48. Peppa Pig to be a big sister again: discuss
From Louie The Fly to Ronald McDonald, fictional icons have been around for decades. Their purpose? To keep consumers talking and engaged with the brand. Nowadays in the throes of social media virality, things can get pushed to the limits to gain traction in the media circuit.
The Duolingo owl ‘Duo’, popularised on TikTok by incentivising and tantalising users to complete their language challenges, has over 8 million followers on TikTok and famously fell in love with Dua Lipa. The owl has since died, however, it then miraculously arose from the dead. It may not be on my mind daily, but I’ve had multiple conversations with friends about Duo’s death, mostly wondering what is next in the Duolingo narrative. Power to the marketing team, we are awaiting the next turn of events.
This phenomenon doesn’t just relate to educational language apps. Just last week, British icon Peppa Pig’s mother, Mummy Pig, announced (technically Hasbro did) that she is pregnant with her third child. Mummy Pig graced British screens to talk about the news in an exclusive interview with Good Morning Britain. A friend shared this news with me on Instagram, knowing how chuffed I would be for the Pig family and as a long-time supporter (Peppa Pig aired in my house until my early teens with younger siblings in the residence), I really am.
Taking to the trustworthy breaking news platform TikTok, there were clips of Mummy Pig boasting her healthy-looking piglet in an ultrasound. I peered into the comments where the top comment is allegedly from “Daddy Pig”. However in his saying “That thing ain’t mine”, I doubt it was in fact him because we all know how much of a gentlepig he is.
This is proof that even cartoon celebrities can’t escape the vitriol of those wanting clout. Beneath that comment, major eyewear brand Specsavers shared their two cents “So that’s where the Duolingo owl was…” which is honestly disrespectful to the Pig family during their time of celebration. This is what you get on the big jobs; haters and speculation (and hilarious memes).
I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation and educational reason for why this narrative has been woven into the scripts of the show. Speaking realistically, Mummy Pig might be looking at a geriatric pregnancy, although I will not be speculating on her age. It’s important to present to young children and the world; that motherhood presents in all different shapes, sizes and species. Again, my congratulations to the Pig family.
