Bibi Blocksberg

Bibi Blocksberg is a German audio drama series for children, created in 1980 by Elfie Donnelly. The main character is a girl called Bibi Blocksberg, who is a witch. As of winter 2008, there have been 92 episodes. The original title of the series was Eene meene Hexerei. This title was used for the first seven episodes, after which the series was renamed to Bibi Blocksberg. The first episodes were later released under the new title and with a new cover. The old episodes are very sought after among collectors. The length of the episodes originally varied between 35 and 40 minutes and nowadays between 40 and 45 minutes. An exception is episode #78 with a length of 52 minutes.

In the series, Bibi, who is fond of playing practical jokes, experiences numerous adventures with her friends. Magic often plays a major part, and often leads to trouble, and Bibi's mother, who is also a witch, must come to set things straight. Bibi's antagonist is often the mayor of Neustadt, who is presented as lazy and incompetent. This leads to conflict with the helpful Bibi.

The surname of Bibi is a reference to the old name of the Brocken, a mountain in Saxony-Anhalt in its native Germany that is traditionally connected with witches (Walpurgis Night), most famously in Goethe's Faust.

The series was adapted into an animated series in 1995. 11 years later, in 2006, it was given an English dub produced by Ocean Productions and recorded at Blue Water Studios.

Characters

Bibi Blocksberg

Brigitte "Bibi" Blocksberg is a 13-year-old girl who has blonde hair tied to a pony tail with a red bow and wearing a green dress (green is her favourite colour), white socks and no shoes. Bibi likes to use her magical powers to make practical jokes. Not only the mayor, but also the school principal, the teachers and many other people of Neustadt fall victim to her jokes. Her favourite mode of transport is her broomstick Kartoffelbrei (mashed potato or apple pie in the English dub) which she can make fly by chanting spell rhymes, such as Eene meene Mei, Kartoffelbrei mein Flugzeug sei, or Eeene meene Schmieg, Kartoffelbrei los, flieg. Often, the journalist Karla Kolumna reports her jokes and adventures. Apart from her tendency to make jokes, Bibi has a big heart. She rescues the townspeople in many episodes, tries to help her friends and is opposed to injustice in the world.

Bibi's family

Bernhard and Barbara Blocksberg are Bibi's parents. Barbara is also a witch, and flies to the Walburgisnacht every year on her broomstick Baldrian (Baldrian is a common sleeping draught). In the first episodes, her eccentric cooking is a source of annoyance for her family. Barbara insist on cooking witches' food with ingredients such as spiders and frogs, even though no member of her family likes it. Once, she admits that she doesn't even like the food herself, but merely tries to uphold old witch traditions. When Barbara is tired of her family, she flies to visit her friend Amanda. She has a witch's laboratory, in which she often makes foul-smelling magical potions and experiments with various herbs. She feels responsible for upholding a "normal" life in her household and has thus set many rules in the Blocksberg house (for example no flying in through the window, no flying to school on the broomstick, use magic only in an emergency), but these rules are often broken. She frequently reminds her daughter of the witches' honour code, which for example forbids conjuring up money. Like many other adult witches, Barbara is a member of the Hexenrat (witches' council).

Bernhard Blocksberg has no magic powers, as these are exclusive to women. He would like to have a normal family, which he mentions in nearly every episode. He often forbids Barbara and Bibi to use magic, but they never listen to him. However, he is proud of "his" witches. He has a habit of reading the town newspaper every morning. Although Bernhard and Barbara often have arguments, which sometimes escalate to divorce threats, they love each other and in some later episodes go on romantic cruises, for example to Venice.

The first seven episodes also feature Bibi's little brother Boris. He is often very jealous of Bibi's magical powers, which leads to many arguments between them. According to episode #1, he is eight years old. In episode #9, he moves to his grandparents' house at the North Sea. The reason that is given is that he has a cough and needs fresh sea air. He is never mentioned again and doesn't return to his parents and sister, not even on important occasions, such as when the Blocksbergs are moving into a new house.

Monika

Moni (Monika) is Bibi's best friend. She first appears in episode #10 Bibis neue Freundin (Bibi's new friend), when she comes to Bibi's class. Originally, she was unpopular. She often was unfriendly to her classmates. Because of her old-fashioned clothes and the fact that she used to live in a small village, she was called a Landpomeranze (derogatory term used for a girl from the countryside). Only when Bibi found out that Moni has trouble with her very strict parents, she decided to help her, and they have been good friends since.

