By Sarah Feldberg (contact)
When then New York-based radio host Kiki Melendez wanted to get into comedy, she didn’t just start cracking jokes or trying her hand at open mic nights. She went back to school.
The budding comedienne took a course at NYC comedy club Comedy Strip, but there was one little problem: Melendez was terrified of getting on stage.
“It’s so embarrassing to go up there,” says the comedienne whose female-focused Hot Tamales Live tour recently enjoyed its first Showtime special and will land this Sunday at the Pearl at the Palms. “Comedy, I think, is one of the hardest of all the arts. When you’re doing a movie you’re reading a script and you portray a character. It’s up to the director to direct you correctly, but when you’re doing comedy it’s just you up there.”
However, Melendez’s comedy school instructor told her something interesting: “The people with the most fear are the ones that are the greatest talents.” She took it to heart, and, with the help of a little nightly self-hypnosis, she hasn’t looked back.
“I swear to God, it works like a charm,” she laughs. “I hypnotize myself that I’m not going to be fearful, that I’m confident, that I’m going to do great, that I’m creative, blah, blah, blah.”
It’s worked so well that Melendez says she’s even excited for her shows these days.
“There’s always that nervousness of before the show starts – I can’t eat a few days before – but once I hit that stage, I feel great.”
And when the show is done and the diverse range of comics Melendez selects have done their bits, making the audience laugh, groan and maybe even grip their stomachs in the kind of pain only great comedy can produce, she says she feels even better.
“I hope that my husband never reads this,” she says chuckling, “but it’s better than an orgasm.”
Melendez has been enjoying that feeling for seven years now. She and co-creator Eva Longoria started Hot Tamales Live in 2002 as a vehicle for female comics of all backgrounds to gain exposure and stage time.
“I knew a few female comediennes, Latinas, and they were all complaining that they could not get on at any of the clubs. They don’t give them a shot,” recalls Melendez.
As co-producers, she and Longoria decided that they could be the ones to give their underutilized friends a chance to perform and further their own careers in the process. Melendez had seen a hosting offer for a television show fall through – she calls her proposed persona “L’Oprah, like the Latina Oprah” – and for Longoria, Hot Tamales Live was one of the actress’ first stage performances and certainly one of her first attempts at sketch comedy.
“I said to her, ‘I really want to do a show where I can show everyone that I can be a host and at the same time help other people. What can we do?’”
The answer was Hot Tamales Live, a female comedy show that combined original sketches starring Longoria, salsa dancers and comedy and hosting by Melendez. Today, that project has morphed into a touring show that in May 2009 was featured on Showtime and continues to employ some of the top female talent in the industry, a fact that Melendez cherishes.
“Basically, you have 78 percent of all comics on stage are men. So, when the industry says that women aren’t funny, there are so many more men that are funny, the reason is because they’re getting three times the exposure and the stage time. How are women going to compete if they don’t have the stage time?”
For Melendez’ show, she reverses this trend, casting Hot Tamales Live mainly with women comics like Amy Anderson, Tiffany Haddish and Jill Michele Meleán. But she always includes at least one male comic in the lineup.
“I love male comics. I think there are so many brilliant ones, but I also know for a fact that there are at least 100 amazing females, because I’ve put 100 in my show in the last seven years.”
The gender reversal isn’t the only thing that the host says makes her show stand apart. There’s music, dancing, a multi-racial cast of comedians and something else, too.
“This is not a normal stand up show,” Melendez says. “When you see our show you become spoiled about comedy…our show has a certain je ne sais quois. It has a gift that people leave with, and that is we unite races through laughter.”
While the title Hot Tamales Live indicates the Latin background of its creators, Melendez emphasizes that diversity has been a focus of its changing lineup. The comics that take the stage throughout the course of the evening, she says, are black, Asian, Persian and Jewish.
“It’s really God who puts the lineup together,” Melendez says. “Every show, no matter where I do it, how I do it, has every race represented as part of the show, so everyone feels part of it.”
The proof that it works, she adds, is in her audiences’ reactions.
“I went to Houston and Dallas and I was getting a standing ovation from white Republicans. That’s when I know that we’ve hit a chord. That’s what keeps me going.”
The other thing that clearly keeps Melendez going, hypnotizing herself at night and scouting for new talent wherever she can, is the hilarity of it all. Her laughter comes easily and often throughout the conversation, as she makes fun of her own nervousness at performing, the communal bond of dysfunctional families and how she only casts comics who are better than she is.
“If they’re better than me, they’re in. If not, I don’t book them,” Melendez giggles. “I am the bar. I think normally women would scout for women that are not as good, so they can be the star. I do the opposite.”
