Blog Post #3: Rebelde

Based on what we discussed in class on Monday about the role of music in the telenovela, I have come to realize that my telenovela is based almost completely around music. The premise of Rebelde is from an actual band named RBD that was very famous in Hispanic countries known for their catchy songs, over-the-top concerts, and crazy costumes and style. In the actual telenovela, the 6 main characters are also members of the band in real life: Mia, Miguel, Diego, Roberta, Giovanni, and Lupita (their characters' names and not their actual names). These characters use their songs from their CDs in the telenovela in a few distinct ways. One of the ways that the music of RBD plays a role is in the theme song/ opening credits. RBD's song "Rebelde" plays while the cast, crew, etc are listed. The song talks about not caring about what other people think about you and simply doing what you want, not what is expected. This idea becomes the premise and theme of the show similar to other telenovela's theme songs that we discussed in class. The songs also are used when setting the mood of a scene through the use of an instrumental version. One prominent example is the use of the song "Salvame" which is played whenever a romantic scene takes place. It is usually used in regard to a breakthrough in two character's relationship romantically, like a spur of the moment kiss. Another use of the RBD songs is for interesting and fun transitions from one scene to another. For example, in one scene in the show, the scene transitions from a concert to a serious scene at Elite Way School. The song that RBD was preforming transfers to the audio of the song to a visual of the landscape and moves to the specific scene in the school that's a little more serious. The song fades from the fun concert scene to a slow and serious hallway scene. One final use of the music is used during concert scenes when RBD is preforming to take up time in the telenovela as filler. These excerpts from actual concerts also allow the viewers to be involved in RBD's real music and concerts as propaganda to sell more CDs and music.

El Juramento-- The BEST SUSPENSE telenovela EVER!

I watched El Juramento for my last blog post. This story is surrounded around a guy named Santiago who is determined how his brother Diego died. Santiago comes to find out that Diego killed himself after a woman named Alma had abortion that was said to be Diego’s child. Alma also refused his marriage proposal. Santiago’s goal is to simply seek revenge. Throughout the telenovela, Santiago narrows down his two possible options for women who wronged his brother, Alma and Andrea. Therefore, he sets out to determine which one was the cause of his brother’s death in order to make one of their lives miserable. This telenovela’s suspense is INSANE! I love telenovelas with lots of suspense where I just keep watching and watching. I was definitely hooked by this telenovela. The first thing I noticed in this specific telenovela was the immediate change in music. Within the first 45 seconds of the first episode, a suspicious character appeared and the fun, upbeat music changed suddenly to a slow moving beat as the suspicious character entered. I love the fact that now I can predict what is going to happen within a telenovela solely based on the music that is being played. Two characters Llego and Santiago are having a phone conversation where even though I could not necessarily understand what was being said, I could tell that the conversation was turning bad by the change of rhythm of the music. As the telenovela goes on, one character has a baby. The music mimics a song similar to a nursery rhyme. There was a lot of incidental music that helped me to understand the flow of the telenovela. During more love scenes, songs would play with instruments such as a saxophone that helps toward the romantic vibe within the scene. I really enjoyed learning the aspects of a telenovela. Now, when I watch any tv shows, I listen out for the music, I observe the protagonists, I think about how the show affects the outside world. I feel like a producer more like. I really enjoyed this class and I have found a new love for watching telenovelas!

Yo soy betty la fea

For me, it has been very interesting to watch this telenovela because there are so many countries with there own version of it, and it is interesting for me to watch the Colombian version. It somewhat follows the Cinderella story line, that despite being recreated so many times, never ceases to fail in capturing the audiences' attention including my own. Betty is a girl who has not been blessed with the best of looks, and even though she is so smart, she has a difficult time getting a job because of her looks. She finally applies for a job in the fashion industry, but she does not attach a photo of herself which allows her to get an interview. Betty quickly falls for the handsome Armando even though he is engaged. Armando hires Betty as one of his secretaries, and Betty is willing to do anything for him. However, Betty refuses to tell anyone, not even Armando, about her love for Armando. This show keeps me watching because I anxiously await finding out whether or not Betty will end up with Armando, and I am excited to see her beauty transformation.