Marita

Marita is Bibi's best friend in later episodes. Bibi meets her in episode #19. Marita is a lot more self-confident than Bibi's other friend, Moni. Even though they sometimes have arguments, Bibi and Marita remain close friends. Marita appears often in later episodes and has many exciting adventures with Bibi.

Florian

Florian is one of Bibi's best friends and a computer guru. In later episodes, he also became a fan of Sherlock Holmes. He has helped Bibi raise a dinosaur and was present at many other adventures, which would often involve him looking up things on his computer. Bibi and the others often call him "Flori". It is sometimes implied that Bibi's friend Moni might have a crush on Florian.

The Mayor

The Mayor's name is Bruno Pressak (Pressack is a type of German sausage, as well as a derogatory term for a corpulent person), but he is nearly always referred to as "The Mayor". He often makes many good promises, but his motive is always only money. He refers to Bibi as "Bibi Blocksbergi". This is due to the fact that in episode #3 Die Zauberlimonade (The magic lemonade), Bibi made him drink magic lemonade that forced him to add an "i" to every word he said. He has kept the habit ever since whenever he meets Bibi. He is dominant and rude to his secretary Pichler. He loves food and is portrayed as overweight. He is sometimes presented as megalomanic. In episode #64 Die neue Schule (The new school), for instance, he orders a new city hall to be built in the shape of a castle, and in episode #63 Die Wahrsagerin (The fortune-teller), he visits a fortune-teller, who tells him he is going to be King of Neustadt, which causes him to order a regal robe and sceptre. He often appears a bit stupid and gullible, and his character is defined by a lust for profit and a habit of emphasising his own importance. However, he is never cruel. He has a good heart hidden deep inside of him.

Karla Kolumna

Karla is a reporter, who is always looking for a big story. She is good friends with the Blocksberg family and often helps them. She often rides a motorcycle on her job. Her notable attributes are her high-pitched, shrill voice and loud laugh, her habit of talking very quickly and her catchphrase Sensationell!. She sometimes refers to the Mayor as her "dearest (or favourite) enemy". She enjoys presenting him as greedy. Karla also appears in the radio drama series Benjamin Blümchen and the Bibi Blocksberg spin-off, Bibi und Tina. She is known as "Carla Caramba" in the English dub.

Flauipaui

Flauipaui is a young witch who is friends with Bibi and Schubia. She is obsessed with her appearance, often combing her long hair and looking at herself in the mirror. She is very easily scared. She is afraid of her magic teacher Tante Mania, because she never understands her homework. However, she can be very brave in dangerous situations. She goes to magic school with Schubia Wanzhaar and Bibi Blocksberg. Her broomstick is called Gänseblümchen (Daisy).

Schubia

Schubia Wanzhaar is a young punk witch. She attends magic school with Bibi and Flauipaui. She has green hair and a motor broomstick called Kawakasi (probably a pun on the motorcycle manufacturer Kawasaki). She often has problems with her magic teacher Tante Mania because she's inattentive. She is overconfident, but is good friends with Bibi and Flaupaui, whom she often teases. She appears tough, but has a soft heart. She wears punk clothes and always wears deep red lipstick.

Amanda

Even though Bibi refers to her as "Tante" (aunt), Amanda is not actually related to the Blocksbergs. She is a friend of Barbara's, who doesn't only have magical powers as well, but also shares her passion for witchcraft. In episode #77, it is revealed that she is the chairwoman of the witches' council's progressive wing.

Mania

Mania is the oldest witch in and a foundation member of the witches' council. In early episodes, she is portrayed as the typical evil witch of fairy tales, with a strong dislike for other people. In episode #35, she even conjures up eternal winter, only to spite her fellow witches. In later episodes, she is shown as friendlier, but still very strict and set in her own ways. She becomes the teacher of the young witches Bibi, Flauipaui and Schubia. She doesn't care much for Flauipaui and Schubia, but she likes Bibi's kindness and her good heart, as well as her talent in witchcraft. Mania owns several cats, owls and a black raven named Abraxas (which is also the name of The Little Witch's raven [Otfried Preußler]), whom she uses to send messages, as well as to keep her company.

Walpurgia

Walpurgia is the head of the witches' council. She is very strict and insists on rules to be followed. In addition to her position in the witches' council, she runs a boarding school for young witches, to which Bibi, Flauipaui and Schubia are sent temporarily in episode #77.

