I for one am very saddened by this news. This is how I first learned Spanish…
Taco Bell Chihuahua, Gidget, dies at 15
July 23, 2009
Gidget the Chihuahua, whose Taco Bell commercials made her a star, has died. She was 15.
The owner of Studio Animal Services in Castaic says Gidget suffered a massive stroke late Tuesday at her trainer’s home in Santa Clarita and had to be euthanized.
Gidget was the sassy mascot in Taco Bell commercials from 1997 to 2000. While other dogs had bit parts, it was her bug-eyed, big-eared face that was seen pronouncing “Yo quiero Taco Bell,” Spanish for “I want Taco Bell,” in a male voice dubbed by Argentine actor Carlos Alazraqui. A few years later, Alazraqui landed the role for which he is best known: Deputy James Garcia on Comedy Central’s “Reno 911!”
The Taco Bell ads provoked some criticism from activists who said they used Mexican stereotypes.
Gidget also had a role in the movie “Legally Blonde 2,” but others associated with the ad campaign weren’t so lucky. Earlier this year, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the creators of the Chihuahua character hadn’t been properly compensated for their work, and Taco Bell was ordered to pay $42 million.
Gidget’s trainer, Sue Chipperton, in an interview earlier this year with the People Pets website, described the diminutive dog as a consummate professional on the set. But, she said, Gidget had been the victim of typecasting, which limited her career choices (or, rather, Chipperton’s choices on her behalf).
– Lindsay Barnett
‘Addams Family’ set for Broadway
“The Addams Family” musical has found a home on Broadway. Its producers said Wednesday the show will open April 8 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Previews will begin March 4 after a Chicago tryout that starts in mid-November.
As previously announced, Nathan Lane will play Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth will be his wife, Morticia, in the production. Also in the cast are Kevin Chamberlin as Uncle Fester, Jackie Hoffman as Grandma and Zachary James as the butler Lurch.
– associated press Daughtry album bumps Jackson’s
It took an “Idol” to supplant an icon. Michael Jackson has posthumously had the top-selling album in the U.S. for the last three weeks, but the honor now belongs to Daughtry, led by former “American Idol” contestant Chris Daughtry. The act’s second effort, “Leave This Town,” sold 269,000 copies in the U.S. during the week ended July 19, according to Nielsen SoundScan, placing it at No. 1 on the U.S. pop charts.
Jackson’s hits collection “Number Ones” added an extra 192,000 to its sales total during the same period. But that’s down significantly from the 349,000 copies it moved the previous week, hinting that Jackson’s sales momentum may be slowing — at least until concert promoter AEG releases a tribute film.
All told, 647,000 Jackson albums were sold last week, down from the 1.1 million the previous week.
– Todd Martens CBS channels to rebrand newscasts
CBS-owned KCBS Channel 2 and KCAL Channel 9, which make up the largest duopoly in the U.S., announced their intention Wednesday to introduce a shared name for the stations’ combined 64-plus hours of live local newscasts each week. The new brands CBS 2 NewsCentral and KCAL 9 NewsCentral will debut this fall.
“While our anchor teams will remain attached to their current newscasts,” said Patrick McClenahan, president of the two stations, “viewers will be able to count on the combined forces of both stations for an improved and more consistent focus on local news coverage — 11 hours each weekday, beginning at 5 a.m. and continuing to 11:35 p.m.”
– Greg Braxton ‘L.A. Law’ judged top legal drama
The verdict is in from a 12-member jury of the American Bar Assn.: “L.A. Law” topped “Perry Mason” as the best legal drama in TV history.
Despite a testament to “Perry Mason” by U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor during her confirmation hearings last week, the TV drama starring Raymond Burr came in second to the series depicting the fictional L.A. firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney & Kuzak.
Rounding out the top five are “The Defenders,” “Law & Order” and “The Practice.”
– Carol J. Williams White Stripes on the big screen
While Jack White is touring in support of his latest indie group the Dead Weather, it was announced this week that the band that shot him to fame, the White Stripes, will release a concert film in the fall.
Directed by Emmett Malloy, “Under Great White Northern Lights” follows Jack and Meg White across Canada, where they went out of their way to play unconventional venues such as a city bus and a bowling alley. It premieres at the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 19.
– Scott T. Sterling Finally
LACMA en Español: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art went bilingual on Twitter on Wednesday. The museum launched account @enLACMA to provide Spanish-language tweets to online users.
Sunset Strip fest: The second annual Sunset Strip Music Festival, set for Sept. 10-12, will shut down the Strip between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard for its final day, organizers said Wednesday. The lineup includes Chris Cornell, Pepper, Kottonmouth Kings, LMFAO, Shwayze, Shiny Toy Guns and the Donnas.



