Lego: fat-shaming elephants since 1979!

"Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv) 07/11/2020 at 00:29 • Filed to: lego trivia

0

10

In 1979, Lego introduced a theme that was meant to bridge the gap between Duplo and regular Lego. The theme was called Fabuland and was based on the regular Lego system but with more large, specialized pieces to make things simpler. The world of Fabuland was populated by anthropomorphic animals with alliterative names like Joe Crow or Edward Elephant, and the sets were intended to be colorful and whimsical with a focus on storytelling.

It was also the first Lego theme to branch out into books, and there was even a claymation Fabuland tv show in the UK and Canada featuring whimsical storylines such as fat-shaming Edward the Elephant!

Seriously, that’s the premise of the episode in the above video. But alas, the Fabuland theme was discontinued in 1989, marking the end of Lego’s elephant fat-shaming days.

Wacko > Jim Spanfeller 07/11/2020 at 00:36

2

I had that Funland set as a kid.

The service station one. 

Jim Spanfeller > Wacko 07/11/2020 at 00:39

0

Nice! They do seem to have been pretty popular back in the day.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 07/11/2020 at 00:42

1

I’ve got many of those figures and they really are pretty interesting. The theme specific bricks, like that radiator piece shown above, are kind of hard to use.

This brochure of of mine describes them as “sassy little animal figures,” so I guess fat shaming is just sassy, not mean.

Ok, well dang I can’t find the scan of that page. Take my word for it. “ Sassy little animal figures.”

atfsgeoff > Jim Spanfeller 07/11/2020 at 00:43

5

Fat shaming is a delicate subject. I was kind of a porker back in middle and high school all the way into my early 30s, so I know how it feels to be on the receiving end of it. But I can understand the societal benefit of ‘encouraging’ morbidly obese folks to lose some weight, particularly those with legitimate disabilities caused by their excessive weight. I’d prefer positive encouragement instead of negative though

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 07/11/2020 at 00:45

2

Also, that TV show is the most British thing I've ever seen. Ever. Not even Svend can rival that.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > atfsgeoff 07/11/2020 at 00:54

0

Yes, the idea that you can’t even men tion morbid obesity that has seen prevalence lately is destructive, possibly more so than bullying because it is encouraging long term health problems. Don’t make fun and don’t encourage doesn’t leave too much room for discussion . Tricky subject.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Jim Spanfeller 07/11/2020 at 08:51

0

I had many of these parts in my LEGO collection as a child and definitely had a couple of these sets... I remember some of those doors and windows well. They were annoyingly out of proportion and I don’t think the shows ever made it to my part of the US.

Brickman > Jim Spanfeller 07/11/2020 at 09:10

1

Fabuland on Oppo, who would of ever known.

Fat shaming an elephant too :P

Jim Spanfeller > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 07/11/2020 at 10:02

0

Yeah, the show never aired in America. It was only in the UK and Canada. Some of the Fabuland pieces are really interesting.

kanadanmajava1 > Jim Spanfeller 07/11/2020 at 19:57

1

My only Fabuland Lego was set 3782. It had a weird parrot with an unreliable scooter and a camera.