Kiki credits her sense of humor to her childhood. She spent her early years in New York City, watching mainstream televisions shows such as The Brady Bunch and Bewitched during the day and telenovelas in the evening. During her adolescence, Melendez's family moved to a predominately Jewish community in North Miami . She often jokes about her being the only kid required to go to school on Jewish holidays.

Bill Santiago is the first born of at least four children. He became a standup after narrowly escaping a career in journalism, facing the fact that as a comedian he was funny, but as a reporter he was a joke.

It’s been said he was born to Puerto Rican immigrants, which is technically untrue, as Puerto Ricans are US citizens. Although, he’s got an uncle who was once deported to the Bronx.

His new book, titled “Pardon My Spanglish ¡Porque Because!” -- promising laughs for Latinos and the Latino-curious -- is based on his first television special, “Comedy Central Presents: Bill Santiago,” which won over fans nationwide for Santiago’s dead-on observations about Spanglish – “twice the vocabulary and half the grammar!” and his beloved catchphrase “¡Porque because!”

Notably, his Comedy Central special premiered May 5, Cinco de Mayo, in a shrewd programming decision to attract a wider Latino audience, despite his not being Mexican (allowable under the “close enough” clause in his contract.

He has also appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend,” “Que Locos,” “American Latino,” and is scheduled to appear on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” this fall. Last year, he hosted the Latin Grammy Person of the Year Award ceremony, honoring Juan Luis Guerra (the tallest Dominican he’s ever met), at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.

Formerly an awarding-winning journalist (despite his worst efforts), he contributed regularly to newspapers including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe and Philadelphia Inquirer. While living in Puerto Rico, he worked as a staff writer for the San Juan Star. He was also a humor columnist for Mother Jones magazine online.

When not on stage, he enjoys curling up with a good book or a well-read, Spanglish-speaking woman. He lives in New York City.

Praise for Bill’s standup:

‘Playfully explores the subject of biculturalism’
-- New York Post

“Like George Carlin in his prime, Santiago is expert at honing in on the way language reveals society’s bizarre fixations.”
-- The San Francisco Examiner

For more information, video and clips, and to see Bill’s updated calendar of appearances:

www.billsantiago.com
www.myspace/billsantiagocomedy
www.pardonmyspanglish.com  

On the corporate side, Najera is currently Vice President of Development for LATV, a bilingual television network that launched nationally with Post Newsweek in April 2007, and is responsible for creating new original content to this network. Najera recently created, developed and executive produced three new cutting edge comedies for the LATV network: ‘The Homies Hip-Hop Show’, ‘Ceasar and Chuy’(co-creator), and Mas Comedy which have already proven themselves to be ratings winners. ‘The Homies Hip-Hop Show’ is a half hour sketch comedy and hip-hop show using the internationally popular two-inch ‘Homies’ figurines, and is the first nationally syndicated Latino stop-motion animation series on LATV. ‘Ceasar and Chuy’ is a half hour series based on two animated characters that provide comedy relief to a host of today’s popular videos. Mas Comedy is a half-hour compilation of Latino stand-up comedians and hilarious comedy sketches. Najera lends writing and vocal talents to the series and has led efforts in creating a new genre for this network television station.

Willie’s talent has garnered him 10 appearances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Jay even invited Willie to perform for the troops in Afghanistan. Barcena helped provide much-needed laughter to that part of the world.

Willie’s numerous jobs prepared him for his comedy career. His security guard, plumber, roofer, and limo driver gigs gave him a background for his humor about everyday life. After 12 years of stand-up road work Willie is now ready for new challenges. He has written and performed a one-man show entitled "Cry Like a Man." This highly acclaimed performance demonstrates the struggle of a blue-collar comic in today's society.

In addition to being a comedy road warrior, Willie has appeared on many TV shows including: "Moesha," "The Wayans Brothers," and he was chosen to be the host of the popular Si-Tv production "Latino Laugh Festival - The Show."