Category Archives: Tv

The Sooty Show NEW TV Series 2012 Review

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Sooty are you crazy, is that still going?

This classic TV series has been brought back to live thanks to the new presenter and new owner Richard Cadell. As a little boy I always remember watching Sooty and I never thought I’d see the day that Aly would be sitting down watching this.

From the moment it first came on she was almost crying with laughter and she loved the whole thing, from the water in the face to the silly special clips in between so I’m guessing Sooty hasn’t lost any of its appeal.

The DVD is packed full and lasts about 75mins and contains 5 funny episodes with some clips in between each episode. The episodes are

  • The Swimming Lesson
  • The Runaway Bath
  • Chocco Chimp
  • The Marching Band
  • The Wedding
Also in two of the episodes there are two very special guests in the form of Matthew Corbett and Stacy Solomon, neither of whom Aly knew who they were and I’m guessing Matthew was only there as a kind of interest for the parents. 
Included in this DVD set is a magic wand which is needed as you need to wave that and say the magic words for the next episode which Aly was more than happy to do.
I didn’t think she would like this but she loved it and has thrown up the idea of seeing the live show. For me its just not the same without Matthew presenting it but Richard still does a good job.

The Sooty Show DVD is available from 13th August with an RRP of £7.49 from Amazon

To find out more about the Sooty range and other children’s programmes please visit Abbey Home Media 

I was sent this item for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Spot goes on Holiday Activity Pack DVD Review

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Spot Goes on Holiday is packed full with 12 new and different episodes which should keep your little ones quiet for just over an hour.

The episodes include
Spot Goes on Holiday
Spot Goes to the Circus
Spot Makes a Cake
Spot Goes to a Party
Storytime with Spot
Spot Goes to the Park
Spot in the Woods
Spot Goes to the Farm
Spot’s Horse
Spot’s Breakfast
Spot Stays Overnight
Sweet Dreams, Spot

My girls have read most of the Spot books either at home or at Pre-School so they knew the characters and I think that made it more enjoyable for them.

In between each episode is a few games and challenges to keep them interested.

Including with this DVD is a Spot colouring sheet and a set of stickers which went down well. Aly loved colouring and Mia managed to decorate the house with the stickers.

This set went down well with the girls especially Mia who loves dogs or woa woa as she calls them.

This DVD and activity pack is available from 23rd July with an RRP of £5.99 from Amazon

To find out more about the Spot range and other children’s programmes please visit Abbey Home Media
I was sent this item for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Interview with Art Attack’s presenter Lloyd Warbey

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Hi Lloyd! Let’s step back in time… How did you get involved with Art Attack in the beginning?

There was an initial round of auditions. The producers looked at many showreels and then they came across mine which mainly focused on children’s TV as that’s my area. I then got a phone call that they wanted to see me. During the audition I had to learn a script, did some screen tests and then got involved with a ‘make’. It was really exciting to learn that I had got the role as presenter of Art Attack!

How tough were the auditions?

My background is in acting so I actually really enjoy the audition process! And this being my dream job I showed them how much fun I wanted to have with the show, and how enthusiastic I was about art. Part of the audition took place in the studio and was so much fun, it felt very natural and I really enjoyed showcasing my arty skills.

Did you have to show off your artistic skills at the auditions?

Yes, all the scripts had ‘makes’ that we had to demonstrate. I chose to stand out by making my ‘makes’ beforehand to show everyone how passionate I was about art. In the audition process I made a really fun finger puppet out of a sponge and washing up gloves!

Is it a dream come true to be an Art Attack presenter?

It certainly is! From a young age I’ve always performed on stage, and then when I was a bit older I discovered a passion for children’s TV. So, as you can imagine, when I heard about Art Attack I was over the moon – a dream job where I can use my creative skills and passion for all things arty. How cool is that?!

What do you think of the show’s success?

I love that the show is still on TV and that it’s so successful. It allows children to explore their ideas, be creative and get inspired. Now a new generation is watching the show and being passionate about art as I was when I first saw the show as a youngster. It’s great to see such passion for art among a new generation.

Have you always been a huge fan of Disney?

Come on, who doesn’t love Disney?! I remember my first tape cassette was of Aladdin. My mum got it for me after I saw the film. That’s where it all started, that’s where all the magic began for me. And my love for Disney is even more so now as the presenter of Art Attack, I’m having so much fun.

Who is your favourite Disney character?

That’s a hard one as there are so many favourite Disney characters. But if I was to pick one it would have to be Abu the monkey who hangs around with Aladdin – he’s a bit cheeky, just like me!

What’s in store for fans in the second series of Art Attack?

I like to think that that the show is bigger and better. There’s plenty of new localised content, and I’m hoping to be inviting audiences to interact with the show like never before. I’ll be demonstrating step by step instructions and creating different work of arts and techniques using day-to-day materials.  It doesn’t matter what age you are, you’ll be inspired by the new series!

