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Den Of Geek wheels in the big telly for a fond look back at pigeon crime Look And Read schools series, Geordie Racer…
“Spuggy and Plod weren’t runners. They just didn’t see the point”. And thus the hero of the BBC's Geordie Racer and his dog were endeared to a generation of biscuit-eating 1980s schoolchildren.
Part of the long-running Look And Read series of television programming for schools, Geordie Racer was written by The Bill’s Christopher Russell and first aired in 1988. Its ten episodes told a continuing crime story interspersed with factual spots about the North-East and appearances by Wordy, a floating Henry Hoover/Scrabble set who played songs about gerunds. Wordy was just part of Geordie Racer’s educational framing narrative though, Spuggy was its star.
Richard “Spuggy” Hilton was my kind of people. He wore a Star Trek: ToS t-shirt, had neat...
google+
Den Of Geek wheels in the big telly for a fond look back at pigeon crime Look And Read schools series, Geordie Racer…
“Spuggy and Plod weren’t runners. They just didn’t see the point”. And thus the hero of the BBC's Geordie Racer and his dog were endeared to a generation of biscuit-eating 1980s schoolchildren.
Part of the long-running Look And Read series of television programming for schools, Geordie Racer was written by The Bill’s Christopher Russell and first aired in 1988. Its ten episodes told a continuing crime story interspersed with factual spots about the North-East and appearances by Wordy, a floating Henry Hoover/Scrabble set who played songs about gerunds. Wordy was just part of Geordie Racer’s educational framing narrative though, Spuggy was its star.
Richard “Spuggy” Hilton was my kind of people. He wore a Star Trek: ToS t-shirt, had neat...
- 6/7/2016
- Den of Geek
The rise of YouTube and a handful of committed archivists/nostalgics means that almost any programme you grew up with can be remembered, found and rewatched in seconds. Conversations which used to end with fond, communal remembrances now finish two minutes into a YouTube video with rose-tinted bubbles burst and a shared sigh of disappointment. Make no mistake – this is a good thing.
The latest releases from the BFI, to coincide with their Wonders of Sci-Fi season, are two examples of the genuinely unsettling TV; both designed to educate, in very different ways. The Changes is a ten episode exercise in Luddite terror as a strange event causes people to turn against the electronic infrastructure built into everyday life. This is before Skynet and tablets for toddlers so, despite the sedate pace, this is as relevant today as ever.
It’s a challenging watch, the ubiquity of technology in our...
The latest releases from the BFI, to coincide with their Wonders of Sci-Fi season, are two examples of the genuinely unsettling TV; both designed to educate, in very different ways. The Changes is a ten episode exercise in Luddite terror as a strange event causes people to turn against the electronic infrastructure built into everyday life. This is before Skynet and tablets for toddlers so, despite the sedate pace, this is as relevant today as ever.
It’s a challenging watch, the ubiquity of technology in our...
- 8/26/2014
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Follow us through the mural on a trip to Pelamar, to look back at BBC Look And Read fantasy adventure, Through The Dragon’s Eye…
If you attended a UK primary school in the last forty years, then the sight of two white, animated eyes on a black screen turning into the heart of the word ‘Look’ is likely to trigger all sorts of pink custard and plimsoll memories. Those moving eyes signalled the start of an adventure (albeit one delivered in twenty minute instalments designed to teach you about literacy, apostrophe usage and the joys of magic, magic E).
The first Look And Read television programme, Bob And Carol Look For Treasure was broadcast in 1967, a ten-part story about two children’s clue-filled search for swag and eventual capture of a thief. Each episode was divided in two by an educational section, the material for which - puzzles, songs and reading challenges,...
If you attended a UK primary school in the last forty years, then the sight of two white, animated eyes on a black screen turning into the heart of the word ‘Look’ is likely to trigger all sorts of pink custard and plimsoll memories. Those moving eyes signalled the start of an adventure (albeit one delivered in twenty minute instalments designed to teach you about literacy, apostrophe usage and the joys of magic, magic E).
