Água Viva (TV series)

It had the provisional title Vento Norte.^[4]

Gilberto Braga complained about having to write the telenovela alone, and TV Globo called Manoel Carlos to collaborate on the plot from episode 60 onward.^[5]

Actresses Tônia Carrero, Glória Pires, Maria Zilda and Maria Padilha were scheduled to film a scene at Posto 9 of Ipanema Beach, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. They would simulate topless sunbathing, wearing only adhesive patches to cover their breasts. Some bystanders protested and even attacked the production crew. According to Maria Padilha: "When onlookers realized we would go topless, they drove us off the beach by throwing cans and sand." The scene ultimately had to be filmed at São Conrado Beach.^[5]

Gilberto Braga was inspired by the American musical Annie, about the story of a charming orphan girl—in the telenovela, Maria Helena, played by Isabela Garcia, who was thirteen years old.^[4][6]

In the past, Kleber had been the tutor of the brothers Nelson (Reginaldo Faria) and Miguel Fragonard. Miguel discovered that Kleber, who managed Nelson's assets, was responsible for his financial ruin. Kleber eventually ended his days in prison, writing his memoirs.^[7]

It was the first work of costume designer Helena Gastal at TV Globo. It was also the first telenovela at the network for actors John Herbert and Raul Cortez, as well as the debut in telenovelas of Carla Marins and Marcelo Faria.^[3]

During its original broadcast, the telenovela achieved an overall average of 58 points in the IBOPE ratings, being considered one of the most-watched 8 p.m. telenovelas in the history of TV Globo. Its highest rating was 75 points for the final episode on 8 August 1980, while its lowest was 50 points, recorded on 23 February 1980.^[3]

It was rerun on Vale a Pena Ver de Novo from 13 February to 31 August 1984, replacing Pecado Rasgado and later being replaced by Final Feliz, in 145 episodes. It was the first 8 p.m. telenovela to be rerun in the afternoon slot, breaking the tradition that only 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. telenovelas were rebroadcast in that time slot. Its rerun was approved at the last minute, as in January 1984 TV Globo had already aired promos announcing the return of Elas por Elas.^[4][8]

The series was rerun in full on Viva from 30 September 2013 to 5 April 2014, replacing Rainha da Sucata and later replaced by Dancin' Days. The rerun was chosen by viewers through a poll on the channel's website. Competing with Fera Ferida, O Dono do Mundo and A Indomada, the telenovela won the poll with 41.7% of the votes.^[9]

It was rerun again in full on Viva Fast, the free ad-supported streaming television version of the subscription channel, between 9 September 2024 and 18 April 2025, replacing Fera Radical.^[10] It was also the last telenovela shown on Viva 80 Fast. On 16 December 2024 the process of merging the channel with Viva 70 Fast began, concluding on 26 December, with the series continuing in the schedule under the unified name Viva Fast, which would later cease operations after the broadcast of its final episode due to low demand.^[11]

Água Viva also had both national and international soundtracks. Several songs became associated with the telenovela and its characters, including "Realce" by Gilberto Gil, "Amor, Meu Grande Amor" by Angela Ro Ro, "20 e Poucos Anos" by Fábio Jr., "Altos e Baixos" by Elis Regina, "Grito de Alerta" performed by Maria Bethânia, "Cais" by Milton Nascimento, "Wave" performed by João Gilberto, "Love I Need" by Jimmy Cliff, "Cruisin'" by Smokey Robinson, "Ships" by Barry Manilow, and "Babe" by Styx, among others.^[14]