Eddie López (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Manuel Eduardo López Rolón a.k.a. Eddie López (1940–1971) was a Puerto Rican journalist.
Eddie López was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
in 1940, the son of Manuel López Canals (former employee of the Department of Agriculture/Forest Service) and Teresa Rolón Perez (home maker). He lived in Fajardo, Mayagüez, Toa Alta, Bayamón
and Guaynabo where he finally settled with his wife until his death. He attended Santa Rosa High School in Bayamón, and did two years at Notre Dame University in Indiana.
His first job after leaving college was at El Mundo
newspaper in 1959, where he worked for two years prior to joining The San Juan Star
in July 1961. He worked as a reporter until 1963 when he was named assistant city editor.
In 1966 he advanced to city editor until one year later, when by his own choice he became a special writer and full time columnist.
López was the kind of rare writer who was equally successful as both a comedy and news writer. He was a script writer for Tommy Muñiz
productions as well as a frequent guest on WAPA-TV
's Esto no tiene nombre, a Puerto Rican comedy television program almost directly based on the American television program, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. López's first script was inspired by Orson Welles
'radio broadcast adaptation of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds, and described the fictional uprising of Puerto Rico's outlying islands, Culebra, Monito and Mona (whose names in Spanish are also animal names), under the leadership of a mock veterinarian
, played by López himself. The script was reportedly so well written that the station's general manager, Norman Louveau, was awakened later that night by law enforcement officials who had received many telephone calls from concerned citizens asking whether the uprising was real. Tommy Muñiz was forced to clear things up the following morning on another television program of his.
López was also a panelist of the political debate TV show Ante la prensa, as well as the moderator for Cara a cara ante el pais, whose format is still mimicked by political debate shows in Puerto Rico, almost four decades after the show's first airing.
Fluent in English and Spanish, extraordinarily well and diversely read, he frequently did translation work.
As a newspaper columnist, he was perhaps better known for his "Candid Flowers" (a plausible literal translation of his main character's name "Candido Flores"). These were a series of Spanish stories that relied heavily on local slang, that he then would translate literally and word for word into English. The end result would be a hilarious short story that would only be decipherable by someone who was fluent in both languages.
Eddie's love for the arts and his vast knowledge of classical music made him a well known critic of the genre.
After finding out he was severely sick with cancer, and having started radiotherapy, he had an idea for a political parody, in which he could lampoon current political wrongdoings and blame it all on his gamma ray
treatments. López recruited the equally talented Jacobo Morales
, who had the idea of taking Eddie's newspaper parodies and blending them with previously censored TV scripts to produce a political parody stage show. Morales shared comedy duties with Horacio Olivo
on Esto no tiene nombre, and was a reciting poet on Silverio Pérez
's jibaro
music television program, Borinquen Canta, and because of this, he assembled them for what they expected would be a one-time only show.
Bob MacCoy, then entertainment editor for the Star suggested the title.
The result was, "El efecto de los rayos gamma sobre Eddie Lopez" (“The effect of gamma rays on Eddie Lopez”, now known as Los Rayos Gamma
or “Los Gamma” for short), the name being a take-on on the then-current play The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
.
A tremendous success, the string of sold out shows in late 1968 turned into a record breaking sensation. Using nothing but his charismatic sense of humor, Eddie López managed to get sworn political enemies into one room and have them all laugh at themselves. The strategy worked, and some claim the show helped ease political tension in Puerto Rico.
Eddie died in November 1971, at the rather young age of 31. He left behind a loving wife and three boys. His valor and strength of character carried him through his last days. His last shows were done from a wheelchair -with an oxygen tank by his side,- and his very last show occurred three days before his death. He managed to make people laugh until the end, and only felt sorry that he could not do more.
In 1972, The Best of Eddie Lopez, a collection of his columns selected by Lopez himself, was published by Ediciones Puerto, Inc. with a prologue by Juan M. Garcia-Passalacqua. This collection is a great sampler of the wit and humor of this very funny man. A master of spoofs and plays on words of current events. A few of the articles especially the one entitled "Political Verbiage" is timely today.
Shortly after his death, the Overseas Press Club
of Puerto Rico announced that it would establish a yearly award to "most distinguished contribution to journalism" known as the Eddie López Special Award.
After his passing, Los Rayos Gamma would go on as scheduled per his request. "The show must go on" he insisted. Friend and fellow comedic actor, Efraín López Neris
(already added to the roster) would take Eddie's place, while an empty chair would be left on stage in his honor. Eventually, "Los Gamma" became a popular TV show, and ultimately would make its way back to the stage just around each election year, this time with the help of well known comic Sunshine Logroño
filling Eddie's shoes.
Eddie was buried in the old San Juan
cemetery, alongside Puerto Rican heroes like José de Diego
, and Pedro Albizu Campos
. His funeral was attended by governors, senators, colleagues, and members of the media.
His satirical journalism style is still taught at the University of Puerto Rico
, and his "Rayos Gamma" was left in very good hands.
Eddie López was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Fajardo is a small city in Puerto Rico located in the east region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Ceiba and east of Luquillo.Fajardo is spread over 7 wards and Downtown Fajardo , which serves as the administrative center of the city...
in 1940, the son of Manuel López Canals (former employee of the Department of Agriculture/Forest Service) and Teresa Rolón Perez (home maker). He lived in Fajardo, Mayagüez, Toa Alta, Bayamón
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
and Guaynabo where he finally settled with his wife until his death. He attended Santa Rosa High School in Bayamón, and did two years at Notre Dame University in Indiana.
His first job after leaving college was at El Mundo
El Mundo (Puerto Rico)
-History:El Mundo was founded in 1919 by Romualdo Real.In 1929, former corrector-turned-administrator Angel Ramos and journalist José Coll Vidal, bought the newspaper when Real retired. In 1946 Ramos was the sole owner of the newspaper.-Acquisitions:...
newspaper in 1959, where he worked for two years prior to joining The San Juan Star
The San Juan Star
The now-defunct The San Juan Star was an English-language, Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The newspaper was published by Star Media Network, a subdivision of San Juan Star, Inc., which once owned San Juan City Magazine, El Mayagüez Star, and El Ponce Star.The...
in July 1961. He worked as a reporter until 1963 when he was named assistant city editor.
In 1966 he advanced to city editor until one year later, when by his own choice he became a special writer and full time columnist.
López was the kind of rare writer who was equally successful as both a comedy and news writer. He was a script writer for Tommy Muñiz
Tommy Muñiz
Lucas Tomás Muñiz Ramírez , better known as Tommy Muñiz, was a Puerto Rican comedy and drama actor, media producer, businessman and network owner...
productions as well as a frequent guest on WAPA-TV
WAPA-TV
WAPA-TV is an independent television station located in San Juan, Puerto Rico transmitting over digital channel 27, virtual channel 4. The station is owned by InterMedia Partners and is branded as WAPA Television....
's Esto no tiene nombre, a Puerto Rican comedy television program almost directly based on the American television program, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. López's first script was inspired by Orson Welles
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
'radio broadcast adaptation of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds, and described the fictional uprising of Puerto Rico's outlying islands, Culebra, Monito and Mona (whose names in Spanish are also animal names), under the leadership of a mock veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
, played by López himself. The script was reportedly so well written that the station's general manager, Norman Louveau, was awakened later that night by law enforcement officials who had received many telephone calls from concerned citizens asking whether the uprising was real. Tommy Muñiz was forced to clear things up the following morning on another television program of his.
López was also a panelist of the political debate TV show Ante la prensa, as well as the moderator for Cara a cara ante el pais, whose format is still mimicked by political debate shows in Puerto Rico, almost four decades after the show's first airing.
Fluent in English and Spanish, extraordinarily well and diversely read, he frequently did translation work.
As a newspaper columnist, he was perhaps better known for his "Candid Flowers" (a plausible literal translation of his main character's name "Candido Flores"). These were a series of Spanish stories that relied heavily on local slang, that he then would translate literally and word for word into English. The end result would be a hilarious short story that would only be decipherable by someone who was fluent in both languages.
Eddie's love for the arts and his vast knowledge of classical music made him a well known critic of the genre.
After finding out he was severely sick with cancer, and having started radiotherapy, he had an idea for a political parody, in which he could lampoon current political wrongdoings and blame it all on his gamma ray
Gamma ray
Gamma radiation, also known as gamma rays or hyphenated as gamma-rays and denoted as γ, is electromagnetic radiation of high frequency . Gamma rays are usually naturally produced on Earth by decay of high energy states in atomic nuclei...
treatments. López recruited the equally talented Jacobo Morales
Jacobo Morales
Jacobo Morales is an auteur, whom many consider to be the most influential film director in Puerto Rico's history.-Life and career:...
