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Jennifer Lopez says Latinos in the United States are starting to realize their power in politics and media, and that makes the timing good for her latest undertaking: Lobbying for greater diversity in TV programming. The actress and entertainer spoke Wednesday at the Cable Show, a communications convention, ahead of new programming set to launch July 18 on the NUVOtv network. Lopez serves as chief creative officer of the English-language Latino channel. She said these are exciting times for Latinos. Lopez adds, "We're really growing as a community and we've come into a place where we deserve to be considered and served and catered to."
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The singer and dancer known as Big Freedia is taking his hypersexual, booty-shaking moves from the streets of New Orleans to cable television with a reality show in the Fuse network. The performer's real name is Freddie Ross but his Big Freedia stage persona is a woman. "Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce" will focus on Ross and the New Orleans music scene known as "bounce" — a fusion of hip-hop and quick, repetitive dance beats with heavy bass. The eight-episode series premieres Sept. 18.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Magician Siegfried of Siegfried and Roy is 74. Singer Bobby Freeman is 73. Actor Malcolm McDowell is 70. Singer Dennis Locorriere of Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show is 64. Actor Richard Thomas is 62. Comedian Tim Allen is 60. Actress Ally Sheedy is 51. Bassist Paul deLisle of Smash Mouth is 50. Singer David Gray is 45. Singer Deniece Pearson of Five Star is 45. Musician Soren Rasted (Aqua) is 44. Actor-singer Jamie Walters is 44. Singer-guitarist Rivers Cuomo of Weezer is 43. Actor Steve-O ("Jackass") is 39. Singer Raz B (B2K) is 28. Actresses Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen are 27.
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