Boo! (TV series)
Boo! is a British computer-animated children's television series that was broadcast in the United Kingdom on the CBeebies channel,[3] 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 male and female narrators and a chorus of children. It was produced by the independent production company Tell-Tale Productions, which was also responsible for Tweenies, while Universal Pictures co-funded the production and handled worldwide distribution and consumer product rights.[4] From 2007 to 2012, reruns of the show were broadcast in the USA on Qubo.
| Boo! | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Will Brenton Iain Lauchlan Rebecca Elgar (characters) |
| Directed by | Mark Taylor |
| Voices of | Justin Fletcher Kate Harbour |
| Narrated by | Ashley Slater Sharon D. Clarke |
| Opening theme | "Where's Boo? (Can You Find Boo?)" |
| Ending theme | "Where's Boo? (Can You Find Boo?)" |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 104 (alongside a double-length Christmas special) |
| Production | |
| Producer | Teresa Reed |
| Running time | 11 minutes 22 minutes (Log Cabin/Santa's House) |
| Production company | Tell-Tale Productions[a] |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBeebies |
| Picture format | PAL |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 4 June 2003[2] – 29 December 2006 |
The series aired for a total of 104 episodes and one Christmas special was nominated for the British Academy Children's Award for Pre-School Animation in 2003.
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.
Characters
- Boo - a pear/eggplant-shaped patchwork creature with orange spiky hair. His feet are red with white spots on them. The main goal of the programme is to find Boo in his various hiding places. Half-way through each episode, Boo magically adopts attributes of his surroundings (e.g. becomes "Penguin Boo" in the Antarctic or "Pumpkin Boo" on Halloween). Boo cannot talk, although he whistles at the beginning of each episode and dances during every song.
- Laughing Duck (voiced by Kate Harbour) - a yellow duck, who laughs when "found". She has a red-orange bill that matches her legs and has abilities to fly and swim. In some episodes, she meets some people who happen to be employees. In the hospital, she has been found sad because her laugh is lost, but it is regained when Boo tickles her flipper and made her laugh again before we sing the Odd One Out song.
- Sleeping Bear (voiced by Justin Fletcher) a brown bear who is usually asleep, yawning or stretching when "found". His blanket is red with white-printed hearts on it. The catchphrase associated with him is "Shhh... Tippy-toe, tippy-toe." In some episodes, he finds a spot to sleep around anything that is so cozy. In the police station, he was lost in the park until his friends had found him sleeping and sitting on the swing set before we sing the Snap song.
- Growling Tiger (voiced by Justin Fletcher) - a friendly tiger with fluffy white ears. Despite his name, he says "Roar!" (not "Growl!") when "found". His associated catchphrase is "It's Growling Tiger! Run away! Run away!"
Other characters, both human and animal vary from one episode to another. The people who have speaking roles in this show are the artists, Chatty Hairdresser, Helpful Nurse, Caring Doctor, Helpful Teacher (the ice-skater), Helpful Waitress, Happy Customers (one man and one woman), Busy Chef, the woman in high stilts, the ringmaster, Careful Grownup, Smiling Santa, Graceful Teacher (the ballet dancer), Friendly Police Officers, Strong Lumberjack, Gentle Vet, Smiley Pumpkin lantern and Cheering Dad. The Blue Squawking Parakeet (actually a Cockatoo) with a red crest on it appears in a birdcage (being taken home by a customer) when we are about to enter the veterinarian.
Episodes
Series 1 (2003-2004)
Specials: Pilot - 3 June 2003 this is the first time the children say hello to Boo for the first ever time! A child says is it chase? Boo shakes his head and another child says is it tag? Then Boo says boo!
- 1. Rockpool (Show Us A Shape) - 4 June 2003
- 2. Supermarket (The Counting Song) - 11 June 2003
- 3. Pond (Show Us A Shape) - 18 June 2003
- 4. Art Gallery (We're Looking for a Colour) - 25 June 2003
- 5. Desert (Show Us A Shape) - 2 July 2003
- 6. Harbour (The Counting Song) - 9 July 2003
- 7. Bedroom (Show Us A Shape) - 16 July 2003
- 8. Prehistoric Land (We're Looking for a Colour) - 23 July 2003
- 9. Theatre (Do the Same as Me) - 30 July 2003
- 10. African River (Show Us A Shape) - 6 August 2003
- 11. Cave (Do the Same as Me) - 13 August 2003
- 12. Coral Reef (Show Us A Shape) - 20 August 2003
- 13. Train Station (The Counting Song) - 27 August 2003
- 14. Canadian River (Odd One Out) - 4 September 2003
- 15. Indian Jungle (Do the Same as Me) - 11 September 2003
- 16. Café (The Counting Song) - 18 September 2003
- 17. Deep Blue Sea (Show Us A Shape) - 25 September 2003
- 18. Castle (The Counting Song) - 1 October 2003
- 19. African Waterhole (Show Us A Shape) - 7 October 2003
- 20. Kitchen (The Counting Song) - 14 October 2003
- 21. Arctic (The Counting Song) - 21 October 2003
- 22. Fun Fair (Do the Same as Me) - 28 October 2003
