With a star that rose from unforgettable child acting roles, such as A. C. Slater in Saved by the Bell, to the forefront of today’s entertainment media, Mario Lopez is nothing short of a pop culture sensation.Now, as he turns forty, Mario looks back on his life with a newfound perspective and a humorous sensibility of how things have changed with age, divulging for the first time the endearing, surprising, and sometimes difficult experiences that shaped him into the loving father and husband he is today.In Just Between Us, Mario shares a behind-the-scenes look into his successes and disappointments in the entertainment business and how his tight-knit family and long-standing values helped keep him grounded, no matter what.With wit and candor, Mario reveals his most intimate never-before-told stories, including the details of his often tumultuous and largely public love life—giving readers a look at the ups and downs of his romantic past leading up to his happily-ever-after with his beautiful wife and their two children.This is Mario Lopez unfiltered, for the first time ever.
There isn't an honest moment in this entire book. It's meant to promote Lopez's image as a family man dedicated to his faith. It's meant to extend his "brand" (which he talks a lot about in the book) and is written like one of those fake 50s autobiographies (think Rock Hudson or Liberace) where we're supposed to believe he's the perfect all American boy. Having met him and knowing inside details about him I can tell you that much of the book may be what he would call "white lies" (that's what he called it when telling his soon-to-be-wife he was fishing with the boys when he was really having sex with college students on spring break). He even fudges his height--saying he's 5'11". He's really short and can't be more than 5'8' or 5'9"--I've stood next to him and this guy is no 5'11".
Lopez gets into almost no details about anything in his life--he skips through his career, devoting only a couple pages to the thing we all want to read about (Saved By the Bell). He offers no insight into the show other than saying that he drove two hours each way to get to work and that he stayed in public high school while starring on the show. He actually spends more time talking about his interest in boxing than in the TV show he is best known for! So if you're looking for any inside scoop on Bayside High look elsewhere (at least Dustin Diamond's book had some shocking secrets--here Lopez just blows off Diamond without addressing any of the issues).
The actual writer of the book is Steve Santagati, who is known for his cheesy love advice books for men. The book is so clearly written by someone else, in another person's voice, that it sounds nothing like Lopez. For example, multiple times in the book Lopez supposed calls himself a "triple threat." Who really does that? Even an egotistical Hollywood star like Lopez would at least pretend to have some humility. And he does pretend here but fails as he brags about virtually everything he does.
The worst part is how he blames others for his failings. The guy comes across as a sex addict and a cheater--he doesn't use those terms but considers himself a healthy normal American male who had intercourse at age 12 (yes, you read that right!), got a woman pregnant in his teens and then aborted the baby, and cheated on his first wife during his bachelor party. He essentially blames the other women for his choices and how he throws his first wife under the bus is irresponsible. It's hard to even believe his version of the truth, where he claims he chose to end the marriage after two weeks (he's the one who did the cheating, then abandoned her for work the first week of marriage!). He does not addresses the dozens (hundreds?) of other women he bedded other than alluding to there being more, such as a one-night stand with a Vegas pop star, saying he had trouble getting it up due to his drinking (but somehow he brags that he pulled it off!).
Through it all he goes back to saying how dedicated he is to "family values" and his "faith." He doesn't address the fact that he breaks every rule in the Catholic catechism.
The entire book is meant to make him look good when in truth he comes across as a jerk and a low-life cheat who can't get his addiction under control. He has two addictions actually--sex and fame. And this book doesn't help improve his image regarding either of them.
Overall, an okay memoir narrated by Mario Lopez himself. I was expecting him to talk more about his SBTB years but he barely touched on it. He did talk about his man-whore days, including his infidelity right before he married Ali Landry. The part about his hosting gig was probably the most interesting to listen to.
If you’re a victim of toenail fungus, Mario Lopez could be your newest hero. (He’s been appearing recently as the red carpet host in Jublia television commercials.) Whether you suffer from onychomycosis or not and whether you believe in the power of efinaconazole or not, Mario wants you to read his “unfiltered, unplugged and uncensored” story for several reasons. First, this 258-page memoir is supposed to “make sense of (his) crazy life.” Secondly, Lopez wanted to “acknowledge the champions and mentors who have been there for (him) at every important turning point.” Thirdly, Lopez wanted to share “the choices (he made) . . . and the consequences of those choices.” Fourthly, it’s Lopez’s list of “things (he knows) now that (he wishes he) knew then.” Fifthly, it’s “an insider’s look at show business.” Sixthly, Lopez wanted his children to know about the journey he’s taken. Finally, he wrote it for his fans.