The first Look And Read television programme, Bob And Carol Look For Treasure was broadcast in 1967, a ten-part story about two children’s clue-filled search for swag and eventual capture of a thief. Each episode was divided in two by an educational section, the material for which - puzzles, songs and reading challenges,...
- 7/31/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Classic British cartoons of the 1980s are making a big comeback. Following news of a "Bananaman" movie and a new "Danger Mouse" TV series, word comes today that "SuperTed" his being dusted off for a TV series reboot.
Creator Mike Young is developing 26 new half-hour episodes which he expects to shop around to broadcasters later this year ahead of a potential 2016 launch.
First created as a series of books in 1978, the tale follows a defective and discarded teddy bear who is brought to life by an alien named Spotty and given super powers by Mother Nature which allow him to fight evil.
Three seasons of the original show were produced between 1983 and 1985 with Derek Griffiths and Jon Pertwee voicing Ted and Spotty. Hanna Barbera rbiefly revived the property in the United States in 1989.
Young tells The Radio Times that certain things about the modern version will change, namely the politically incorrect villains: "In SuperTed,...
Creator Mike Young is developing 26 new half-hour episodes which he expects to shop around to broadcasters later this year ahead of a potential 2016 launch.
First created as a series of books in 1978, the tale follows a defective and discarded teddy bear who is brought to life by an alien named Spotty and given super powers by Mother Nature which allow him to fight evil.
Three seasons of the original show were produced between 1983 and 1985 with Derek Griffiths and Jon Pertwee voicing Ted and Spotty. Hanna Barbera rbiefly revived the property in the United States in 1989.
Young tells The Radio Times that certain things about the modern version will change, namely the politically incorrect villains: "In SuperTed,...
- 7/15/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
SuperTed flies back to the BBC in 2016 - but with the less politically correct elements curtailed...
News
The mining of television properties of yesterday continues. We've got a new Danger Mouse coming, a film of Bananaman. And now? The fickle finger of reboot fate has landed at the door of SuperTed.
Remember SuperTed? Accompanied by his faithful sidekick Spotty, he did battle against Texas Pete with the help of a 'flamboyant' skeleton, accompanied by a theme tune that scores 6/10 on our vintage children's TV theme tune rating system of doom.
It also featured a character who carried a bit of extra timber, helpfully entitled Bulk. And one of the girls was called Blotch. These edges of the show that you wouldn't describe as 'politically correct' are unlikely to make it to the new version.
As creator Mike Young told the Radio Times, "in SuperTed we had a gun-slinging cowboy, a...
News
The mining of television properties of yesterday continues. We've got a new Danger Mouse coming, a film of Bananaman. And now? The fickle finger of reboot fate has landed at the door of SuperTed.
Remember SuperTed? Accompanied by his faithful sidekick Spotty, he did battle against Texas Pete with the help of a 'flamboyant' skeleton, accompanied by a theme tune that scores 6/10 on our vintage children's TV theme tune rating system of doom.
It also featured a character who carried a bit of extra timber, helpfully entitled Bulk. And one of the girls was called Blotch. These edges of the show that you wouldn't describe as 'politically correct' are unlikely to make it to the new version.
As creator Mike Young told the Radio Times, "in SuperTed we had a gun-slinging cowboy, a...
- 7/15/2014
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
SuperTed creator Mike Young is planning to revive the animated series.
He is developing 26 half-hour episodes which he will present to broadcasters at TV trade fairs later this year.
If the project is commissioned then it is expected that SuperTed will return to screens in 2016.
Young told Radio Times: "In SuperTed, we had a gun-slinging cowboy, a flamboyantly gay skeleton and a fat guy who had jokes made about his weight. And all these things you just wouldn't do today. But you can still write the show in a funny, entertaining way."
SuperTed originally ran for three series between 1983 and 1985, with Derek Griffiths, Jon Pertwee and Melvyn Hayes voicing the three main characters.