What makes the new series stand out?

In the new series of Art Attack, we have more Disney themed ‘makes’ making it fun and new for kids using characters that they can all relate to. One of them is a photoframe inspired by the character Jasmine. Another is a sword inspired by Jake and the Never Land Pirates. With the Disney themed ‘makes’, children will have the chance to be inspired by the characters, and pretend to be them, which will make the show even more fun.

What’s new in the show?

I’m new! I’ll hopefully be inspiring a new generation to get creative and express themselves through art. Lots of the content will be available on disneyjunior.co.uk/artattack, where children can be creative and have a go.

There are three segments to the show. The first segment is the main ‘make’ – this will be a big ‘make’ made more detailed. The second segment – art technique – will teach you to apply a technique to a picture to make it stand out even more. And finally, the last segment is all about simple art – these will have fewer steps and will be easy to make art.

With all the different steps you’re given the opportunity to make something there and then. With the big ‘makes’ you have more steps and time to go away and gather the materials, then to have fun with your parent or guardian to create something amazing.

What do you like about art?

I absolutely love art. It gives you the opportunity to be creative and express yourself in your own way. It also gives you the opportunity to have loads of fun and be inspired along the way!

How arty are you in real life?

I’m very arty, I love painting and being creative. I’m always encouraging my friends to be creative in their day-to-day lives by, for example, making their own greeting cards. I’m very lucky that I get a chance to teach children at a school too so this gives me a great opportunity to engage with a new generation and inspire children to be creative.

When was the last time you created some art away from Art Attack?

You’ll always catch me doodling throughout the day! I was actually away with friends and their kids recently and I made a funky paper aeroplane and a really cool seagull picture using pens which was great because we were by the seaside.

When did you first discover you were good at art?

I guess I always knew but it really came to me in secondary school. I used to spend my lunchtimes in the art room making things out of wood and other materials. My teachers always encouraged me to express myself; be interested in things and get creative. They always encouraged my art and creativity at school which was great.

What’s your favourite colour?

That’s a hard one! I love red and green. But I’ll have to go for red as it’s such a bright, happy colour.

Who’s your favourite artist?

There are many out there but I would have to say Vincent Van Gogh. The Sunflowers and The Starry Night pictures are some of my favourite art works. I did a lot of copies of those paintings at school and they are some of my first memories of learning art. I was really inspired by Vincent’s use of oils and textures to create these amazing, inspiring pieces of art.

What’s your favourite art creation from the show?

I really enjoyed the stretchy rap artist – a character we made in the show. It works by having stretchy material from its arms and legs that you attach to your hands and feet which means that you can have a lot of fun dancing with your character! The other creation we made that I really like is the bird puppet – it’s made out of egg box cartons using string which means you can bring the bird to life.

What’s been your most embarrassing moment on the set of Art Attack?

Thankfully there have not been many! One that I can remember was getting through a link for the big ‘make’. You have to do it in a continuous shot and I managed to get through the demonstration in one go. I got to the very end but I couldn’t remember what to say! Everyone on set started to laugh. It was really embarrassing, but a lot of fun.

**Catch new episodes of Art Attack every weekend at 10.35am and new episodes of Jake and the Never Land Pirates every Friday 5.30pm, on Disney Junior.**

Top 10 Art Attack Facts

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Top 10 Art Attack facts

 

  • Art Attack was created in the UK

 

  • The show is one of the UK’s best-loved children’s series

 

  • The show first appeared in 1989

 

  • Art Attack was created as a unique and inspirational arts and craft show designed to spark imagination and creativity, and demonstrate to kids of all abilities that anyone can be an artist

 

  • In the UK, Art Attack is one of the longest running children television series revolving around art

 

  • 28-year-old Lloyd Warbey is the brand new presenter of Art Attack on Disney Junior UK

 

  • Lloyd was a big fan of Art Attack growing up and used to watch the show with his family, and then try to recreate the makes!

 

  • Most Art Attack ‘makes’ can be created by reusing and recycling everyday household materials found around the home

 

  • Art Attack is broadcast on Disney Junior in more than 100 countries worldwide

Catch new episodes of Art Attack every weekend at 10.35am and new episodes of Jake and the Never Land Pirates every Friday 5.30pm, on Disney Junior.

Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom – New Series

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In case you didn’t know there is a new series of Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom which will start on 2nd July at 7.15am and repeated at 5.30pm on Nick Jr.

We were luckily enough to be sent a screener DVD with three new episodes on for me and the girls to enjoy.

Both Mia and Aly have been fans of the show from the very beginning and this show along with Peppa Pig is normally on our telly for most of the day.

