MC Ballyhoo

“On to the race to the Star Space! Where can it be? I'm crazed with anticipation!”

—MC Ballyhoo, Mario Party 8

MC Ballyhoo is the host of his famous creation, the annual Star Carnival. He and his inseparable friend and hat, Big Top, serve as the hosts for each attraction. MC Ballyhoo is very extravagant and energetic in both speech and manner. Despite initial appearances, Big Top is a separate entity, completely capable of thinking and acting of its own free will.

MC Ballyhoo's name is based on the word "ballyhoo", meaning "great noise or commotion." This term is often applied to carnival audiences. The abbreviation "MC" is traditionally short for the title, "master of ceremonies." However, MC Ballyhoo refers to himself as a "master of catastrophes".

Biography

Hosting the Star Carnival

File:MP8 ss Star Carnival.jpg

MC Ballyhoo introduces his Star Carnival in midair.

Main article: Mario Party 8

MC Ballyhoo is the creator of the Star Carnival. Ever since its conception, the MC has devoted each year to planning the next year's carnival. One time, he decided to invited the celebrities Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Wario, Daisy, Waluigi, Toad, Boo, Toadette, Birdo, Dry Bones, Blooper, and Hammer Bro. to the festivities. Ballyhoo guided them through and hosted the festivities he and Big Top had prepared, all of which followed the traditional style of Mario Party board maps and mini-games. The winners of the main attraction, the Star Battles, won a year's supply of candy and the title of Super Star. Despite Bowser's interference, the MC still managed to keep the carnival running with the help of his guests.

Character

Personality and Speech

MC Ballyhoo is highly energetic, often flailing around with excitement. He even goes so far as to characterize his excitement for the Star Carnival's events as madness. While his voice is very similar to that of a male Pianta's in most regards, he has a trademark laugh which occasionally sounds forced. He speaks with satirical, ringmaster phrasing while introducing the various events at his carnival.

Physical Appearance

File:CaplessBallyhoo.jpg

Ballyhoo's pointed head is visible.

MC Ballyhoo is the only known member of an unnamed humanoid species. He has teal skin, large, orange lips, and small, yellow eyes. In his mouth, he does not have a visible bottom set of teeth, but he has a large, hot pink tongue. He is about the same height as the average Toad and is dwarfed by most humans. His feet and legs are much shorter and smaller than his arms and hands respectively. He does not have any toes. Rather, his feet appear similar to shoes. The top of Ballyhoo's head is pointed and he appears to wear a teal headband. However, this feature is usually hidden by Big Top.

Ballyhoo wears a magenta suit with pink cufflinks, and gold colored trim and buttons. He also sports a prominent red bow tie. Ballyhoo wears white gloves on his five-fingered hands. His suit wraps around his underside like the pants of a Toad, but he does wears neither traditional pants nor shoes. MC Ballyhoo is never seen without his microphone or Big Top. Although the mic does not appear to be connected to a speaker, it seems to be effective for amplifying the voices of both Big Top and Ballyhoo. Big Top's propeller allows him to hover in midair.

Appearances

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Mario Party 8 (2007)

Ballyhoo's first appearance in the series is currently his only one. Mario Party 8, the first Mario Party title for the Wii, repeated the series' classic formula. Ballyhoo acted as the host alongside Big Top, a role first assumed by Toad in the original Mario Party. In MP8, Ballyhoo was voiced by Charles Martinet.