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By Michael Lopez

OK, can we “officially” admit that Cuban-American talk show star Cristina Saralegui was edged out of Univision? She originally said it was a mutual parting of ways when she left the network after 21 years, even implying that she may be headed into retirement. But now it is clear that is not the case, with rumors flying that Saralegui is close to signing a deal with CNN en Español.

Since the cancellation of her popular daytime talk show, Saralegui has become much more vocal about her discontent for Univision. She recently told reporters that she's been fielding several offers from such competing Spanish-language networks as Telemundo, Azteca TV and Televisa.

But according to AOL Latino, the real winner may be CNN en Español. Sources there claim that Cristina and her husband Marco Avila are in deep negotiations with the cable channel, which could potentially include a primetime show and crossovers with the English CNN network.

One thing is abundantly clear — 63-year-old Cristina is not retiring. And why should she? When she left Univision, Saralegui was at the top of her game and still scoring major interviews with stars like Ricky Martin and Shakira. With her strong connections and upbeat interviewing skills, we imagine she’ll have plenty of A-list talent ready to follow her wherever she goes.

Would you like to see Cristina back on TV? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags CNN, cristina, Cristina Saralegui, Hot Stuff, Talk Shows, Television, univision

By Michael Lopez

A while back we reported that Cristina Saralegui was ending her two-decade run as the Latina queen of the talk show circuit. And at the time, she told the press that she was happy to retire, move on, and enter “the next exciting phase” of her career. But now Saralegui’s saying something VERY different, specifically that she was forced out of her show because of old age!

Image: Getty Images

It originally looked like things were still very rosy between her and Univision, the network that carried Cristina. There was talk about future specials and retrospectives to look forward to for years to come. But after what Saralegui told The Miami Herald, a happy relationship is looking less and less likely.

“They want to change the image of the network and get rid of the older folks and replace them with youngsters. I’m too old for what they want, and I think that is because I am independent and because I give the orders.”

Ouch! Could that be true? After 21 years together, Univision would just dump her because they’re trying to attract a younger audience? The network hasn’t commented yet, but looking at their current schedule makes you wonder if she has a point.

The news shows feature tons of 30-something reporters (like Mrs. Don Omar, Jackie Guerrido), the novela casts keep cranking out fresh faces, and even Don Francisco is doing the nip and tuck to keep that youthful look. And though she DEFINITELY doesn’t look it, Cristina is now 62 years old.

It’s obvious that she still has tons of talent and a fanbase that will follow her anywhere. So we won’t be surprised at all if after her last show in November, Ms. Saralegui “un-retires” and winds up on a competitive Spanish network near you.

Source: [Latin Gossip]

Do you think Cristina should retire? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Celebrities, Chisme, cristina, Cristina Saralegui, Talk Shows, Television, univision

by Wendaline Perez

The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) hosted their annual awards ceremony, Noche de Gala at the Renaissance Mayflower hotel in Washington DC last week celebrating the organization’s 13th year of existence. Actors Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales and Sonia Braga, along with attorney Felix Sanchez, created the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts in 1997 to advance the presence of Latinos in the media, telecommunications and entertainment industries. Today, NHFA offers graduate scholarships to Hispanic students at eight colleges and universities across the United States and expands career opportunities for existing talent in all aspects of entertainment and the performing arts.

Photo via Photo-op, Inc.

NHFA’s Noche de Gala was definitely a star-studded affair, among the celebrities in attendance were Television Icon Cristina Saralegui, who was named the NHFA’s recipient of the 2010 Raul Julia Award for Excellence, Puerto Rican Actor Jimmy Smits, who is one of the founding members of the NHFA, and Mexican-Brazilian Actress, Giselle Itié, who was an honoree of the NHFA’s Horizon Award. Other celebrity guests included Tony Plana (Ugly Betty); Benito Martinez (Shield, 24, CSI, Lie to Me); Jesse Garcia (Bajo la Misma Luna); Aimee Garcia (George Lopez Show; Trauma); Jeremy Ray Martinez (La Mission)

Tr3s caught up with actor and co-founder of the National Foundation for the Art’s, Jimmy Smits, to find out more about his passion for philanthropy and his thoughts about Latinos in the media today:

"I always want us to be able to do more, but when I look at the young people who are going to Harvard, NYU… I realize that begging corporate sponsors to give a helping hand does pays off…that’s what we started 10-15 years ago with Rock the Vote, we came together to figure out how to do things so that its not just a photo-op and you really do see some kind of results.

What you realize is that the common denominator is education because if you have that springboard people who are in positions of power cant say 'well there's no real talented writer or performers who are trained.' They are out there, like yourself, so it's just about using education as a tool and having that confirmation from the outside, while believing in your talent and networking, that makes a well rounded individual which goes a long, long way.”

