How Annoying Are the Olympic Mascots?

The Weekly Standard ^ | July 24, 2008 | Jaime Sneider

[SolidWood]

You're not the only one unhappy about the Olympic mascots, collectively known as the Fuwa.

If the Beijing Olympics' five cuddly mascots go down in history as a dud, their creator wants no part of the blame. After China's Olympics organizers gave him the assignment, folk artist Han Meilin initially sketched out five children representing the traditional Chinese elements of fire, wood, water, gold and earth. Then the bureaucrats got involved. "There had to be a panda, even though you'd think the public would have had enough of them," says the 72-year-old artist.

Alas, mankind will never get enough of the panda, but the problem with the Fuwa is much broader than anyone of them. Each of the five mascots is more annoying than the next. And why are there five of them anyway? Is this a statement about the diminutive role of individualism in the people's republic? As an official web site helpfully explains,

Each of [the] Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow. ... Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the world.

Don't talk about peace and friendship with Joe Bryant, a blogger at Footballguys.com. He asks, "Why do the Olympic mascots have to look like some mutant Pokemon / Telletubbie thing? What's wrong with a bull dog or a cougar or a sweat shop worker for a mascot?" That's the spirit!

[ikka]

Fuwa, or FUBAR?

[raybbr]

[Slings and Arrows]

Five-Teletubbies-Of-The-Apocalypse ping!

[libertarian27]

I would buy a T-Shirt with that on it!!!

[usmcobra]

The Powerpuff Girls are not amused.

Buttercup?

[gridlock]

I think it would look better with Yingying, the Tibetan Antelope’s neck under Huanhuan’s boot heel.

[MeekOneGOP]

http://doctorbulldog.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/communist-obama-33751.jpg

[P.O.E.]

Dartmouth's Keggy the Keg, given honorable mention in the list of worst college mascots

[MeekOneGOP]

http://doctorbulldog.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/more-info-on-obamas-socialist-agenda-comes-to-light/

[Slings and Arrows]

Definitely a win for truth-in-advertising.

[Tribune7]

LOL

[MeekOneGOP]

Don’t look now, but I just added MY comment on that
guys blog!! :^D

[Slings and Arrows]

Ann Coulter would approve.

[Squawk 8888]

Least creative mascot ever was 1976's Amik (Algonquin for "Beaver").

[PhiKapMom]

This was my favorite -- Sam the Eagle. We lived in SoCal in 1984 and can still remember taking my three small children to see the Torch on the way to LA and Sam the Eagle who they loved. All three still have their stuffed mascot of Sam the Eagle.

[silent_jonny]

LMAO!! You’ll like this :)

[Phantom Lord]

Best Mascot Ever!

[coolbreeze]

WHAT?...They couldn’t get Sponge Bob?

[retrokitten]

Thanks for the ping! LMAO!!

I do have to say, IMO, there are never enough pandas. I hope the whole opening ceremonies are nothing but pandas and fireworks. Not together. That would be messy.

The mascots are sorta cute, except for the blue one. That one creeps me out. She looks like she’s buttering you up so she can steal your watch.

[Slings and Arrows]

It's Coily!