The 2014 Winter Olympics, officially the XXII Olympic Winter Games, are currently taking place from February 6-23, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. The Polar Bear (designed by Oleg Serdechniy, Sochi) was selected as one of three 2014 Winter Olympic Games mascots. The other two mascots are the Amur Leopard (by Vadim Pak, Nakhodka) and the European Hare (by Silviya Petrova, Chuvashia).
The 2014 Winter Olympics, officially the XXII Olympic Winter Games, are currently taking place from February 6-23, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. The Amur Leopard (designed by Vadim Pak, Nakhodka) was selected as one of three 2014 Winter Olympic Games mascots. The other two mascots are the Polar Bear (by Oleg Serdechniy, Sochi) and the European Hare (by Silviya Petrova, Chuvashia).
The San Diego Chicken, also known as the Famous Chicken, is an advertising mascot played by Ted Giannoulas. The character, created by writer-cartoonist Brian Narelle, originated as an animated TV commercial for KGB-FM in San Diego. In March 1974, Giannoulas was hired to wear the first suit for a promotion to distribute Easter eggs to children at the San Diego Zoo. The Famous Chicken then moved on to features at concerts and sporting events, including appearing at more than 520 San Diego Padres games in a row. The success of the Famous Chicken helped lead to mascots becoming widespread throughout professional sports, particularly Major League Baseball (MLB).
Wenlock and Mandeville are the official mascots for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics being held in London. The mascots, unveiled in 2010, are animations depicting two drops of steel from a steelworks in Bolton. They are named after the town of Much Wenlock, which held a forerunner of the current Olympics, and Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which organized a precursor of the Paralympics.
Apparently Grant Hunter of Orwellian Britain is to blame for these London Olympics mascot designs. Illuminati, what?
The Pink Panther is the title character in the opening and closing credit sequences of almost every film in The Pink Panther series of comedies. First appearing in 1963, his popularity spawned 124 shorts, 10 television shows and three primetime TV specials. The Pink Panther Show aired on Saturday mornings from 1969 to 1979. The Pink Panther became the corporate mascot of Owens Corning in 1980 to promote its pink insulation.
Note: Have a happy Friday the 13th!
Quick Draw McGraw is an anthropomorphic cartoon horse who starred in The Quick Draw McGraw Show (1959-1962), the third cartoon television production created by Hanna-Barbera. He is usually depicted as a sheriff, with a Mexican burro deputy named Baba Looey. Quick Draw was the mascot for Sugar Smacks (now Honey Smacks) from 1961-1965. In the 1970s, he appeared in several productions with Yogi Bear and friends.
Astronaut Jesus was conceived in 2004 by Argentine design collective Doma. A limited edition, five-color silkscreen poster exclusive to Andr8id was printed in 2004 and a matching vinyl toy was manufactured by adFunture in 2005. The visually striking toy is a 9.5″ (24 cm) figure with a removable helmet and a swiveling right arm. Doma is best known for their visual designs and installation arts. According to the Astronaut Jesus collectible packaging, “[AstroChrist] is an elite member of the astronaut gods that have come to our planet since the beginning of time to shape our civilization and the world as we know it.”
I am amused by the concept that Jesus has been in outer space overseeing the world and will one day return to fix our problems. It would be fun to have my own Astronaut Jesus figure, but only a few hundred exist in the world, so I’m not holding my breath. After the original run of 500 Astronaut Jesus figures, six small limited edition runs were manufactured in different colors during 2005 and 2006, including a hot-pink flocked Wooster Collective Edition.
A friend received a small Japanese plush toy as a gift. We later discovered that this red refrigerator-dog character is named Wanzouko. It is one of 24 hypercute zoomorphic inanimate objects (mostly furniture and housewares) in San-X’s Wanroom line. Sewn inside this refrigerator-puppy is a shelf and a chicken leg. Velcro holds its door closed.
Seeing Wanzouko next to a red camera from the OptiTrack motion capture line (especially the old FLEX:C120 model) reveals amusing similarities in color, shape and size. All the camera needs are some floppy brown ears. Or, perhaps what the mocap industry needs are adorable Wanroom carrying cases for their OptiTrack cameras. I think the current Wanzouko toy might actually work as a soft camera case, if not for the sewn-in refrigerator shelf and chicken leg. Pity.
