# Xuxa (American TV program)

Xuxa is an American children's television series hosted by Xuxa Meneghel that aired in first-run syndication between September 13 and December 10, 1993, for a total of 65 episodes. The program was based on Rede Globo's Xou da Xuxa and was created by Thomas W. Lynch and Marlene Mattos, with MTM Enterprises handling production. The show is made up of various segments of games, famous guests, and educational lessons.
In 1992, there was a dispute over who was going to produce the show, as both MTM Enterprises and DiC were interested. However, Xuxa ended up selecting MTM Enterprises in the end, as she thought their approach to bringing a Brazilian show to an American audience was better.
The program debuted in September 1993; it is entirely based on Xou da Xuxa, but designed with an American audience in mind. For example, the Paquitas were named "Pixies". Xuxa was also aided by different characters, such as a panda bear named Jelly, and a jaguar named Jam; they were played by E. E. Bell and Mark Caso, respectively. Xuxa was the first and only Brazilian to have a television program in the United States.

## Background

Xuxa is a combination game show/variety show, based on the Brazilian TV program Xou da Xuxa. The show features various activities that stimulate children's learning that are guided both by Xuxa and her assistants, Jelly the Panda (E. E. Bell) and Jam the Jaguar (Mark Caso).
The show is divided into about five segments, with breaks for commercials, just as the original program in Brazil. During the segments, Xuxa calls kids onstage for interactive games, and everyone wins a prize in the end regardless of the outcome. In other segments, Xuxa interviews various professionals (such as skaters, swimmers, animal trainers, etc.). She also hosted some celebrities that kids would recognize, like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Xuxa also sang versions of her own songs during the program, and at the very end of the show, a child was chosen for her to kiss on the cheek on-stage.

## History
### Background

As a TV personality, Xuxa was extremely successful in the late 80s and early 90s, not only in her native Brazil but in other Latin American countries such as Argentina. She hosted her own children's programs, Xou da Xuxa and El Show de Xuxa. In 1992, production companies MTM Enterprises and DiC Entertainment were both endeavoring to bring Xuxa to the United States to host a children's program for American audiences. However, Xuxa initially refused the invitations, because she believed that she needed to learn to speak English better first.

### Development and release

In 1993, Xuxa returned to the idea of doing a show in the United States. DiC Entertainment wanted to create a whole new program, but MTM Enterprises wanted to do a project based on the original Brazilian version of Xuxa's show. Xuxa ended up choosing MTM Enterprises, as this aligned more closely with her own ambition for an American program. Slated to run for 65 episodes in the first season, the American program was recorded at CBS network studios (it was filmed in CBS Television City's Studio 36 in Hollywood), with a syndicated run on The Family Channel. The show was made for children 2–11 years of age. MTM Productions was the former MTM Enterprises, one of the most acclaimed TV producers of the 1970s and 1980s.
Expenditures around weekly production were budgeted between $150,000 to $200,000 according to Broadcasting & Cable magazine. The set design was a high priority, with capacity for 150 to 200 children that would be used for six weeks of recording. The total cost was more than $2 million.
To some observers, Xuxa's entry into the dominant American market reminded her of another multitalented Brazilian celebrity; commenting on the movement, the editor of Brazil magazine in Los Angeles wrote that "since Carmen Miranda, Brazil did not have an exportable artist."
In 1994, Xuxa recorded some unaired segments to be inserted into the programs as they were reworked.
The show got 1.74 of audience in the month of November, which means that 16,000 families tuned in to the show that month.

## Controversy

In April 1993, The Globe tabloid published a full-page article in which it called Xuxa a "porn queen," for her posing briefly for Playboy and for her part in the film Love Strange Love, where her character is seen seducing an underage boy. The Globe criticized televangelist Pat Robertson, one of the owners of MTM Enterprises, which produced the new Xuxa show in the US; "Pay-TV preacher invites porn queen to present his new show for kids," wrote reporter Bob Michals. In the report, MTM spokesman Gary Berberet tried to soften the controversy by saying, "We knew of [Xuxa's] past, but she brings so much joy to the children of the world that we would not stop her from bringing this joy to America too." The article, titled "Sacred Cow", also featured statements by David Harrel, biographer of Pat Robertson: "Like every successful religious figure, Robertson does not separate God's voice from the voice of opportunity." Michals described Xuxa as a "provocative woman, who presents her show tucked in a pair of slacks or micro-shorts, high-top boots and revealing jackets."

## Award

The program was nominated in 1994 for a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Best Art Direction / Set Decoration / Scenography.

## Episodes

* Ed Alonzo (5 episodes)
* Alvin and the Chipmunks
* American Gladiators
* Birthday Party
* Deborah Blando
* Butterfly Man (2 episodes)
* Rudy Coby (2 episodes)
* Jeff Dunham (2 episodes)
* Joan Embery (2 episodes)
* Exposé
* Michael Feinstein (2 episodes)
* Mitch Gaylord & trampoline
* Bob Golic
* Harlem Globetrotters
* Woody Itson
* Waylon Jennings (2 episodes)
* Jugglers
* Juggling Duo The Mums
* David Larible
* Amos Levkovitch
* Ronn Lucas (2 episodes)
* Macho Man Randy Savage
* Cheech Marin
* Marsupial
* Marty Putz
* Mess of Mutts (2 episodes)
* Mongolian Acrobats
* Robert Nelson
* Mark Nizer
* Olga the Gymnast
* Olsen Twins (2 episodes)
* Orangutan
* Matt Plendl (2 episodes)
* Marty Putz
* Raven-Symoné
* Rebel Ropers
* Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
* Skate Squad
* Team Rollerblade
* Universal Studios Animals
* "Weird Al" Yankovic
* Kim Zmeskal

## Home video and merchandise
### VHS: Funtastic Birthday Party and Celebration with Cheech Marin

The show received five volumes on VHS, released in 1994 by The Family Channel and Sony Wonder. Two VHS issues are highly sought after today: Funtastic Birthday Party and Celebration with Cheech Marin.

### Dolls

Rose Art Industries launched a line of Xuxa dolls at the American International Toy Fair in 1993, before the show debuted. The dolls, featuring Xuxa's likeness, were the same size as the famous Barbie doll, and were sold alone for $5.99, or for $24.99 with accessories. The fashion doll was launched across North America, and quickly became the top-selling ethnic doll in the United States, with 500 dolls sold over the debut weekend. The doll's debut took place on the Toys 'R' Us Toys Network. Sale of the dolls exceeded expectations, and after the first 200,000 dolls were sold, Rose Art had to manufacture 50,000 more to keep up with demand. The dolls also came with a little K7 tape with songs by Xuxa in English. These tapes were titled "Xuxa, The Real Superstar".