The Thunderstorms

Cecily Thunderstorm is Bibi's aunt from Ireland and also a witch. She first appears in episode #8, and afterwards in episodes #36 and #82. She is married to Patrick Thunderstorm, who, like Bernard Blocksberg, has no magic powers. Patrick owns a flying car, which has been enchanted by his wife. Their daughter Margie first had problems with Bibi, but when Bibi learned of the castle's financial problems, she helped Margie and they became friends. The two girls have stayed in touch since. Despite the fact that the Thuderstorms are Irish, they always speak German, even among themselves. Only occasionally do they use English terms or phrases, such as "darling" or "Oh yeah!".

Cast

Further works

There have been two films about Bibi Blocksberg:

• 2002 Bibi Blocksberg
• 2004 Bibi Blocksberg und das Geheimnis der blauen Eulen

There is also an animated series with 52 episodes, but only the first 26 have been dubbed in English. There is also an animated film Geht's auch ohne Hexerei?.

There are also two spin-offs: Elea Eluanda, appearing as a guest in episode #78 of the radio show, and Bibi & Tina, in which Bibi has adventures on a riding farm with her new friend, Tina.

Three films about Bibi and Tina:

• 2014 Bibi & Tina
• 2014 Bibi & Tina: Voll verhext!
• 2016 Bibi & Tina: Mädchen gegen Jungs

Bibi has several cameo appearances in the series Benjamin the Elephant, also by Elfie Donnelly. In fact, Bibi was first introduced in that series alongside Benjamin, and the general setting and some of the characters (especially Karla Kolumna) are the same in both audio play series.

The official mobile game "Bibi's Stardust Chase" was released in 2013.

Episodes

Animated series

• Season 1 (1995-2002)
  • 1. Der Wetterfrosch ("The Weather Frog")
  • 2. B.B. als Prinzessin ("B.B. as a Princess")
  • 3. B.B. als Babysitter ("B.B. as a Baby Sitter")
  • 4. 3x schwarzer Kater ("Three Times Black Cat")
  • 5. Der Superhexspruch ("The Super Spell")
  • 6. B.B. im Dschungel ("B.B. in the Jungle")
  • 7. B.B. und das Dino-Ei ("B.B. and the Dinosaur Egg")
  • 8. B.B. und die Vampire ("B.B. and the Vampires")
  • 9. Wo ist Kartoffelbrei? ("Where is Kartoffelbrei?")
  • 10. Das Wettfliegen ("The Flying Competition")
  • 11. Die Mathekrankheit ("The Math Sickness")
  • 12. Die neue Schule ("The New School")
  • 13. B.B. im Orient ("B.B. in the Orient")
• Season 2 (2003)
  • 14. B.B. und die Weihnachtsmänner ("B.B. and the Santa Clauses")
  • 15. B.B. verliebt sich ("B.B. Falls in Love")
  • 16. Geht's auch ohne Hexerei? ("Do Things Work Even Without Magic?")
• Season 3 (2004-2006)
  • 17. Der weiße Kakadu ("The White Cocktaoo")
  • 18. Superpudel Puck ("Puck, The Super Poodle")
  • 19. Das verhexte Dromedar ("The Magical Dromedary")
  • 20. Abenteuer bei den Dinos ("Adventure Among the Dinosaurs")
  • 21. Der Hexenbann ("The Magical Ban")
  • 22. Die Computerhexe ("The Computer Witch")
  • 23. Der Hexengeburtstag ("The Witch Birthday")
  • 24. Die Schlossgespenster ("The Ghosts in the Castle")
  • 25. Hexerei im Zirkus ("Magic at the Circus")
  • 26. Mamis Geburtstag ("Mummy's Birthday")

Audio drama

Theme song

Originally, the series had an instrumental theme. In the new episodes there is a vocal theme song. The melody was arranged by Heiko Rüsse. Since episode #83, there has been a new theme song, arranged by Wolfgang W. Loos and Heiko Rüsse.

Criticism

Bibi Blocksberg is generally considered a good, entertaining and educational children's series.

It has however received criticism from the scientist Gerd Strohmeier. The cause of the criticism is the character of the incompetent and corrupt mayor of Neustadt, which Strohmeier claims will give a negative view of politics to children.^[1]

External links

• Official site
• A list of all episodes (Pdf)
• The Bibi Blocksberg cartoon
• Bibi Blocksberg cartoon at Kika, with a description of some characters

References