Xou da Xuxa
| Xou da Xuxa | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Children |
| Directed by | Marlene Mattos |
| Starring |
Xuxa Ana Paula Almeida Juliana Baroni Roberta Cipriani Marcelo Faustini Flavia Fernandes Letícia Spiller Andréia Sorvetão Bianca Rinaldi Cátia Paganote Tatiana Maranhão Cláudio Heinrich Ana Paula Guimarães |
| Opening theme | "Doce Mel": Xuxa (1986–92) |
| Country of origin | Brazil |
| Original language(s) | Portuguese |
| No. of seasons | 7 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Nilton Gouveia |
| Location(s) | Teatro Fênix, Rio de Janeiro |
| Running time | 5h |
| Release | |
| Original network | Rede Globo (1986–92) |
| Original release | 30 June 1986 – 31 December 1992 |
Xou da Xuxa was a Brazilian children's variety show hosted by Xuxa Meneghel in Rede Globo from 30 June 1986, to 31 December 1992. The show aired more than 2000 episodes for six years. Xou was replaced by the show Balão Mágico momentarily. After a series of network programming changes, Xou was once again aired from January to April 1993 before it was permanently replaced by TV Colosso, a show aired every Sunday since 19 April 1993.
Xou was aired every morning from Monday to Saturday before it was discontinued. The show featured auditorium frames (mainly competitions and musical numbers). The show also featured cartoons in between the frames. Despite the consistently negative reviews from critics, "Xou da Xuxa" still managed to become the most successful children's show in the history of Brazilian television. The show also turned its host into a big celebrity during the 1980s and 1990s.[1]
The program
The Xou da Xuxa aired for a few years before it was replaced by Balão Mágico. The structure of the show was based on the Clube da Crianca program from Rede Manchete, and Xuxa was cast as the host. Being aired by a new network, the program was able to win the best scenarios and high quality.
The program showcased plays, musical acts, circus acts, cartoons and special boards. In every recording, more than two-hundred children were cast. Xou was divided into nine blocks for the Monday to Friday episodes, and only seven blocks for Saturday episodes.
To increase the shows presence, Xuxa created characters that become trademarks of the program, supporting casts Andrea Veiga and Andrea Faria, who were also known as the "Sorvetão" a name in turn evolved into Paquitas. Dengue (Roberto Bertin) and Praga (Armando Moraes) helped host the organization and the auditorium animation. The Paquitas were commonly dressed in clothes inspired by toy soldiers with white boots, while Dengue was portrayed as a huge Mosquito with multiple limbs, clothed in yellow and red from head to toe. While soft Praga another character was a turtle.
The main concern of the program team was to leave children free, as if they were at an amusement park. To ensure the relaxed atmosphere, the program was produced with the least editing possible, conveying the idea of a live program. Another striking feature of the "Xou da Xuxa" was the unique choreography staged by the presenter in each musical number of the program, all created by the Uruguayan dancer Oswald Berry.
The program became a leader in a short time and made the presenter one of the biggest infant idols in the country. Xuxa referred to children as "baixinhos" (little people) and therefore came to be called "Rainha dos Baixinhos" ("Queen of the little people" or "Queen of Children".) His phrase "beijinho, beijinho e tchau, tchau" ("kiss, kiss and bye, bye") also became popular and is one of the most well-known taglines of the presenter. Many products were launched with the Xuxa brand, such as dolls, clothes and accessories. Children from different social levels started dressing like Xuxa. The white leather boots and "xuxinhas" became fashionable among children and adolescents.
Over the years, the Xou started to invest in frames, diversifying the program's attractions. The program was recorded entirely in Theatre Phoenix, in Rio de Janeiro. The "Xou da Xuxa" was directed by Marlene Mattos, and Nilton Gouveia was the production coordinator. The program went off the air on 31 December 1992.[2]
Impact
Ratings
| Ratings in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo according to IBOPE | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 27 Rating | |
| 1989 | 35 Rating | |
| 1990 | 28 Rating | |
| 1991 | 29 Rating | |
| 1992 | 26 Rating | |
| Rating average | 23 Rating | |
- The success of "Xou da Xuxa" led to an effort to conquer international markets, with mixed results. The version of Argentina's program was considered a phenomenon, reaching 44 points of average audience, more than in Brazil.
The El Show de Xuxa, made her a celebrity presenter in several countries in Latin America and Spain and served as support for the dissemination of Xuxa albums in Spanish.
The United States version, Xuxa in English was launched, but because of Xuxa's difficulty with the English language and cultural issues, it was a failure and only lasted one season.
Critical reception
Since its early days, the "Xou da Xuxa" suffered an intense questioning by intellectuals, politicians and journalists, who often confused criticism of the program and the presenter.[3][4][5]
The program was regarded as a child alienation inductor, enticing children to a world away from the hardships of the Brazilian reality, and this fact also critical of reason by the British documentary Beyond Citizen Kane.[6] Awoke early infantile sexuality, as Xuxa and Paquitas wore sexy clothes and heavy makeup. People enjoyed how the show actually did what a children's show should do. It showed children just being children.[7]
Awards
- Best Children's Program (Won 1987–1993)
See also
References
- ↑ Alzer, Luiz André e Claudino, Mariana. Almanaque anos 80. Rio de Janeiro: Ediouro Publicações, 2004. pp. 32. 296 páginas. ISBN 8500015322.
- ↑ "XOU DA XUXA – FORMATO". Memória Globo. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ↑ "O Xou da Xuxa é uma vitrine comercial. Pode funcionar como uma escola de consumidores pervertidos que, aos três anos de idade, já começam a se preocupar com a griffe das roupas que usam". In: Veja. Volume 24. Editora Abril, 1991. Disponível em .
- ↑ Ribeiro, Renato Janine. O afeto autoritário: televisão, ética e democracia. Atelie Editorial, 2005. pp. 24. 221 páginas. ISBN 8574802301.
- ↑ Jobim e Souza, Solange. Educação @ pós-modernidade: Ficções científicas & Crônicas do cotidiano. 7Letras, 2003. pp. 147. 173 páginas. ISBN 8575770241.
- ↑ Raboni, André. "Xou da Xuxa: há 22 anos ludibriando nossas crianças". Acerto de Contas. 30 de junho de 2008. Acesso em 25 de dezembro de 2010.
- ↑ Xou da Xuxa, 2000-01-01, retrieved 2016-05-24