The pilot for “Cristela,” ABC’s new female-focused comedy, opens with aspiring lawyer Cristela (Cristela Alonzo) telling her mother (Terri Hoyos) that she will be interviewing for an internship at a law firm. “Ah yes!” her mother quips. “A job where you work very hard and make no money! It’s what I dreamed of for you when I came to this country!” This joke is the first of many “being Mexican” jokes in the pilot, none of which seem to pander to white audiences who want permission to laugh at minorities. The jokes tumble from the actors’ mouths as deftly as Spanglish, which the pilot indulges every once in a while, crafting a fine balance between harping on stereotypes and playing with them.

Cristela lives with her older sister Daniela (Maria Canals Barrera) and her husband Felix (Carlos Ponce) while she pays off her student loans and finishes school. We meet Cristela’s niece (Isabella Day), who wants to try out for soccer while both parents insist that she be a cheerleader. “I think women should cheer for men,” Felix says. Cristela is quick to retort in a mock cheer. “Way to be regressive, Felix!” she says. “Be regressive! Be-be regressive!” It is clear from the get-go that Cristela is not in the mood for anyone’s backward bulls—, and it makes for a strong message behind the warmhearted comedy of the first episode.

Cut to the law firm where Cristela is waiting for her internship interview. She runs into the boss’s vapid daughter Maddie (Justine Lupe) who sees Cristela bent over the trash can and says, “Toss this in before you empty that.” Ouch. Realizing her mistake, the boss’s daughter then asks Cristela to validate her parking ticket. Double ouch. Cristela, quick on her feet, says, “I think you’ve been validated enough.” Do you need some ice for that burn, Maddie? Although some of the comedy may be rather predictable, Alonzo clearly shines in the role, deftly delivering lines that might otherwise feel stale.

Though Mr. Culpepper (Sam McMurray) is impressed by Cristela’s dedication to finishing law school (six years and counting because of family illness), she unfortunately bombs her interview after she unwittingly insults one of the firm’s clients, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. To be fair, he did ask her how she got across the United States from Mexico if she couldn’t swim. That would throw anyone off her game. Despite her terrible interview, Cristela eventually wins over Mr. Culpepper, and she is hired alongside Mr. Culpepper’s obtuse daughter. Mr. Culpepper tells Cristela that she has a lot to learn. Cristela aptly retorts, “So do you,” in reference to his swimming comment. This is a Latino-focused comedy that isn’t shying away from racism and instead looking to work with it through humor.

All in all, “Cristela” defies the narrow stereotypes that have plagued Latina characters for decades. Cristela is neither a “spicy” temptress with a temper nor a near-mute housecleaner (not that there is anything wrong with doing housework or being comfortable with one’s sexuality). Cristela is outspoken, loves watching football (and not just because of Tony Romo) and cracks jokes about her weight. She is juggling student loans, racial microagressions in the workplace and trying to please her no-nonsense immigrant mother. Cristela is—for lack of better words—an actual person. “Cristela” (both the show and the character) has a lot of potential and I will definitely be tuning in next week to see how she fares.