EDITOR’S LETTER
- Heart Of Hollywood Team
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
Goodbye to ‘Cobra Kai’ and Hello to New TV Shows, Movies, and Projects!
Spring is finally here! That makes me happy even though Cobra Kai, my favorite show, has come to an end.
I recently had the chance to engage with other fans an unforgettable event. It was part of PaleyFest, the nation’s premier TV festival, meant to brings stars and audiences together.
After a screening of the final episode at the iconic Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held, there was a panel discussion featuring the Executive Producers and Writers of the series, the Fight Coordinator, and actors Ralph Macchio, Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, and Gianni DeCenzo. They reflected on the profound impact of the series. William Zabka, who plays main character Johnny, was not present but appeared on a prerecorded video.
One detail that stood out during the panel was something I’ve heard before: that Cobra Kai was pitched as a show for viewers “from 7 to 70.” That’s no exaggeration. It can bring sentimental tears to many Gen Xer’s eyes, thanks to music from legends such as AC/DC, Queensrÿche, and Guns N' Roses. The younger actors ensure it’s relatable for the newer generations and truly for anyone who has ever been an underdog.
The plot unfolds in the San Fernando Valley, which makes the series especially fun to watch for people who are familiar with this area in Los Angeles County. And everyone who also viewed the original Karate Kid movie, which spawned Cobra Kai, grows to understand that any incident might be perceived differently by different people, which is a great lesson for life in general.
Ralph mentioned how Cobra Kai is Johnny’s redemption story and described the series as nostalgic yet relevant. I couldn’t agree more and am looking forward to the May release of Karate Kid: Legends, a film set in the same universe as Cobra Kai.
In this issue, we’re diving into several other TV offerings that might be perfect for your next binge session. We’ve also rounded up some brief movie reviews, including one that features none other than Martin Kove (aka John Kreese from Cobra Kai). He’s in Queen of the Ring, an inspiring biographical drama about a single mom who defies the odds and becomes a successful wrestler.
On another exciting note, our Founder and Publisher Giovanna Salas just announced that the amazing Gilda Baum-Lappe, a longtime Golden Globes voter, has joined the Heart Of Hollywood Magazine team as our new Editorial Advisor. Gilda wrote this month’s feature about Snow White, a new take on a classic film.
And to celebrate the arrival of spring, Giovanna chose to feature a mixed-media illustration of mine on the back cover. Titled “Mermaids”, it depicts young women doing their own thing in a beach setting.
Hope you are enjoying this new, warmer season as much as the girls I drew appear to be doing. And if you’re an artist yourself and would like your works to potentially be featured on our website, please drop us a line.
In the meantime, thank you for joining us for this one!
Love,
Sandy Rodriguez
Editor, Heart Of Hollywood Magazine
P.S. Follow me on Instagram for movie, TV show, restaurant, music, and book reviews @choosetoprevail . Choose to Prevail , by the way, is the title of an award-winning book I wrote. Some readers say it helped them feel more confident, ready to face whatever the day has in store. Find over 100 reviews at https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Prevail-Unexpected-Insights-Challenges/dp/1098327780/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title .
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