Episode Information

In “Half Like Me”, actor, comedian and “Daily Show” correspondent, Al Madrigal, takes us on a Pocho quest as he explores the confusing reality of being half—and dealing with white people who think he’s Mexican and Latinos don’t think he’s Latino enough. Growing up, Al was the portrait—albeit the slightly brown version—of a red-blooded American: suburban neighborhood, preppy high school and a love of football. Add to that not speaking Spanish or being able to properly pronounce his own name, Al has earned a perfect 10 on the Pocho meter…but he hasn’t earned the Mexican citizenship his dad recently gifted him. In this one-hour docu-comedy, we’ll follow Al as he gets a therapy session from the “godfather of all Mexicans,” Jorge Ramos; tunes up his fútbol game with LA Galaxy star, Omar Gonzalez; goes back to school to learn Spanish…from American elementary school kids; debates keeping Mexicans out of the U.S. with the founder of the border watchdog group, the Minuteman Project; hits the mosh pit with young, Latino punk band members in South Central; talks about being an outsider on both sides with historian and Latino studies professor, Dr. Vicki L. Ruiz; and challenges living legend and Oscar winner Speedy Gonzales on playing up stereotypes.Al’s journey comes to a close with a tequila and carnitas-filled family reunion, a machete to the head and finally feeling at home—arriba cinco!