Melendez’s voice is lost in a flood of laughter. She’s literally cracking herself up. And the comic’s life is ripe with material. She jokes about how people mistake her as the nanny when she takes her blond, half-Scottish kids to the park.
“What do you mean how long have I been with the family?” she cackles. “I just had them two years ago.” As she’s telling the story another one rolls out, it will be added to her material soon, too. Then there’s the story about her Spanish-speaking mother’s difficulties understanding her husband’s Scottish accent, or the time her daughter thought Obama was partying in Bel Air. Comedy isn’t just Melendez’s career; it’s her way of life.
As such, Melendez isn’t content just touring with the Tamales. Seven years after debuting the show, she has big dreams for bringing her comics to more people through an ongoing television series and a regular show in Las Vegas.
“We have to continue to showcase women,” she says, suddenly serious. “I see so many females struggling in this business, and I struggled, too. My dream would be to have 100 women working – have women working on the series, have women working on the Vegas show, have women touring – and basically build an empire of female comics where they’d never have to worry about supporting their families or pursuing their dreams.”
An empire of hot tamales, if you will.
]]>
unbeliEvable E N T E R T A I N M E N T
SHOWTIME’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW
‘KIKI MELENDEZ’ HOT TAMALES LIVE!’
Saturday, October 3, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
AT THE SCOTTISH RITE AUDITORIUM
Tickets are $20 & $35 plus any additional service fees
Please visit www.tickets4anyevent.com or call 210 558-3400
Eva Longoria-Parker’s UnbeliEvable Entertainment brings some sizzling heat for the first time to San Antonio with Hot Tamales Live! This first-of-its-kind night of Laugh Out Loud diverse comedy will be in the Theatre of the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Saturday, October 3.
Direct from a successful run on Showtime, Kiki Melendez’s Hot Tamales Live! continues our celebration of the show’s 7th year with this special performance showcasing today’s top female comedians, including: Amy Anderson (Comedy Central Premium Blend), Sandra Vals (Showtime’s Latin Divas), and Thea Vidal (Thea Vidal Show on ABC). With San Antonio’s own comic Kim Kerley & Cleto Rodriguez.
About Hot Tamales Live!
Hot Tamales Live! was created by comic sensation Kiki Melendez and actress Eva Longoria- Parker in 2002 with the goal of showcasing women in comedy and "uniting humanity through laughter." The critically acclaimed, award-winning comedy variety show takes the audience on a non-stop, laugh-out-loud, 90-minute adventure featuring the hottest comics from all walks of life, special celebrity guests and the Hot Tamales Live Salsa Dancers, which will debut a Michael Jackson Salsa Tribute during this San Antonio Show.
Venue:
The Scottish Rite Box Office will open at 12:00PM on Saturday, October 3 and theater doors will open at 7:00PM. The comedy show starts promptly at 8PM. The Theatre in the Scottish Rite Library & Museum is located in the heart of San Antonio at 308 Avenue E, 210-735-6500, www.scottishritesanantonio.com.
Eva Longoria-Parker will be in attendance during the show and will welcome everyone to the show.
For media information on Hot Tamales Live!
Sponsorship Opportunities or to schedule interviews with Melendez or Longoria- Parker, please contact:
Mason PR
Stephen Chavez
210-731-6646
Congratulations America, today is the beginning of a new season of HOPE for our country…
Our show which brings a message of "Uniting Races Through Laughter" is coming to the airwaves in what seems to be God’s perfect timing!!
We are so grateful for your interest in our show. Everyone has been emailing us asking how the show went so I wanted to send a quick overview!!
Our Sho– wtime Taping on Sunday January 18th at the El Rey Theater was SOLD OUT!!!
We had beautiful audience which included many celebrities like Jimmy Smits, Wanda De Jesus, Dorian Gregory, Shondrella (Napoleon Dynamite, The Secret Lives of Bees etc), Amaury Nolasco, (Prison Break, Transformers and more), Jennifer Morrison (House) Dr Brian and Susan Evans (DR 90210) and many many more..
Maria Conchita Alonzo, who did not think she wouldbe able to attend, she had a prior commitment ….but she made a great effort to be there for the opening of the show…. that meant the world to us!!!
We are so grateful to you because we admire your work and having you there inspired the cast!!!
The cast did a stellar performance: Amy Anderson, Nadine Rajabi, Jill Michele Melean, Kira Soltanovich, The Ambassador of Looooove VALENTINO, Thea Vidal and ince we have a free trade agreement with Canada…Nikki Payne!!!! LOL
The show was PURE MAGIC!!!
The hard work of all involved: Executive Producers Scott Montoya, Neil Marshall supplied great sets and amazing lighting as well as a totally professional production.
