# Pat & Mat

Pat & Mat (Czech and Slovak: Pat a Mat) is a Czechoslovak slapstick stop-motion animated series created by Lubomír Beneš and Vladimír Jiránek. The characters first appeared in the theatrically released short Kuťáci (Tinkers) in 1976, while the first made-for-TV episode "Tapety" ("Wallpaper") was produced for ČST Bratislava three years later.
The main characters of the series are two handymen, Pat and Mat, who are inventive and extremely clumsy. As of 2021, 129 episodes of the show have been released, and it has been syndicated in a large number of countries due to its lack of dialogue (except in the Dutch version, which is dubbed).

## Names

The original name of the series was Kuťáci (The Tinkers), but when production of episodes started for ČST Bratislava, a Slovak name was required, and the crew eventually settled for ... a je to! (... and it's done!). The characters themselves were nameless until 1989, when they were given the names Pat and Mat. Pat and Mat are shortened forms of Czech expressions "patlal" and "matlal", which can roughly be translated as "clumsy" and "awkward". The authors intentionally gave the characters short and universal names suitable for a worldwide audience.

## Premise

According to the authors, it is manual ineptitude that inspires the stories. Alongside the humour, another motif of the show is the importance of an optimistic approach towards life. The two characters always get into problematic situations, but they never give up until they solve the problem in imaginative ways. Pat and Mat typically find a solution in the end, usually via a surprising or innovative method, after which they shake hands, before making their trademark hand gesture with a bent hand and closed fist.

## History

The characters were revived in 2009 by Beneš for a new series, Pat a Mat na venkově (Pat & Mat in the Country). The pilot, "Postele" ("Beds"), premiered at the 50th Zlín Film Festival in 2010. 12 more episodes followed between 2011 and 2015, produced by Patmat Film and filmed in 16:9. Beneš directed and wrote all 13 episodes. Eight of the episodes were released on DVD in 2013 and received their TV premiere on the Dutch channel VPRO on 9 June of the same year, with the rest following soon.
To celebrate the show's 40th anniversary, Gusto Entertainment produced full-length feature film released in cinemas in 2016. The film, Pat a Mat ve filmu (Pat & Mat in a Movie), featured ten of the 2009-2015 episodes with linking segments and was shown in cinemas in several countries, including the Netherlands.
From 2018 until 2020, 39 new episodes divided into three 13-part series were made in Patmat film, co-produced by Czech Television and Netherlands-based JUST Productions, again directed by Beneš. The animation for more than half of these episodes was produced in a Chinese studio to speed up work.
On November 11, 2021, Czech Television announced that production of Pat a Mat na venkově series continues. New episodes are expected to be released at the end of 2024.

### Unreleased 50th episode

The studio initially planned to make further episodes of the new series, with the possibility of half-hour episodes and a feature film in the future. Due to these circumstances, Playing Cards has never been released or distributed in the Czech Republic and most of the world, even though it entered competition at Annecy in 1999.
Although the episode was pulled from distribution, a screenshot from it was posted on aiF Studio's website. The former Prague management later set up a new studio at the same location, Animation People, and posted more screenshots on their website, which were eventually replaced with a short, silent clip of the episode.

## Censorship
### Czechoslovakia

Although the authors wanted to continue shooting after the initial short, their studio Krátký film did not allow them to do so. The reason given was that Kuťáci were just ordinary entertainment not appropriate for the cultural policy of the time. However, as the Slovak Television in Bratislava showed interest in further episodes, twenty-eight episodes were produced for them instead, with great success.

### Fox Kids airings

In 2003 Fox Kids Europe bought the rights from Ateliéry Bonton Zlín to air episodes 2–26 on the Fox Kids network in several countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Germany, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Latin America and Brazil. The show had its intro and outro changed, and almost all scenes in which the characters use knives or which contain slapstick violence deemed too "intense" were cut. Later airings put the original intro back in, but replaced the outro with a narration warning against imitating the behavior of the series' characters.

## Production years

| Nr. | Episode(s) | Production year |
| 1 | 1 (1) | 1976 |
| 2 | 2–29 (28) | 1979, 1981–1985 |
| 3 | 30–35 (6) | 1989–1990 |
| 4 | 36–49 (14) | 1992, 1994 |
| 5 | 50 (1, unreleased) | 1998 |
| 6 | 51–78 (28) | 2002–2004 |
| 7 | 79–91 (13) | 2009, 2011–2015 |
| 8 | 92–104 (13) | 2018 |
| 9 | 105–117 (13) | 2018–2019 |
| 10 | 118–130 (13) | 2019–2020 |

