El Rey Network's 'Cutting Crew' Exec Producer Flavio Morales Talks Barber Shop-Based Reality TV Show, Latino Camaraderie & Diversity in Lancaster, Penn. (EXCLUSIVE)
Are you in need of a fresh fade?
If you want an inventive one such as the Pittsburgh skyline, Jesus, a clothing logo, or a traditional fade with a star or even a good shave, then you might want to head to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In a little town not too far from Amish country, there's an impressive group of Latino barbers who are fierce at their craft, creating "edgy artistry" with razors, scissors and clippers.
You may have to wait an hour, but the concept, camaraderie and the natural chemistry of these barbers is so good that Robert Rodriguez's El Rey Network wanted in on the fun.
The new barber shop-based reality TV show, "Cutting Crew," is produced by BIG VIDA Entertainment for El Rey Network. Also, Sergio Alfaro, Flavio Morales, John Ehrhard and FactoryMade Ventures will take on the executive producer roles with El Rey co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa.
"Lancaster is a really interesting snapshot of what America now looks like," Morales told Latin Post in an exclusive interview.
"When I went into the little town I saw a buggy, and I heard a group of Mennonites singing in the town square. Then I went a few miles down the road, and I saw a graffiti mural and a barber shop. Thirty percent of the population is Latino. It is just this giant stew of cultures and people, and everyone gets along."
Led by award-winning barber Amit Corso, the dynamic team of stylishly daring barbers of Dominican, Puerto Rican, Ecuadorian and Ghanaian descent, who are "celebrities" in their own right, are made up of Dré Gonzalez, Alex "Controversy," Gabriel "Gaby" Rivera, Bryan Sanchez and leading ladies Destiny "Dessi" Bell and Caroline Winkler.
"Although there is serious dedication to the craft, barbering isn't the only thing going on at the shop -- in between the fades and shaves, this band of barbers finds time to bicker, debate, joke around and cook up challenges that range from testing feats of strength to more juvenile endeavors and hijinks," according to El Rey. "But in the end, it's the camaraderie in this diverse group that is at the heart of 'Cutting Crew.'"
"The barber is another version of a DJ or a hip-hop artist," Morales explained. "The teenagers on the show idolize these guys. They are the coolest guys in the neighborhood. "
Never having to fake anything or recreate scenes, Morales said they were lucky to come across a reality TV show that's more organic.
"I think that is like with El Rey, it's just a snapshot of potentially what this audience is looking like," he said. "It's a reflection of a really interesting subculture that's very American. The barber shop is an American institution."
In light of what's going on in the world with racial discrimination on the news every day, Morales adds, "What is so endearing is that the clientele is as diverse as America is."
This Latino brotherhood-type environment is welcoming to all.
"To me, what was interesting was the fact that a lot of the guys had an African-America clientele, and for an African-American guy to have a non-African-American guy cutting his hair is a big deal. It's a welcoming environment. These are top-notch guys who take their jobs seriously and they want to look good and it comes through in the show. They are the real deal.
"For me it was a thrill," Morales said of working with Rodriguez. A huge fan of "El Mariachi," he pointed out that he helped with the opening graphics of the show. "It was such a treat to have him get that involved with the show, but give us the space to do what we do."
While Morales has yet to sit in the "Cutting Crew" chair and live a little on the edge, he said that if the show gets picked up for a second season that he will commit to getting an El Rey fade on the back of his head! Stay tuned!
El Rey Network's unscripted series' "Cutting Crew," airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. beginning April 15, following the 8 p.m. ET/PT airing of "Lucha Underground," "the addictive, action-packed freestyle wrestling franchise from Emmy Award-winning producer Mark Burnett."
Check out the trailer for "Cutting Crew" on El Rey Network.