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George Lopez keeps it real – Metro US

George Lopez keeps it real

George Lopez returns to HBO this Saturday, back for his third special for the network, “It’s Not Me, It’s You.” As for the cheeky title? Lopez says a bunch of ideas were tossed around, all derived from that simple phrase, which strikes a chord with him.

“In our society, honesty has taken a back seat to people withholding truths. They always accept responsibility when they know it’s the other person. They say ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ because they don’t want to upset anything. Direct is always better.”

For the star, whose résumé includes movie, sitcom, talk show and stand-up work, coming back to live comedy is like coming home.

“You know, in doing [television], they hire you to be you, and there’s somebody that tells you you’re being too much of you, or ‘be less of this,’ or ‘do less of that,’ or ‘that’s gonna upset people.’ But stand-up is still the freest form of expression.”

It’s worked so far for the performer. But Lopez already has his sights set on an alternate career for the future: the mayor of Los Angeles.

“I believe that Magic Johnson would be a tremendous mayor, because he’s such a great businessman and well-loved in the community. But if he chooses not to, in years in the future, I would not be opposed to making a run.” On his agenda? School reform, spending limits and … potholes?

“I have lovely rims on my cars that continue to be abused by potholes and the infrastructure of the town,” he says. “[I saw] a pothole that had a cone in the hole — like, they didn’t even put the cone outside of it, they put it in it. I didn’t realize tar had became such a commodity.”

Ladies man

The performer says he’s especially grateful for the support from two particular women in his life.

Sandra Bullock: “Sandra is a tremendous woman,” he says of the actress, who executive-produced “George Lopez” after lamenting about the lack of Latinos on TV. “I don’t think I would have had an opportunity to create, had it not been for her.”

His ex-wife, Ann Serrano: Though the newly single star says he is “not as friendly” with his ex these days, he’s “honored to be alive and creating” thanks to her 2005 kidney donation to him.