Home

Bluey: Aussie fans rail against Americanisation of beloved Australian cartoon

Headshot of Kate Emery
Kate EmeryThe West Australian
CommentsComments
Bluey has taken Australia by storm.
Camera IconBluey has taken Australia by storm. Credit: supplied/RegionalHUB

Australia’s recent controversial nuclear submarine deal with the US underscored the country’s allegiance to its most powerful ally.

But woe betide the Yanks if they come for the country’s most precious export, a show about a cartoon blue-heeler, Bluey.

A discussion on a usually amicable Bluey online fan group on Saturday turned distinctly spiky after one, presumably US-based, watcher bemoaned the fact that there were no episodes of Bluey celebrating Thanksgiving or Halloween.

In less than an hour more than 100 comments had piled up, most pointing out that Thanksgiving was not an Australian holiday and that Halloween was far less popular in Australia than in the US. Many fans said they would not like to see Bluey become Americanised and took a swipe at the international fan’s perceived lack of awareness of other countries’ culture.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“They don’t need to meet an American dog. They don’t need thanksgiving introduced,” said one fellow viewer. “A Halloween episode would be cute and relevant because Halloween is becoming a thing in Australia, especially for kids.

“But just because there’s a large American audience doesn’t mean there needs to be an American influence on the show. Sometimes things just should be left alone, they way they are. It’s an Australian show, with Australian actors, with Australian content — which has become a huge success outside of Australia, which doesn’t happen often... Just let it be, and stop making everything about you.”

Another said: “I hope they keep this show as Australian as possible simply because THATS [sic] why we all like it. Because it’s not like the other shows. And if they change it to fit other places then it won’t be an Australian show anymore and it’ll lose its magic.”

One viewer wrote that she “can’t believe” it had to be explained that Thanksgiving was not celebrated in Australia. Another, tongue firmly in cheek, suggested a “fourth of July” Bluey episode should be next.

While many of Bluey’s fieriest defenders were clearly Australian, some international viewers said its antipodean charms were part of the show’s appeal.

“I don't want it to be Americanized either. Its great the way it is,” wrote one. “I'd love to see more of their Holidays and tradition.”

Another said: “I really love that the show is based on their Australian culture because I’ve learned so much from them. I think I’ve learned just as many new words as my kids have.”

Bluey has become a cultural phenomenon, both in Australia and overseas.

It is ABC iView’s most downloaded show, at more than 480 million plays. It is watched in more than 60 countries and in the US it racked up 16 million viewers in just its first three months.

Some episodes celebrate specific holidays or events, including Christmas, Easter and a recent Father’s Day one-off episode.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails