Xuxa

On any given weekend morning when most kids in Southern California are watching "The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show" or "Captain Planet," the vast majority of Spanish-speaking children are tuned in to Xuxa, whose one-hour "El Show de Xuxa" on KMEX-TV, Channel 34, Saturday and Sunday mornings has become a sensation. During the February ratings sweeps, Xuxa commanded an 80% share of Latino viewers watching television between the ages of 2 and 11, according to Strategy Research Corp.

Regarding "Xuxa's Very Big Neighborhood," Jeb Blount's profile of the Brazilian multimedia star (April 19): Five hundred years after Columbus' arrival in this hemisphere, here comes Xuxa, Brazil's answer to the Good Neighbor Policy, a backlash and cultural mirror from the shadow of Sugar Loaf Mountain Certainly Xuxa's message translates very well. It is the language of racism, sexism, materialism and oppression. It is international, the language of imperialism, the International Monetary Fund and multinational media commercialism.

A giant spaceship, Xuxa's navio espacial , descends from the ceiling of a huge sound stage billowing the steam of melting dry ice. When it lands on the stage, a door bearing a pair of giant lips, a la Mick Jagger without the menace, opens, and she descends into a huge studio playground filled with colorful chutes and ladders, giant candy canes, huge lollipops and a gaggle of excited and dancing children.

On any given weekend morning when most kids in Southern California are watching "The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show" or "Captain Planet," the vast majority of Spanish-speaking children are tuned in to Xuxa, whose one-hour "El Show de Xuxa" on KMEX-TV, Channel 34, Saturday and Sunday mornings has become a sensation. During the February ratings sweeps, Xuxa commanded an 80% share of Latino viewers watching television between the ages of 2 and 11, according to Strategy Research Corp.

Bravo for your super coverage of the next worldwide superstar, Xuxa. She's the most tantalizing personality to grace my TV in a long, long time. I discovered Xuxa one Saturday morning last year while dial-spinning on my cable. Her show is a joyous celebration, not only for the lucky children on the set but for anyone watching. I told my friends that she would be a big star. They all said, "Who?" Now they know about Xuxa. Even though I can't understand a single word she utters, she can visit my TV anytime.

* "I am confused and scared," admitted Brazilian superstar Xuxa after a plot to kidnap her was foiled in Rio de Janeiro. The plan was uncovered when a security guard called police about a car that was parked suspiciously outside a Rio studio where Xuxa records her TV program. Two men in the car opened fire on the police and a high-speed chase ensued. One suspect and a police officer were killed in a shootout.

Xuxa Mania: "Xuxa," the South American show for kiddies starring Brazilian pop sensation Xuxa (pronounced Shoosha), is coming to the United States. MTM Television Distribution has sold an English version of the series to more than 80% of the country, including KCOP-TV Channel 13 here. The syndicated show begins airing this fall.

Upbeat Fiesta: Two major Latino stars have been added to the lineup of this year's "L.A. Fiesta Broadway," which will be staged in the streets of downtown Los Angeles on April 28. Jose Jose, known as the "Prince of Romantic Songs," and Brazilian pop star Xuxa, who has more than a dozen platinum records throughout Latin America, will be among the 100-plus acts and entertainers performing.

MTM Entertainment Announces Layoffs: The money-losing Los Angeles-based production company purchased in January by the empire of televangelist Pat Robertson will lay off its chief executive and at least 15 of 75 employees. Control of MTM Entertainment will largely be assumed by its new parent, Virginia Beach, Va.-based International Family Network. Tim Robertson, Pat Robertson's son and head of IFN, said the restructuring will save $2 million a year.

A giant spaceship, Xuxa's navio espacial , descends from the ceiling of a huge sound stage billowing the steam of melting dry ice. When it lands on the stage, a door bearing a pair of giant lips, a la Mick Jagger without the menace, opens, and she descends into a huge studio playground filled with colorful chutes and ladders, giant candy canes, huge lollipops and a gaggle of excited and dancing children.

* "I am confused and scared," admitted Brazilian superstar Xuxa after a plot to kidnap her was foiled in Rio de Janeiro. The plan was uncovered when a security guard called police about a car that was parked suspiciously outside a Rio studio where Xuxa records her TV program. Two men in the car opened fire on the police and a high-speed chase ensued. One suspect and a police officer were killed in a shootout.