If you’ve got kids, the chances are you’ve heard all about LazyTown, the children’s television programme with the health-conscious message. At a million dollars a show, it’s the most expensive children’s series ever made; but with enthusiastic audiences lapping it up in 120 countries, the plucky Icelandic show is still on the up and up.
Magnus Scheving, A.K.A Sportacus, is the show’s creator as well as lead character. Magnus is a fitness and diet freak and actor extraordinaire; but before LazyTown, he had already made his name as a two-time European champion and world silver medallist aerobic gymnast.
Now his flexible business acumen is reaping rewards, as LazyTown Entertainment bucks the dismal Icelandic business trend and remains on course for ambitious expansion abroad. As well as all the books, DVDs, toys and clothes associated with the LazyTown show, LazyTown entertainment now plans to open a chain of healthy LazyTown restaurants in international cities like Tokyo, London and New York. There are even talks underway concerning a c. USD 24 million Sportacus movie.
“If I lost all my money, I would still feel rich because I am doing something I love,” Scheving told The Times. But with a 44 percent stake in the world’s biggest children’s television project, his money looks quite secure. There is even a queue of unemployed Icelandic bankers desperate to join the LazyTown phenomenon (behind the cameras, of course), even if it does mean changing to an uncharacteristically healthy lifestyle.
My children LOVE Lazy Town – the music, Sportacus, and other characters; they love to yell at Robbie Rotten when he gets caught. I only see re-runs of the show in the US, so I hope there are more TV shows planned – I hope to see a live Lazy Town show some time, and welcome a movie. I just wish we (in the US) had better access to the music and DVDs my friends in Germany and the UK have…..smaller selection available, so if that could be improved, that would be great!
Lazy Town is one of the greatest TV shows ever created. It really is amazing to see how kids just stop what ever they are doing and just watch. Do question if it has any effect on them being more active – if anything it has the opposite effect while it is on. Just hope Iceland realises what they have in Magnus Scheving – a man who really deserves a lot of praise, most notably from Parents and Carers across the world.
WELL, MOST OF THE CHILDREN DO FOLLOW WHAT THE ACTORS INVITE THEM TO DO AND THEY DO A LOT OF SPORT IN THE MEANWHILE. JUST TAKE YOUR SOFA TABLE AWAY IF YOU DONT WANT THEM TO JUMP ON THE SOFA.
See! Geir Haarde plays an appropriate role on behalf of Iceland
http://www.lazytown.biz/the-company/property/characters/sportacus
Oooops sorry – I didn’t mean to be so kind!
This is what I meant
http://www.lazytown.biz/the-company/property/characters/robbie-rotten/
@ Terry
Geir Haarde – Robbie Rotton
And maybe David Oddsson – Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers Movies?
@Alex editor
Thanks for writing this article.
Magnus Scheving is the real deal and is genuine in what he does (unlike our bankers & politicians)
Its nice to see not ALL Icelandic entrepreneures potrayed as villains and fakes.
I would like to wish Magnus Scheving and Lazy town every success for the future.
MAYBE IT WOULD BE BETTER TO DO THIS TO PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM DRINKING AND USING DRUGS IN ICELAND:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_325585.html
AND DANCING…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1112128/Dancing-girl-murdered-Taliban-refusing-traditional-performances-despite-death-threats.html
I love lazy town, and even my 6 month old child loves lazy town. Everytime it is on he will stop in his baby walker and watch the full episode! It is just so great that someone so wonderful as Magnus Scheving is changing the world, and if you think that comment is over the top… revisit this in 10 years time to see how much influence Sportacus had over the children watching the show right now!! I am so glad Iceland has a new Jon Páll.
I live in Australia and my family loves Lazytown! Magnus Scheving is a genius, not to mention funny, gorgeous and inspiring. He has inspired me to join the gym and be a healthier person, and I have so much fun impersonating him with my children! We watch Lazytown every day and make healthy choices totally influenced by his show. Lazytown has changed my life, I love Magnus and everything he stands for. Thank you for creating such a wonderful show and I hope to see you in Australia soon!