Jimmy Smits on the Immigration front:

"The whole immigration issue deals with the economic issue that confronts our country. Because its always been the country's policy to be lenient with immigration when there’s a necessity for a workforce, but times are tough now and people are feeling it, so they kind of displace and this is an easy way to displace but you go to every major urban area around the country and then places that are not-so urban and there are Latinos doing jobs that nobody else really wants to do, so you know I take all of that with a grain of salt but that doesn’t conclude me from saying that there are laws in this country that need to be followed and if there are set of rules that are established and people have to follow a path to citizenship, then we should. I think that most of the people are down with that."

We also caught up with actor Jesse Garcia who gave us some words of advice to share with you:

"Dream big, dream bigger than big, whatever you want just reach for it. I came from a small town in Wyoming I grew up in a town with 700 people and I’m living my dream and my dream is still bigger and I’m still achieving that."

What do you think about the NHFA's mission?  Do you think we need more Latinos representing in the media?  Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags 2010 Raul Julia Award for Excellence, Agentes De Cambio, Benito Martinez, cristina, Cristina Saralegui, entrevista, Esai Morales, Giselle Itie, Immigration, Jesse Garcia, Jimmy Smits, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, NHFA, Noche de Gala, Rock the Vote, Tony Plana

By Michael Lopez

Que lastima! Less than a year after Oprah revealed that she was saying goodbye to television, her Cuban counterpart Cristina Saralegui has announced that she’s doing the same thing. Yup, after over 20 years on the air, her groundbreaking Spanish talk show, “Cristina” is going off the air.

photo via Hispanic PR Wire

Since its major debut in 1989, "Cristina” has been a staple of Spanish television. Her professional demeanor and friendly attitude has attracted some of the biggest names in Latino entertainment. Stars like Shakira, Ricky Martin, and Gloria Estefan have all taken a seat on the legendary stage.

photo via El show de Cristina/Univisión

Of course, unlike Oprah, Ms. Saralegui wasn’t afraid to shy away from the outrageous. Throughout the years, she’s been known for her silly costumes (you’ve got to love that barrel outfit), beauty contests, and half-naked cowboys prancing on the set.

And as far as heavy-hitting goes, her dramatic interviews with former Menudo members and controversial star Gloria Trevi scored huge ratings. And by all accounts, “Cristina” is still riding high. Which makes us wonder, why the premature exit?

According to Saralegui, “It is bittersweet to announce the end of what has been a very rewarding experience, but after many wonderful years, now is the perfect time to retire the show and move on to the next exciting phase of my career.”

What exactly will that be? According to sources, she’s still under contract to Univision, which means we can expect plenty of Cristina specials in the near future. But as far as “Cristina” the show goes, the final episode is set to air November 1st and you can bet Team Blogamole will be watching (with plenty of tissues in hand).

Source: [L.A. Times]

Are you going to miss “Cristina”? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Celebrities, cristina, Cristina Saralegui, Deep Thoughts, Gloria Trevi, Menudo, Oprah, Television

Los reyes de la bachata Aventura were on El Show de Cristina esta semana setting the record straight on rumores sobre Romeo's sexual preferences y la separación del grupo.  Romeo left no room for doubt about either.

"Quiero dejar claro que no soy ni bisexual ni homosexual. No tengo un pelito de pájaro. No entiendo de dónde uno puede crear esa reputación. Hay artistas que por estilo se parten en tarima, pero yo no hago eso y no sé de donde empiezan esos rumores."

Although we think he could've used a better word than "pájaro" to make his claim, he went on to clarify that he isn't homophobic and in fact has several gay people around him that he admires and appreciates (none of whom are members in the group).

De los rumores de la separación we were surprised to find out that it's actually Henry Santos who wants to venture out and do his solo thing y no Romeo como piensa la gente. Mikey even defended Romeo saying that Tommy Mottola offered el cantante un cheque en blanco to sign as a solo artist and he turned it down!

"Vamos a hablar aquí sin hipocresía porque creo que la gente merece conocer la verdad. He tratado en muchas ocasiones de mantener este grupo unido y tengo la reputación de que soy el que quiere romper Aventura. No tengo inquietud de ser solista. Mi primo Henry es un chico muy talentoso, y por favor 'dile al público que eres tú el que quiere hacer tu proyecto como solista.'" [People En Español]

Hmm, we wonder what will come of this Aventura drama!  In the meantime, you can check out Henry Santos when he makes one special chica's dreams come true for her quinceañera on the next episode of Quiero Mis Quinces, este lunes a las 9pm EST!

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Anthony Santos, Aventura, Break-up, Chisme, cristina, gay, henry santos, Romeo

El drama de Isa TKM continúa!

