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 penguins 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 theres 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, theres a Pingu. Ive 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 its been around for 20 years. Its produced by Hit Entertainment and officials there say its won international awards and has worldwide success throughout Latin America and Mexico but its a never ending nightmare for Maida Rodriguez.
I have to constantly tell her that shes saying something wrong and she doesnt understand because its a show for kids and its a cartoon and its got a lovely little song that repeats the song over and over and over and its a really catchy little tune.
Samanthas mom says shes called Comcast and PBS but was basically told that if you dont like it then turn it off. She says shes considering cancelling Comcast altogether.
Chevy Nova
Pingu ping
In today’s world everything offends someone...so what.
I used to work for a guy named Dick. And he was one.
Pingu
Like the kid could possibly know what it means if she’s not Hispanic.
The adults that glare at her could shut up because she’s young, or get the heck out of my country.
I don’t get it ... I thought we were trying to be more bi-lingual. PBS is just inserting a little Spanish for the kids.
PBS is having its Macaca moment : )
Pontiac Fiero....
Looks like Gumby
Mamacita sounds like a real Pingu-head.
So speak English and you won’t have a problem.
}:-)4
Don’t these people have something else to do? They’d complain if their a$$ were on fire (well, so would I).
Samanthas mom says shes called Comcast and PBS but was basically told that if you dont like it then turn it off. She says shes considering cancelling Comcast altogether.
That is so great! I am so proud of Comcast and PBS to stand up for themselves for a change. Now that she is considering cancelling Comcast forever. Perhaps she could cancel living in America as well. Now that would be a happily ever after ending.
Why is this news?? Hey! Here's a story:
Clearcase_Guy, a slightly unbalanced fellow in MA finds "Grey's Anatomy" to be a vapid show and has demanded that it be taken off the air. "I don't enjoy it", he said. The network has told him that if he doesn't like it, he should turn it off. ClearCase_Guy is considering cancelling Comcast altogether.
For some reason, I found that incredibly funny!
I’ve seen cuter penguins, real and otherwise.
Change his name to Woody or Johnson, that’ll fix it.
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