Bill Body: Crazy World of Sports (partially found animated series; 1992-1993)
The only VHS known.
Status: Partially Found
Bill Body: Crazy World of Sports (original title: Bill Body - Verrückte Welt des Sports, aka just as Bill Body) is a Swiss-German animated series that originally aired in 1992-1993, with allegedly 52 episodes. It was part of a whole toy franchise, Bill Body der "Super" Sportler ("Bill Body the Super Sportsman") promoted in the chocolate Kinder products.
Premise
It centered on sportsman Bill Body, who lives with his friends on Body Island, where all of the society is based on sports. Bill tries/has to master as many sports as possible, but his clumsiness, bad luck and over-confidence often get in the way.
Bill has a wife, Betsy, with several children. His friends include the strong Hulk and inventor Bingo.
The series was also dubbed at least in French, English and in Portuguese, in addition to its native German.
Production
Bill Body was created by René Lehner, a Swiss cartoonist.
Animation was handled by Jade Animation, a Chinese studio.
English dubbing was done at Hollywood Recording Services.
Home video release
The only home video version that seems to exist is a single German-language VHS that is found on different auction sites; contributor The Reynard bought one and discovered the anthology episode where the shorts come from, plus an unknown episode (where Bill Body is shipwrecked in a tropical island, meeting some natives). He also distinctly remembers watching an episode in the mid-1990s where Bill Body had to take on sumo-wrestling, but couldn't get fat enough to even face his opponent.
Availability
The series has become very obscure over the years, not even having a IMdB entry or Wikipedia page (any language).
Of the alleged 52 episodes, only a few have resurfaced. A couple of episodes in Portuguese have managed to find their way on the Internet, along with several short segments that constituted an anthology episode.
In summer of 2014, contributor Smith B. has revealed he had two English-dubbed episodes of the series taped on VHS when it was screened on South African television. They will be uploaded when possible.
Between May and June of 2017, English-dubbed episodes 28, 29, 30, 32 and 34 have been uploaded on YouTube channel Film&Clips. Those include end credits that give information on production.
Videos
Image gallery
Bill Body after saving Pamela Amplebody (an obvious parody of Pamela Anderson from "Baywatch").
Bill wearing a wig to double as David Hasselbody (an obvious parody of David Hasselhoff from "Baywatch".
Bill, his friend Hulk and Bingo meet Raymond Thrill. From the episode "The Land Speed Record".
Bill helping Raymond Thrill break the "Land Speed Record" after his car has gotten stolen. From the episode "The Land Speed Record".
Bill trying horse-riding.
Hulk lifting barbells.
Bill and a judo partner.
An American football team.
Bill playing tennis.
Bill Body figurines and an illustrated sheet from Kinder eggs
More Kinder figurines.
Figurines in a paper set.
A licensed comic.
Another licensed comic.
A promotional illustration.
