Thank God I speak English, because if I had to rely on Spanish-language television to be informed, I would think that besides the death of Antonio Aguilar, nothing else has happened on this planet.

The Mexican singer died at age 88 on June 19, and as of today (Friday June 22) nothing else has been on Hispanic television. And I don’t mean only the chismes shows. Since Tuesday, both Univision and Telemundo have opened their nightly newscasts with the details of Aguilar’s death; and for 48 hours straight, daily shows such as Telemundo’s Cotorreando and Escandalo TV have devoted one-hour specials to the event. The coverage has become ridiculously detailed, and some reporters went as far as to shed some tears on live television.

“What would Latinos be watching otherwise?,” my mom –who is visiting from Mexico– asked me. “Is there anything else?”. I was sorry to tell her there was nothing much, at least not in Spanish, the only language she understands.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the death of Antonio Aguilar was worth making it to the news but, how much longer do Spanish speakers have to hear about this?

I feel bad for Mr. Schwarznegger, but Spanish-language TV is just about to get even more viewers (yep, more of those lazy Latinos who don’t want to learn English).

El Chavo del Ocho, the popular Mexican sitcom that follows the tribulations of an 8-year-old homeless kid living in a vecindad, is now to be released in animated form in the U.S. Fifty-two half hour episodes already launched throughout Mexico and Latin America in the fall.

During a brief visit to New York City this week, the show’s creator and producer, Roberto Gómez Bolaños, told reporters the first 26 episodes will be ready to be shown this winter.

Don’t worry, Mr. Governator: plans call for El Chavo to be dubbed into English in the near future.

You gotta acknowledge Spanish-language media for their relentless coverage of all things Latino in the U.S.

After an exhaustive weekend coverage of the Puerto Rican parade in New York City, Monday’s evening Spanish-language newscasts opened with –what else?– Danny Olivas’ walk on space.

See, it’s not only because Danny is one of the few fortunate ones to have gone on a spacewalk … ever. As luck has it, his grandparents happened to be born in Chihuahua, Mexico, which gives him an enviable spot in the attention of Hispanic media.

Univision news anchor Enrique Gratas last night went as far as to close the segment with the following remark: “It was one small step for Danny Olivas, and a giant leap for the Hispanic community.”

Why? … I wonder.

Univision’s board of directors is ready for a taste of salsa. Cuba-born Gloria Estefan has just been named to Univision Communication Inc.’s newly configured board of directors.

Joining the Latin crossover sensation is Henry Cisneros, former mayor of San Antonio and former president and COO of the network.

Looking at the rest of the list, comprised by CEO Joe Uva and representatives from each one of the private-equity firms involved in the buyout, I cannot help but wonder: what exactly do Estefan and Cisneros bring to the table? Perhaps, as my friend says, it’s more the desire to pick a high profile Cuban-American and Mexican-American for the board. ¿Será?