The show was briefly revived in America by Hanna Barbera in 1989.
Young added: "We have got to be careful. So often things they re-make come out very slick. I won't mention any names but many of the...
He is developing 26 half-hour episodes which he will present to broadcasters at TV trade fairs later this year.
If the project is commissioned then it is expected that SuperTed will return to screens in 2016.
Young told Radio Times: "In SuperTed, we had a gun-slinging cowboy, a flamboyantly gay skeleton and a fat guy who had jokes made about his weight. And all these things you just wouldn't do today. But you can still write the show in a funny, entertaining way."
SuperTed originally ran for three series between 1983 and 1985, with Derek Griffiths, Jon Pertwee and Melvyn Hayes voicing the three main characters.
The show was briefly revived in America by Hanna Barbera in 1989.
Young added: "We have got to be careful. So often things they re-make come out very slick. I won't mention any names but many of the...
- 7/14/2014
- Digital Spy
Children's TV icon Derek Griffiths has joined the voice cast of CBeebies show Sarah & Duck.
The Play School and SuperTed star will join The Thick Of It's Roger Allam and Downton Abbey's Lesley Nicol in the animated series.
Griffiths will voice new character the Cloud Captain in the show, which returns in August.
Five new episodes will see Sarah & Duck embarking on more adventures, including visiting the Cloud Tower.
The episode 'Cloud Tower' will be screened at the BFI, celebrating 60 years of BBC children's characters, on Sunday, July 13, with Griffiths attending.
Producer Jamie Badminton said: "We are thrilled to welcome Derek Griffiths to the cast of Sarah & Duck. He brings incredible character and warmth to the show and complements our existing cast beautifully."
Griffiths added: "I'm delighted to be on board Sarah & Duck, it's an exciting project and a great team."
Roger Allan provides the narration for the 2D animated series,...
The Play School and SuperTed star will join The Thick Of It's Roger Allam and Downton Abbey's Lesley Nicol in the animated series.
Griffiths will voice new character the Cloud Captain in the show, which returns in August.
Five new episodes will see Sarah & Duck embarking on more adventures, including visiting the Cloud Tower.
The episode 'Cloud Tower' will be screened at the BFI, celebrating 60 years of BBC children's characters, on Sunday, July 13, with Griffiths attending.
Producer Jamie Badminton said: "We are thrilled to welcome Derek Griffiths to the cast of Sarah & Duck. He brings incredible character and warmth to the show and complements our existing cast beautifully."
Griffiths added: "I'm delighted to be on board Sarah & Duck, it's an exciting project and a great team."
Roger Allan provides the narration for the 2D animated series,...
- 7/10/2014
- Digital Spy
Iconic children's programme Play School celebrates its 50th anniversary today (April 21).
The show launched on April 21, 1964 and is noted for being the first programme to air on BBC Two.
Play School ran for 24 years until 1988 and was fronted by presenters including Brian Cant, Carol Chell, Johnny Ball, Derek Griffiths and Floella Benjamin.
The programme celebrated landmarks such as becoming the first children's programme broadcast in colour on BBC Two in 1968, and became the first children's show in the UK to feature a black host when Paul Danquah joined the team in 1965.
To mark half a century since the show's launch, Play School will be part of a special exhibition commemorating Children's BBC called 'Here's One We Made Earlier', which is due to open in July at The Lowry in Manchester.
The Children's Media Foundation are also supporting a special reunion of people who worked on the show.
Former head of...
The show launched on April 21, 1964 and is noted for being the first programme to air on BBC Two.
Play School ran for 24 years until 1988 and was fronted by presenters including Brian Cant, Carol Chell, Johnny Ball, Derek Griffiths and Floella Benjamin.
The programme celebrated landmarks such as becoming the first children's programme broadcast in colour on BBC Two in 1968, and became the first children's show in the UK to feature a black host when Paul Danquah joined the team in 1965.