Lopez’s autobiography, (with the writing assistance of Steve Santagati), is a study in contrasts. At one point, he describes himself as a “triple threat, well-rounded, multi-faceted, youthful Renaissance man.” But by the same token, the dimple-faced author suggests that he didn’t become “all Hollywoody.” (By the way, dimples, according to Lopez, “are actually birth defects . . . a fatigue of the muscles that never really developed in the face, thereby creating a small cavity.”) Narcissist or not, Lopez still refers to himself as “some Hollywood pretty-boy kid . . . that pretty boy with his little dimples.” At another point, Lopez admits he was “a mama’s boy.” Yet, he wrestled in high school and apparently still boxes. It doesn’t get any more macho than that.
Speaking of contrasts, Lopez claims on page 93, “I’ve never been the kind of guy who likes to think of himself as a player.” And yet, Lopez goes on to list almost every sexual conquest he’s had as a “non-player.” When it comes to Lopez losing his virginity as a twelve year-old “non-player,” it gets a little confusing. Lopez first mentions former Miss Nevada Gina Giacinto as one he made out with as a seventh grader at a dance competition. On page 97, this Gina is “a gorgeous dancer of Italian decent.” On the very next page, Lopez’s next partner in sex, Gina is described as “half Greek and exotic looking in a potentially smoldering way.” Is this the same Gina? Or, is it just a coincidence they both share the same first name? I’m confused!
Next came “non-player”sex with Patty Lynn, an assistant athletic trainer at Lopez’s high school. The author’s “much appreciation for the young ladies at this stage” led to his own out-of-wedlock fatherhood. Patty terminated that pregnancy. Only a “few months after Patty and (Lopez) broke it off,” along came Monica. The then fifteen year-old author fell “in love with a beautiful, (nineteen year-old) dancer of Italian descent.” The quality of Mario’s sex with his dance teacher Monica “was unbelievable. (They) did it everywhere, in the car, in the (San Diego dance) studio, on the mats that (they’d) pull out for cushioning.”
Other sexual conquests followed. There was the one-night sexual romp in Vegas with “a certain mega pop star. A brief tryst with Jaime Pressly led to six years of dating and just a two-week long marriage to Ali Landry, the 1998 Super Bowl Dorito commercial girl. Landry pulled the plug on that relationship after Lopez got “a little too friendly with a young lady on spring break” during the author’s “five-day nonstop (bachelor) party.”
At first, Lopez thought it was (his) “charm and devilish good looks” that tore his current wife, Courtney Mazza away from her boyfriend and into his arms. But he admits it wasn’t his dimples but his pressure---“a pressure that bordered on stalking.” Lopez describes Mazza as possessing “the four food groups of a perfect woman,” smart, quick, funny and sassy. Apparently that combination eventually led to, (for Lopez) his second child out of wedlock. Gia Francesca later served as her parents’ flower girl at their December 18, 2012 Mexican nuptials.
Despite the highly-detailed, (“no loincloth or sock to cover privates, no banana leaf, nada”), shower scene Lopez shot while playing Doctor Mike Hamoui in the cable TV series “Nip/Tuck,” this bio is not all about sex. Here we find out that pro golfer Tiger Woods can be a jerk when it comes to taking “selfies” even with other celebrities. Here we learn what we’ve always suspected. The producers mandate the questions that hosts ambush the stars with on the red carpet during awards shows. Those questions typically are too often “out of left field” and “obviously intended for controversy.” Lopez also unpacks what a Hollywood press junket looks like. “The more (movie studios) expect the film to make, the more they will spend on promoting it.”
Hosting TV reality and entertainment shows, Lopez writes, “suited the part of (him) that preferred to stay humble.” In fact, the author states later, “being humble is what makes a host great.” Is that why Lopez reveals on page 239, (in case you missed the shower scene in “Nip/Tuck”), he’s not circumcised. Nor is his son Dominic. Is that being humble enough? Lopez confesses that his ambition is to be “the Latino Dick Clark.” Well, the late legendary host of “American Bandstand” might call this tell-all-tale a case of TMI, too much information!
