Boo! (TV series)

Boo! is a British pre-school 3D-animated children's television series created by Will Brenton and Iain Lauchlan, and produced through their company Tell-Tale Productions for CBeebies with Universal Pictures handling co-funding and worldwide television distribution, home video and consumer product rights. The series aired for a total of 104 episodes and one Christmas special; it was nominated for the British Academy Children's Award for Pre-School Animation in 2003.

WWW bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownu...

Synopsis

The series centres on the titular character, Boo, who plays a game entitled "Boo!", which is similar to Hide-and-seek. He plays with his friends in a variety of settings and locations. The commentary is performed by adult male and female narrators and a chorus of children.
During the game, three key objects and Boo's friends are located. After Boo is found three times, the children go over the key objects that were found. Boo and his friends come together, then a song is sung, usually about matching characters or objects to their shapes or colours. Following the song, Boo's friends notice he's hiding again and the episode ends.
The visual style of Boo! is very distinctive, using 3D computer-generated imagery with rounded shapes and cel shading. The music and songs are generally in an early-1970s funk or R&B style.

Characters

Boo – a pear/aubergine-shaped patchwork creature with orange spiky hair. His feet are red with white spots on them. The main goal of the programme is to find Boo in his various hiding places. Half-way through each episode, Boo magically adopts attributes of his surroundings. Boo cannot talk, although he whistles at the beginning of each episode and dances during every song.Laughing Duck – a yellow duck, who laughs when "found". She has a red-orange bill that matches her legs and has abilities to fly and swim. In some episodes, she meets some people who happen to be employees. In the hospital, she has been found sad because her laugh is lost, but it is regained when Boo tickles her flipper and made her laugh.Sleeping Bear a brown bear who is usually asleep, yawning or stretching when "found". His blanket is red with a print of white hearts on it. The catchphrase associated with him is "Shhh... Tippy-toe, tippy-toe." In some episodes, he finds a spot to sleep around anything that is cozy. In the police station, he was lost in the park until his friends had found him sleeping and sitting on the swing set.Growling Tiger - a friendly tiger with fluffy white ears. Despite his name, he says "Roar!" when "found". His associated catchphrase is "It's Growling Tiger! Run away! Run away!"
Other characters, both human and animal vary from one episode to another. The people who have speaking roles in this show are the artists, Chatty Hairdresser, Helpful Nurse, Caring Doctor, Helpful Teacher, Helpful Waitress, Happy Customers, Busy Chef, the woman on high stilts, the ringmaster, Careful Grownup, Smiling Santa, Graceful Teacher, Friendly Police Officers, Strong Lumberjack, Gentle Vet, Show Singers, Shouting Stallholder and Cheering Dad. The Blue Squawking Parakeet appears in a birdcage in the episode 'Veterinarian'.

Episodes

Series 1 (2003-2004)

1. Rockpool - 4 June 2003
2. Supermarket - 11 June 2003
3. Pond - 18 June 2003
4. Art Gallery - 25 June 2003
5. Desert - 2 July 2003
6. Harbour - 9 July 2003
7. Bedroom - 16 July 2003
8. Prehistoric Land - 23 July 2003
9. Theatre - 30 July 2003
10. African River - 6 August 2003
11. Cave - 13 August 2003
12. Coral Reef - 20 August 2003
13. Train Station - 27 August 2003
14. Canadian River - 4 September 2003
15. Indian Jungle - 11 September 2003
16. Café - 18 September 2003
17. Deep Blue Sea - 25 September 2003
18. Castle - 1 October 2003
19. African Waterhole - 7 October 2003
20. Kitchen - 14 October 2003
21. Arctic - 21 October 2003
22. Fun Fair - 28 October 2003
23. Space - 4 November 2003
24. Garden - 11 November 2003
25. Hospital - 18 November 2003
26. Woods at Night - 25 November 2003
27. Library - 5 February 2004
28. Canadian Mountain - 12 February 2004
29. Australian Bush - 19 February 2004
30. Swimming Pool - 26 February 2004
31. Forest Floor - 22 April 2004
32. Circus - 12 March 2004
33. Swamp - 19 March 2004
34. Fun House - 26 March 2004
35. Playgroup - 2 April 2004
36. Antarctic - 9 April 2004
37. Ski Resort - 16 April 2004
38. Jungle - 25 April 2004
39. Farm - 30 April 2004
40. Bathroom - 13 May 2004
41. Park - 20 May 2004
42. Zoo - 27 May 2004
43. English Riverbank - 4 June 2004
44. American Ranch - 11 June 2004
45. Bamboo Forest - 18 June 2004
46. American Prairie - 25 June 2004
47. Junior Gym - 2 July 2004
48. Meadow - 9 July 2004
49. Tropical Island - 16 July 2004
50. City at Night - 23 July 2004
51. Pirate Ship - 30 July 2004
52. City Farm - 6 August 2004

