Hale Kilinahe: Pith of Pop: Lazy Town

The first time I ever caught it on TV, Alex, my younger son, was two weeks old. He and I were napping on the sofa. My older son, Zac, was sleeping on the floor. I wasn't wearing my glasses, so I had to squint at the TV. I saw a girl with pink hair and a man in tights. Then I saw a second man in a striped unitard thing. Then the pink-haired girl burst into Europop techo-song.

I put on my glasses. It only got weirder.

Lazy Town is actually a huge marketing bonanza in Europe. It was conceived and produced in Iceland (of all places) by Magnus Scheving, who is a world aerobics champion. He wanted to create a show to encourage kids to go outside and play. Of course, in order to watch the show, the kids have to come inside and sit, but it's the thought that counts.

There are only three human actors on the show: Scheving, who plays a superhero named Sportacus; Stefan Steffansson, who plays Sportacus' arch-nemesis, Robbie Rotten; and young Broadway actress Julianna Mauriello, who plays a girl named Stephanie. Stephanie is the niece of the mayor of Lazy Town.

The mayor is played by a puppet. A large, detailed, extremely lifelike puppet. Several townschildren are also played by puppets. These puppets are quite nearly terrifying. To a person standing a short distance from the television, it might be difficult to tell that they're puppets. Their mouths move, they have very realistic human features, and they have legs and feet. They're as good, if not better, than the real thing.

The human actors are not exactly all real, either. Much of Steffansson's face is hidden under rubber makeup to give him a distinctive Snidely Whiplash-esque profile. Like many effective kid show villains, Robbie is a cool dude. He has a keen fashion sense. He's funny and sarcastic. He's more fun than Sportacus.

I don't know how to describe Sportacus. He's a health nut. He's like Jack La Lanne after too much caffeine. My first thought, after watching my first full episode of the show, was "is this guy for real?". He moves around way more than any superheroes I grew up with. Yet, he makes a lot of sense. He speaks very softly. He's supportive and caring. He'a a good listener. But he doesn't captivate one's attention like Robbie Rotten does. But still, if Robbie is keeping the kids watching long enough to soak up the healthy lifestyle message, that can't be bad.

Mauriello is crazy talented. She's only thirteen and she is the emotional center of the show. While Robbie is hamming it up and Sportacus is doing backflips, Stephanie (Mauriello's character) is learning and figuring things out. She's the only dynamic human character and she's really impressively good.

We really like lazytown at my house. Both of my sons' favorite, along with "Out of the Box." They love the music. They get up and dance like crazy. My oldest son, 4, wants to be Sporticus for Halloween. Guess I'll have to try to make that costume. I don't think I'll find one to buy. He says my 2 year old should be Robbie Rotten, sometimes I think so too, HAHA. Anyway, we give Lazy Town 2 thumbs up!!
Posted by Suzanne at February 22, 2005 07:47 PM

My 18 month old son loves to watch Lazy Town! He's so active himself, that he usually doesn't catch the entire episode. This is a great idea for a show.
Posted by Kristy at February 24, 2005 06:01 AM

Oh my heck Lazy Town is on right now! My 5 year old and 3 year old just love this very quirky show. My little couch potatoes love watching Magnus bounce off the walls, I don't know if they go outside any more now that we watch it but they diffentely spaz out more.
Posted by Rhondi at March 2, 2005 08:41 AM

My son has been watching this show faithfully since it started and loves it! It blew Blue Clues out of the box! It has taught him to play with others, want friends, dance, be active and even teach him the values of sharing with friends and not making them sad. It's crazy but out of all the shows he watches, I don't mind watching this one with him.
Posted by Marcos at March 7, 2005 08:02 AM

My niece who is 3 and I really love watching Lazy Town, She really gets involved into it, the music attracts her and makes her want to boogie, she loves it when Stephanie sing and she is trying to imitate some of the moves Sportacus does, who knows we might end up up with a little gymnast in our hands, anyway it is very entertaining, it is different that is what makes it appealing and with a message to boot, and I get a kick out of all the character,they are all a hoot, I rather watch Lazy Town then most adult shows.
Posted by Edline & Samaya at March 8, 2005 06:08 AM

"bing bang dig aring dong silly words can be said when i an dancing dancing dansing dansing" My daughter is addicted to Lazy Towm and i don't mean normal addicted i mean crazy addicted. She has to wacth every episode.If she hears the song she'ill go wacky.
Posted by jessica at April 1, 2005 05:04 PM

i wanted to know the dance for the bing bang song.
Posted by anonymous at June 15, 2005 08:36 AM

hey does any one know where to get the identical stephanie outfit and maybe know to write to her because iam one year younger than her and she could be my friend and if you help me i can teach you the words to the bing bang dance because i know the steps and everything so if you help me i will try my hardest to help you with your questions and things!
Posted by shayla at June 17, 2005 07:37 AM