Memorable TV

UK / BBC1 / x25m-e / 1997-continuing

Creator: Jean Buchanan / Music: Steve Marshall / Titles: Pizazz / Costume: Barbara Swerda / Script Development: Marilyn Fox / Producer: Ros Anderson

Sitcom. Life in a chaotic middle class family.

With:- ELLIE BEAVAN as Natalie / HONEYSUCKLE WEEKS as Serena(97) / PETER KELLY as Arthur / ANNETTE EKBLOM as Mother / PHILIP BIRD as Father / CATHERINE BAILEY as Georgina 

UK / ITV / 7x25m-e / 1999

Wildlife. Andrew Lynford and Amanda St John travel Britain looking at various wildlife centres and sanctuaries.

USA / Nickelodeon-Klasky Csupo / x20m-e / 1998-

Creators: Arlene Klasky, Gabor Csupo, Steve Pepoon, David Silverman, Stephen Sustarsic / Executive Producer: Arlene Klasy, Gabor Csupo

Animated adventure series. A young girl who can talk to animals travels around the world with her wildlife film-making parents.

Voices:- LACEY CHABERT as  Eliza Marmoset / JUDY CARLISLE as Marianne Marmoset / TIM CURRY as Nigel Marmoset / FLEA as Donnie / DANIELLE HARRIS as Debbie Marmoset / TOM KANE as Darwin Marmoset

UK / ITV / 5x25m-e / 1999

Docusoap. Two British teenagers spend five weeks on a South African game reserve.

UK / BBC / 12x25m-e / 1962-63  Season One: 26 May - 30 Jun 62   Season Two: 6 Apr - 4 May 63  black and white

Writer: C.E. Webber / Characters: Richmal Crompton / Producer: Leonard Chase  

Sitcom.  Misadventures of the perennial naughty schoolboy and his gang the outlaws. See also Over to William and Just William.

With:- DENNIS WATERMAN as William(62)  / DENIS GILMORE as William(63)  / KAPLAN KAYE as Henry / CARLO CURA as Douglas  / GILLIAN GOSTLING as Violet Elisabeth Bott / CHRISTOPHER WITTING as Ginger / LOCKWOOD WEST as Mr Brown 

UK / BBC (International)-Hibert Ralph / x5m-e/ 1994

Creators: Carole Craven, Vanessa Wild / Music: Kick Productions / Producer: John Cary / Executive Producer: Theresa Plummer Andrews / Director: Graham Ralph

Animated adventure series. A young boy has a pair a Wellingtons that can make his wishes come true. Narrated by Andrew Sachs.

BBC / 26x5m-e / 1981

Writer/Director: Nick Spargo

Strange animated tales of forest dwelling characters like Arthur the caterpillar, Carwash the Cat, Evil Edna the television and Mavis Cruet the fairy, all of these were quiveringly voiced in amazing style by Kenneth Williams.

UK / ITV / 1x90m-e / 1996

Novel: William Horwood

Period animated adventure. A sequel to The Wind in the Willows in which Ratty, Badger and Toad have to rush to the rescue of Mole after he falls into an icy river.

USA / ABC-Filmation / x20m-e / 1970

Animated comedy. The ever so slightly mad Jerry Lewis works for an employment agency taking on a variety of bizarre jobs.

Voices:- DAVID C. LANDER as Jerry Lewis / JANE WEBB as Rhonda/Geraldine / HOWARD MORRIS

UK / Yorkshire / 6x25m-e / 1999  5 May - 9 June  Wednesday 4.05pm

Creator: Alex Shearer based on the book Wilmot and Chips / Music: Christopher Morton and Frank Mizen /  Script Edior: Marilyn Fox, Connell Orton / Executive Producer: Patrick Titley / Producer/Director: John Smith 

Sitcom.  The schemes of young Wilmot usually end in disaster especially when his elder brother Terry gets involved.

With:- CHRISTIAN COOKE as Wilmot  / STEFAN PODOLCHUK as Terry / HESTON ANITEYE as Martin / CAROLE COPELAND as Mrs Tanner / STEFAN ESCREET as Mr Tanner / ALAN ROTHWELL as Mr Ronson / KATIE FERGUSON as Amber 

UK / ITV-Cosgrove Hall / 16x30m-e / 1984-88

Producers: Mark Hall, Brian Cosgrove / Novel: Kenneth Grahame

Animated adventures. Stories of Mole, Ratty, Badger and their boisterous friend Toad.

Voices:- RICHARD PEARSON as Mole / PETER SALLIS as Rat / DAVID JASON as Toad / MICHAEL HORDERN as Badger

UK / ITV / 1x90m-e / 1995

Novel: Kenneth Grahame

Animated period adventure. In Edwardian times Mole, Ratty, Badger and their annoying friend Toad have adventures that eventually sees Toad in court. See also The Willows In Winter.

Voices:- ALAN BENNETT as Mole / MICHAEL PALIN as Rat / MICHAEL GAMBON as Badger / RIK MAYALL as Toad 

UK / Yorkshire / 34x15m-e / 1972-73

Entertainment in which a witch played by Audrey Jeans told stories from her ramshackle cottage.

USA / NBC-Rankin-Leach / 1x30m-e / 1979

Director: John Leach

Animated comedy horror. A witch, on Halloween, turns two kids and their babysitter into a werewolf, a ghost and Frankenstein's Monster.

Voices:- GILDA RADNER / BOB LURCH / DON LEACH / NAOMI LEACH / TONY MOLESWORTH

UK / ITV /1990's

Pre-school fantasy series in which the character of Wizadora uses her magic skills to have fun with her puppet friends.

UK / BBC1-Filmfair / 60x5m-e / 1973

Creator: Elizabeth Beresford / Theme Music: Mike Batt / Director: Ivor Wood

Stop frame animated ecology themed comedy. The furry Wombles of Wimbledon Common spend their time recycling the rubbish that humans leave behind. The Wombles became very popular in the 1970's garnering a film spin off called Wombling Free (1977) as well as having a number of hit records. The Wombles included Orinoco, Great Uncle Bulgaria, Bungo, Wellington, Tobermory, Tomsk and Madame Cholet. The shows were narrated by Bernard Cribbens. In 1991 a 30 minute special called the Wandering Wombles appeared then in 1998 the series was revived for 26 new episodes.

USA / ABC-Krofft (Part of the Krofft Supershow) / 22x15m-e / 1976-78

Executive Producers: Sid and Marty Krofft

Fanatsy comedy drama series. A trio of teens have adventures with a dune buggy that has magical powers.

With:- DAVID LEVY as Barry / JOHN ANTHONY BAILEY as C.C. / CAROL ANNE SEFLINGER as Susan / FRANK WELKER as Voice of Wonderbug

USA / Metromedia / x60m-e / 1955-87

Long running variety type series shown on Saturday and Sunday Mornings with guests, sketches, serials and the like. Hosts included Sandy Becker, Herb Sheldon, Bill Britten & Doris Faye, Sonny Fox, Bob McAllister and Al Hodge. 
The show for most of its run was only seen in the New York area. Mr.Al Hodge's "Capt.Video"was a regular on The Sandy Becker version of WABD/WNEW/WNYW TV Ch.5 NYC's "Wonderama".Mr.Becker's version of the series was patterned after NBC TV's"Today Show".
With segments that ranged from children's fashion shows to demonstrations of craftmaking, hobbies. To Magic tricks and a history of the lives of famous magicians (Without revealing their magic secrets) presented by Magician/escape artist and magic historian: Melbourne Christopher, Games,c omedy and puppet skits and drawing lessons (Mr. Becker would perform his own comedy and puppets and along with Ms.Pat(rica) Meikle. Both Sandy And Pat would engage their viewers and studio audiences in drawing lessons), cooking lessons, interviews with guest performers and personalities and reruns of old movie cartoons, comedies, serials and sci fi films.Mr.Hodge's "Capt.Video" would introduce the reruns of the old sci fi films and movie serials on the program. Sandy Becker's version of Wonderama aired on Sunday Afternoons from September 25,1955 to August,1956.

