From Muffin the Mule to Bagpuss: A Journey Through Watch With Mother

“Watch With Mother” was a beloved BBC programming strand that aired in the UK, catering to pre-school children and their parents. The programming, which began in 1946 under the title “For The Children,” and had made a star of Muffin The Mule, featured a variety of series aimed at entertaining and educating young viewers. One of the most iconic shows from “Watch With Mother” was “Andy Pandy,” which debuted in 1950 and became a regular Tuesday feature.

Over the years, additional programs joined the lineup, including “The Flowerpot Men,” “Rag Tag & Bobtail,” and “The Woodentops.” These shows provided entertainment for children five days a week, with each day featuring a different program. The time slot for “Watch With Mother” shifted several times over the years, but it typically aired in the early afternoon.

As the 1960s progressed, new shows were introduced to cater to younger audiences. These included “Tales Of The Riverbank,” “The Pogles,” and “Bizzy Lizzy.” Colourful programs like “Trumpton,” “Chigley,” and “Mary, Mungo & Midge” brought even more vibrancy to the show in the late 1960s.

In 1972, “Watch With Mother” expanded beyond weekdays with a Saturday morning slot at 9:00 am and an early afternoon Sunday slot. New shows like “Mr. Benn” and “Fingerbobs” delighted young viewers during this time.

By 1974, some of the most memorable characters in children’s television history made their debut on “Watch With Mother.” This included Bagpuss in 1974, followed by Bod, The Mister Men, and The Flumps in subsequent years.

Throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s, popular shows like Postman Pat and Fireman Sam joined the lineup. However, there were changes to the programming structure as well. The See-Saw banner, which had been introduced in 1980, was eventually dropped on Sundays and moved to BBC-2 in 1987.

In the 1990s, “Watch With Mother” continued under the Children’s BBC banner, featuring shows like Greenclaws, Joshua Jones, and Philomena’s Cat. The program mixed longer-format shows with shorter ones to cater to young viewers’ attention spans.

“Watch With Mother” holds a special place in the hearts of many who grew up watching it. It provided a cherished opportunity for parent-child bonding and offered educational and entertaining content for pre-school children. The shows reflected changing times and evolving programming preferences while remaining a beloved fixture in British television history.