, who had the idea of taking Eddie's newspaper parodies and blending them with previously censored TV scripts to produce a political parody stage show. Morales shared comedy duties with Horacio Olivo
Horacio Olivo
Horacio Olivo is a well known Puerto Rican actor, comedian, TV and radio personality, as well as a classically trained singer.Born in Dorado, Puerto Rico, he got his start in show business in 1949 at long defunct WNEL as a radio soap opera actor....
on Esto no tiene nombre, and was a reciting poet on Silverio Pérez
Silverio Pérez
Silverio Pérez is a musician, comedian, entrepreneur and broadcasting media host, born in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. He is known for several reasons, among them:* hosting several successful Puerto Rican television shows during his career....
's jibaro
Jíbaro
Jíbaro is a term from the Taíno words "jiba" and "ro", that means forest people, commonly used in Puerto Rico to refer to mountain-dwelling peasants, but in modern times it has gained a broader cultural meaning.-History:...
music television program, Borinquen Canta, and because of this, he assembled them for what they expected would be a one-time only show.
Bob MacCoy, then entertainment editor for the Star suggested the title.
The result was, "El efecto de los rayos gamma sobre Eddie Lopez" (“The effect of gamma rays on Eddie Lopez”, now known as Los Rayos Gamma
Los Rayos Gamma
Los Rayos Gamma is a Puerto Rican comedy troupe specializing in political satire. The group was founded in the late 1960s and is currently composed of:* Sunshine Logroño - comedian, actor, host, singer, producer...
or “Los Gamma” for short), the name being a take-on on the then-current play The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds is a 1964 play written by Paul Zindel, a playwright and science teacher. Zindel received the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for the work. The play's world premiere was staged in 1964 at the Alley Theatre...
.
A tremendous success, the string of sold out shows in late 1968 turned into a record breaking sensation. Using nothing but his charismatic sense of humor, Eddie López managed to get sworn political enemies into one room and have them all laugh at themselves. The strategy worked, and some claim the show helped ease political tension in Puerto Rico.
Eddie died in November 1971, at the rather young age of 31. He left behind a loving wife and three boys. His valor and strength of character carried him through his last days. His last shows were done from a wheelchair -with an oxygen tank by his side,- and his very last show occurred three days before his death. He managed to make people laugh until the end, and only felt sorry that he could not do more.
In 1972, The Best of Eddie Lopez, a collection of his columns selected by Lopez himself, was published by Ediciones Puerto, Inc. with a prologue by Juan M. Garcia-Passalacqua. This collection is a great sampler of the wit and humor of this very funny man. A master of spoofs and plays on words of current events. A few of the articles especially the one entitled "Political Verbiage" is timely today.
Shortly after his death, the Overseas Press Club
Overseas Press Club
The Overseas Press Club of America was founded in 1939 in New York City by a group of foreign correspondents. The wire service reporter Carol Weld was a founding member...
of Puerto Rico announced that it would establish a yearly award to "most distinguished contribution to journalism" known as the Eddie López Special Award.
After his passing, Los Rayos Gamma would go on as scheduled per his request. "The show must go on" he insisted. Friend and fellow comedic actor, Efraín López Neris
Efraín López Neris
Efraín López Neris is a Sephardi Puerto Rican actor, producer and cinematographer that has had a long trajectory in Puerto Rico's national artistic scene....
(already added to the roster) would take Eddie's place, while an empty chair would be left on stage in his honor. Eventually, "Los Gamma" became a popular TV show, and ultimately would make its way back to the stage just around each election year, this time with the help of well known comic Sunshine Logroño
Sunshine Logroño
Emmanuel Logroño , better known as Sunshine Logroño is a Puerto Rican actor, radio announcer, television show host, singer, comedy writer, entrepreneur and comedian...
filling Eddie's shoes.
Eddie was buried in the old San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
cemetery, alongside Puerto Rican heroes like José de Diego
José de Diego
José de Diego y Martínez , known as "The Father of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement", was a statesman, journalist, poet, lawyer, and advocate for Puerto Rico's independence from Spain and from the United States....
, and Pedro Albizu Campos
Pedro Albizu Campos
Don Pedro Albizu Campos was a Puerto Rican politician and one of the leading figures in the Puerto Rican independence movement. He was the leader and president of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party from 1930 until his death...
. His funeral was attended by governors, senators, colleagues, and members of the media.
His satirical journalism style is still taught at the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
, and his "Rayos Gamma" was left in very good hands.