The wonderful Chris Garcia has been putting his own web series at Más Mejor that gives out life hacks, Cuban style.
This particular Cuban life hack comes from Chris’ dad who really lived the sort of unbelievable life one leads in the Cuba of yesteryear (i.e. you really do need to know how to hide your barter pig).
Prison offers ample time to reflect and hopefully reinvent. For one Matthew Stoneman, it brought him to learn Spanish, fall in love with Cuban music, and dream of making it big singing songs in Spanish in Cuba. Since then, he’s earned the moniker of the “Gringo Mariachi”.
The offbeat, often humorous journey makes for the undeniably fascinating story in the documentary Mateo directed by Aaron I. Naar.
Watch the trailer here.
Even though sanctions have been lifted, there are some Cuban bans on U.S. TV that still have yet to be done away with.
Two months ago, Conan O’Brien beat everyone in television to doing the first big time American TV appearance in Cuba in decades. It was a landmark moment for U.S.-Cuba relations as well as a highly anticipated fantastic hour of television.
With that being said, the Cuban people, probably many of whom were featured in the Conan in Cuba episode, couldn’t legally watch any of Conan’s visit as watching many American TV programs are highly frowned upon by the Cuban government.
We say “frowned upon” because many street vendors seem to get away with openly selling bootlegged DVDs of various American TV series, which coincidentally also includes Conan in Cuba.
So, watch Cuban folks buy bootlegs of Conan in Cuba in Cuba here.
Conan O’Brien’s visit to Cuba aired as a special episode of Conan sans a monologue or sketches and was effectively a big long remote segment, which is one of the best parts of his show.
During his stay, Conan went through what a normal travel show might do in Cuba by taking dancing lessons, joining in a salsa band, taking Spanish lessons, visiting a rum museum, or touring through a Cigar factory, staring out at the sunset from a rooftop, experiencing Cuban fine dining, visiting El Malecón, or even having a farewell bit, but he did so as only Conan can do with his infectious silliness. In fact, Conan pulls off being the most fun loving goodwill ambassador there’s ever been in this Conan in Cuba special.
You can watch clips in the links above or watch the whole episode here.
Conan O’Brien has indeed set a precedent by going to Cuba as the first American late night talk show host in over 50 years to go over there to tape the show.
This special episode “Conan In Cuba” premieres tonight and while it has the potential to be a big watershed moment in relations between the U.S. and Cuba, Conan O’Brien still sings silly songs, dances like a goofball, and all the other signature moves that we’ve come to know and love from Conan.
Watch a teaser for tonight’s episode here then be sure to tune in to TBS at 11PM tonight.
As the first American late night talk show host in over half a century to visit and tape in Cuba, Conan O’Brien wasn’t entirely confident as to how his trip would go or if he wouldn’t even be let in.
Fortunately, he was let in and found the people of Cuba to be a delight as well as into his antics.
Listen to the story of the upcoming, historic Conan In Cuba episode on The Daily Show.
(via Deadline)
Conan O’Brien is having a pretty amazing year as far in taking his show out of the studio. The fantastic remotes aside, he already has a trip to Comic-Con scheduled for later this year and now, he has traveled to Cuba since sanctions had been lifted by Obama to tape an episode.
Tonight Show host Jack Paar was the last late night talk show from the U.S. to do so all the way back in 1962 when he chatted with Fidel Castro.
We’re not sure what’s going to happen, but we’re sure Conan is going to make some comedy gold out of riding in old cars and visiting a cigar factory. We’ll find out when the episode airs Mar. 4th.
(via AP)
An AP profile of televised Cuban comedy is showing that there’s movement in being able to satirize the bigger issues in Cuba.
A growing number of shows and comedians are speaking out through jokes about the inherent struggles of living in Cuba in its current state on shows like “Vivir del cuento”, which definitely sounds like progress.
The revered name of Castro is a name that’s still a sacred cow apparently. However, if they keep heading in more freely expressive direction with their comedy, we’re sure that won’t last forever.
Read the whole profile here.