Saturday, April 14, 2012

M is for Maci (of the TV kind)

Here is a cultural nugget for you.

Maci is Hungarian for bear (or bear cub). TV Maci is a symbol.
As of this week, he is an endangered species.

You know those things you grow up watching on TV and you have seen them so many times they became an organic part of your childhood memories? For Hungarian children since 1964, it was the TV Maci who would appear every evening on the screen, brush his teeth, spit (the spitting is an important part!), put on his pajamas, and settle down to watch the evening cartoon. After the cartoon, he would go to bed.
(Actually, "TV Maci spit" became synonymous with "it's time to go to bed" - at least for my generation)
Here is is:
Opening segment
Closing segment

Well, this year some genius at the TV channel decided it was time to modernize the TV Maci.
Hell to the no.

The new version premiered this week, you can watch it here.

Suddenly, there is two of them?! Where has the sister been hiding all these years?
Apart from people already calling them them Lannister Bears, there are other serious problems with this new segment. One, all the children who have been interviewed about it on TV were a 100% sure that this video takes place during the day (they pointed out that you can see sunlight pouring in), and has no place before or after an evening cartoon. Also, no spitting?! Forget it.

The most interesting part, however, is the computer. Apparently, the creators wanted to modernize the IKEA style bear den with a desktop computer that Jaime Bear types on for a few seconds before he goes to watch the flatscreen TV.

Internet people, we all know there is only ONE logical explanation to that scene.

The new TV Maci is a pirate.

That's all kids :)

6 comments:

  1. NOOOOOO! The old Maci is toooo precious for words. There's practically no connection to the new video. I don't understand why they changed what worked. What's next? No paprika in Hungarian food?

    I'm with you, let's protest!

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  2. Now I want to cross the ocean and meet that Maci in person...

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  3. Came for a visit since you were so kind to visit me. My wife would want a Maci, you know. She just that way. Hope to see you again!

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  4. I know right? :) Thank you all for visiting!

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  5. I love that "TV Maci spit" meant "it's time to go to bed" for you.

    {ami}
    http://sundrysumthins.wordpress.com/

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  6. I'm not a fan of reboots, remixes, remakes, you name it. At least not of things I loved before.

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse, co-host of the 2012 #atozchallenge! Twitter: @AprilA2Z

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