Tots TV

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Tots TV
Created by Anne Wood
Developed by Ragdoll Productions
Written by Robin Stevens
Andrew Davenport
Directed by
  • Rob Ollerton
  • Tom Poole
  • Nick Hayward-Young
  • Robin Toyne
StarringVéronique Déroulède
Claire Carre
Alexandra Hogg
Robin Stevens
Andrew Davenport
Composer Andrew McCrorie-Shand
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languagesEnglish, French (Spanish in the US version)
No. of episodes276 [1]
Production
Producer Anne Wood
Cinematography
  • Mike Callan
  • Brian Owens
  • Andy Martin
  • Derek Gruszeckyj
Editors
  • Johnathan Bravo
  • Howard Dell
  • Gareth Maynard
  • Julia Weaver
  • Nigel Buck
Running time10–25 minutes
Production companies Ragdoll Productions
Central Independent Television (1993–1995)
Carlton UK Productions (1995–1998)
Original release
Network ITV
Release4 January 1993 (1993-01-04) –
27 April 1998 (1998-04-27)

Tots TV is a British children's television programme, produced by Ragdoll Productions and Central. The series was first telecast in the UK on the ITV network (part of CITV) from 1993 to 1998.

Contents

Development

Tots TV was written by two of its puppeteers, Robin Stevens (Tom) and Andrew Davenport (Tiny).

The series was filmed on location in a small cottage, on farmland near Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire. The cottage was purpose-built for the series in the early 1990s and after production ended in 1998, the property was abandoned. [2] In the 2010s, the house drew public attention after being discovered by numerous urban explorers.[ citation needed ] In 2021, the house was destroyed by the landowners. [3]

Characters

The programme focuses on three puppets: Tilly, a French girl, with red hair, freckles and pale skin, who speaks in basic French (changed to English in French and Spanish broadcasts, and changed to Spanish in the US version), Tom, a blue-haired boy with glasses and dark skin, who is smart, and Tiny, the youngest Tot, who is smaller than the others and has green hair and pale skin. It also includes their pet Donkey who lives in a stable next to the Tots' secret house and a mischievous little dog named Furryboo that the Tots do not know about.

Voices

Plots

Going out

Often (although not always), the Tots would go out to explore an everyday area in the real world. This often involved them helping out a young child, visiting Jane Pardoe at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, and watching Jack the Gardener who was always placing surprise items in a field for children to play with. This also sometimes involved them using their magic bag which they always took with them, Tiny always carried it and Tilly always operated it. When asked to help, it would always produce some items to help them in the situation.

Staying in

In many other episodes, the Tots would do something in their secret house, including playing games and making exciting discoveries. Because the full titles featured the Tots leaving the house they were altered for such episodes. Often these episodes would feature one of the Tots reading the other two a story. These episodes always feature the reading Tot preparing to read using dolls of the characters in the story. Apparently, the other two were unaware they were preparing to read a story because they would always ring them up on their personal phone to ask if they wanted to listen to a story. This was despite the fact they all lived in the same house.

Other

If the episode was a full-length double-bill (regularly the first half with Jane Pardoe and the second half an adventure in the secret house) in the earlier episodes, they would be joined with a two-minute animation of a 'Noah's Ark' story (based on the toy "Noah's Ark in the Secret House") or an animation of a picture that a viewer had sent into the program.

Recurring jokes

Episodes

Series 1

Episode No.TitleNotes
1CamelAnimal-themed episode
2BeachOutdoor / seaside theme
3FoxAnimal-themed episode
4TrainsTransport theme
5HedgehogAnimal-themed episode
6DressClothing theme
7WoodlouseAnimal / insect theme
8CarsTransport theme
9DogAnimal-themed episode
10Bike RideOutdoor activity
11OwlAnimal-themed episode
12Donkey RideOutdoor activity / animals
13HorseAnimal-themed episode
14Baby PartySocial event theme
15ElephantAnimal-themed episode
16RockpoolNature / seaside exploration
17GiraffeAnimal-themed episode
18DentistHealth / visiting a dentist
19LemurAnimal-themed episode
20Roller SkatingOutdoor activity
21SnailAnimal / insect theme
22PaintingCreative activity
23ToadAnimal / amphibian theme
24CampingOutdoor activity
25PeacockAnimal-themed episode
26Bus RideTransport theme
27RabbitAnimal-themed episode
28Garden CentreVisiting a shop / plants
29WormsNature theme
30Window CleaningEveryday tasks
31PenguinAnimal-themed episode
32KitesOutdoor activity
33GoatAnimal-themed episode
34Apple PickingSeasonal outdoor activity
35KittensAnimal-themed episode
36PlaygroundOutdoor play

Series 2

Episode No.TitleNotes
1FishAnimal / nature theme
2Tiny’s Storybook: Little CarStorybook segment featuring Tiny
3Creative Play: SoundCreative Play segment about sound
4ParcelsPost and delivery theme
5EggsFood / nature theme
6Tilly’s Storybook: Imps – ToysStorybook segment featuring Tilly
7Creative Play: BubblesCreative Play segment
8Funny NoisesSound / play theme
9MountainOutdoor theme
10Tom’s Storybook: Teddy's PartyStorybook segment featuring Tom
11Creative Play: Dressing UpCreative Play segment
12MirrorReflection / perception theme
13CalvesAnimal-themed episode
14Tilly’s Storybook: Imps – CakeStorybook segment featuring Tilly


Series 3

Episode No.TitleNotes
1BandMusic-related episode
2Tiny’s Storybook: Little Car at the RacesStorybook segment featuring Tiny
3Sea LionsAnimal-themed episode
4Three Little PigsFairy-tale retelling
5FlyingTransport / imaginative theme
6Tiny’s Storybook: Martians – SnowStorybook segment featuring Tiny
7DuckAnimal-themed episode
8Furry BeatMusic / rhythm theme
9DoctorHealth / doctor visit theme
10Tom’s Storybook: Mouse ChasesStorybook segment featuring Tom
11Lost BallProblem-solving / play theme
12King TomImaginative play featuring Tom
13BalloonOutdoor / play theme
14Tilly’s Storybook: Imps – PaintingStorybook segment featuring Tilly
15FeelingsEmotional education theme
16Inside OutExploration / perception theme
17LeafNature theme
18Tiny’s Storybook: Cry BabyStorybook segment featuring Tiny
19Emergency SquadRescue / emergency theme
20WatchingObservation / learning theme
21JellyFood theme
22Tom’s Storybook: Hungry MouseStorybook segment featuring Tom
23Tinkle in the WoodsNature / exploration
24BedtimeDaily routine theme
25CakeFood / cooking theme
26Tilly’s Storybook: Agatha & The PaintsStorybook segment featuring Tilly
27Lost DonkeyAnimal / problem-solving theme
28Tiny’s Storybook: Girl In A Red DressStorybook segment featuring Tiny
29Ferris WheelFairground / rides
30Tom’s Storybook: Animal ConcertStorybook segment featuring Tom
31PhotoPhotography theme
32Tilly’s Storybook: MascotsStorybook segment featuring Tilly
33AeroplaneTransport theme
34Where Shall We Live?Homes / environments
35MajorettesParade / music theme
36Phone DinerCommunication theme
37Indian TreeCultural / nature theme
38SurfingWater sport theme
39Cowboy TownImaginative play / Western theme
40Coming HomeReturning from a journey


Series 4

Episode No.TitleNotes
1Middle of the NightNight-time / routine
2Shoe ShopVisiting a shop
3Police CarEmergency / transport theme
4ChinchillaAnimal-themed episode
5Colour CirclesArt / colour learning
6PostwomanJobs / community helper theme
7Magic HatMagic / imagination
8Street LampsNight-time / outdoors
9What’s That Noise?Listening / sound identification
10Paper BoatsCraft / water play
11JokingHumour theme
12Moving InHome / milestone event
13Smelling DayExploring senses
14Melon ChaseFood / playful activity
15Sleepy DayRoutine / rest theme
16HippoAnimal-themed episode
17Treasure MapAdventure / searching
18PrintingCraft / creative activity
19Magic FluteMusic / magical theme
20LaunderetteEveryday tasks / community places
21InterferingSocial behaviour theme
22Lost TeddyComfort object / problem-solving
23HamsterAnimal-themed episode
24Rainy Day (2)Weather / indoor play
25GlassworksVisiting a workplace
26Vegetable GuardGardening / nature
27IguanaAnimal-themed episode
28Muddy FootprintsOutdoor play / nature
29Recorder FactoryMusic / manufacturing
30AdventureGeneral adventure-themed episode

Telecast

The series was first telecast in the UK on the ITV network (part of CITV).

In the United States, the series was represented by Ragdoll's US representative, The Itsy Bitsy Entertainment Company. [4] The series was redubbed with American voice actors, with Tilly speaking Spanish instead of French. The series debuted on PBS' PTV service in October 1996, initially with 40 episodes. The series would fulfill the Ready-to-Learn act. In October 1998, an additional 25 episodes were sold by Itsy Bitsy, and the series moved to PBS' weekday schedule, joining the Teletubbies . [5]

In 2000, Discovery Kids broadcast the series throughout Central and South America, the Caribbean and the Falkland Islands. [6] In Holland, the series is aired on Kindernet.

In April 2004, Ragdoll and Carlton International announced that they had secured a broadcast deal with the BBC to rebroadcast the series from that month, where it first aired on the CBeebies on BBC Two block as well as the CBeebies channel. [7] [1]

Awards

The series won two BAFTA awards for its producer Anne Wood and director Vic Finch.

Specials

A number of special episodes of the series were produced for both TV and VHS release, including a short series of episodes set in the USA, a 'Big Treasure Adventure' set on a pirate ship from England to Australia and several Christmas specials, including one filmed in Rovaniemi, Finland.

A series of educational Tots Video specials were originally released by Video Collection International in 1997 (later reprinted by Carlton in 2000) included hour-long episodes based on the alphabet, numbers, animals and basic French.

Home media

VHS releases

Videotapes of the series were originally released by Video Collection International under their Central Video imprint from 1993 until 1994, and transitioned off to Carlton Home Entertainment afterward and later Granada Ventures.

(Camel, Beach, Fox)

(Trains, Hedgehog, Dress)

(Bike Ride, Owl, Donkey Ride)

(Peacock, Bus Ride, Rabbit)

(Horse, Baby Party, Elephant)

(Apple Picking, Kittens, Playground)

(Woodlouse, Cars, Dog)

(Lemur, Roller Skating, Snail)

(Rockpool, Giraffe, Dentist)

(How Does Your Garden Grow?, Wiggly Worms, Cleaning Windows)

(Penguin, Windy Day, The Hungry Nanny Goat)

(Dress, Bike Ride, Donkey Ride, Peacock, Cars, Dog)

(Mountain Climbing, The Funny Noises Band, Tiny's Storybook (Little Red Car), Fluffy Little Chicks, Dressing Up, Bubbles)

(Splashing in the Pool, Hippo in the Garden, Colours, Out to Sea, Tiny's Storybook, Bananas, Parcels)

(Sticky Disasters, A Watery Surprise, Trouble in the Bathroom, Washing the Car, Blowing Bubbles, Big Banana Tom)

(Lost Teddy, Lost Button, The Vegetable Nibbler, A Very Clever Monkey, The Disappearing Trousers, Cable Car, Where is That Phone?)

(Magical Secrets, Tots In A Box, Magic In The Woods, Magic Balloons, Music Factory, Magical Night Time Garden, Secret Treasure Map)

(Donkey Ride, At the Airport, Tiny's Storybook, Undersea Adventure, It's Only Thunder, Safety on the Beach, Fun on the Beach, Donkey Cake, Watering the Garden, Ants, Naughty Little Fly, Melon Cheese, Rainy Day, Koala)

(The Secret Magic Parcels, Fishes, A Noisy Surprise, Tom's Storybook, Looking in the Mirror, Feeding the Calves)

(Fluffy Little Chicks, It's a Cockerel, Milking a Cow, Raspberry Picking, Tom's Storybook, A Pool for the Ducks)

(Super Tiny, Laundrette, King of the Castle, Tom's Storybook, Naughty Mysterious Person, Iguana)

(Flying High, Tom's Storybook, The Village Band, Sticky Surprise, Tilly's Storybook, Sea Lions, Three Little Pigs, Doctor, Tiny's Storybook, A Special Party Cake)

(Lost In the Supermarket, Tilly's Storybook, Tiny Leaves Home, The Naughty Little Pig, A Sticky Mess, A Painting Surprise)

(The Runaway Horse, Tiny's Storybook, A Doughy Squeezy Surprise, Sausage Surprise, A Rainy Day, Sandcastles)

(The Lighthouse, Party Time, Tom's Storybook, Blowing Games, Song Window, Flamingoes)

(Sheep, Boing Boing, Tilly's Storybook, All Fall Down, Naughty Old Ball, Hopping Day)

(Birthday Surprise, Dress, Peacock)

(Cuddly Bunnies, Splish Splash Splosh, New Shoes, Spring Cleaning, Chinchilla, Smart Day, Flower Friend)

(The Naughty Puppies, Tom's Storybook, Accidents Will Happen, The Dirty Old Boat, Watering the Garden, A Watery Surprise)

(The Happy Hamster, Squashed Donkey, Guide Dog, Animal Concert, The Funny Furry Otter, A Cat Called Brian, Zebras)

(Penguin, Windy Day, The Hungry Nanny Goat, How Does Your Garden Grow, Wiggly Worms, Cleaning Windows)

(Wobbly Jellies, Feeding the Ducks, Tom's Fast Food Takeaway, A Special Cake, Tom's Storybook, Baking Bread, Hippo)

(Apple Picking, Kittens, Playground, Horse, Baby Party, Elephant)

(Dentist, Owl, Rockpool)

(Camping, Painting, Lovely Old Toad, The Big Wheel, Tom's Storybook, Balancing Surprise, Donkey Goes Missing, Paper Boats)

(At the Beach, Trains, Rockpool, Owl, Dentist, Hedgehog)

(Boing Boing, Lemur, Jumping Up and Down, Hopping Day)

(Naughty Little Pigs, Sheep, Feeding the Calves, Three Little Pigs)

(Tiny Leaves Home, Lost in the Supermarket, Dressing Up)

(Mountain Climbing, Tom's Storybook, Out to Sea)

(Fox, Roller-Skating, Camel, Giraffe, Snail, Woodlouse)

(Bubbles, A Rainy Day, Splashing in the Pool, A Watery Surprise)

(Fishes, Tom's Storybook, Looking in the Mirror)

(Furry Beat, Tom's Trumpet, Disco Machine, Grand Old Duke of York, Tom Sings La La La, Old McTom, Tilly's Flute)

(60-minute Special)

(Bedtime Stories, Bath, Far Away Star, Street Lamps, Night Time Teddy Adventure, Fun with Shadows, Time for Bed)

(Afternoon Adventure, Watching the Dolphins, Building a Playhouse, The Loch Ness Monster, Jumping Kangaroos, King of the Castle, Little Boats Big Boats)

(At the Beach, Donkey Ride, Rockpool)

(Camel, Elephant, Giraffe)

(Little Kittens, Cuddly Bunnies, A Happy Dog)

Special VHS releases

In 1997, four special VHS tapes were originally released under the name Tots Video. The four titles were re-released by Carlton Video in 2000 with the same titles. The four titles were:

DVD

References

  1. 1 2 "Ragdoll Story". Ragdoll.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Tots TV House site". virtualglobetrotting.com. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "**Sad news**". Twitter . 5 May 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "Tots TV picked up in U.S."
  5. ↑ "PBS Premieres New Episodes of 'Tots TV' and 'Teletubbies'. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "Ragdoll has licensed Tots TV to Discovery Kids for broadcast through Central and South America, the Caribbean and the Falkland Islands, writes Georgina Lipscomb. The Itsy Bity Entertainment Company, R | News | Broadcast". Broadcastnow.co.uk. 21 July 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "LANCEMENT DES TOTS TV SUR LA BBC (TOTS TV LAUNCHES ON THE BBC)". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
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