Choppy Story Line

I bought the DVD's for Rebelde and while I do understand that they can't fit all of the episodes into one case, I still feel as if I don't understand the whole story line. One minute two of the main characters will be fighting and in the next five they will be kissing. I feel as if there's not enough background information for me to understand what is really going on. Aside from this, I really do like the telenovela. Are you guys have the same problem though?

Blog Post 2: Rubi

I decided to watch Rubi for my Telenovela choice. From the first few seconds of the show, Rubi did not look like an ordinary character. She is the main character no doubt, but it looks as if she is the antagonist. That is how mean and feisty she is. She is portrayed as a very selfish, money and power-seeking girl who would do anything to achieve her desire. It is very interesting to see how Rubi's interaction with different types of people is growing. Growing in a sense that she is wanting a better and richer man, like playing games - a stage after stage.

As a telenovela, it is quite obvious to predict the scenes. But what I also noticed was the effect of the sound/background music. It makes me laugh sometimes because the editors make it too obvious of what's going on. When Rubi starts to make an evil facial expression, a big low key note of piano plays out of the blue. The sound is very discontinuous, so it caught me off guard at a lot of times. Even though it is predictable, however, I still enjoy this, because I never watched a film where the protagonist seems so much like an antagonist. Looking forward to watching more episodes!

Teresa, Not Your Typical Protagonist

There were underlying hints of Teresa's character throughout the novela. The sharp music that would play whenever she was asked questions she had lied about would attract attention to her not-so-good characteristics. The rage and frustration she exhibits in front of her family whenever money is talked about does not fit in with the typical rosa telenovela stars. She is different. Teresa represents a darker side of a Cinderella story as she tries to escape her poverty.

Overall, Teresa is different than most leading characters in telenovelas. She isn't quite the "good girl" and I like that. Within the first couple episodes, I noticed her great ambition to overcome her socioeconomic obstacles. Money clearly drives her in her journey of this novela. This novela, it seems to me, will show the journey of Teresa as she transforms from being a naive, poor girl to being manipulative and evil.


The telenovela Teresa stands out from a long list of past and current novelas because of the different approach taken in the protagonist view. The story of the telenovela is interesting and entertaining and the cliff-hangers make me want to keep on watching from break to break and episode to episode.

Blog Post #2: Rebelde

I'm on the second disc of "Rebelde". I'm starting to see the many different story lines that coincide to complicate the story and keep the audience's interest. First, I'm starting to see the the love triangles forming between all 6 of the main characters. One of the triangles is Mia, Miguel, and Giovanni. Mia and Miguel are obviously the two main protagonists of the group of friends who are destined to be together, but things keep getting in their way. Currently, Giovanni, one of the main characters, is in love with Mia. However, Mia thinks that Giovanni is just being a good friend, further complicating the love story. Another complicating factor to this love story is Vico, who is in love with Giovanni. Therefore this love triangle is filled with one person being in love with someone who isn't in love with them. Another love triangle that is forming is Roberta and Diego's love. Roberta has been in Spain with her father who is forcing her to spend time with him has consequently been away from Diego for a while. Meanwhile, Diego is dating a girl who is at Elite Way School behind Roberta's back. Upon returning to school, Roberta encounters Diego's other love interest. She gets upset and goes to her mom crying about her relationship with Diego. The final love triangle is between Mia, Miguel, and a random girl that Miguel has been seeing to spite Mia. Diego eventually goes to break up with the girl because he sees how much he loves Mia. This action is relating to the concept of opposing love stories: while one couple (or in this case two) are doing terrible, the only is doing well.