Pon de Lion is the most popular mascot of the Mister Donut fast food franchise, which is owned by the same parent company as Dunkin’ Donuts. This character, a lion with a mane shaped like a “pon de ring” doughnut, is one of a set of doughnut-based mascots (marketed as “Pon de Lion & His Sweet Friends”). In Japan, Pon de Lion has become more recognizable than the actual Misdo logo (a moustachioed chef).
The Wheedle is the title character of the 1974 children’s book by Stephen Cosgrove. He is a large, round, furry creature who lives in the Northwest. The character eventually evolved into a popular mascot generally associated with the city of Seattle. From 1978 through 1985, the Wheedle was the official mascot of the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics.
The pink cartoon alien mascot of Quisp, a sugar-sweetened breakfast cereal from the Quaker Oats Company. It was introduced in 1965 and continued as a mass-market grocery item until the late 1970s. It is now primarily sold online. Like Cap’n Crunch, Quisp was created by Jay Ward Productions as a trademark character on which to build a cereal brand.
Note: Quisp clearly looks based on the Moon Men (Gidney and Cloyd) from the 1959-1960 “Jet Fuel Formula” story arc of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.
The anthropomorphic cartoon bee mascot of Honey Nut Cheerios. This sweetened variation of Cheerios breakfast cereal was introduced by General Mills in 1979. It has a honey and almond flavor. As of 2006, it no longer includes actual nuts.
The cartoon bird mascot of Cocoa Puffs, a brand of chocolate-flavored puffed grain breakfast cereal manufactured by General Mills. Introduced in 1958, the cereal consists of small orbs of corn, oats and rice that have been flavored with cocoa. Sonny the Cuckoo Bird is a desperate addict whose catchphrase is “cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.”
The cartoon bear mascot of Golden Crisp breakfast cereal made by Post. It was introduced in 1949 as Sugar Crisp, then renamed Super Sugar Crisp (before its absurd sugar content was downplayed as “Golden”). The cereal consists of sweetened puffed wheat. Sugar Bear sings the jingle, “Can’t get enough of that Golden Crisp.”
The cartoon frog mascot of Honey Smacks breakfast cereal. This excessively sweetened puffed wheat cereal was introduced in 1953 as Sugar Smacks. Kellogg’s renamed the product Honey Smacks in the 1980s, then Smacks, then back to Honey Smacks. There have been various mascots over the years. Dig ‘Em Frog first appeared in 1972.
The cartoon toucan mascot of Froot Loops breakfast cereal produced by Kellogg’s. It first appeared in stores in 1966. The fruit-flavored cereal consists of brightly colored ring-shaped pieces. Toucan Sam’s catchphrase is “just follow your nose!” With his English accent and penchant for jungle conquest, I suspect him of British imperialism.
The cartoon leprechaun mascot of Lucky Charms breakfast cereal. This General Mills product first appeared in stores in 1964. The cereal consists of sugar-coated, toasted oat-based pieces and multicolored marshmallow bits in various shapes. “They’re magically delicious!” he exclaims in an Irish accent.
An American professional wrestler known by his ring name “Macho Man” Randy Savage. He was recognizable for his distinctively deep and raspy voice, his ring attire and his signature catchphrase (“Oooh yeah!”). He was the spokesman for Slim Jim snack foods in the 1990s. Savage was born on this day in 1952. He died of a sudden heart attack on May 20, 2011.
A humanoid robot created by Honda. The robot resembles a small astronaut wearing a backpack and can walk or run on two feet. ASIMO made many public appearances during the 2000s, including several amusingly awkward incidents on stairs (as you can see in this short video compilation). On October 31, ASIMO will celebrate its 11th anniversary.
Mandeville (2012 Summer Olympics) – No. 472
Wenlock and Mandeville are the official mascots for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics being held in London. The mascots, unveiled in 2010, are animations depicting two drops of steel from a steelworks in Bolton. They are named after the town of Much Wenlock, which held a forerunner of the current Olympics, and Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which organized a precursor of the Paralympics.
As for the designs of Wenlock and Mandeville, you say “drop of steel,” I say “penis monster in a crotchless jumpsuit.” But at least these mascots don’t look like Lisa Simpson performing fellatio on London, which is what was selected for the official London 2012 logo, at great expense.