Espinete
| Espinete | |
|---|---|
| Barrio Sésamo character | |
| Portrayed by | Chelo Vivares |
| Information | |
| Species | Full-Body Muppet hedgehog |
| Nationality | Spanish |
Espinete is a fictional large pink hedgehog. He was the main character of Barrio Sésamo, the Spanish version of Sesame Street. Espinete appeared on the show from 1983 to 1987. He was played by Spanish actress Chelo Vivares.
A big, human-sized muppet, Espinete is a pink hedgehog (in Spanish, erizo is the word for hedgehog, and espina is the word for quill or spine).
Espinete's gender has been open to debate for some time, specially after the end of his/her appearance in the series. Although Espinete is played by an actress, apparently Espinete is portrayed as a male. Another character, Don Pimpón, said once that Espinete is "just a (small) boy" (In Spanish sólo un niño, which could also be arguably translated as "just a child.")
Espinete does not wear clothes during the day. However, he wears pajamas when going to sleep (including a nightcap), and he also has used disguises (including a wizard, Dracula and a superhero called Súper Espi).
Initially, Espinete lived in a forest with other hedgehogs. He then moved to Barrio Sésamo, where he wanted to live "under a tree". Human adults in Barrio Sésamo tried to convince him to live in a normal house, but the children disagreed. Finally, it was decided that Espinete would live in a garage, owned by one of the adults but not used, which was adapted into a room.
From his behavior, it must be understood that Espinete is a child. He is friends with most, if not all, of the characters in the Barrio, including references to "his friends Epi and Blas" (Bert and Ernie), although Espinete does not appear with them in any sketches. He does not have a single "father figure", but many of them in the form of all of the adults in the Barrio (particularly Chema the baker, who has no children of his own; and monster Don Pimpón).
Espinete does not have a regular source of income. However, he does eat and drink. This has not been justified, but is similar to other muppets living with humans, such as Big Bird.
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