The first episode we watched was ‘Giants in the Meadow’ which sees the return on Lucy and her dad and this time her dad wants to put cows in the kingdom but no worries Nanny Plum to the rescue…or sort of.

The second episode was ‘Mrs Fig’s Magic School’ in which Holly is sent to learn real magic at Magic School. The Wise Old Elf and Ben also visit Mrs Fig’s Magic School to see how magic always leads to trouble. Aahhhhh “Jelly Flood!!!”

The last episode was ‘Daisy & Poppy’s Playgroup’ staring the twins. This is about Queen Thistle becoming the teacher at the playgroup. The toddlers soon make her disappear so Mrs Elf has to take charge but the children then send the playgroup back to the land of the dinosaurs.

If like Aly & Mia your children enjoy Ben & Holly then this series won’t disappoint.

Remember Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom starts 2nd July on Nick Jr. at 7:15am and 5:30pm

OLLY THE LITTLE WHITE VAN GOES TO SCHOOL!

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Young fans of the adorable, big-hearted and cheeky little white van can now join a unique schools education programme designed for reception year (year 1) children based on the popular children’s character Olly. ‘Olly’s Little Helpers’ Club is free to join and available for educators to download online at www.ollyslittlehelpersclub.com

The campaign launches this week to over 17,000 primary schools and approximately 750,000 children aged 4-5 years old.

Children will learn how they can follow Olly’s lead at home and now for the first time, at school, helping themselves, their family, other people and even the environment – all while having fun too!

A dedicated Teachers’ Zone provides comprehensive notes on how ‘Olly’s Little Helpers Club’ can benefit their reception and year one pupils. This provides teachers with the right tools to help inspire children to have fun whilst helping others. All materials are designed to support a child’s key development needs in line with the Early Year’s Foundation stages and curriculum.

In the Kids Zone, there are engaging activity sheets, club goodies and access to previous ‘Olly’ episodes. Kids will love the downloadable activity sheets, class posters, stickers, certificates, and badges. Parents also have their own ‘Zone’ to help them encourage their little one(s) to get involved with helping out at home.

Since Olly first came to CiTV last summer, he has been taken to the nation’s heart. Young viewers are captivated by Olly, voiced over by Justin Fletcher, MBE, the star of Mr Tumble, Gigglebiz and Justin’s House.

Olly the Little White Van airs twice a day on weekdays on CiTV at 9.45am and 1pm.

Interview with Carl Christian founder of City of Friends

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Interview with Carl Christian founder of City of Friends

 Q:  Thanks for taking time to talk with us today Carl Christian.  The creation of City of Friends is a unique story that has captured the hearts and minds of children and parents alike.  Can you tell us how City of Friends came about and what inspired you to write the TV series?

A:  City of Friends is a deeply personal story for me.  Since I was a young child it was my dream, like many children, to become a policeman in my home country of Norway.  In 1998 I graduated from the Norway State Police, a very proud moment indeed.  I worked in various departments and areas of the Norway State Police before I was recruited into the Special Forces (S.W.A.T) team handling serious cases of crime. As I worked these special cases, it became clear to me that my work as a police officer was only made possible with the assistance of the Paramedic and Fire Brigade teams. Together, and only together, we were able to solve crime and help people quickly.  Over time, we built friendships and realised that it was this special teamwork that made our jobs and lives more rewarding and we began to appreciate the work each other was doing.

It was around this time that I also realised what important life lessons I was learning and with one young son at home, I was searching for a way to pass these on.  I began to create bedtime stories for my son – gentle life lessons that would help me to teach him about friendship, tolerance and the importance of teamwork.  Whilst my day-job was based in a city that had serious crime and was focused on adults, I instead created a utopian version of this world – a city where everyone is friends.  I created characters based on the three emergency services – police, fire and ambulance – that would help people in this city of vehicles, animals and people and so Max, Elphie and Ted and many other characters were born.

Each day I would come home from work and tell my son all the amazing adventures of working with the emergency services to solve problems around our city.  My son was fascinated by my stories and soon he started to recognise the role of each character and know who would be needed when a problem arose and when.

It was around this time that I started thinking that perhaps I could turn this into something bigger so that more parents could teach their children the importance of friendship and teamwork to their young children.  I decided to start documenting my stories, noting the various characteristics of Max, Elphie and Ted, sketching what they looked like and so on.

One day my son’s nursery called and asked if I would come along and read the children some of my stories.  Like my young son, the children were fascinated.

The idea to turn my stories into a TV series came while I was watching a children’s TV show with my son and realised that City of Friends has all the elements to make a great show.  I started talking to the Norwegian broadcasters and the Culture & Arts Ministers in the Norwegian Government.  We secured our first round of funding from the private sector in 2007 and again in 2008 and City of Friends made its broadcast debut in a 26 x 10 minute part series in January 2010.

