Week of 3/4: Que Pasa?

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Time to take a fun look at the only Cuban-American family to become a television hit - the Peñas of "¿Que Pasa, USA?"

The show was a United States Department of Education project to show a fictional three-generation family from Cuba settling into the United States with all the ups and downs of the late 1970s. Between 1976 and 1980, there were 39 episodes made. Topics included bilingualism, discrimination, alcoholism and drug use, homosexuality, the sexual revolution and more.

The family included grandparents Antonio and Adela (Luis Oquendo and Tampa-born Velia Martinez, who spoke perfect English in real life and was able to do so in one episode), who couldn't speak much English; parents Pepe and Juana (Manolo Villaverde and Ana Margarita Martinez Casado), working and sometimes confounded by "this country," and teenagers Joe and Carmen (Steven Bauer, then known as Rocky Echevarria, and Ana Margo, then known as Ana Margarita Menendez). Carmen had two best friends, Violeta (Connie Ramirez) and the American Sharon (Barbara Ann Martin).

Neighbors and occasional visitors included the nosy Marta (Glenda Diaz-Rigau), somewhat bigoted Mrs. Allen (Jody Wilson) and school counselor Mrs. Peabody (Hilda Wilde). Among the guest stars was a very young Andy Garcia, in one episode as Carmen's fiance. After Bauer left to try his luck in Hollywood, he was replaced by Bernie Pascual as Iggy, a cousin from New Jersey.

The show was produced by WPBT-Channel 2, the primary PBS station in Miami. Amid the laughter was a strong recognition of family quirks and moments by many in Miami's Cuban community.

The show is just as popular today. Check out the official website, whose only flaw is no detailed description of the episodes:

http://www.quepasausa.org/program.html

Full episodes can be found here:

http://www.generation-n.com/shows/quepasa/index.html

Many serious fans of the series (including me) agree that the best episode was "Citizenship," in which Joe wanted to get a college scholarship and had to become a United States citizen to do so. It was unquestionably the most emotional episode, even with the humor (particularly the scene in which Carmen and Violeta are testing the abuelos on citizenship questions!). Here's the finale:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kctvREA3Kmc&feature=related

Enjoy. And until next week, Happy Viewing!