Herb Sheldon hosted the show Sunday Mornings From Sunday September 16,1956 to August ,1958. Bill Britten would mc the show from Sunday Morning August 10,1958 to Sunday December 28,1958 (Mr.Britten's version of the show would be the first versions of "Wonderama"to be taped before a live studio audience). Sonny Fox would host the show sunday mornings From Sunday January 4,1959 to Sunday August 7,1967(Sonny would pre-tape his shows on Thursday Afternoons).
Bob McAllister would become the fifth and last adult host/performer of the series. He would pre-tape his version of "Wonderama"on Thursday afternoons for Sunday morning broadcasts from Sunday August 13,1967 to Sunday December 25,1977. Bob would also host a Weekday afternoon version of the show from 1969 to 1970.
The last version of "Wonderama"was a kids newsmagazine and travelogue hosted by a group of kids. The Kids newsmagazine/travelogue version of the show would be seen Sunday Mornings on WNEW TV Ch.5 in NYC From Sunday October 5,1980 to September,1984. The series would soon move to Saturday morning reruns in September,1985."Wonderama"would remain on the air on WNEW/WNYW TV Ch.5 in NYC. Until the series was finally cancelled in September,1987. - Many thanks to Kevin S. Butler for his contribution to this entry.

UK / BBC / 160x15m-e / 1955-58 black and white

Creators: Freda Lingstrom, Maria Bird / Writer/Music: Maria Bird / Puppeteers: Audrey Atterbury, Molly Gibson

Puppet drama series featuring the adventures of The Woodentop family who lived in the country. The Woodentop family consisted of Mummy, Daddy, Baby Woodentop and the twins Willie and Jenny. Other characters included the daily help Mrs Scrubit, Sam the Farmhand, Buttercup the Cow and Spotty Dog. The Woodentops were part of the Watch With Mother strand and appeared on Fridays.

USA / ABC-NBC-Walter Lantz / 1970-77 / 1999-

Creator: Walter Lantz

The misadventures of an extremely irritating woodpecker called Woody who would stop at nothing to create mischief. Woody originally started out in short cinema cartoons in 1940, these continued throughout the 40's and 50's, these were then seen on TV between 1957-60. Following the 1970's original TV run 1999 saw a revival on Fox Kids.

Voices:- GRACE STAFFORD as Woody Woodpecker / DAWS BUTLER as Chilly Willy / JUNE FORAY / WALTER TETLEY / PAUL FREES

UK / Yorkshire / x10m-e / 1981

Writer: Michael Parkinson

Animated stories of the cuddly Woofits who lived in a Yorkshire mining village. All of the Woofits bore resemblances to actual people, Angela Rippon, Elton John etc. Michael Parkinson also narrated.

USA / Nick / 52x20m-e / 1987-89

Book: The Gnomes by Rien Poortvliet, Will Huysen / Writer/Director: Ernest Reid / Executive Producers: Bob and Harvey Weinstein.

Animated drama series. Adventures of a group of gnomes and their tangling with the less than friendly Trolls.

Voices:- TOM BOSLEY as David

UK / BBC-TVC London-Frederick Warne and Co-Pony Canyon-Fuji TV Inc / x30m-e / 1994

Executive Producer: Jonathan Peel / Perfect Day sung by Miriam Stockley / Music: Colin Towns / Producer: John Coates / Directors: Roger Mainwood (Animation), Dennis Abey (Live Action).

Period drama series. Beatrix Potter (in live action bookends) tells some of her favourite stories (rendered in animation). Niamh Cusack played Beatrix Potter

Australia / ABC / 6x30m-e / 1991-92

Writers: Harold Dover, Kevin Altmann, Barbara Gliddon / Producer: Rod Rees / Executive Producers: David Taft / Directors: Peter Baroulis, Mandy Smith

Anthology series of comedy dramas featured a youngster having the worst day of my life.

UK / Central-HBO / 1x60m-e / 1986 (1 November)

Writer: Jill Murphy, Pleshette Willis / Novel: Jill Murphy / Director: Robert.  

Fantasy comedy. Young Mildred Hubble trains to be a witch at a special school. See also below for the later series.  