I think Mario is a genuinely good guy from humble beginnings who hasn't really let Hollywood get to his head. This was a quick, easy, well-written book about his childhood, acting career, and his transition to hosting, with a little bit of celebrity gossip throw in. I was disappointed with the short time he spent discussing "Saved by the Bell" but excited that he touched on my favorite childhood show, "Kids Incorporated."
Not one of my favorites even though he narrated himself. Hardly any saved by the bell days and the topics he wanted to highlight and promote were things I didn’t really care to listen to. Kind of disappointing
I'm a sucker for a celebrity memoir read by the author. This one did not disappoint. Mario is just so darned likeable and down to earth. Wish I could hang out with him and have a beer someday!
Somewhat interesting. A little "Saved By The Bell" info, but not as much as I expected. The writing isn't bad, but it isn't great, either. I feel underwhelmed, but still found it interesting enough to read. I like to see how other people live.
A/C Slater! He is a great host too. Wow he is such a great actor and story-teller. But he felt like a real down to earth person in this telling. I loved hearing about how he grew up in a border town of ChulaVista in the 80s-90s so basically Mexico and all of his hilarious family stories. His mom and dad especially. His dad was an entrepreneur and took up a lot of maybe illegal jobs to take care of his family. He smuggled people and exotic birds across the border. His and “Jessie Spano’s” friendhship was as real as it was on Saved by the Bell, as was all of the cast, they got along well. His mom I’m order to keep him out of trouble so he didn’t join a cartel or something opted to keep him super super busy. And he was a mommas boy who would never disrespect his parents so he did anything to please them. He did wrestling, boxing, karate, theater, and dance. For years. He was discovered at a dance recital at 10 years old. His first kiss was Fergie! Mario Lopez smells all the food he eats first, my husband does the same thing. He was the little Latino kid who was getting deported on Golden Girls!
I mostly remember Mario from when my son was a huge Saved By The Bell fan. This memoir seemed to be more about his sex life than anything else, which was really a lot more than I needed to know. It seemed the main purpose of the book was for him to shake that squeaky clean image. He did not dwell on the Saved By The Bell years and it is mostly complimentary of the other cast members and saying how wonderful they were to work with. The book has a lot of name dropping but not really anything earth-shattering. He seems to like and get along with everyone he worked with. His childhood was wonderful and he spends a lot of time talking about his 'jock' years. It seems his teenage years were mostly sports and girls. Throughout the book I wondered what his family must have thought when they read about all of his teenage sex stories, which started when he was 12. Ho hum! Unless you are a big fan, I would skip this one.
To be honest before reading this book I had a very vague understanding of who Mario Lopez is. I knew that he played AC Slater on Saved By The Bell and is now a host on Extra. I am also aware that he used to have a reality show on VH1 called Mario Lopez: Saved by the Baby but that's it. This book is decent however at times throughout it felt as if Mario was droning on and on. The chapters never seemed to end . The topic of Saved By The Bell was my favorite even though I have never watched the show. I'm kind of disappointed that Saved By The Bell was not discussed further. I found the fact that Mario had a whole chapter discussing his sexual escapades plain weird. I just didn't take him for being the man whore type. I guess I was wrong. My wrong assumption stems from the fact that he appears to have a squeaky clean image in Hollywood .The chapter of his time on Dancing with The Stars was fun. Overall, this book is relatively enjoyable but long.
I’ve had this book in a pile “to be read” for a while. I finally got around to reading it this weekend.
My general knowledge of Lopez is his work from SBTB and I vaguely remember his role on Nip/Tuck. I know he’s on one of those Hollywood interview shows. That’s about it.
Lopez shares his entire life story in order, which I appreciate. He is a bit flowery in language. The book begins slow. However by chapter two, he finds his rhythm and takes off. He shares a lot of juicy gossip- way more than I expected to find. I found myself googling a LOT for proof and hey, it was there. He presents an honest, self deprecating at times, persona that doesn’t feel forced or staged.