Another reoccurring story line that is used in many telenovelas is the unknown discovery of something that happened to a parent. This rendition of the story is with Mia and her mother. Mia formerly did not know how her mother died, but a secret envelope that was delivered to her told her that her mother died in a car accident with a musician she was dating at the same time that she was married to her father. After this travesty, Mia begins to find comfort in Roberta's mother, Alma Rey. Alma also begins to become a mother figure that Mia never had, completing her family and further complicating her relationship with Roberta.

I believe that further in the story, there will be more ups and downs with the 3 love triangles and more complications with Roberta and Mia's relationship before they resolve their friendship towards the end.

Telenovela Issues and Thoughts on the First Episode

After many language and subtitle issues I have finally settled on Eva Luna as my telenovela even though La Reina del Sur was my first choice. However I am sure I will love it just as much! Within the first minutes of the first capitulo, I can already see many of the things we talked about in class beginning to appear before my eyes. The open credits are dramatic with scenes portraying the different love connections and rivalries that will dominate the shows plot. The ‘evil’ characters, such as Leonardo, are dressed in dark colors and Daniel is usually wearing white, which would make him the good guy. The music on the show is a very telling signal about the characters feelings for each other. Every time Eva and Daniel look at each other a romantic song starts playing but whenever Victoria, one of the lesser antagonists, and Eva come in contact with each other evil music plays in the background. I was interested to learn that the show takes place in California because I assumed, rather stereotypically I suppose, that it would take place in Central or South America. Eva is not at all how I expected her to be. I thought she would be an innocent farm girl but instead she is an independent girl with a sassy streak that comes out whenever she is insulted. I am very interested to see where this show goes and I am already hooked after only watching one episode!

Corazon Salvaje

The Title of my telenovela is Corazon Salvaje, which means the "savaged heart" in reference to the four main characters of the telenovela. When I first began watching it, I didn't think I would like it because is a "de epoca", or from another time period set in San Pedro Beliz. The fact that it was based on an older time period turned me off a bit, but as soon as I thought that i didn't like it the first 5 minutes changed my mind completely.

Francisco is a wealthy land owner with a wife and a son. he brought in a "friend" for his son to play with and within the first five minutes of the show, tragedy struck. Francisco was killed and his wife found out that her son, Andres, new "friend" was actually her brother. Francisco got a lower class lady pregnant during his engagement to his wife, and after he found out that she had died and he had another son he decided to make his family complete. his wife didn't approve and after her husband's death she band Juan, the son from the affair, from her house. From this point i knew that telenovela could only get better and better from here. I began predicting the events for the rest of the story. I knew that Juan and Andres would meet up again when they became adults, but the circumstances in which they met ttok me by a total surprise.

I'm still debating on whether this telenovela is Rosa-style or Reptura-style. The telenovela showcases the prejudices against lower classes, but it has yet to state anything about the government directly. Over the next week I will be conducting research on my telenovela and continue to work my way to the completion of the story. I must say along with my love of Reese's, Scooby-Doo, and Strawberry Fanta, Telenovelas are seeming to become a part of that category.

Dame Chocolate

My telenovela is called "Dame Chocolate" which means "give me chocolate." This telenovela is most assuredly a telenovela rosa. The protagonist is Rosita Amado. She lives in a remote village of Mexico, but her grandfather, Juan, is the owner of a very successful chocolate-making factory in the United States. Right before he dies, he travels to Mexico to tell Rosita the secret chocolate recipe and places her as the new owner of the chocolate factory in his will. Also traveling with her grandfather is a very attractive, rich man named Bruce. Bruce and his mother help Juan run the chocolate factory. In the first episode, Bruce and Rosita, of course, make eye contact with sparks flying between their eyes, but when Rosita removes her veil, he sees her ugly face. With a big nose and buck teeth, many do not consider her to be pretty. Instead of the normal kiss between the protagonist and her lover, he kisses on the forehead, which is more of a pity kiss than a kiss of sincerity.

