The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines on Sunday with a blockbuster trade for Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, but the team's weekend buzz wasn't confined to the mound. A video posted by actor and TV host Mario Lopez turned heads for all the wrong reasons, igniting a firestorm of criticism online.
Lopez, best known for his role on "Saved by the Bell" and as host of "Access Hollywood," shared an AI-generated clip from Dodger Stadium on Sunday. The video featured his niece, Kalia, in a scene where an exploding hot dog splatters condiments across her face, with Lopez laughing in the background. The caption read, "Can't take her anywhere," but the internet wasn't laughing.
Critics were quick to call out the video as "creepy" and "weird," especially given the subject was his niece. "Uhhhh, what a creepy video for Mario Lopez to create using AI and then post… Especially since the subject is his niece!" tweeted journalist Yashar Ali, who shared the clip to his followers. The video was eventually flagged by X with a notice indicating it was AI-generated, and Lopez deleted it shortly after.
The backlash was swift and widespread. Barstool Sports' Jeff D. Lowe called it "Pound for pound one of the weirdest tweets I've ever seen," while fans took to social media to demand an apology. "He should apologize for this, honestly. It's gross and such a weird use of AI," one user wrote. Another added, "This is why AI needs to be stopped. Videos like this are just not needed and they are gross to watch."
Some fans went further, questioning Lopez's judgment with remarks like "Check Mario Lopez for CTE," while others noted the generational disconnect: "I want to say this generation is cooked, but Mario Lopez is over a decade older than me."
The incident adds to a growing list of viral sports-adjacent controversies, but this one has a distinctly digital twist. AI-generated content has become a hot-button issue, and this video serves as a cautionary tale about its misuse.
For the Dodgers, the weekend was otherwise a triumph. The team's acquisition of Skubal has been praised as a steal, though not without its detractors. MLB insiders have roasted the league for allowing such a deal, and fans are still fuming over the Dodgers' latest power move. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani continues to dominate headlines, with praise from the White House and debates over his dual role as a hitter and pitcher.
As for Lopez, the deleted video hasn't stopped the conversation. Whether it was a misguided attempt at humor or a lapse in judgment, the internet has made its verdict clear: this was a miss. The question now is whether Lopez will address the backlash or let it fade into the digital ether.
In an era where AI can create lifelike scenarios, this incident underscores the need for responsibility. For a beloved figure like Lopez, the lesson is simple: not everything needs to be posted, especially when it involves family.
