Does Not Translate: K.M.X. Ernie
November 9th, 2008 @ 8:49 | Filed under Ha Ha Ha | 13 comments
Written by Kayt Sukel
If you own any Sesame Street DVD or video, you probably know that they do programming across the globe. You can find Vila Sésamo in Brazil, Zhima Jie in China and even Alam Simsim in Egypt. Usually, these versions of the show feature completely new and culturally specific puppet characters. Here in Germany, we have Sesamestraße. And on first glance, you’d also think it was unique. Most advertisements feature the show’s big star, Samson, a bear who likes to dance the mambo.
But as it turns out, Sesamestraße also features a few familiar faces. Muppet icons, Bert and Ernie, also appear on the show. But they appear, as it were, dubbed. And in completely different voices at that.
I had no idea. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have dropped the Euro on Kitzel-Mich-Extreme (K.M.X.) Ernie, Germany’s hot ticket Christmas toy two years ago. Sure, he giggled and wiggled as advertised. But anyone who grew up with Ernie couldn’t help but be seriously disturbed by what happens when you press on his belly.
Observe:
Travel Savvy Mom presents “Does Not Translate: KMX Ernie” from TravelSavvyMom on Vimeo.
Decorum prevents me from expounding on his potentially offensive hand gestures. And not only does K.M.X. Ernie totally creep me out but he takes a weird, odd number of batteries that means I’m always one short. My husband and I often refer to him as Teuffel-Ernie (Devil Ernie).
Let’s face it. K.M.X. Ernie just does not translate.
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