With:- FAIRUZA BALK as Mildred Hubble / JEAN MARSH / DIANA RIGG as Miss Hardbroom / CHARLOTTE RAE as Miss Cackle / TIM CURRY as The Grand Wizard / FAIRUZA BALK as Mildred / SABRINA FRANKLYN as Miss Spellbinder

UK / ITV / x25m-e / 1998-2000

Books: Jill Murphy 

Spooky comedy drama series. The adventures of young Mildred Hubble at a school for trainee witches. From 2001 Mildred found herself attending Weirdsister College in a spin off show.

With:- GEORGINA SHERRINGTON as Mildred Hubble / FELICITY JONES as Ethel Hallow / EMMA BROWN as Maud Moonshine / CLARE COULTER as Miss Cackle / KATE DUCHENE as Miss Hardbroom / UNA STUBBS as Miss Bat  / CLAIRE PORTER as Miss Drill / BERWICK KALER as Frank Blossom / HARSHNA BRAHMBHATT as Jadu Wali 

UK / Southern / 30x30m-e 1x60 minute episode / 1979-81

Writers: Keith Waterhouse,Willis Hall / Characters: Barbara Euphan Todd / Producer: James Hill 

Fantasy sitcom.  Two young children, John and Sue Peters, move to the country and make friends with scarecrow Worzel Gummidge and the love of his life the uppity Aunt Sally. See also below for Worzel Gummidge Down Under and Worzel Turns Detective.
 
With:- JON PERTWEE as Worzel Gummidge  / UNA STUBBS as Aunt Sally / JEREMY AUSTIN as John Peters / CHARLOTTE COLMAN as Sue Peters / GEOFFREY BAYLDON as The Crowman / MIKE BERRY as Mr Peters / MICHAEL RIPPER as Mr Shepherd / JOAN SIMS as Mrs Bloomsbury-Barton / NORMAN BIRD as Mr Braithwaite  / MEGS JENKINS as Mrs Braithwaite 

UK-New Zealand / C4-TOTD- Creative Arts / 22x30m-e / 1987/89  2 Seasons - Sundays 11.30am

Creators: Keith Waterhouse, Willis Hall / Characters: Barbara Euphan Todd / Producer: Grahame J. McLean / Director: James Hill 

Fantasy sitcom.  A continuation(6 years later) of the series Worzel Gummidge. This saw Aunt Sally sold to a museum in New Zealand with Worzel following her and getting into all kinds of scrapes once over there. The series was a co-production between the UK and New Zealand.

With:- JON PERTWEE as Worzel Gummidge / UNA STUBBS as Aunt Sally / JOHNATHON MARKS as Mickey / OLIVIA IHIMAERA-SMILER as Manu / BRUCE PHILLIPS as The Crowman / MICHAEL HAIGH as Prof Pike (Season 1) / GERALD BRYAN as Rooney (Season 1) / PATUPATU RIPLEY as Mrs Te Wheke (Season 1)/ JOY WATSON as Mrs Peacock (Season 1) / WI KUKI KAA as Travelling Scarecrowmaker (Season 1) / ROSS JOLLY as PC Peacock (Season 2) /  DAVID WEATHERLY as Bulbous Cauliflower (Season 2) / AARON TAYLOR as Robert Mahoney (Season 2)

UK / BBC / 4x30m-e  1953  10 February - 3 March black and white

Writer: Barbara Euphon Todd / Producer: Pamela Brown 

Fantasy comedy serial. An early adventure for loveable scarecrow Worzel Gummidge.

With:- FRANK ATKINSON as Worzel 

UK / Thames / 6x30m-e / 1970

Period drama serial about two youngsters involved in an eighteenth-century ship-wrecking off the Cornish coast.

With:- CATHERINE ORGAN / TOM OWEN 

UK / Yorkshire / 5x25m-e / 1992  29 June - 27 July  Mondays 4.15pm

Creator/Script Editor: Nick Wilton / Producer/Director: Patrick Titley 

Scifi comedy series. A pair of alien reporters for a space TV station report on various facets of Earth life. The title stood for What You See Is What You Get.

With:- NICK WILTON as 'Dave'  / CLIVE MANTLE as Globyool