Pingu
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.
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).
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.
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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