Wizbit
Encyclopedia
Wizbit was a 1985 BBC
children's television show in which an alien magician called Wizbit and a large rabbit called Wooly had adventures in a place called Puzzleopolis.
Although it was stated in the show that Wizbit's year-and-a-day mission was to find out all about planet Earth
, this clashed somewhat with the events witnessed on screen. Wizbit was (apparently) to learn about everyday life on earth by solving puzzles in a town inhabited by walking, talking (and often singing) sponge-balls, dice, magic wands, playing cards and 7 feet (2.1 m) rabbits.
The show made an attempt to be semi-educational. The (often lateral thinking) puzzles Wizbit was set were usually presented to the audience at home, with the solutions being revealed towards the end of the episode.
The show was created by Barry Murray, who had formerly been Mungo Jerry
's record producer, with assistance from conjuror
Paul Daniels
. It starred Daniels and his assistant (and wife) Debbie McGee
.
Its theme tune was based on a song by Lead Belly, named "Ha-Ha This A Way", sung by Daniels.
Wizbit's magic word was "Ostagazuzulum". Wizbit came from the planet WOW, an acronym for 'World Of Wizards'. Wizbit was visiting planet Earth
for a year and a day.
All rights to characters and designs are now owned by Paul Daniels. All music rights are the property of Barry Murray.
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...
children's television show in which an alien magician called Wizbit and a large rabbit called Wooly had adventures in a place called Puzzleopolis.
Although it was stated in the show that Wizbit's year-and-a-day mission was to find out all about planet Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
, this clashed somewhat with the events witnessed on screen. Wizbit was (apparently) to learn about everyday life on earth by solving puzzles in a town inhabited by walking, talking (and often singing) sponge-balls, dice, magic wands, playing cards and 7 feet (2.1 m) rabbits.
The show made an attempt to be semi-educational. The (often lateral thinking) puzzles Wizbit was set were usually presented to the audience at home, with the solutions being revealed towards the end of the episode.
The show was created by Barry Murray, who had formerly been Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry
Mungo Jerry is an English rock group whose greatest success was in the early 1970s, though they have continued throughout the years with an ever-changing line-up, always fronted by Ray Dorset. They are remembered above all for their hit "In the Summertime". It remains their most successful and most...
's record producer, with assistance from conjuror
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
Paul Daniels
Paul Daniels
Paul Daniels, born Newton Edward Daniels on 6 April 1938, is a British magician and television performer. He achieved international fame through his television series The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran on the BBC from 1979 to 1994.-Early life:...
. It starred Daniels and his assistant (and wife) Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee is an English television, radio and stage performer who is best known as the wife and assistant of magician Paul Daniels. McGee is a former ballet dancer and, for three years, she was artistic director of her own ballet company...
.
Its theme tune was based on a song by Lead Belly, named "Ha-Ha This A Way", sung by Daniels.
Wizbit's magic word was "Ostagazuzulum". Wizbit came from the planet WOW, an acronym for 'World Of Wizards'. Wizbit was visiting planet Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
for a year and a day.
All rights to characters and designs are now owned by Paul Daniels. All music rights are the property of Barry Murray.
Characters
- Wizbit, a large yellow cone-shaped wizard's hat, played by Tony Friel
- Wooly, an 8 feet (2.4 m) white rabbit, best friend of Wizbit
- Squidgy Bog, a purple swamp monster
- Professor Doom, a moustachioed evil geniusVillainA villain is an "evil" character in a story, whether a historical narrative or, especially, a work of fiction. The villain usually is the antagonist, the character who tends to have a negative effect on other characters...
and arch-villain who lives in a castle, which sits atop a giant stone fist in the sky. - Jinx, Professor doom's cat.
- Wozbit, an evil version of Wizbit generated by Professor Doom
- The Gatekeeper, a woman who guarded the gates to Puzzleopolis by refusing to let anyone in until they had solved a riddle.
- Madame Martinka, a fortune teller who owned the magic shop in Puzzleopolis
- Grocer Green, a greengrocer with green hair
- Pierre Oe, a mime artist
- Spoof & Bluff
- Paul DanielsPaul DanielsPaul Daniels, born Newton Edward Daniels on 6 April 1938, is a British magician and television performer. He achieved international fame through his television series The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran on the BBC from 1979 to 1994.-Early life:...
(playing himself) who owned the theatre in Puzzleopolis - Various townsfolk shaped like magician's props - spongeballs, dice, wands and so forth.