PAUL RODRIGUEZ: Bringing the Big House Down

Comic Paul Rodriguez does time on stage in one of America’s toughest prisons, Marin County’s San Quentin, for his Fox special tonight, “Paul Rodriguez: Behind Bars.”

The one-hour docu-comedy mixes prison yard interviews with footage from a stand-up concert performed for the inmates, and featuring Rodriguez, rapper Ice-T and comedian James Stephens III.

“Paul Rodriguez: Behind Bars” marks the comedian’s second visit to San Quentin. He appeared there for Fox’s “Comic Strip Live Prime Time” special last September.

Rodriguez, the son of migrant farm workers, first came to the attention of TV audiences seven years ago in Norman Lear’s short-lived series “a.k.a. Pablo.” He also hosted the syndicated version of “The Newlywed Game.” His feature film credits include “D.C. Cab,” “Born in East L.A.” and “The Whoopee Boys.”

He currently is the host and producer of “El Show de Paul Rodriguez” (“The Paul Rodriguez Show”) for Spanish-language network Univision, and recently completed filming the Christmas musical “La Pastorela” for PBS.

Rodriguez talked about his stint behind bars and the status of Hispanics in Hollywood with Susan King.

How many days did you spend in San Quentin?

I went to visit and scout there three times, but when we shot the show I was there four days.

I would go in there from 7 in the morning and get out around 9 p.m. The warden allowed us to go to places cameras have not been allowed so far. We went to Death Row. We talked to the guys , but most of them didn’t want themselves on television.

I got to meet and talk to the infamous Richard Ramirez. It was sickening in a way. He says, “You are my favorite comedian.” Most of the time I would like a comment like that from just about anybody, but not him. He wanted my autograph. Can you believe that? I said, “I don’t want to give you my autograph,” and he said, “I will give you mine.”

I got to talk to some of the gang leaders. A lot of these guys, you know, really broke down. These big thugs, supposedly heartless, cried about missing their dogs and their moms and their kids.

I went in to do a comedy special and what I wound up getting was two specials--half of it is very serious and the other half is comedy. Ultimately, what I got was a mixture of “Scared Straight” and “Comic Strip Live.”

Did you ever fear for your life while you were in prison?

Where I was afraid was in the actual yard because the guards tell you if you are taken prisoner there is nothing they can do for you. They won’t release anybody (a prisoner) for (a hostage). I was apprehensive then because all the guards carry are radios. They don’t have weapons on the floor at all and these guys (the prisoners) could hurt you.

Can you talk about your talk show for Univision?

It goes to 17 countries in Latin America. We get thousands and thousands of letters a week. It is on here 10 p.m. on Fridays and our ratings have been tremendous. We are reaching an estimated 100 million viewers a week, which is a larger audience than Arsenio, Carson and Letterman.

When I was in the Air Force and traveled to 33 countries, I realized one thing--the whole world has a tremendous appetite for anything American. So when I pitched this idea to the heads of the network at Univision, my idea was to get American and Hispanic stars and put them together and interview them on the same show. At first, they fought me--”Our people are not going to care who Little Richard is.” I said, “You would be surprised. You are underselling them.” I have proven them wrong. We are going into our third season.

What is the project you just finished for writer/director Luis Valdez for PBS?

It is a musical, my first musical. People won’t even recognize me because I play Satan. It’s called “The Shepherd’s Play” (“La Pastorela”). At the end, I get cast into hell by none other than Linda Ronstadt.

Are you developing any new series or feature films?

I have written a couple of scripts. Paramount bought one of my scripts, but they never made it and now I am trying to buy it back. I was disgusted. I don’t want to sell any of my projects.

I understand the position of my executives. They figure, “We are taking a lot of heat from the community for not giving Hispanics opportunities, so let’s buy one of Paul’s scripts even if we don’t plan to make it.” I am tired of being used. I want them to be done. What I am pitching now is the idea of allowing me to co-produce. I want these products to be made.

Why is Hollywood so reluctant to make movies and TV series about and starring Hispanics?

A long time ago, (producer) Jon Peters told me something I have never forgotten. He said the reasons why these executives in Hollywood really don’t take Hispanics seriously is because when they go home there is a lady named Maria who is cleaning their house, a guy named Jose who is mowing their lawn, and a guy named Ramon who is cleaning their car. When Paul Rodriguez walks into their office they see me as one of their lesser employees.

I don’t think Hollywood realizes that we really aren’t a minority any longer--not in Los Angeles and certainly not in California. Across the country, they (U.S. Census Bureau) say we are 13 per cent (of the population). We are approaching the same numbers as black Americans. I’m really happy to see black Americans succeed, because I have got to believe we are next.

“Paul Rodriguez: Behind Bars” airs tonight at 10 on Fox; “El Show de Paul Rodriguez” airs Fridays at 10 p.m. on KMEX.