Guanabee Cruises LA With Nothing Like The Holidays Writer Rick Najera

When we heard about America's first middle-class Latino family caught on celluloid in Nothing Like The Holidays, (which premieres tomorrow), we immediately booked an appointment to interview screenwriter Rick Najera who wrote the original story. But, in typical writer fashion, he showed up late and we had to ride along with him in his fancy car while he visited his agent and drank shitloads of Starbucks. In between, we managed to ask him a few questions about the film, making it in Hollywood and his many, many offensive comedy projects. Guanabee: Hi Rick. Thanks for taking us along with you to run errands. We never sat in a real Hollywood agent's lobby before. But let's get to the real reason we're here: Nothing Like The Holidays. How hard was it to get a movie made in Hollywood about Latinos who aren't drug mules or illegal aliens? Rick Najera: Historically speaking, it was really hard because it took many years for this kind of film to be made. Nothing Like The Holidays, was a little easier because Overture, (the production company), read it and got it right away. But a film like this is as rare as tofu chorizo in East Los Angles. It's a Christmas story with a Latino family as the focus. It's hard for critics to see there is room for films that are as far apart as Amoros Perros and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. There are many shades of a Latino story. Was Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball's love story not a real Latino story? He was middle class. Guanabee: Yeah, but he was in entertainment. Which until about 70 years ago was akin to being a prostitute. John Leguizamo's character went to college! He plays a lawyer, even. Why are so few Hollywood films made with college-educated Latino characters in them? Rick Najera: I think because the white executives that green light films believe those kind of Latinos don't exist or if they do they are not as interesting as the noble, uneducated, poor, "other" Latinos. I remember when people hated the fact that Bill Cosby was a doctor. They missed those Good Times Cabrini Green [Chicago Housing Development]-living African Americans. And they were disappointed by The Cosby Show even though Bill Cosby, in real life, was educated. Guanabee: So, would you say the Rodriguezes are quintessentially Latin or that, in the end, they are an American family like any other? Rick Najera: I think you can be both Latino and American at the same time. It's like being a Texan and an American at the same time. In the real world, many things can coexist within one person. Guanabee: Speaking of the Rodriguezes, any stories about how the cast & crew get along? Any truth to the increasing rumors that John Leguizamo has become too big for his britches? Rick Najera: Ok, I wasn't in Chicago for shooting, but John's pretty normal for a guy that looks good in women's clothes. He's always been very nice to me. And Debra messing is a very classy woman that loves writers. She met me and said it all starts with the written word. I thought that was very nice. Guanabee: You confided in us that the story is loosely based on your own experiences. Is there a real Marissa (Freddy Rodriguez's love interest who gets left behind for Iraq) out there somewhere and if so, what happened to her? Rick Najera: Marissa is based on my wife Susie. She's blonde and speaks better Spanish than me. Our kids are Mexican and Irish, so they are in danger of being double alcoholics. I watch them carefully and check their sippy cups for tequila or whiskey. Guanabee: We do that with little Alex, our associate editor. It hasn't stopped her yet. So, Rick. In addition to writing, you've also acted in such indie greats at How The Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer, Day Without A Mexican and Ladron Que Roba A Ladron. Which do you like better--acting or writing? Rick Najera: I like getting paid the most. I got kids. But writing is tougher to do than acting. I been both and I have to say acting is much easier. Writing is lonely, hard work. Guanabee: Fuck it. We're killing ourselves after this interview. But, for any of our readers who are fool enough to dream of making it big in Hollywood as a writer or otherwise, what advice would you give them about getting started? Rick Najera: Be all you can be. The only one holding you back is you. A writer has a blank page to fill. An actor, a character within himself. Now, as for education, find good teachers and mentors and steal their best ideas and make them your own. Guanabee: Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, is Hollywood looking for good, Latino talent? Rick Najera: Hollywood is always looking for beautiful people. That's how I got my first job. I was a Speedo model. But seriously, I think you just got to be really good at being you. Guanabee: Well that's never going to work. Have you met us? Perhaps if we stick to the internet. Tell us about your online project with the executive producer of MadTV. Rick Najera: It's called Buba and Pisa. You can see it on kartoontv.com click on it and laugh. It's free. Guanabee: You can also see a clip of it right here. It's pretty funny. Guanabee: Tell us about Buford "Bubba" Gomez. What exactly are your trying to say with that character? Besides everything that will offend anyone? Rick Najera: I grew up with guys like that in San Diego. Some Mexicanos are offended, but those guys exist on the border. Guanabee: We only know too well. So what's next on your agenda besides dropping us off in this random Starbucks parking lot in the valley? Rick Najera: I got a great script with my wife called Mariachi Club that I'm going out with, a DVD called Homies Show: Season One dropping December 9th and I've started a new Latino web site on mio.tv that's going to be huge. And if you're in New York, I have a new play at Repertorio Español December 16th at 6 PM in New York, so you can see me live on stage. It's called Sweet 15. Be there! Guanabee: Wow. A quinces play. We have a mild interest in quinceañeras. We'll have to check it out. Meanwhile, any parting words for our readers? Rick Najera: Just support this film opening weekend--which is this weekend. It's funny and good (with legal Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, too.) Or else Hollywood will go back to films like Chasing Papi and you'll get another Paul Rodriguez sitcom shoved down your throat. I think that's reason enough. Nothing Like The Holidays opens nationwide mañana.