monsterscud

I must admit there is the odd programme that I do like from Cbeebies, Nina and the Nuerons?, Story makers [but only the Blue Cow cartoon], I forget the names of another two I like one was another Scottish programme called 'See here' I think and the other was the one hosted by Linda Baron and her little dog. Also the presenter Justin who appears on a number of programmes such as Higgedly piggedly house etc is very good and quite funny too.
I think overall it is the presenters that are not really needed in-between each programme. In a lot of ways I kind of feel sorry for them too because they almost look as though they are forcing themselves to look excited and interesting but deep down I bet they are thing what the hell am I doing.

Freddy

It saddens me that there doesn't seem to be much tv which caters for the young teenager. No 'Woof' ; 'Press Gang'; 'Orlando'; 'Tom's Midnight Garden'; 'Barriers' and the European series which were often shown. Not only can good TV can be watched by all ages but is a fine training ground for writers, actors and production staff.

Steve Crook

There hasn't been any children's TV drama as good as Press Gang since ...
... since Press Gang

It really was a one off and is still much admired by anyone who's seen it.
It's interesting to see what all those involved in it (the actors and Steven Moffat, the writer) have gone on to do.

Steve

Dame Starry

With programmes like Teletubbies just grunting rubbish for half an hour at a time, is it any wonder that kids are leaving Junior schools unable to read and write properly?
There are plenty of kids' programmes on TV - but without any quality. When I was a kid all the programmes had a basic learning theme to them: the three 'r's, manners, honesty etc. That way, we knew how to behave before we actually went to school!

YDSL x.

The Christmas countdown has begun - don't leave it all until the last minute!

batman

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you here YDSL. As monsterscud said, it's the presenters between programmes that are the main problem. Stuff mentioned such as Nina and the Neurons (which teaches about the senses), Numberjacks (number learning), Come Outside (the Linda Baron one which is all about getting outside and learning about the world) and also Tommy Zoom (learning about personal responsibiity and 'green' issues) are all excellent high quality programmes. Obviously there is some dross but many programmes are pretty good.

Teletubbies is actually a very effective learning programme for tiny kids. The repetiton is necessary for them to absorb and retain information and the 'grunting' is carefully put together phonetics based on techniques in speech therapy. Also, the colours are designed in pure primary to aid the learning of colours. There's a lot of stuff going on in there which seems odd but for toddlers it is brilliant!

Josh is four and can read basic words etc already so his school is doing okay by him. With regard to kids leaving school without any manners .... I used to think it was the schools at fault, but my boy's school is first class (excuse the pun) and I have nothing but praise for the teachers and the work they do. I watch these kids in the playground etc and most of Josh's classmates (and Josh) are polite and decent kids. What saddens me is to hear the way some of the parents speak to their kids and how they talk about them while waiting to collect them. I won't go into details but some of the stuff I hear makes me very sad.

Bats.

ps - I love 'Blue Cow' too!

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

Marky B

I know where your sentiments lie,but I was brought up on Bill & Ben,and I soon grew up out of talking like them - okay it was only last year......maybe when I've had a pint or two.
Ta Ta
Marky B

PS Is Wally Whyton still alive?

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

GRAEME

Well said, Bats!

Freddy

You could spend hours looking at the lives of those people who were involved in Childrens TV. Some have gone on to further their television career while others sadly have just seemed to have had that one idea which they were fortunate to see come to fruitition.

Also noticable were the age and experience of the actors, Lionel Jeffries, Jon Pertwee, Ronald Leigh Hunt, Sam Kydd. We were so very lucky.
Didn't realise that Donald Pleasence's character, Flight Lt. Colin Blythe, 'The Forger' in "The Great Escape", was based on James Hill, the director of the tv serial Worzel Gummidge.

Sad to see that Robert Addie who played 'Spike' in Barriers died at the young age of 43. Robert Addie.net

Freddie

Steve Crook

True, but Press Gang was different. Superbly written, brilliantly acted and very well made. They dealt with issues that no other children's TV series would go near like teenage suicides, drug abuse and pedophilia. But those issues were dealt with properly in a very entertaining dramatic series. Sometimes shocking, often funny but it always gave you something to think about.

Apart from Steven Moffat, the writer and creator who went on to write Coupling, Jekyll and some of the better episodes of the new Doctor Who (like The Empty Child, The Girl in the Fireplace and Blink), the cast also included Julia Sawalha, Dexter Fletcher, Paul Reynolds, Lucy Benjamin, Gabrielle Anwar, Angela Bruce and many others who have gone on to have very interesting and varied careers on TV or in films and other media.

Steve