h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*languishes in amushy sea of nostalgia*
I have noticed that the biggest differences between my idialect and that of my colleagues relates to children's TV - I shall prescribe them all a read of this article in the name of mutual understanding .

I think starting with a grounded knowledge of Bagpuss is a required first step for anyone not familiar with classic children's television in the UK. How can this masterpiece have failed to reach the US and further afield and made the impact it so rightly should? My children both grew up in the US and now that they're in the UK I have introduced them to Bagpuss and they absolutely love it.

My kids love it above all else with the single exception of Noggin the Nog (Oh my, another Postgate Production!)

Oliver Postgate for a knighthood I say!

Yay Smallfilms!
Bagpuss. Ivor the Engine. Noggin the Nog. The Clangers. All fantastic stuff.

I guess I'm living proof of the endurance of Bagpuss, since I've been a big fan since childhood, and I was barely born in the 1970s.

Since the article doesn't mention it, I thought I'd point you to the alternative analysis of Bagpuss (as a sociopolitical text) at (URL removed by moderator)

It's all fiddlesticks and flapdoodle of course, but an entertaining read if you bear that in mind, and certified codswallop by Oliver Postgate himself, so they say.

The Prophet

You seem to have missed the OFFICIAL Bagpuss website...

(URL removed by moderator)


Run by Small Films (the production co. who made Bagpuss)

Oh yeah - there's a Bagpuss Annual out - look on Amazon.

That site is not actually run by Small Films, but it has the support and good wishes (in terms of supplying information and stuff) of Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin (two of the Gods of Childrens TV), and it is very good indeed. The same site, (URL removed by moderator)
, also has stuff on pretty much all the other Small Films delights.

If you're feeling flush there's also the replica Bagpuss (also the autorised version) available from the Thinking Cap in Liverpool (the details are on that Bagpuss site), which is absolutely beautiful, if newer than I can believe the real thing ever looked.

The Prophet.

I have already highlighted the need for inclusion of the link to Smallfilms, which I admit to having completely forgotten in the process of putting the article together.

Ah the brilliance that is Bagpuss.
*Wallows in nostalgia for an old childrens TV programme*

Now what did happen to that white dot on the tv screen when you switched off...

Boring old Bagpuss - yyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn. That's it, off you go, back to sleep. Slothlike cloth animal that fixes cast off items to put in a shop window? Dull.

Nice entry though, reminded me of all the rubbish bits I didn't like.

Now, where's my Inspector Gadget video...

Is that RickyDazla or RickyFlamer? Oh dear.

I would have to query (a) your age, (b) whether you have children, (c) whether you're a student, and (d) when you last saw the series, before coming back with any kind of response to your point of view.

I watched the original series when I was very young, watched some more during my student years, watched more when I started paying my way in the world, and finally, recently, because I wanted to convert my wayward 5 and 8 year olds to the idea of quality childrens' television. For obvious reasons this didn't include any episodes of Inspector Gadget.

I've only just come across this site, and by some mystical quirk of fate this Bagpuss entry is the first I have read. It's very thorough, interesting, and good, but I seem to remember getting 'the willies' when watching Bagpuss. There was something a little menacing about Professor Yaffle, I think. You might be interested to know that where I currently live in the Middle East, Bagpuss toys are available.
I also found myself humming the tune the Mice used to sing when mending the 'things'. Can you remember the words.....or was it just "we will fix it, we will fix it'?

..we will fix it, we will mend it, we will make it as good as new....

Go go gadget response...

22. No. No. Don't remember, haven't watched since I turned it over when I was little.

The mice represent a small trade union and threaten to strike on one occasion when asked to work without singing. Yyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaawn.

Eric eats a banana, he becomes Bananaman - no competition.

I don't think, Mr. Dazla, that you're ready for it yet. It will come with time. Trust me.

Hmm, I shall give it a chance if I happen to be in when it's on is all I can promise.

additionally the mice squeak "heave heave" when lifting in the music roll. Brilliant.

And their comment at the end of the one with the choc-o-late biscuit, that OF COURSE they weren't making them out of butter beans and breadcrumbs. Fantastic.

wonderful

Currently working on transcribing the mice song - managed to find it on MP3

It should be noted that the mice song varied depending on the task at hand - from "we will fix it" to "we will wash it" and a few inbetween.