“Têtes à Claques” – the funny animated web series from Quebec that has been an all out sensation garnering millions of views in Quebec and France is now being offered in English.

The series was an instant hit when launched a few years ago. “Têtes à Claques” creator Michel Beaudet said when he first launched his French version he sent emails out to 50 friends. Three months later it was the most popular French-language site in Canada, with more than 520 million viewers visiting the web site. The Characters – weird looking clay puppets morphed with human eyes and mouths have also been featured in commercials for Vertigo Pops, and a DVD version featuring the first 45 clips sold 100,000 copies in Quebec by the end of 2007.

“When I did the French version, I sent an email to 50 friends. Three months later, it was the most popular French-language site in Canada,” explains Beaudet from his Salambo Productions studio in Montreal. “We aren’t making a big deal out of it. The media are waiting for us. Even if we have a quarter of the success we had in French, we will be happy.”

While Beaudet acted in the French sketches – I say acted because those are really expressive eyes and lips – the English version is done by actor Bruce Dinsmore (The Myth of the Male Orgasm) and will have several accents.

“We have Scottish, British, Texan, Indian. The accents will make it interesting for people from all over the world.”

I speak French and having watched them in both versions, prefer the original French ones, probably because of the turns of phrases and Quebecois patois that make up the bulk of the comedy. That’s one of the reasons it’s a hit in France too, who turn in to hear the uniquely Quebec expressions, and Franglais where English terms are used within the sentences seamlessly. But I prefer watching foreign movies with subtitles too. Actually, can’t stand dubbing. Can’t.

Not all of the Têtes à Claques skits have been translated yet – the famous Willi Waller potato peeler skit isn’t up yet, so if you can’t wait for it, here’s my translation of the Willi Waller potato peeler in English.

Check out the “Têtes à Claques” web site.

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