was like, ‘OK, this story is ripe to involve Chong.’ [laughs] And so, naturally, we brought Chong into the fold.

And then once we had Cheech and Chong there…I grew up on them, they’re comedy legends, they're my heroes. And I used to quote them with my brother when I was little. And “Mexican Americans,” that song is just so iconic to my youth. And we were talking about it in the room and we were like, ‘We should have the cast do it with them and post it on social.’ And I was like, ‘No, this needs to go on the show.’ We have this opportunity now to pay tribute to these legends…it's time. And so, we did the “Mexican Americans” song with our cast and it actually went viral on the NBC TikTok, it's up to almost 7 million viewers. And the comments are all just talking about how nostalgic this song is, and what it meant to people and their families. It was just such a magical moment, just certainly a great moment in my career to be able to do that.

Having Gabe on was also incredible. I'm a big fan of Gabe like, he's so funny. And I thought it was so iconic to have these two comedy giants, the biggest comedy names that are Latino, to come together and be on the same episode like that. These old-school comedians, usually you don't see them together. It's very old school to keep it separate. But there's this thing happening, I think, in the community and Latino Hollywood where everyone's coming together. And having these old-school guys come together is really setting the tone. Because if they can do it, then I think we can all do it, and band together. And I think we're stronger together. That’s really the message that I want to send out by casting Gabe and bringing him on the show. And it was really special seeing the two of them hug - it was everything to us.

Sadie: Any advice for up-and-coming comedy writers out there?

Debby: Yeah, I think that a lot of people, writers specifically, I think a lot of people say they want to write but they don't actually write – you have to write. [laughs] You have to finish a script, because your first script is gonna suck your, second, third, fourth, or your fifth script might be OK. You just have to practice - it's a craft. And you have to hone that craft, you need to take classes and read books - that's what I did. I did everything. I would watch an entire series, and I would break down every episode so that could understand how it worked. That's what you need to do.

And I often use deadlines, like screenwriting competitions, or there's all these diversity programs - I came out of the NBC Writers on the Verge program, it’s now NBCU Launch - I would use those deadlines to finish material. You just have to have material. So, when those opportunities come up, you're ready, and no one can deny you, but that takes time, it takes patience and it takes doing the work. 

Season two of Lopez vs. Lopez is now streaming on Peacock.