Christmas Special (2004)

Log Cabin/Santa's House - 2004

Series 2 (2005-2006)

53. Fire Station - 28 February 2005
54. Dentist - 7 March 2005
55. The Pyramids - 14 March 2005
56. Athletics Track - 21 March 2005
57. Airfield - 28 March 2005
58. Kite Festival - 4 April 2005
59. Ballet Class - 11 April 2005
60. Veterinarian - 18 April 2005
61. Car Factory - 25 April 2005
62. Pottery - 2 May 2005
63. Carpenter's Workshop - 9 May 2005
64. Sports Day - 16 May 2005
65. Cheese Market - 23 May 2005
66. Tennis Court - 30 May 2005
67. Post Office - 6 June 2005
68. Diwali Party - 13 June 2005
69. Fishing Dock - 20 June 2005
70. Fancy Dress Shop - 27 June 2005
71. Garden Centre - 4 July 2005
72. Police Station - 11 July 2005
73. Pop Concert - 18 July 2005
74. Chinese Garden - 25 July 2005
75. Tea Plantation - 3 August 2005
76. Basketball Court - 10 August 2005
77. Hairdressers - 17 August 2005
78. Ice Rink - 24 August 2005
79. Bus Station - 16 February 2006
80. Chicken Farm - 23 February 2006
81. Street Market - 2 March 2006
82. Bakery - 9 March 2006
83. Building Site - 16 March 2006
84. Baseball Ground - 23 March 2006
85. Birthday Party - 30 March 2006
86. Football Match - 6 April 2006
87. Surfer Beach - 13 April 2006
88. Race Track - 20 April 2006
89. Roman Villa - 27 April 2006
90. Orange Grove - 16 May 2006
91. Venetian Canal - 23 May 2006
92. Children's Play - 30 May 2006
93. Crazy Golf Course - 6 June 2006
94. Timber Forest - 13 June 2006
95. Lei Day - 20 June 2006
96. House Being Decorated - 27 June 2006
97. Seaside - 3 July 2006
98. Halloween - 30 October 2006
99. Campsite 10 July 2006
100. Film Set - 7 September 2006
101. Snowy Garden - 8 December 2006
102. Rain Forest Canopy - 23 December 2006
103. Galapagos Islands - 25 December 2006
104. Chinese New Year - 29 December 2006

Development, Songs and Broadcast

Development

The show was created by Will Brenton and Iain Lauchlan, who have created and produced Fun Song Factory, BB3B, and Jim Jam and Sunny in addition to Tweenies. Brenton also designed the characters.
On July 26, 2002, the BBC picked up the UK broadcasting rights to Boo! for a broadcast in September 2003. On September 1, it was announced that Universal Pictures had acquired worldwide distribution, home video and consumer product rights to the series in exchange for providing co-funding.
On May 22, 2003, the show was announced to premiere on June 4 on the CBeebies on BBC Two block.
On April 7, 2004, Boo! was renewed for a second series.

Broadcast

"Boo!" could be seen in the United Kingdom on CBeebies, reruns from 2007-2012 in the United States on the digital channel Qubo, Discovery Kids in Latin America, Australia's ABC, and TVOKids in Canada, alongside Hop! in Israel, and Baraem in Qatar.

Songs

"Where’s Boo? "
"Show Us a Shape"
"The Counting Song"
"We’re Looking for a Colour"
"Do the Same As Me"
"Odd One Out"
"Everybody Do This Sound"
"What’s Missing?"
"Snap!"
"Can You Guess?"
and
"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

Home media

VHS, DVD and VCD releases of the series were handled by Universal Pictures Video in all regions.

Name	Episodes	Release date	Special Features	Extra information
Faraway Places	"Australian Bush" "Jungle" "Desert" "Prehistoric Land" "Coral Reef" "African River"	May 24, 2004 Late-2004 September 6, 2005 December 7, 2005 2006	Disc 1 "Mix'n Match" game "Do The Same As Me" song "Space" Disc 2 "Bamboo Forest" "American Prairie" "Indian Jungle"	Non-UK releases do not have the second tape/disc. The Nordic and VCD releases have no special features.
Country Adventures	"Meadow" "Pond" "Canadian River" "Forest Floor" "Mountain" Cave"	March 14, 2005 2005 2006	"Mix'n Match" game "We’re Looking for a Colour" song "Castle"	The Turkish VCD release has no bonus features.
Merry Christmas	"Christmas Special" "Antarctic" "Ski Resort" "Arctic" "City at Night"	2005	"Mix'n Match" game "The Counting Song" song "Snowy Garden"	Was originally planned for an October 11, 2004 release in the United Kingdom, but was not released. Only released in Asian territories on VCD.