- 23. Space (Odd One Out) - 4 November 2003
- 24. Garden (Show Us A Shape) - 11 November 2003
- 25. Hospital (Odd One Out) - 18 November 2003
- 26. Woods at Night (Show Us A Shape) - 25 November 2003
- 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
Christmas Special (2004)
- Log Cabin/Santa's House - 2004 (Double-Length Episode)
Series 2 (2005-2006)
- 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 Class - 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 Centre - 4 July 2005
- 72. Police Station - 11 July 2005
- 73. Pop Concert - 18 July 2005
- 74. Chinese Garden - 1 February 2006
- 75. Tea Plantation - 3 August 2005
- 76. Basketball Court - 10 August 2005
- 77. Hairdressers - 17 August 2005
- 78. Ice Rink - 24 August 2005
- 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 Ground - 23 March 2006
- 85. Birthday Party - 30 March 2006
- 86. Football Match - 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
- 91. Venetian Canal - 23 May 2006
- 92. Children's Play - 30 May 2006
- 93. Crazy Golf Course - 6 June 2006
- 94. Timber Forest - 13 June 2006
- 95. Lei Day - 20 June 2006
- 96. House That's Being Decorated - 24 June 2006
- 97. Seaside - 27 June 2006
- 98. Halloween - 30 October 2006
- 99. Campsite - 10 July 2006
- 100. Film Set - 7 September 2006
- 101. Snowy Garden - 8 December 2006
- 102. Rainforest Canopy - 23 December 2006
- 103. Galapagos Islands - 25 December 2006
- 104. Chinese New Year - 29 December 2006
Development, Songs and Broadcast
Development
The show was created by Will Brenton and Iain Lauchlan, who have created and produced Fun Song Factory, BB3B, and Jim Jam and Sunny in addition to Tweenies. Brenton also designed the characters.
On July 26, 2002, the BBC picked up the UK broadcasting rights to Boo! for a broadcast in September 2003.[5] On September 1, it was announced that Universal Pictures had acquired worldwide distribution rights to the series in exchange for providing co-funding.[6]
On May 22, 2003, the show was announced to premiere on June 4 on the CBeebies on BBC Two block.[2]
On April 7, 2004, Boo! was renewed for a second series.[7]
Broadcast
"Boo!" can be seen in the United Kingdom on CBeebies (formerly on CBeebies on BBC Two),[3] reruns from 2007-2012 in the United States on the digital channel Qubo[8] (with two episodes in a half-hour format), Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Australia's ABC.[9] "Boo!" is also available in Canada on the French educational public broadcaster TFO, alongside HOP! in Israel, and Baraem in Qatar.
In some episodes, Growling Tiger, Sleeping Bear or Laughing Duck says when it’s time for a song to begin when Boo dances to every song and the kids begin to yell "Hurray!" really loud before the song begins in every episode of Boo!
Songs
"Where’s Boo? (Can You Find Boo?)" "Show Us a Shape" "The Counting Song" "We’re Looking for a Colour" "Do the Same As Me" "Odd One Out" "Everybody Do This Sound" "Snap!" "Can You Guess?" "What’s Missing?" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
Home Media
VHS, DVD and VCD releases of the series were handled by Universal Pictures Video in all regions.
| Name | Episodes | Release date | Special Features | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faraway Places | "Australian Bush" "Jungle" "Desert" "Prehistoric Land" "Coral Reef" "African River" | May 24, 2004 (United Kingdom) Late-2004 (Australia) September 6, 2005 (France) December 7, 2005 (Sweden) 2006 (Turkey) | Disc 1 "Mix'n Match" game "Do The Same As Me" song "Space" (Bonus episode) Disc 2 "Bamboo Forest" (Bonus episode) "American Prairie" (Bonus episode) "Indian Jungle" (Bonus episode) | [b]Non-UK releases do not have the second tape/disc. The Nordic and VCD releases have no special features. |
| Country Adventures | "Meadow" "Pond" "Canadian River" "Forest Floor" "Mountain" Cave" | March 14, 2005 (United Kingdom) 2005 (Australia) 2006 (Turkey) | "Mix'n Match" game "We’re Looking for a Colour" song "Castle" (Bonus episode) | [c]The Turkish VCD release has no bonus features. |
| Merry Christmas | "Christmas Special" "Antarctic" "Ski Resort" "Arctic" "City at Night" | 2005 (Asian territories) | "Mix'n Match" game "The Counting Song" song "Snowy Garden" (Bonus episode) | Was originally planned for an October 11, 2004 release in the United Kingdom, but was not released. Only released in Asian territories on VCD. |
References
- ^ "Boo! • A Productions Ltd".
- ^ a b "Tell-Tale's Boo! Set for summer slot on CBBC".
- ^ a b . CBeebies Grownups. BBC. Archived from the original on 27 December 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "Tell-Tale's Boo! set for summer slot on CBBC". Broadcast. 22 May 2003. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "Tell-Tale says Boo! To BBC".
- ^ "Forum's co-pro conundrum".
- ^ "Tell-Tale develops new series of Boo!".
- ^ . qubo. Archived from the original on 28 December 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "Boo!". ABC Kids TV guide. ABC. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
External links
- Boo! at BBC Online
- Boo! at IMDb
- Variety story from MIPCOM 2002: BBC goes 'Boo!'