Lazlo (Camp Lazlo)

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Lazlo

Lazlo
First appearance "Parasitic Pal"
Created by Joe Murray
Portrayed by Carlos Alazraqui
Information
Species Brazilian spider monkey
Gender Male

Lazlo is a fictional character in Camp Lazlo, an award-winning original series from Cartoon Network. Lazlo is a Brazilian spider monkey with a carefree personality. Lazlo, from São Paulo[1], "goes where the wind blows" by his own statement. [2] Carlos Alazraqui voiced Lazlo.

Contents

[edit] Creation

Joe Murray, creator of Camp Lazlo, originally created Lazlo for a children's book concept. As he developed the concept, Murray believed that a children's book could not contain the stories and ideas, so he decided to create a television show. [3] According to Murray, when he thought about Lazlo's personality, a Brazilian spider monkey came to his mind. [4] Originally Murray wanted Lazlo to carry a strong Brazilian accent, but when Cartoon Network asked Murray to choose only one character to carry a strong accent, Murray opted for Raj and gave Lazlo an Americanized voice. [1] Murray said that he did not plan for Alazraqui to voice Lazlo; according to him the arrangement simply occurred. [4]

[edit] Description

Murray wrote on his website that Lazlo's parents moved to the United States to start a fruit company, allowing Lazlo to learn English. [1]

Lazlo stays in the Jelly Cabin with Raj and Clam; the three are called the "Jelly Trio." [5]

In "Clown Camp", it is revealed that Lazlo is afraid of clowns after a traumatic childhood event on his 4th birthday when a clown's nose fell off and into his lap.

[edit] Personality

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The Cartoon Network press kit character descriptions describe Lazlo as "imaginative, freethinking," and a "natural-born non-conformist." The press kit states that Lazlo "enthusiastically spreads mischief and wacky shenanigans," uses "imagination and creativity" to solve problems, and annoys Scoutmaster Lumpus with his "persistent happiness and optimism." [5]

The Hollywood Reporter reviewer Ray Richmond described Lazlo as "energetic."[6] Science Fiction Weekly reporter Kathie Huddleston describes Lazlo as "optmistic" and "out to wreak as much good-natured havoc as he can."[7] Common Sense Media reviewer Joly Herman, whose review is posted on Go.com, says that Lazlo possesses "innocent rebellious quality of a trickster" since "authority" is often his adversary, and that Lazlo does not "take him seriously," with "him" being Lumpus.[8]

Murray says that he admires Lazlo's ability to "make the best of situations when things go against him." In an interview the interviewer inquired Murray about Lazlo's dislike of "structure." [4]

Murray also describes Lazlo as dealing with conflicts and issues "with imagination"; the Camp Lazlo creator said that in his own family he likes to use "imagination" when dealing with his real life conflicts.[4]

A member of the Squirrel Scouts, Patsy Smiles, has a crush on Lazlo. In an interview Murray said that Patsy's affection causes Lazlo to feel "little freaked out" and that "She scares him." He describes Patsy as "a little more aggressive with Lazlo than he would ever reciprocate." [4]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Character Museum," Joe Murray Studio
  2. ^ Camp Lazlo: Where's Lazlo?
  3. ^ "Camp Lazlo," Joe Murray Studio
  4. ^ a b c d e "Q & A with Joe Murray," Cartoon Network Pressroom
  5. ^ a b "Character Descriptions" of Camp Lazlo, Cartoon Network
  6. ^ "Camp Lazlo," The Hollywood Reporter
  7. ^ "Camp Lazlo," Science Fiction Weekly
  8. ^ "TV Review: Camp Lazlo," Common Sense Media on Go.com