Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Who's your favorite claymation figure??

So, as you all may or may not know, there are frequently little polls running on That Austin Girl ranging in subject from "Favorite Cocktail" to "Favorite Toys" to whatever else I'm sort of in the mood to talk about. They frequently do not have anything to do with Austin, Tx really, except for the fact that it is where I am physically located. (On a sidenote: I think my blog is having an identity crisis. Sometimes think I should make it more local or more topic-oriented, like, "Hi welcome to That Austin Girl, where we talk about BANDS." But instead it's quite random, and it ends up being about whatever, and I hope that's ok with everyone? At any rate, I've decided I really like these little polls so we're going to keep doing those). ANYWAY.

The most recent poll we did was "Favorite Superhero," and Batman completely crushed his competition (which I think we can chalk up to his summer 2008 trendiness, cheesy Darth Vader growly voice and all). But now, I'm throwing out a much, much tougher question.

Who is your favorite claymation figure?

Are you ready? Are you so excited?! Let's meet our contestants:

Wallace & Gromit


Gumby


RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (my vote!!)


Penny from "Pee Wee's Playhouse"




The California Raisins


For me personally, I don't know if anyone can dethrone Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, although Gumby is a close second. (PS - How did a blob of green clay that resembles the letter "K" get his own show on NBC? What? Ditto on a Motown band comprised of raisins??) I remember watching the Rudolph the Reindeer Christmas special on TV for the first time when I was 5 or 6, and thinking it was, like, an action-adventure thriller. I also remember thinking it would be so cool if I had a light for a nose.

So I'm going to leave this post up a few days in case you want to leave a comment explaining your selection. Why, for example, is Penny (who looks like she is about to hurl in this picture?) more awesome than Rudolph. (Which is completely hypothetical by the way, since Penny is clearly NOT as awesome as Rudolph).

Readers, you have the floor: Who is your fave clay character? And how did you first encounter them?

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am very fond of Rudolph, Gumby freaked me the heck out when I little, I don't remember enough about Penny and the Raisins are just too commercial.

My vote goes to Wallace and Gromit. It's just such an intelligent show. It's detailed and nuanced and I love that Gromit is a knitter and Gwendolyn owns a wool shop (we yarn addicts stick together).

In my house, we almost never use the word "cheese" without adding "Gromit" and saying it in Wallace's accent. We also tell each other to move over on the couch or leave our stuff alone by saying (also in Wallace's accent), "Get off me cheese!" Yes, Wallace & Gromit is big at Chez In-Joke.

Austin Eavesdropper said...

Lauren! This comment made me so happy. I am also compelled to make fists and shake them in delight by my cheeks when referencing "CHEESE!" (<---is the way it must be said, you're right).

But more interestingly - Gumby freaked you out?

Cottage gal said...

I'm totally FOR the California Raisins. I remember getting the figurines from Whataburger from my Dad after he had been out of town for work. Plus, they are giving a second life to grapes. It's like fruit recycling!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Wallace and Gromit all the way. I first encountered them in a high school art class when the teacher didn't want to, you know, teach that day. She would just put on episodes of W&G and I was in lurve.

Penny's penny-eyes are creepy. Gumby is just boring. Rudolph is okay. I feel nothing for the California Raisins. Nothing. Although, we did play "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" in middle school band. That was pretty cool.

Austin Eavesdropper said...

Lacey...(Cottage Gal)...would you believe I STOLE a California Raisins key chain from a check-out line when I was 5?

!!

So in other words I totally understand your vote.

Bre I also think Penny's penny eyes are a little creepy.

Claire said...

My vote's for Wallace and Gromit as well. Anyone who likes cheese as much as Wallace is okay in my book. Kindred Spirits!

Anonymous said...

I feel the same way about Wallace and Gromit, as in, i heart them very much. So it was very difficult to decide whether to go for that, which is the pinnacle of where claymation IS, versus Rudolph, which is basically where claymation STARTED.

I did end up voting for Rudolph just because of that little elf that wanted to be a dentist. That became a running joke in my family for decades. We watched Rudolph when the Cal. Raisins etc were big and couldn't fathom why the elf's mouth never matched his words, so in our 6 and 8 year old glory, we made fun. For years and years and years.

Penny said...

I am going to have to say Penny for the name relation :)

Dig the blog! I recently visited Austin and reported on the amazing eats..

Unknown said...

Wow...Gumby should totally be #1! He's awesome. I respect you for choosing Rudolph although one thing he's got against him is that it's hard to really get into him at any other time except Christmas. Fun post! Love the site! As for the identity crisis...I had a similiar one as far as locality goes...it'll just come to you and hit you on the head.

Tiffany Diane said...

Thankyou! I'm glad you like my blog. Yours is cool, too. I voted for Wallace and Gromit.

I was wondering if I could include you in an article about Austin bloggers. I'd just need to conduct a short interview with you, perhaps via e-mail?

If you're interested just comment back with your e-mail address and I'll send it your way (I procrastinated and now realized I need to do this ASAP so hopefully you have the time tonight)

Austin Eavesdropper said...

Article interview = yes

tollymoseley@hotmail.com

Look forward to your ?'s

Tiffany Diane said...

Hmmm.. I don't get ANY e-mail notifications from blogger. I don't know if that is something I'm supposed to set up or what. Haha.

And I'll be shooting you an e-mail soon. And YES I will definitely be at Yelle!

Anonymous said...

jack skellington from the nightmare before christmas- my favorite to date. I also loved the claymation used in life aquatic- i dont know the artists name. gumby was my favorite when i was a kid!

Austin Eavesdropper said...

Jack Skeleton!!! I can't believe I forgot about him in the poll. Good call Anonymous.

Anonymous said...

GUMBY for LIFE! Dude that little green guy was so cool! Watching those shows now is incredibly weird and awesome!

Come to my show friday! Emo's.

Austin Eavesdropper said...

Haha I'm glad you like Gumby too!!! He was almost me personal winner. Thanks for stopping by Mario!

Model Citizen aka Bonnie Rue said...

Viva la Penny from Pee-wee's Playhouse!
She was so rad and I loved the sound effect of her rubbing her eyes!

Anonymous said...

gdbg

Hardak said...

Definatley Penny,I loved how she freaked out little brother. I didn't like how her segments weren't very long, however, I was a child and was only interested in the claymation anyway.

The Raisins come in second for me, because of Raisins Sold Out. C'mon guys, Disco Polka!

SCOTT said...

I would have to say PENNY because she was crazy or had ADD! Just kidding,the main reason is that claymation is a long lost art and i have great respect for all claymation creations.