Click here to visit the new home of ParentDish!

Hot on HuffPost Parents:

 

Mario Lopez: From 'Saved By the Bell' to 'Saved By the Baby'

by Ilyssa Panitz (Subscribe to Ilyssa Panitz's posts)
Nov 1st 2010 3:30PM

1Comments

Filed under: Celeb Parents, New In Pop Culture, Celeb News & Interviews


mario lopez baby picture

With a new baby and a new show, Mario Lopez has reasons to show off those dimples. Credit: Beverly Basden

Mario Lopez has cut a rug on "Dancing With the Stars," flashed his dreamy dimples as A.C. Slater on "Saved By the Bell" and regularly hangs with celebrities as the host of the syndicated TV series "Extra."

Now, Lopez is also starring in a new VH1 reality show, "Saved By the Baby," which premieres this week. In September, his long-time girlfriend, Courtney Mazza, gave birth to the couple's first child, daughter Gia Francesca Lopez, now 6 weeks old, and the show chronicles his countdown to fatherhood.

While sitting on the sidelines of the San Diego Chargers versus Tennessee Titans game in San Diego Oct. 30, with a Canon EOS Rebel camera in hand, Lopez (who hails from San Diego and is a Chargers fan) called ParentDish to gush about baby Gia and dish on his new show.

PD: Congrats on becoming a father.
ML: Thank you so much. I love it.

PD: So, how would you describe the ride so far?
ML: It has been awesome. Every moment has been great and I just never want to miss a second away from her.

PD: What has been the biggest shock?
ML: It wasn't that much of a shock because people warned me about the lack of sleep. But what was a shock was learning when you have to be at work you still need to be able to function at the same time.

PD: So you are a pro at those 3 a.m. feedings?
ML: Those feedings are tough, but I do it.

PD: If you can handle that, how are you on diaper duty?
ML: I am better on diaper duty. I would give up the 3 a.m. feedings and trade it in for full-time diaper duty any day.

PD: Why the name Gia?
ML: Gia Francesca is an Italian name because her mother is 100 percent Italian and wanted an Italian name. Me being Spanish/Mexican, you get the Lopez.

PD: So you guys came up with the name together?
ML: My sister actually suggested it and we love it, so we went with it.

PD: How has life changed since Gia entered the world?
ML: Everything is more intensified. I drive more carefully, I work out much harder, I wake up earlier to play with her and I want to get home sooner to see her. Gia makes me appreciate life a little bit better.

PD: Do you sit and read to her?
ML: Yes. I read her my "Mud Tacos" book I wrote.

PD: So, you are basically hooked?
ML: Yes. Gia has so much love.

PD: So, because you are a Chargers fan does this mean you are dressing her in Chargers onesies?
ML: Well, mom is from Pittsburgh, so Gia has a lot of Chargers and Steelers onesies.

PD: Your former co-stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tiffani Thiessen are also parents. Did they give you any advice?
ML: Tiffani and I went through the experience around the same time. We are so thrilled to have babies around the same age. We can't wait to organize play dates soon.

PD: A lot of people say having a baby is both magical and stressful on a relationship. Do you agree?
ML: I guess if you allow it to be stressful, it will be. Look, the more tired you get the more cranky you get. But we are there for each other and I think it has helped us bond even more. Gia has definitely brought us closer together.

PD: Aside from becoming a new dad, you are also starring in a new VH1 reality series called "Saved By the Baby." Tell me about that.
ML: It is all about me becoming a dad. You will follow me on all of my different jobs, out with my friends and taking the trip to becoming a first-time father. The show debuts on Monday, Nov. 1 on VH1 and I am really happy with how it came out.

PD: Will Gia make her small screen debut?
ML: Yes, in the end she does.

PD: How many episodes is the show?
ML: There are 10 episodes and each is 30 minutes in length.

PD: Does that mean your Playboy image is a thing of the past?
ML: Yes. I am now 100 percent a family guy.

PD: So maybe you will tie the knot on TV?
ML: If she will have me, yes. I think the jury is out right now if she will keep me or not.

Tags: mario lopez, MarioLopez, saved by the baby, saved by the bell, SavedByTheBaby, SavedByTheBell

Your<span>Voice</span>

Ask Us Anything About Parenting

Get Answers

Recently Asked

More Related Questions

ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)

Add Your Comments

FollowUs

Flickr RSS

TheTalkies

AskAdviceMama

How can I get my teenage son to open up?
AdviceMama Says:
Start by teaching him that it is safe to do so.
Read more

More Recent Questions: