Boo!
Encyclopedia
Boo! is a children's television series
shown in the United Kingdom
on the CBeebies
channel, and originally on BBC Two
. It features several cartoon characters who play a game similar to hide and seek
in a variety of settings. The commentary is performed by an adult narrator and a chorus of children. The series was produced by the independent production company Tell-Tale Productions, which was also responsible for Tweenies
. As of September, 2011, reruns are broadcast on Qubo
for the USA.
The series ran for a total of 104 episodes and one Christmas special and was nominated for a BAFTA in 2002-03.
At the end of the programme a song is sung, usually about matching characters or objects to their shapes or colours.
The visual style of Boo! is very distinctive, using 3D CGI
with rounded shapes and cel-shading
. The music and songs are generally in an early-70s funk/R&B idiom, similar to some of Sesame Street
s music.
Season 2 Episodes
Season 3 Episodes
Season 4 Episodes:
Networks that air Boo!
Italy Playhouse Disney
Spain Clan TVE
, Canal Panda
Latin America Discovery Kids (Latin America)
United States qubo
United Kingdom BBC
Canadian English Treehouse TV
, YTV
Canadian French TFO
, Playhouse Disney France
Germany Playhouse Disney
and Iain Lauchlan, who have created and produced Fun Song Factory
, BB3B
, and JimJam and Sunny in addition to Tweenies. Brenton also designed the characters.
The series was directed by Mark Taylor and produced by Teresa Reed. Animation
was handled by the Bristol
-based studio A Productions.
The voices of Growling Tiger and Sleeping Bear were provided by Justin Fletcher
; the voice of Laughing Duck was supplied by Kate Harbour
. The children's voices were supplied by a group of junior school children including Daniel Hardoon, Franklin Taylor Moore (son of Mark Taylor), Corey Lewis and Laura Reed. The male narrator is ex-Freak Power singer Ashley Slater
and the female narrator is Sharon D. Clarke.
The original design was created by Rebecca Elgar, a children's author and illustrator.
on CBeebies
(formerly on Cbeebies on BBC2), in the United States
on qubo
's digital channel (with two episodes in a half-hour format), and Australia
's ABC
. "Boo!" is also available in Canada
on the French educational public broadcaster TFO
.
Children's television series
Children's television series, are commercial television programs designed for, and marketed to children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run in the early evening, for the children that go to school...
shown in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on the CBeebies
CBeebies
CBeebies is the brand used by the BBC for programming aimed at children 6 years and under. It is used as a themed strand in the UK on terrestrial television, as a separate free-to-air domestic British channel and used for international varients supported by advertising, subscription or both...
channel, and originally on BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
. It features several cartoon characters who play a game similar to hide and seek
Hide and seek
Hide-and-seek or hide-and-go-seek is a variant of the game tag, in which a number of players conceal themselves in the environment, to be found by one or more seekers.-Variants:Numerous variants of the game can be found around the world...
in a variety of settings. The commentary is performed by an adult narrator and a chorus of children. The series was produced by the independent production company Tell-Tale Productions, which was also responsible for Tweenies
Tweenies
Tweenies was a television programme aimed at young children, broadcast on the BBC's Cbeebies channel.-Overview:The programme was created by Iain Lauchlan and Will Brenton, a pair with a track record of being involved in BBC children's programming...
. As of September, 2011, reruns are broadcast on Qubo
Qubo
Qubo is a multi-platform children's television specialty channel endeavor operated as a joint venture between ION Media Networks, NBCUniversal, Nelvana, Scholastic Corporation, and Classic Media...
for the USA.
The series ran for a total of 104 episodes and one Christmas special and was nominated for a BAFTA in 2002-03.
At the end of the programme a song is sung, usually about matching characters or objects to their shapes or colours.
The visual style of Boo! is very distinctive, using 3D CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
with rounded shapes and cel-shading
Cel-shaded animation
Cel-shaded animation is a type of non-photorealistic rendering designed to make computer graphics appear to be hand-drawn. Cel-shading is often used to mimic the style of a comic book or cartoon. It is a somewhat recent addition to computer graphics, most commonly turning up in video games...
. The music and songs are generally in an early-70s funk/R&B idiom, similar to some of Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
s music.
Characters
- Boo is a colorful pear-shaped doll with orange spiky hair and white-spotted red feet.
- Laughing DuckDuckDuck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
(voiced by Kate HarbourKate HarbourKate Harbour is a voice actor who provides many voices for the television series Bob the Builder including Wendy, Dizzy, Mrs. Potts, Mrs. Broadbent and Mrs...
) is a yellow duck with an orange beak with matching legs. She is a great flyer and swimmer. - Sleeping BearBearBears are mammals of the family Ursidae. Bears are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans, with the pinnipeds being their closest living relatives. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are widespread, appearing in a wide variety of habitats throughout the Northern...
(voiced by Justin FletcherJustin FletcherJustin Fletcher, MBE is an English children's TV personality in the United Kingdom.Fletcher is most associated as a presenter and actor on the BBC pre-school television channel CBeebies, both speaking and performing in various often self-created roles.-Biography:Born in Reading, Berkshire, he is...
) is a brown bear with a red blankie with white hearts printed on it. - Growling TigerTigerThe tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
(voiced by Justin FletcherJustin FletcherJustin Fletcher, MBE is an English children's TV personality in the United Kingdom.Fletcher is most associated as a presenter and actor on the BBC pre-school television channel CBeebies, both speaking and performing in various often self-created roles.-Biography:Born in Reading, Berkshire, he is...
)
Episodes
- 1. Rock Pool - 4 June 2003
- 2. Supermarket - 11 June 2003
- 3. Pond - 18 June 2003
- 4. Art Gallery - 25 June 2003
- 5. Desert - 2 July 2003
- 6. Harbor - 9 July 2003
- 7. Bedroom - 16 July 2003
- 8. Prehistoric Land - 23 July 2003
- 9. Theater - 30 July 2003
- 10. African River - 6 August 2003
- 11. Cave - 13 August 2003
- 12. Coral Reef - 20 August 2003
- 13. Train Station - 27 August 2003
- 14. Canadian River - 4 September 2003
- 15. Indian Jungle - 11 September 2003
- 16. Cafe - 18 September 2003
- 17. Deep Blue Sea - 25 September 2003
- 18. Castle - 1 October 2003
- 19. African Waterhole - 7 October 2003
- 20. Kitchen - 14 October 2003
- 21. Arctic - 21 October 2003
- 22. Fun Fair - 28 October 2003
- 23. Space - 4 November 2003
- 24. Garden - 11 November 2003
- 25. Hospital - 18 November 2003
- 26. Woods at Night - 25 November 2003
Season 2 Episodes
- 27. Library - 5 February 2004
- 28. Canadian Mountain - 12 February 2004
- 29. Australian Bush - 19 February 2004
- 30. Swimming Pool - 26 February 2004
- 31. Forest Floor - 22 April 2004
- 32. Circus - 12 March 2004
- 33. Swamp - 19 March 2004
- 34. Fun House - 26 March 2004
- 35. Playgroup - 2 April 2004
- 36. Antarctic - 9 April 2004
- 37. Ski Resort - 16 April 2004
- 38. Jungle - 25 April 2004
- 39. Farm - 30 April 2004
- 40. Bathroom - 13 May 2004
- 41. Park - 20 May 2004
- 42. Zoo - 27 May 2004
- 43. English Riverbank - 4 June 2004
- 44. American Ranch - 11 June 2004
- 45. Bamboo Forest - 18 June 2004
- 46. American Prairie - 25 June 2004
- 47. Junior Gym - 2 July 2004
- 48. Meadow - 9 July 2004
- 49. Tropical Island - 16 July 2004
- 50. City at Night - 23 July 2004
- 51. Pirate Ship - 30 July 2004
- 52. City Farm - 6 August 2004
Season 3 Episodes
- 53. Fire Station - 1 March 2005
- 54. Dentist - 7 March 2005
- 55. The Pyramids - 14 March 2005
- 56. Athletics Track - 21 March 2005
- 57. Airfield - 28 March 2005
- 58. Kite Festival - 4 April 2005
- 59. Ballet - 11 April 2005
- 60. Veterinarian - 18 April 2005
- 61. Car Factory - 25 April 2005
- 62. Pottery - 2 May 2005
- 63. Carpenter's Workshop - 9 May 2005
- 64. Sports Day - 16 May 2005
- 65. Cheese Market - 23 May 2005
- 66. Tennis Court - 30 May 2005
- 67. Post Office - 6 June 2005
- 68. Diwali Party - 16 September 2005
- 69. Fishing Dock - 20 June 2005
- 70. Fancy Dress Shop - 27 June 2005
- 71. Garden Center - 4 July 2005
- 72. Police Station - 11 July 2005
- 73. Pop Concert - 18 July 2005
- 74. Chinese New Year Party - 1 February 2006
- 75. Tea Plantation - 3 August 2005
- 76. Basketball Court - 10 August 2005
- 77. Hairdressers - 17 August 2005
- 78. Ice Skating Rink - 24 August 2005
Season 4 Episodes:
- 79. Bus Station - 16 February 2006
- 80. Chicken Farm - 23 February 2006
- 81. Street Market - 2 March 2006
- 82. Bakery - 9 March 2006
- 83. Building Site - 16 March 2006
- 84. Baseball Stadium - 23 March 2006
- 85. Children's Party - 30 March 2006
- 86. Football Stadium - 6 April 2006
- 87. Surfer Beach - 13 April 2006
- 88. Race Track - 20 April 2006
- 89. Roman Villa - 27 April 2006
- 90. Orange Grove - 4 May 2006
- 93. Venetian Canal - 23 May 2006
- 94. Play - 30 May 2006
- 95. Crazy Golf - 6 June 2006
- 96. Galapagos Islands - 13 June 2006
- 97. Luau - 20 June 2006
- 98. House Being Decorated - 24 June 2006
- 98. Seaside - 27 June 2006
- 99. Halloween - 30 October 2006
- 100. Desert - 3 July 2006
- 101. Campsite - 10 July 2006
- 102. Snowy Garden - 8 December 2006
- 103. Rainforest Canopy - 9 January 2007
Networks that air Boo!Boo!Boo! is a children's television series shown in the United Kingdom on the CBeebies channel, and originally on BBC Two. It features several cartoon characters who play a game similar to hide and seek in a variety of settings. The commentary is performed by an adult narrator and a chorus of children...
Italy Playhouse DisneyPlayhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney was Disney Channel's television block for programs aimed at entertaining preschool aged children, often airing as its own channel outside the United States. It was introduced in 1997 after Disney Channel's move to basic cable from premium cable, with a target audience of children...
Spain Clan TVE
Clan TVE
Clan TVE is a children's TV channel from the Spanish public service broadcaster TVE. Until 1 January 2007 it had time-shared with TVE 50 Años which has since closed. The service now broadcasts 24 hours a day. The channel is available free on digital terrestrial television and on Digital+...
, Canal Panda
Canal Panda
Canal Panda is the first Portuguese cable television channel dedicated to children's programming, mostly animated series. The channel was founded in 1996 as Panda Club in Spain and Portugal, but the name was changed to Canal Panda in 1997. In 2000, the channel left Spain, thus concentrating...
Latin America Discovery Kids (Latin America)
Discovery Kids (Latin America)
Discovery Kids Latin America is a cable television channel owned by Discovery Communications and headquartered in Miami, Florida, which started as a programming block on the Latin American version of Discovery Channel. It is the only Discovery channel to feature spokescharacters. Since the original...
United States qubo
Qubo
Qubo is a multi-platform children's television specialty channel endeavor operated as a joint venture between ION Media Networks, NBCUniversal, Nelvana, Scholastic Corporation, and Classic Media...
United Kingdom BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Canadian English Treehouse TV
Treehouse TV
Treehouse TV is a Canadian English language cable television specialty channel with programming targeted towards preschoolers that was launched on October 17, 1997. Its name comes from YTV's old children's programming block, The Treehouse...
, YTV
Canadian French TFO
TFO
TFO is a Canadian French language educational public television network in the province of Ontario. It is the only French-language television network in Canada whose operations are based entirely outside of Quebec....
, Playhouse Disney France
Germany Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney was Disney Channel's television block for programs aimed at entertaining preschool aged children, often airing as its own channel outside the United States. It was introduced in 1997 after Disney Channel's move to basic cable from premium cable, with a target audience of children...
Production credits
The show was created by Will BrentonWill Brenton
Will Brenton is a writer/producer-director who has worked in many areas of television and theatre, primarily through his companies Tell-Tale productions and Wish Films, both of which he founded with Iain Lauchlan...
and Iain Lauchlan, who have created and produced Fun Song Factory
Fun Song Factory
Fun Song Factory is a British preschool children's show on CITV aimed at youngsters. It was one of the first songs-based shows to be filmed in front of a live audience of children , and is similar to Australian shows such as 'The Wiggles' and 'Hi-5'.It was originally created in 1994 by Will Brenton...
, BB3B
BB3B
BB3B is an animated UK children's television series produced by Tell Tale Productions in 2005. The entire series consists of thirteen episodes of twenty minutes each. It is shown on CBBC in the UK and ABC in Australia...
, and JimJam and Sunny in addition to Tweenies. Brenton also designed the characters.
The series was directed by Mark Taylor and produced by Teresa Reed. Animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
was handled by the Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
-based studio A Productions.
The voices of Growling Tiger and Sleeping Bear were provided by Justin Fletcher
Justin Fletcher
Justin Fletcher, MBE is an English children's TV personality in the United Kingdom.Fletcher is most associated as a presenter and actor on the BBC pre-school television channel CBeebies, both speaking and performing in various often self-created roles.-Biography:Born in Reading, Berkshire, he is...
; the voice of Laughing Duck was supplied by Kate Harbour
Kate Harbour
Kate Harbour is a voice actor who provides many voices for the television series Bob the Builder including Wendy, Dizzy, Mrs. Potts, Mrs. Broadbent and Mrs...
. The children's voices were supplied by a group of junior school children including Daniel Hardoon, Franklin Taylor Moore (son of Mark Taylor), Corey Lewis and Laura Reed. The male narrator is ex-Freak Power singer Ashley Slater
Ashley Slater
Ashley Slater is a UK based trombone player and best known for his work with Norman Cook in the band Freak Power. He was born in Schefferville, Canada in 1961...
and the female narrator is Sharon D. Clarke.
The original design was created by Rebecca Elgar, a children's author and illustrator.
Broadcast
"Boo!" can be seen in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on CBeebies
CBeebies
CBeebies is the brand used by the BBC for programming aimed at children 6 years and under. It is used as a themed strand in the UK on terrestrial television, as a separate free-to-air domestic British channel and used for international varients supported by advertising, subscription or both...
(formerly on Cbeebies on BBC2), in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on qubo
Qubo
Qubo is a multi-platform children's television specialty channel endeavor operated as a joint venture between ION Media Networks, NBCUniversal, Nelvana, Scholastic Corporation, and Classic Media...
's digital channel (with two episodes in a half-hour format), and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
. "Boo!" is also available in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
on the French educational public broadcaster TFO
TFO
TFO is a Canadian French language educational public television network in the province of Ontario. It is the only French-language television network in Canada whose operations are based entirely outside of Quebec....
.
External links
- Variety story from MIPCOM 2002: BBC goes 'Boo!'