When her grandfather dies shortly after, she moves to the United States with her family to take her place as the factory owner. In the factory, there is a new PR agent, Samantha Porter. She is the drop-dead gorgeous, but heartless antagonist. She sees Rosita as competition and does her best to humiliate her whenever possible. Samantha, Bruce, and Rosita create the first love triangle. Bruce is initially attracted to Samantha, but also finds himself falling for Rosita as he sees her innocence and genuineness. Here is a picture of the three of them. Rosita is on the left and Samantha is on the right.

When a friend from Mexico named Angel travels all the way from Mexico to the United States to confess his love to Rosita and request her hand in marriage, it forms another love triangle between Rosita, Bruce, and Angel. Here's what Angel looks like. He's kind of creepy in the telenovela, so I understand why she rejects him.


Dame Chocolate is produced by Telemundo, an American telenovela company in Miami. You can tell that this is an Americanized telenovela. Occasionally the characters will say random English phrases. Bruce one time said "Hey mom" in English and then started speaking to her in Spanish. Rosita's cousin said "oh my gosh!" and Bruce's mother always says Samantha Porter with an American accent.

Overall, I'm enjoying watching this telenovela so far. It is very, very dramatic and ridiculous at times, but no matter how ridiculous it is, I still want to keep watching!

Betty La Fea

As the title might sugest, Betty strikes is a moderately rosa, due to the fact that she is poor and on top of that horribly hideous. She is also a bit of a cinderella because of all the things mentioned above, but also because she is rural. When comparing Betty's family to Don Armando's (the male protagonist) one notices a stark difference in style and socioeconomic level. Despite Betty's father being a well educated accountant, his family is still rather common in the way they behave and interact with each other. On the other hand, Don Armando's parents are the image of glamour and romantic perfection. Betty is therefore Cinderella, while Don Armando's fiance plays the role of the evil step-mother trying to ruin Betty's life. A twist to the standard Cinderella story is that despite Betty's naiveté she is quite smart and knows her place in society. She has accepted that she is ugly and that society will discriminate her based on that, and instead of accepting her fate she manages her way around it. For example, in order to be considered for jobs, she does not attach a picture of herself on her resume. This way she will be called up for at least an interview, where she can prove herself. I look forward to see how the plot unravels in this telenovela, and whether or not they will break with the cinderella story or stick with it.

Eva Luna 2

        Eva Luna is definitely a cinderella type telenovela.  Eva Gonzalez, as I learned in the most recent episode I watched, grew up in a poor, rural, farming town before she moved to work as a maid in a rich mansion.  The patterns that we discussed in class are showing up.  Daniel Villanueva is a man who is brothers with the owner of the house, and Daniel is also the owner of a big company.  Daniel finds out, that Eva was the one responsible for creating his company's famous slogan, so he hires her at his company.  However Daniel has a girl friend, Victoria.  Victoria is the jealous antagonist who, along with her mother, absolutely despises Eva.  Every time Daniel(her boyfriend or husband, I'm not sure) mentions Eva, she becomes angry.  Right now I am predicting that Eva will become successful, and soon get together with Daniel, but along with this will surely come some exciting jealousy and drama that I can't wait to see.