I picked up at the library to skim through while I colored with my daughter. (Because what 30 something didn't have a crush on A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell? Although for the record, I was a bigger Zack fan.)
BUT YIKES. I might have found out too much about one of my childhood crushes.
Sometimes it is just better to protect your innocent, naive self and to live in fantasy land.
As far as the actual book... -Props to him for his honesty about all sorts of topics. (Even if it was a bit disturbing to me.) -I wish he would have talked more about his time on Saved by the Bell. -Seriously, why couldn't he have added some more Saved by the Bell content?
Wow. Lopez is clearly the president of his own fan club. This guy is so sure that he has contributed to American entertainment and society as a whole. Perhaps, for those citizens who actually caught more than a passing glimpse of his Slater persona while forced to watch "Saved by the Bell" in syndication, while held as a captive audience in a dentist's waiting room, this little more than dimpled beefcake is considered an actor. Other than the fact that Lopez is uncircumcised, I learned only that if I had enough money to pay a ghost writer and a half-ass literary agent, I would be published already. This book is merely pretty fireplace tinder.
Idk I liked the decision to call people out by name and be very transparent, but this was definitely the version of himself that he wanted us to see (including calculated negative stories imo) which is your prerogative in your own book but weird to act like it's pure honesty. Then as I was reading it I just felt like I didn't like him?? In a way I couldn't really put into words, and then I googled him and it turns out he does suck pretty bad so I feel vindicated. Also I can't really fault him for this but it's wild the amount of times he name dropped someone who has since turned out to be awful hahahaha
I bought this book at Dollar Tree-because like many of my age, I liked "Saved By The Bell".
I learned a little about the show, and a little about show business, but otherwise, this was a dull, vapid autobiography. According to the book, Lopez lived a charmed "Saved By the Bell" type life, with few struggles. Everything happened magically. It would have been nice to know times when he was depressed, when things didn't go his way, troubles he had in Hollywood, but he never wrote about those.
This was a very interesting book. Mario didn't hold anything back. I didn't know anything about his personal life before. I enjoyed discovering he is a man of good character. He took a long time to settle down from his wilder younger years but seems to have gotten it together now. His faith in God seems to have helped ground him. I'm glad he has a happy life with a loving family.
This book is just what I want from a celebrity memoir.... a nice balance of backstory, some insider tidbits about showbiz, a little bit of gossip of other celebs and funny anecdotes along the way. Must admit other than saved by the bell and dancing with the stars I really had not known Mario Lopez had been so busy! Good for him! I enjoyed the book!
This book was uneventful. I feel like he is a prowler and a womanizer. I wish I had never read it and just thought of him as the actor from Saved by the Bell, a jock teenager. Now I know it never ended, his jock lifestyle is real.
A lot of humble-brag about how many women he's slept with (but he does consider himself a gentleman); very little information (about one chapter) on his experiences from Saved By The Bell, which is why most people would be drawn to reading the book.
For someone who is so young, he's done a lot with his life. He's talented and ambitious! Great to read a story of a celebrity who didn't let his life be guided by alcohol and drugs. If you want to learn about "Slater's" life, then this book is one to read.
I recommend this book. It was great to get to know Mario. What a great journey and took me back to my childhood days. It let me feel better about myself and my past. No one is perfect and the book truly changed me.
For the last five years, my Mexican boyfriend has failed to convince me that Tres Flores is just Vaseline for cholos. Mario confirmed it. It was even sweeter because their families both originate from Culiacan. One star for my victory! Other than that, this book is a self-congratulatory stinker.
Overall decent book It was good to hear the story of how Mario went from normal kid, to star, to finding a couple of jobs in his career that fit him I recommend this book for anyone wanting a fun story
I loved this actor on Saved By The Bell and there is some interesting information about what went on behind the scenes which is always a treat to read about a show that you liked. He tells his life story with a lot of heart. Good book.
I have always been a huge Mario Lopez fan, so I had to give 5 stars...I love the way he wrote it...like he was actually having a conversation with you. great read!
I enjoyed hearing about Mario's youth from his perspective. He is very funny, but he could've gone into a little more detail during a couple of his stories. Overall, I thought it was a good read.
Super interesting, I didn't think id enjoy this book but I did. Love how much respect he has towards women but I just wish he stop calling them "girls".