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

Sad to relate, I can identify all the characters in the header photograph. We had a TV for the Coronation in 1953 and I got to watch Picture Book (Muffin the Mule - behind the boy - and the dachshund) on Monday; Andy Pandy (on the trike) on Tuesday; Bill and Ben (on the flowerpots with Weed) on Wednesday; Rag, Tag and Bobtail (sadly not represented) and on Friday, the Woodentops - Jack (left), Jill (right, at the back) and the Biggest Spotty Dog you ever did see. Actually, he's bigger than I thought he was!

Oh, happy days! The modern Andy Pandy and Bill & Ben are nowhere near...

Please...

How can one thread make one feel ancient. I to sat on my mothers lap, watching the Corination. I hate to say I do not remember a thing.

What fun it was when the TV had an old fashond box was placed on top of the set, to gain access to a new thing, Comercial Tv.

From school I would rush to watch such TV greats as Torchy the battery boy or Twizzle. Children had one hour of programmes set aside just for children, after school, and before the main news of the day.

Memories..

Can't say I agree about the modern Bill & Ben & Andy Pandy. They've been brought up to date to cope with what todays little kids want. If they were done in the original format I think the kids of today would get fed up in 5 seconds. They've been exposed to much more things than we ever did at their age.

I disagree. You simply cannot keep the origionality from shining through. I never grew up with Andy Pandy, The Flower Pot Men, or Muffin the Mule, but my little cousins (aged 4 and 8)thanks to the hallowed DVD know the difference between the origional shows and the repackaged ones, and it's not the new ones they prefer. The reason for the change in style and direction in many kids shows is driven by adults whom have forgotten the simplicity of play. How many grandparents bought big expensive toys for their grandchildren just for the kids to play with boxes.

The sad matter of the fact is the kids haven't changed. The society they grow up in has. (Not all of it as bad as I have painted here.)

The word was OLD - not repeat NOT ancient. My six-year-old son does like the old ones better too!