With Isa's band on the outs, Isa's relationship with Alex follows suit... Sera que el fin de la banda will also be el fin de Alex y Isa?  And what will that mean para la Cristarántula?  Will she be there to pick up all the pieces and make sure Isa is left solita y triste once more?

Por otro lado, the relationship between Marina and Cristóbal keeps getting more and more distant as he follows his musical dreams.  Y las hermanas Ricalde have a plan to keep Marina down -- and away from el amor!

Watch the sneak peek of Monday's all-new episode below, y no te olvides to catch Isa TKM de lunes a viernes a las 5pm EST!

Tags alex, cristina, Cristobal, ISA TKM, Marina, Sneak Peek, Tr3s shows, Video

Isa TKM tiene más sorpresas in store la semana entrante y todos los dias!  Despues de todas sus maldades, Cristina actually apologizes to Isa.  Will Isa buy the too little, too late apology?

Or will she make la Cristarántula eat her words for causing tanto dolor de cabeza?

Elsewhere in Isa-landia, Linda tries to win el corazón de Rey por arte de magia, Cristóbal y Marina tienen una pelea de película, y también hay un romance nuevo en el colegio that leaves the rest of the class in shock!  Y por último, Alex gets a mysterious visit from un señor panzón who seems to know his mother... Quien será?

Watch the teaser for Monday's capitulo below, and get up to speed on all things Isa TKM, every Monday through Friday a las 5pm EST!  Catch up on episodes you've missed todos los sábados a las 5pm!

Tags cristina, ISA TKM, isa tkm fridays sneak peeks, maria gabriela de faria, teaser, Video

La hora de la verdad ha llegado on Isa TKM.  When Isa happens to overhear su hermana Marina talking to Cristóbal, se entera de la triste y confusa verdad de sus parientes.  Turns out Isa isn't who she's always thought she is, y ahora lo sabe todo!

Elsewhere in Isa-land, Rey seems to have finally emerged from his "posemumu" state to realize que ya no quiere nada que ver con la Cristramposa.  Y Linda está muy feliz with this turn of events!

Pero when Isa confía la verdad en su mejor amiguisa Linda, Cristina overhears the whole thing!  Will la Cristarántula have the last laugh and use esta información against su peor enemiga?

Find out what happens este lunes on Isa TKM!  Y no te pierdas todos los nuevos episodios de la hit teen novela, every Monday through Friday at 5pm EST, solo por MTV Tr3s!

Get una miradita del nuevo capitulo de Isa TKM airing este lunes right below!

Tags cristina, Cristobal, fridays sneak peek, ISA TKM, isa tkm fridays sneak peeks, Marina, rey, teen novela, Tr3s shows, Video

Las cosas se complican cada vez más on Isa TKM!

Some really sneaky secrets are about to be discovered, pero la verdad no siempre cae en las manos adecuadas!  What will happen when some intriguing secretos de Isa y su familia come to light?  And at the record store, Julio finds out that Estela has been keeping otro secreto muy serio...  Que pasará cuando Julio discovers la verdad about his long-lost love, Jennifer?

Y por otros lados, hay buenas noticias!  La Gordilinda finds out la verdad about Isa and Rey: su mejor amiga no es ninguna roba-novios and the two girls can be bestest friends again!  Justo a tiempo para celebrar Linda's inclusion en una banda de rock genial!

Pero the ultimate sorpresa in next Monday's episode??  You won't want to miss the look en la cara de Cristina when Alex finally says "No Más!"  ...Y ahora le queda el camino libre a Isa!  Let the romance begin!

Tags alex, cristina, Estela, fridays sneak peek, isa, ISA TKM, isa tkm fridays sneak peeks, Julio, linda, maria gabriela de faria, rey, Tr3s shows, Video

She may play a cute and bubbly soñadora on Isa TKM, pero en la vida real la actriz principal, María Gabriela de Faría Chacon, is one smokin' hot chica!

We recently received estas fotos exclusivas de la actriz and are blown away by este nuevo lado de la protagonista de nuestra teen novela favorita.  María Gabriela looks all grown up!  And... she's super sexy!  Alex would drop la Cristarántula en un instante if Isa showed up to el colegio looking like this, no crees?

To see more exclusive hot pics of María Gabriela, check out this photo flipbook!  Y no te pierdas todo el drama de Isa TKM de lunes a viernes a las 5pm EST y ahora también a las 8pm EST!  Catch up on repeats you've missed todos los sábados a las 5!

Photos via Daniel Alonso Photography

Tags alex, cristina, Exclusive Photos, Fotos Exclusivas, isa, ISA TKM, maria gabriela de faria chacon, Photos, press pics, Reinaldo Zavarce