Executive Producer David Albert Pierce was at hand making sure all was good to go!!
Thanks to amazing friends like: Birgit Muller, Karen Allman, Genea Sobel PR, Charlie Lapson, Danny Oliva, Dave Cobert, Mark/Carmen Steffens, Bonnie Rodezno, and Maria Bravo for going the extra mile to fully support our show!!!!!!
Also to EVERY SINGLE one of you who attended our live taping…We are forever GRATEFUL!
The Future….We are shooting until beginning of APRIL (behind the scenes on each performer and some hilarious sketches)
Once we deliver a final cut to SHOWTIME we will be given an AIRDATE!!!!!
As soon as we have a confirmed air date we will have a PREMIERE party (hoping for mid April for the party) for all our fans, supporters, celebrities, press, family and friends so that you can view the finished 90 minute Hot Tamales Live Special and spread the word!!!
We had an amazing response from the live audience I have included a few please read below:
Thanks so much for having us, we had an absolute ball! You really put together a captivating show. Great talent and super funny, cant wait until your next event. You’re awesome! My twins want a playdate with Guava and Mango soon! 
Love you, Dr. Susan Evans
the show was spectacular, and went at a great fast clip. you looked so fabulous and wow, do you move that booty! jerry and i just loved the show, and just think, we were there from the get go at the comedy store every month! i am typing with one hand – the cast comes off on the 30th – thank god… we love you, and can’t wait until the big premiere!
besos, lainie and jerry
I swear I felt like a proud mama as I sat and watched you! You were magnificent and the girls and Valentino of course rocked! As was gonna go out on a date with Mike afterwards but I’m glad we stayed and celebrated with you!
I love you like a sister and I could not have been more proud! You are uniting the races through laughter…so glad you mentioned it at the show!!!!!!
Lilly and Mike Coronado
Yes Kiki, the show was like Magic and you did it again!
I loved the energy and every minute of it….
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Adriano Serafini – Metatron Films
Wow!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! That was awesome. Every comic was great! We had an amazing time!!
Xoxo AMAURY NOLASCO
Dear Kiki Just wanted to say your show was the greatest comedy show I have ever seen! It was original, it was perfection and I was in tears laughing!! Thanks so much, can’t wait to see it on Showtime!!
Congrats!! Ricardo Robert
Dear Kiki, Everyone was great, everyone looked beautiful, do you realize you have a huge hit in your hands!!! Congratulations, God bless you for what you are doing. It is exactly what America needs!!!!
Karla Williams
hi kiki, just wanted to say congrats!!! the show soooo rocked!!!! and so do you!!!! your energy and love for what you do is awesome and it shows! thank you for everything you do for women in comedy and for humanity. laughter unites and heals!
love ya!! grace
I was so happy to be a part of the taping of your Showtime special. The immense talent of the performers along with the fantastic staging made me so proud to know you. I’ve supported the Hot Tamales for a while now and know how hard you’ve worked so tirelessly to get to this point. Your professionalism, perseverance and dedication to your vision is to be admired and respected. I can’t wait for you to get the acknowledgement and recognition you so rightfully earned.
Ramon Jaime
YOU KICKED ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you did a fantastic job on sunday, kiki. you looked so beautiful in your teal sweater and all of your talent, AND YOU, were right on target and very tight! you brought your cream of the crop and all of you were truly worthy of the Showtime Special. let us know when it airs! love,
Monica McFarland
Saw John (was there with Claudia) and told him to tell you hello and how great it was – hope he did? Anyway, it was so much fun, sooo entertaining. Hard to pick a favorite! Thanks, and hope to see you and the girls soon.
Best, Nancy
This is great! I was going to e-mail you too — Nancy and I had a great time. You were a wonderful host and I was laughing all the way home AGAIN. And I loved the "Canadian Tamale" — (what DO they put in the water up there???) Hilarious — I think you’ve got a hit on your hands.
All best, xx, Claudia
From the CHCI’s schedule page:
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Reyes of Comedy Night
Warner Theater
13th and E Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
Performing Artists:
- Kiki Melendez
- Bill Santiago
- Rick Najera
- Willie Barcena
- George Lopez* (invited)
- Erik Rivera
Upon my arrival from a very successful run of shows in NYC, I had a revelation, right in the middle of the night, at about 3:00 am. I heard a voice I immediately sat up in bed to listen…"You are to unite all races through entertainment and laughter" the Godly voice said to me. I was not sure I heard correctly or if I was hallucinating but I figured that is what I was doing, uniting races, showcasing women in comedy and making a lil’ difference in the world. Since then I have felt the magic of God in my life and my performance. I am not alone, I am blessed to be able to serve God and through my talent and my shows attempt to unite mankind.
