(09-12-2015, 06:16 PM)winflop link Wrote:No offense, but I just thought the two mascot thing was kinda dumb. I would rather they gave Benny a little plastic surgery :)
Not offended in the least. The two-mascot thing was a little awkward, but I respect the Bulls for trying to keep a popular tradition (and long-time employee) while introducing a new one (not me--I wasn't the first Da Bull). As I mentioned in my earlier post, one issue was to differentiate between the two mascots. Benny had a giant, friendly, google-eyed head, pot belly, and enormous feet--honestly, he was perfectly designed for a cuddly mascot. So to contrast against Benny, Da Bull was fierce-looking and far more streamlined. The streamlining allowed him to be athletic (giant heads and feet are the antithesis of athletic mascot costumes), but his fierceness did scare some kids. I performed as both mascots, but mostly as Da Bull. Kids' reactions to Benny was unadulterated joy and open arms; their reactions to Da Bull was frequently cautious intrigue and sometimes complete terror.
Eventually the Bulls did do away with Da Bull and redesigned Benny as an athletic but still cute mascot. The guy who currently plays Benny is awesome. He's great at all the elements of mascotting: tumbling, dunking, dancing, and clowning.