I had fulfilled my first dream to become a policeman and now a second dream was starting to take shape.

Q: What do your kids think about City of Friends?

A:  When I first created City of Friends, I had one young son and now I have three!  They all love City of Friends for different reasons.  Each of my sons identifies with the main characters but above all, they love all the action and adventure that takes place when a crisis arises!  I guess it is the sense of purpose to each story and when they speak of teamwork and friendship and every time we take the series into a new area or series, it reminds me how important it is to remain true to the core values of the show.

Q:  How did your colleagues in the police force react to City of Friends?

A:  The Norwegian State Police have been very supportive from the outset and today, they have embraced City of Friends as much as the team working on it.  They appreciate the endorsement it gives the police force in general as it all goes towards the work we are doing in our own city.

Q:  City of Friends has taken the world by storm and is airing in 150 countries, why do you think it’s so successful?

A:  City of Friends is an imaginary world that I created by seeing a world through my son’s eyes.  I asked myself what world would he like to live in, what was his perfect world?  I imagined he would like to talk to fire engines and other vehicles, play with monkeys and kangaroos and live in a world where vehicles, people and animals all live side by side equally and always helping each other out.  I believe the show remains true to these original ideas and core values which parents support and trust and children enjoy.  What has surprised me is that in only 4 years, we have achieved broadcasting in more than 150 countries and in 22 languages! We are still growing and expanding the TV distribution but along the way we have discovered more opportunities to grow the City of Friends franchise into areas we had never imagined.  It is exciting times for City of Friends!

Q: What can fans of City of Friends look forward to in 2012?

A:  The company I founded in 2009, CreaCon Group, was established to create the television production of City of Friends but today, we have a business that more depth and breadth than just the TV series.  We really wanted City of Friends to reach as big an audience as possible and experience the brand and its characters on several different levels.  We have created a fantastic Live Events business in Norway which we are hoping to replicate around the world once the show has been established with audiences.  In Norway we are now selling 20,000 tickets to shows staged in Arenas such is the popularity of the series.  We hope to be bringing this to the UK in the next 2 years.  We are also increasingly busy establishing our Licensing business in the UK so that we can deliver character-based licensed product to all our fans in the UK.  This year we will also be releasing some great original music on our first City of Friends CD – set for a 2012 release.

Q:  Many people are talking about City of Friends and how it teaches kids valuable life-lessons, can you tell us a little more about that?

A:  Like all parents, I wanted to create a show that helps me teach my children important lessons about the world we live in.  I believe the show has remained true to this vision and lessons about friendship and teamwork are timeless.

Q: Growing up what was the most valuable life-lesson you learnt?

A: The importance of friendship and taking care of people around you.  Also, keep holding on to your dream as one day it will come true and without this belief you will find it difficult to believe it will one day happen.

I was first tested when I wanted to join the Police Academy.  There were over 5000 applicants for 300 positions and without a sense of belief and knowing I could achieve my dream I would never have got a place and be where I am today.

Q: And if real life could learn one important life-lesson from City of Friends, what would it be?

A:  It is a simple but clear message.  Wouldn’t life would be much easier if we were all just friends and if we all helped each other out?  City of Friends is fundamentally a community based on trust, friendship and where everyone is treated the same way.

Q: Finally, which character do you relate to the most?

A:  Max the Monkey of course!  As the resident police officer in City of Friends I easily relate to him the best!

Q:  What three characteristics describe you the best?

A:  Creative, driven and ambitious.

Q:  What do you think is more important, ambition or talent?

A:  Ambition is more important but you really need a little bit of both.  Without ambition, your talent can easily go unnoticed or unfulfilled however if you have the ambition to see something through, you can achieve loads.

Q:  How would you rate out of 10 the satisfaction with your life to date?

A:  7 out of 10.  More than OK but not perfect.  I’m a busy father of 3, with two jobs and travelling around the world.  But most importantly, I’m having fun along the way.

Q:  If you could be anything you wanted to be, what would it be?

A:  Liverpool’s Number 9 player or a fighter pilot or if either of those didn’t work out, the lead singer of U2.

City of Friends airs weekdays on Channel 5’s Milkshake at 6.20am, Saturdays at 6.15am and Sundays at 6.25am or visit www.cityoffriends.com and the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/CityofFriendstv to find out more information

Wax Crayons vs TV

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Little Mia is at that age where she wants to be creative. That is good and Aly has always been the same.

The problem is Mia is a free spirit a Baby Banksy if you like so nothing is safe, walls have slight makes but the other day she decided to colour in the TV!!!

Luckily it’s not too bad and you can’t see it too much.

I think Laura was more worried about the fact I might try and use that as an excuse to buy a new tv (it would have to be wall mounted)

I wonder if I can claim on the insurance.