In
On October 2 I went on to perform at the very high profile CHCI conference (Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute) in
This event brings out the most powerful people in politics (Congressmen and women) In Entertainment and in overall business. The most powerful Latinos are in that room and the most powerful people that want to get to know them. I was worried, I was told we had to use COMPLETELY CLEAN material and although, I am a pretty clean comic, comparatively, it always makes you second guess your material?
Latina’s Don’t PMS!
East Los Angeles Women’s Center
On Thursday, May 17th 2007
@ 8p at the World Famous Comedy Store
A few years ago, the Pharmaceutical companies conducted a nationwide study, and the survey said Latina’s Don’t PMS!
From Latin Hollywood Films, the creator and producer of the award winning show Hot Tamales Live comes, Latinas Don’t PMS! An evening of seductive comedy which features a cast of six beautiful Latinas of all shapes, sizes and Nationalities, sharing their intimate and personal, yet funny experience of being Latina- and PMS’ing.
The Original Cast From New York City includes; Host and Creator, Iris Silverio along with Inma Heredia ,Tomoko Otsuka, Alba Sanchez, Rhina Valentin. From Los Angeles, California introducing: Ada Luz Pla, Marlen Alto, and Jackie Dollar.
“Latinas Don’t PMS’ makes ‘The Vagina Monologues’ look tame.” – Robert Dominguez, New York Daily News
Created by Iris Silverio a well known Latina Producer in New York City and Co-producer Kiki Melendez Maverick Award-winner of the Los Angeles Women’s Theater Festival for her multicultural hit show Hot Tamales Live, team up to bring this amazing project to Los Angeles. This Special Preview Show will benefit The East Los Angeles Women’s Center, a non Profit Organization that brings health services to rape and domestic violence victims in the East Los Angeles community.
Proudly sponsored by Phrma, Graf Repetti & Co., Time Warner Cable, Lifetime, and Super Estrella 107.1
Exquisite Dinner Buffet 6pm-8pm
Show Promptly Starts 8PM
Advance Tickets $20.00 includes dinner!!
Call the Comedy Store now (323) 650-6268
For Press Passes and VIP Industry Comps or to schedule an Interview for the Cast
Please contact Keyla Wood at 310 441-5454.
The Bushnell Theater in Hartford, CT.
The cast of Hot Tamlaes Live!
Monday, April 30th (this Monday)
In NYC Fox 6 @ 9am-10am
In LA Fox 11 @ 10m-11am
All other areas check local listings on website
]]>
Our welcome back show was a huge sold out success!
Hot Tamales Live premiered April 2002 and FIVE YEARS LATER, we are still launching new stars and creating a platform for multi-talented and multi-ethnic performers.
We have been featured on E!, Access Hollywood, Extra, Insider, Univision, Telemundo, Fox, CBS NY, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times and much more…
We are now the longest running female Comedy/Variety show in the Nation!!!
Latin Hollywood Films, is proud to announce that Hot Tamales Live is now solely owned by our company. We are now ready for a worldwide multi media launching. Be part of the celebration!!!
Thanks to YOU, we are celebrating our Five Year Anniversary!!!
Bring everyone you know, that needs a laugh after TAX SEASON! Make your reservations now before we sell out.
Critically Acclaimed Hot Tamales Live! LA Times “Pick of the Week” for past two years!
Join us Thursday, April 26th @ 8PM
World Famous Comedy Store
8433 Sunset Blvd /cross street La Cienega
All Star Lineup: Shayma Tash, Sexy Marlo, Sunda Croonquist, Shawn Pelofsky, Shayla Rivera, Ludo Vika, Bernadette, Grace Fraga
MUCHO MACHO: “The Vince Vaughn Wild Wild West Tour” Ahmed Ahmed
Sketch Comedy: Dave Cobert, Maeria Paez, Samath Lam, Marlen Alto, Ada Luz Pla, Emanuel Gironi, Marion Davis, and Keyla Wood.
Featuring: Mr and Mrs Smith Salsa
Produced and Directed by: Kiki Melendez
Spread The Word: Hot Tamales Live Cinco De Mayo in The East Coast
Hot Tamales Live will be in Hartford, Connecticut at the Prestigious
Bushnell Theaters for tickets: www.bushnell.org
Check it Out: Our very own Vicki Barbolak a Hot Tamale, is a finalist on
America’s Funniest Mom with Rosanne Barr
On Nickelodeon: Tuesdays @ 9PM
www.kiki.e3flix.com
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, May 17th
Preview and Benefit show for East Los Angeles Women’s Center
New York’s Critically Acclaimed show "Latina’s Don’t PMS"
More info to follow….: www.kikikiss.com
]]>