With the recent launch of George Lopez's Monday-through-Thursday TBS talk show, "Lopez Tonight," late night starts to resemble the country's population.

Two weeks ago, Wanda Sykes kicked off her Fox Saturday night show. It's not as if any black woman has an easy time of it, but she at least follows Whoopi Goldberg, who had a talk show and remains on "The View."

Though the United States is home to an estimated 46.9 million Latinos, making up 15 percent of the population, according to the latest census data available, Lopez is the first to host a national talk show. He seems calm facing the task of filling four hours a week. And by now, most people know even President Barack Obama is aware of the show, as endless promos have shown.

Lopez plans to keep "Lopez Tonight," which hadn't begun taping at this writing, feeling genuine. On the day he chatted with Zap2It.com, he was en route to hosting a PBS music special at the White House.

Q: Why did you want to host a sitcom? A: I would have to say that I don't think I ever did. The sitcom was more. First I wanted to be a comedian, then I started on a low level. I wanted to do 'The Tonight Show,' not host it, just do it. I did when Carson was host. Then I saw Arsenio, and I have done every show, and I filled in for Regis. When I was on Kimmel, he said, 'Would you consider guest hosting one night?' Absolutely. Jim Paratore, my partner on the show, came to me in '04 when Rosie (O'Donnell) was on and asked me. I told him I've got a job. (I'll do it) when this one is over.

Q: Why is now the right time? A: In campaigning with Obama, and success with the syndication, and the diversity and broad spectrum of ages ... and knowing that TV is wider than it was in the '70s, I think it would be a lost opportunity to not do something at a very significant time.

Q: What's your goal for the show? A: To create a show that gets talked about the next morning. To create a sense of pride for my own people, but to also galvanize the divisions on small levels that happen in schools and at work and in different areas – that you have something you can talk about, a conversation starter or icebreaker.