Una Maid en Manhattan

       The telenovela I picked for my final paper is Una Maid en Manhattan. I choose this telenovela because I remember seeing the original movie starring Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes in 5th grade and loving it. Una Maid en Manhattan is produced by Telemundo Studios in Miami and caters to Mexican American viewers. I watched the first episode and have really enjoyed it so far. From taking Spanish as a foreign language in high school and college, I can usually understand what the characters are talking without subtitles. My favorite Character is definitely Marisa. I was surprised I would like her so much after Dr. Acosta told us that this telenovela fell under the ‘Rosa’ category. Typically Rosas are traditional, melodramatic telenovelas centered around a poor, rural, beautiful, naïve girl, who falls in love with the rich, not very intelligent, urban prince. Usually the female protagonists in the Rosa telenovelas take a geographical journey (most of time from the country to the city), get a makeover or go though a transformation, and climb up the socioeconomic ladder.
     Marisa is from Michoacán, Mexico. She is obviously very beautiful and very loved by her son Lalo, friends and the people in her village. As a single mom she is very busy, but always makes time for her family. In the first episode Marisa gets a call from her mother who lives in L.A. I had a hard time understanding what they were talking about, but it seems that someone either died, or something bad happened to the person they are talking about. From the conversation it seemed as though her mother was trying to convince Marisa to come to L.A., but she kindly refuses.
    From the very first episode the “mariposas monarcas” or monarch butterflies and orange carnations are everywhere at the Posada Monarca in Michoacán, where Marisa and her son Lalo work and live. Lalo appears to be about 10 years old. While telling an American man about the butterflies, we find out that he is half American and that his father lives in Nuevo York. Lalo has a very good heart and loves Marisa dearly. He tries to give her the $20 tip the American man gave him for the butterfly tour.
    The first episode not only introduces the lives of Marisa and Lalo, who are the protagonists, but it also Miguel, Victor and Cristóbal. Various scenes and flashbacks are interspersed throughout the first episode one being Victor and his family stuck in traffic in the car. His daydreams reveal that he and Marisa used to be lovers. In his daydream a younger Victor and Marisa wander through a forest as he tries to convince her to come to America with him. Then Victor tells Marisa he loves her, they kiss and the dream vanishes back to reality. The second alternate story is Cristóbal’s, which begins with him riding on the motorcycle in New York looking for a job. At a construction site he finds a job and meets Lucas who is also from Mexico. Lucas says he has two sons and offers Cristóbal to move in with him and his roommates. The third alternate story is that of Miguel, Marisa’s childhood friend. In a flashback, he apparently loved Marisa, but she loved victor instead, which made him jealous. Later in the first episode Miguel and his friend clad in Cowboy hats, boots and alcohol are reminiscing about the olden days with the scene being very much in the despecho style.
    The first episode ends after Marisa comes back to from a Day of the Dead festival to find Miguel and his friend using the Posada Monarca for drug trafficking. Guns and chaos and a stubborn cop push Marisa to decide to leave Michoacán. As she is packing up her belongings Miguel tries to make romantic advances on her, which she defiantly rebuffs. Thus Marisa’s decision to move to the United States starts her geographical journey, acting as a catalyst for the rest of her Rosa stereotypes to unfold.

Mi Corazon Insiste: What is the media portraying through telenovelas?

I viewed the telenovela Mi Corazon Insiste. In my opinion, the media reflects this telenovela in a where it actually reflects reality. A mirror is represented through this telenovela. Within one minute of an episode, I noticed the intensity between a male and female figure. The male would forcefully push the female. This demonstrates actual abuse. I am surprised that the producer included this as a part of the telenovela because the media loves to praise male figures; at least in American soap operas and sitcoms. The male is usually seen as the good guy where the female is usually portrayed as wrong in most media. The telenovela included a young boy in the show. The boy appeared as humble and scared throughout the episode. This represents the little say that children have in most situations that are actually affecting them. The aspect of regulation is questionable throughout. One of the dominant male figures in the telenovela could possibly create a change within society. By the male “abusing” the female, society may see the situation as acceptable. Rather than a verbal discussion, fights occurred and even gun use. This telenovela really affects viewers today, especially individuals of young ages. Characters intend to play the roles throughout this telenovela to seem more believable however it can really shape society in a different way. The actions in many scenes in the telenovela are possible. They happen to many people today. However the media should sometimes shine light on a situation to provide a better outlook from viewers to prove that only certain behaviors and actions within society are acceptable. Yes, the characters are attractive, but the image that the media is portraying is essentially important.