¿Qué Pasa, U.S.A.? is America's first bilingual situation comedy, and the first sitcom to be produced for PBS. It was produced and taped in front of a live studio audience at PBS member station WPBT in Miami, Florida and aired on PBS member stations nationwide. The program explored the trials and tribulations faced by the Peñas, a Cuban-American family living in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood, as they struggled to cope with a new country and a new language. The series was praised as being very true-to-life and accurately, if humorously, portraying the life and culture of Miami's Cuban-American population.
Fiesta de Quince
Carmen is about to turn 15, which Cubans celebrate much like American girls celebrate turning 16. Juana is excited to be organizing the party until she finds out the cost. Pepe, known for his cheapness is not happy about having to pay for the party which he feels they can not afford. With some help from her friends and family Carmen has her ""Fiesta de los Quinces"" at home. Meanwhile Joe has been chosen as a possible member of the coolest club in school, ""The Cool, Cool club"". Joe fears that such an old fashioned party will ruin his chances of being accepted by the ""cool guys"".
Ay Abuela
After attending a wake and hearing that a friend of theirs has been placed in a nursing home the abuelos (grandparents) start to complain on how senior citizens are treated in the U.S.A. compared to their treatment in Cuba. Later Adela overhears the family say that they are going to take her to the nursery and she misunderstands and thinks they are taking her to a nursing home. Adela then sets out to prove that she is still young and hip.
Los Novios
Worried that Carmen spends to much time studying and ignoring her social life not to mention her lack of desire to marry, her family and friends set out to find her a boyfriend. But, be careful what you wish for, most of the prospects leave a lot to be desired. Meanwhile Joe has problems of his own when he asks a Cuban girl out for a date and her parents start talking marriage.
We Speak Spanish
At a meeting with Mrs. Peabody, Joe's school counselor, Juana finds out that she and other Cuban parents have not been notified about PTA meetings because the Cuban kids are embarrassed by their parents accents. When Pepe finds out he is furious because neither Joe nor Carmen speak Spanish well enough to critize his english and so he forbids them to speak English in the house. To get back at them Joe and Carmen refuse to help their grandparents with the Avon lady, the goodwill worker, the repairman or Mrs. Peabody when they come calling, chaos follows.
Noche Cubana
Carmen volunteers to do a ""Night of Cuban Music"" at the local theater. She enlists the help of family and friends. At first Joe does not want to help because he feels the music is old fashioned and he's too busy rehearsing for his bands first gig. Later Pepe speaks to Joe and he realizes he should help his little sister. Carmen and Joe sing a duet and Juana sings an aria.
Hombrecito
After seeing the kind of freedom his cousins have in New York, Joe decides to move out on his own. But life on his own isn't what he thought it would be. When the Peña gang visit Joe in his new apartment he realizes he would be better off back home with his family.
Super Chaperone
Carmen wants to go to the prom, without a chaperone. Pepe and Juana will not hear of it. Adela complains that chaperoning has become to much for her so the Peña's decide to higher ""Super Chaperone"". Super Chaperone, a lady who runs a chaperoning agency, is known for her fox like skills at detecting hanky-panky among teenagers. But when prom night roles around Super Chaperone has problems of her own.
Gato Encerrado
Pepe's jet-setting rich niece comes to visit. But all isn't as it seems.
Computer Friend
Carmen, Sharon and Violeta fill out an application for a computer friend. The computer matches Carmen with the same guy who had a fist fight with Joe who also happens to be African American.
