Posted on 05/18/2007 6:48:14 AM PDT by Cagey
(CBS) MIAMI A popular penguin, watched on television by children worldwide, is now at the center of a cartoon controversy.
A South Florida mother is up in arms over the cartoon, which her daughter loves to watch on PBS Sprout, not because of its content but because of the penguin’s name.
“Pingu” is about the adventures of a young penguin and his daily experiences in his snowy surroundings but Maida Rodriguez, mother of a 4-year old girl, says there’s a problem with this cute cartoon character that has her reaching for the remote.
Rodriguez says the name “Pingu” is considered a not so nice word by some Hispanics. “Basically, the word ‘pingu’ stands for male genitalia,” said Rodriguez.
Making matters worse, Rodriguez’ daughter Samantha loves the cartoon so much, she keeps blurting out the name in public.
“Whenever she sees a penguin, be it a stuffed toy or what not, she says, ‘Look Mommy, there’s a Pingu’. I’ve had a couple of people at stores give me the eye because my daughter is saying a very bad word.”
The cartoon airs on PBS Kids and it’s been around for 20 years. It’s produced by Hit Entertainment and officials there say it’s won international awards and has worldwide success throughout Latin America and Mexico but it’s a never ending nightmare for Maida Rodriguez.
“I have to constantly tell her that she’s saying something wrong and she doesn’t understand because it’s a show for kids and it’s a cartoon and it’s got a lovely little song that repeats the song over and over and over and it’s a really catchy little tune.”
Samantha’s mom says she’s called Comcast and PBS but was basically told that if you don’t like it then turn it off. She says she’s considering cancelling Comcast altogether.
Some humor is timeless.
Reminds me that the old nickname for Richard is seldom used these days.
Is it pronounced “ping you” or “pin goo”?
I thought this one was much funnier...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNl7YodE2HE&mode=related&search=
>>If you come East. we have Acme Supermarkets here. Don’t park your new trailer at an Acme.<<
I’ll remember that!
A guy on my floor in college was named Long Wang.
What kind of parents with a family name of Trickle would call their kid Richard? (who then calls himself by the nickname “Dick”?)
And he wrote a book called 'Sliding Down the Flagpole", right?
Wow. I should have made Tee shirts.
It’s not too late...
Sounds like someone needs to learn English.
Reminds me of an old stock car driver named Dick Trickle.
I Stole a Visa, Baby...
When you finally write that book, put me down for an autographed copy.
I’m told that, when I was a little kid, I couldn’t pronounce Kermit the “FROG.” My mom lived in terror that she would be bringing me to the department store, and I’d shout, “Look! Kermit the F—k!”
His nickname was Scratch.
Seriously.
Cheers!
Very soon, perhaps by the end of next year.
Halal Food is next on the list though.
The joke was "Hey I got to go to the can" - then another person would add in "Hey I got to go to the cantu."
It was really funny when I was 7 or 8.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.