To mark half a century since the show's launch, Play School will be part of a special exhibition commemorating Children's BBC called 'Here's One We Made Earlier', which is due to open in July at The Lowry in Manchester.
The Children's Media Foundation are also supporting a special reunion of people who worked on the show.
Former head of...
- 4/20/2014
- Digital Spy
There was nothing subtle about Piranha 3D and the forthcoming sequel seems to be emulating the early 80s video nasty theme down to a tee by having the hastily rushed out Piranha 3Dd appear even more gorestrewn, with even smaller bikinis to contain the modesty of the many, many women lining up to be human chow.
So, why are we even talking about this film? It’s certainly not the promised David Hasslehoff cameo, for which he will no doubt don the Baywatch shorts and run fervently down a beach at sunset before being eaten whole by a pack of pernicious piranha, nor is it the role for Gary Busey, last seen in what I can only hope is a viral video relating to this film (just watch it – seriously), no – there are two official posters out in the wild today and they’re actually quite fun.
Evoking the 80s...
So, why are we even talking about this film? It’s certainly not the promised David Hasslehoff cameo, for which he will no doubt don the Baywatch shorts and run fervently down a beach at sunset before being eaten whole by a pack of pernicious piranha, nor is it the role for Gary Busey, last seen in what I can only hope is a viral video relating to this film (just watch it – seriously), no – there are two official posters out in the wild today and they’re actually quite fun.
Evoking the 80s...
- 2/21/2012
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Blackadder IV
By B Van Heusen
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on twitter.
Blackadder veterans Stephen Fry and Tim McInnery are set to appear in BBC2′s new comedy series The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff. The show is set in Dickensian London and centers around a man called Jedrington Secret-Past who runs the Old Shop of Stuff. Jedrington is played by Robert Webb and Katherine Parkinson plays his wife Conceptiva.
The show will begin with a one-hour Christmas special in which Stephne Fry will take on the role of the bizarrely named lawyer Malifax Skulkingworm. Three more 30 minute episodes will air early next year in which Tim McInnery will play Jedrinton’s new business partner Harmswell Grimstone. Other guest stars include Derek Griffiths and Kevin Eldon. It is written by Gareth Edwards and Mark Evans and is a tongue in...
By B Van Heusen
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on twitter.
Blackadder veterans Stephen Fry and Tim McInnery are set to appear in BBC2′s new comedy series The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff. The show is set in Dickensian London and centers around a man called Jedrington Secret-Past who runs the Old Shop of Stuff. Jedrington is played by Robert Webb and Katherine Parkinson plays his wife Conceptiva.
The show will begin with a one-hour Christmas special in which Stephne Fry will take on the role of the bizarrely named lawyer Malifax Skulkingworm. Three more 30 minute episodes will air early next year in which Tim McInnery will play Jedrinton’s new business partner Harmswell Grimstone. Other guest stars include Derek Griffiths and Kevin Eldon. It is written by Gareth Edwards and Mark Evans and is a tongue in...
- 10/5/2011
- by admin
This week's Digital Spy Icon is not someone you would necessarily recognise if you bumped into him down your local Asda. Although Derek Griffiths has done some fabulous work on screen down the years, entertaining generations with his sublime acting, children's TV presenting and wacky humour, his most memorable feature is actually his voice. His dulcet tones are immediately recognisable and will most probably bring tears of nostalgic joy to anyone from the ages of 25 to 65. He took starring roles in the likes of Play Away and Play School in the 1960s and 1970s, but it was when he went behind the camera that Griffiths really came into his own. His singing (more)...
- 10/8/2010
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Richard Blackwood, Derek Griffiths and Nina Sosanya will join the previously announced Sanaa Lathan, Adrian Lester, Phylicia Rashad and James Earl Jones in Debbie Allen's sell-out Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Produced by Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones for Front Row Productions, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof will run at the Novello Theatre from 21 November to 10 April 2010, with press night on 1 December.
- 7/27/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
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