("Magic

Balloon A balloon is a flexible membrane bag that can be inflated with a gas, such as helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, oxygen, or air. For special purposes, balloons can be filled with smoke, liquid water, granular media (e.g. sand, flour or rice), ...

") was a

children's television program Children's television series (or children's television shows) are Television show, television programs designed specifically for Child, children. They are typically characterised by easy-going content devoid of sensitive or adult themes and are ...

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

that aired between 1983 and 1986. The children, who were the main stars of the program, were also part of a children's musical group,

Turma do Balão Mágico Turma do Balão Mágico ("English language, English: The Magic Balloon (aeronautics), Balloon Gang") was a Brazilian children's music group active between 1982 and 1986. The children also starred the TV show, ''Balão Mágico''. The group relea ...

("The Magic Balloon Gang"), which was active between 1982 and 1986. The show introduced the popular character Fofão. Balão Mágico aired on Brazilian television network

Rede Globo TV Globo (stylized as tvglobo; , ), formerly known as Rede Globo de Televisão (; shortened to Rede Globo) or simply known as Globo, is a Brazilian free-to-air television network, launched by media proprietor Roberto Marinho on 26 April 1965 ...

from 1983–1986. The show's success led to Fofão receiving a solo show after Balão Mágico ended in 1986.

Production

In 1982, realizing the success of the children's programs '' Bambalalão'', by

TV Cultura TV Cultura, or simply Cultura, is a free Brazilian non-commercial public television network headquartered in São Paulo and a part of Father Anchieta Foundation, a non-profit foundation funded by the São Paulo State Government. It focuses on ...

, and '' Bozo'', by SBT,

decided to create its own program aimed at children and with a circus theme, like the competitors, selecting the director Nilton Travesso to conceive the project. The director invited

Simony Simony () is the act of selling church offices and roles or sacred things. It is named after Simon Magus, who is described in the Acts of the Apostles as having offered two disciples of Jesus payment in exchange for their empowering him to imp ...

, who was successful as a member of the children's group

, to present the program alongside Orival Pessini as the character Fofão, naming the attraction as ''Balão Mágico'' '. The program premiered on March 7, 1983 and included Castrinho as the clown Cascatinha and Simony's cousin, Luciana Benelli. After three months, due to the public's estrangement, the broadcaster decided to include

Mike Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and documen ...

and

Tob Tob was the name of a place in Transjordan, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Hebrew Bible Jephthah flees from his brothers to the "land of Tob". In Tob, Jephtha gatheres some men until his brothers want him back to fight against the Ammonites (). ...

in the presentation, the other two members of

, and, in 1984,

Jairzinho Jair Ventura Filho (born 25 December 1944), better known as Jairzinho (), is a Brazilian former professional footballer. A quick, skillful, and powerful right winger known for his finishing ability and eye for goal, he was a key member and leadi ...

joined the group and also on the program. In 1984 Tob left the group and was replaced by Ricardinho, who also joined the program instead. As a result, the broadcaster decided to put an end to the program, but as the ''

Xou da Xuxa ''Xou da Xuxa'' () was a Brazilian children's television series directed by Marlene Mattos, and hosted by Xuxa Meneghel. It premiered on TV Globo, Rede Globo between 30 June 1986 and 31 December 1992, with 2000 editions completed. ''Xou'' replaced ...

'' would debut only in June at the time, the attraction started to be presented in those three months only by Ticiane Pinheiro, who vineyard of the very successful ''TV Criança'' in

Band Band or BAND may refer to: Places *Bánd, a village in Hungary * Band, Iran, a village in Urmia County, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran * Band, Mureș, a commune in Romania * Band-e Majid Khan, a village in Bukan County, West Azerbaijan Province, ...

Cast

The show's main cast comprised: * Simony ( Simony Benelli Galasso): The only girl in the band * Tob (Vimerson Canavilas Benedicto): The oldest member of the group * Mike ( Michael Biggs): Son of infamous British robber

Ronnie Biggs Ronald Arthur Biggs (8 August 1929 – 18 December 2013) was an English criminal who helped plan and carry out the Great Train Robbery of 1963. He subsequently became notorious for his escape from prison in 1965, living as a fugitive for 36 y ...

* Jairzinho (

Jair Oliveira Jair Rodrigues M. Oliveira (Jairzinho Oliveira, born March 17, 1975, in São Paulo, São Paulo) is a Brazilian composer, singer and producer. He is the son of the late Brazilian musician Jair Rodrigues and brother to singer Luciana Mello. In the ...

): Son of Brazilian musician

Jair Rodrigues Jair Rodrigues de Oliveira (February 6, 1939 – May 8, 2014) was a Brazilian musician and singer. He is the father of Luciana Mello and Jair Oliveira, who also followed in his footsteps and became musicians. Biography Born in Igarapava, Rodr ...

* Ricardinho (Ricardo Batista): The last member of the group

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Balao Magico 1983 Brazilian television series debuts 1986 Brazilian television series endings Musical television series TV Globo original programming Brazilian children's television series 1980s Brazilian television series Brazilian music television series Television series based on singers and musicians