Topo Gigio - References in Popular Culture

References in Popular Culture

• In Latin America, Topo Gigio became a smash hit in 1968, widely remembered even now, featuring Braulio Castillo, Raul Astor (Raúl Ignacio Spangenberg) and later, Julio Alemán. Gigio had several LPs with songs sung by Gabriel Garzón. The show was produced in Peru, and then in Mexico. He made a comeback for the 2006 Germany World Cup, in short segments of a sports show.
• In 1966, Topo Gigio appeared on the first of many occasions in ITV's Sunday Night at the London Palladium with Jimmy Tarbuck (Compere), Nina & Frederik and Lonnie Donegan.
• A mention of Topo Gigio was made in the 1999 film Being John Malkovich. In the movie, Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) is in control of John Horatio Malkovich (John Malkovich); while instructing a class of puppetry, he angrily corrects a student's poor performance of the marionettes, instructing that puppetry without emotion is "a novelty act. It's Topo Gigio."
• Another mention occurs in the 1994 film The Santa Clause. When Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is giving alternative names for Santa Claus to the police officer in the interrogation scene, Scott imitates Ed Sullivan when he says the name "Topo Gigio." This is a reference to at least one episode of the Ed Sullivan Show, in which Gigio dresses as and imitates Santa.
• The music video for Billy Joel's song, "Tell Her About It", which puts Joel on the stage of The Ed Sullivan Show, begins with Sullivan saying, "Thank you, Topo Gigio."
• On an episode of Fantasy Football League during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, a 'lookalikes' segment commented that Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar resembled Topo Gigio.
• Topo Gigio has been the official mascot of the Uruguayan club Huracán Buceo since 1968.
• Popular Mexican singer Victor Yturbe, mentions the line "Quiero hacerle al Topo Gigio" in his single "Sabes de que Tengo Ganas"
• In Craig Lucas's play, Blue Window, Topo Gigio is referenced.
• The Guardian Guide journalist Charlie Brooker, in his Screen-Burn column, likened All Saints Natalie Appleton to Topo Gigio after her appearance in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
• In the syndicated comic strip 9 Chickweed Lane, on July 16, 2008, Edda refers to her new dance partner as Topo Gigio.
• In the episode "The Last Temptation of Cory" of the television series Boy Meets World the character Missy Robinson mistakenly calls Topanga "Topo Gigio".
• On August 20, 2008, TMZ.com compared Shawn Johnson to Topo Gigio. Which ultimately got the reference removed from the site due to a public uproar.
• In the musical Forever Plaid, the number "Lady of Spain" ends with the phrase "Kiss Topo Gigio Goodnight."
• Argentine footballer Carlos Tevez claimed that his goal celebrations were to honour Topo Gigio after Manchester City's 2-1 win over his former club and fierce rivals Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final first leg 2009/10 season. Tevez claimed that his Argentine team mate Juan Roman Riquelme also honours Topo Gigio with his goal celebrations.
• A restaurant in Chicago is named Topo Gigio in honor of the character.
• Topo Gigio was also a favorite reference in the earlier seasons of the American television series Mystery Science Theater 3000, usually with the character Crow T. Robot (performed by Trace Beaulieu) announcing "Ladies and gentlemen, Topo Gigio!" in the voice of Ed Sullivan.
• Topo Gigio is an Italian Restaurant based in Swansea, South Wales. Established 1979 .