Traditionally geared towards women, telenovelas are developing beyond the melodrama that fulfills viewer’s desires for fortune and glamor. They address political issues such as corruption in government and social issues such as homosexuality, drawing in a more diverse audience. Mexican telenovelas have engaged in class differences while Brazilian ones have discussed the environment and single motherhood. However being a device of social and political thought is not the main role of the telenovela. It is a program for entertainment. Different countries are geared towards individual styles; the Mexican ones are the weepers while Colombian ones are more comedic and ironic. They are also a method of bonding. Many Hispanic girls watch telenovelas with their grandmother or mom. It is a means of preserving culture in America. So although the telenovela can often be ludicris, it has an important place in popular Hispanic culture. Below is a clip from Betty La Fea, the telenovela that spawned the American show Ugly Betty.
Some popular telenovelas are:
Floricienta
Rebelde Way
Resistiré
Son Amores
Alborada
Amigas y Rivales
Por Amore