## List of episodes

| N° | Year of production | English title | Czech title (Slovak in 1979–1985) | Episode director |
| Kuťáci (Tinkers) produced in the Barrandov animation studios (Krátký Film), Prague |||||
| 1 | 1976 | Tinkers | Kuťáci | Lubomír Beneš |
| ... a je to! produced in the Barrandov animation studios (Krátký Film), Prague for Czechoslovak Television, Bratislava |||||
| 2 | 1979 | Tapestry (Wallpaper) | Tapety | Lubomír Beneš |
| 3 | 1979 | Workshop | Dielňa | Lubomír Beneš |
| 4 | 1979 | Carpet | Koberec | Lubomír Beneš |
| 5 | 1979 | Rocking Chair | Hojdacie kreslo | Lubomír Beneš |
| 6 | 1979 | Picture | Obraz | Lubomír Beneš |
| 7 | 1979 | Garage | Garáž | Lubomír Beneš |
| 8 | 1979 | Light (The Light) | Svetlo | Lubomír Beneš |
| 9 | 1981 | Record Player (Gramophone) | Gramofón | Lubomír Beneš |
| 10 | 1981 | Grill | Grill | Lubomír Beneš |
| 11 | 1982 | Removal (Moving Day) | Sťahovanie | Lubomír Beneš |
| 12 | 1982 | Water | Voda | Lubomír Beneš |
| 13 | 1982 | Garden | Záhradka | Lubomír Beneš |
| 14 | 1982 | Painting Job | Maľovanie | Lubomír Beneš |
| 15 | 1982 | Jumpers | Skokani | Lubomír Beneš |
| 16 | 1982 | Crossword (Crossword Puzzle) | Krížovka | Lubomír Beneš |
| 17 | 1983 | Bird Feeder (Birdhouse) | Búdka | Lubomír Beneš |
| 18 | 1983 | Big Laundry (Laundry Day) | Veľké pranie | Lubomír Beneš |
| 19 | 1983 | Gym | Telocvičňa | Lubomír Beneš |
| 20 | 1983 | Breakfast (Breakfast in Grass) | Raňajky v tráve | Lubomír Beneš |
| 21 | 1983 | Washing Machine | Práčka | Lubomír Beneš |
| 22 | 1983 | Rain | Dážď | Lubomír Beneš |
| 23 | 1984 | Excursion (Trip) | Výlet | Lubomír Beneš |
| 24 | 1984 | Winegrowers (Winemakers) | Vinári | Lubomír Beneš |
| 25 | 1984 | Skates | Korčule | Lubomír Beneš |
| 26 | 1984 | Piano | Klavír | Lubomír Beneš |
| 27 | 1985 | Potters | Hrnčiari | Lubomír Beneš |
| 28 | 1985 | Defect (Malfunction) | Porucha | Lubomír Beneš |
| 29 | 1985 | Apple | Jablko | Lubomír Beneš |
| Pat & Mat produced in the Barrandov animation studios (Krátký Film), Prague |||||
| 30 | 1989 | Key (The Key) | Klíč | Lubomír Beneš |
| 31 | 1989 | Furniture | Nábytek | Lubomír Beneš |
| 32 | 1990 | Mowing Machine (Lawnmower) | Sekačka | Lubomír Beneš |
| 33 | 1990 | Big Cleanup | Generální úklid | Lubomír Beneš |
| 34 | 1990 | Roof | Střecha | Lubomír Beneš |
| 35 | 1990 | Door | Dveře | Lubomír Beneš |
| Pat & Mat produced in the authors' aiF Studio, Prague |||||
| 36 | 1992 | Biscuits | Sušenky | Marek Beneš |
| 37 | 1992 | Garage Door | Vrata | Lubomír Beneš |
| 38 | 1992 | Cyclists | Cyklisti | Lubomír Beneš |
| 39 | 1992 | Paving Bricks (Tiles) | Dlaždice | Lubomír Beneš |
| 40 | 1992 | Parquetry (Parquet) | Parkety | Lubomír Beneš |
| 41 | 1992 | Gutter Pipe | Okap | Marek Beneš |
| 42 | 1992 | Convertible | Kabriolet | Lubomír Beneš |
| 43 | 1994 | Flat Tire (Accident) | Nehoda | Lubomír Beneš |
| 44 | 1994 | Billiards | Kulečník | Lubomír Beneš |
| 45 | 1994 | Quickset Hedge (Hedgerow) | Živý plot | Lubomír Beneš |
| 46 | 1994 | Safe (The Safe) | Trezor | Lubomír Beneš |
| 47 | 1994 | Mudguard (Fender) | Blatník | Lubomír Beneš |
| 48 | 1994 | Model Builders | Modeláři | Lubomír Beneš |
| 49 | 1994 | Windsurfing | Windsurfing | Lubomír Beneš |
| episode not released for distribution (produced by part of Lubomír Beneš's former team without his heirs' consent) |||||
| 50 | 1998 | Playing Cards | Karty | František Váša |
| Pat a Mat, Pat a Mat se vracejí (Pat & Mat Return) (followers, with Marek Beneš or his consent) produced by Ateliery Bonton Zlín |||||
| 51 | 2002 | Puzzle | Puzzle | Marek Beneš |
| 52 | 2003 | Roasted Sausages | Opékají špekáčky | Ladislav Pálka |
| 53 | 2003 | Roof Repair | Opravují střechu | Ladislav Pálka |
| 54 | 2003 | Black Box | Černá bedýnka | Vlasta Pospíšilová |
| 55 | 2003 | Furniture on Wheels | Kolečka | Vlasta Pospíšilová |
| 56 | 2003 | Dog House | Psí bouda | Milan Šebesta |
| 57 | 2003 | Lacquering the Floor | Natírají podlahu | Ladislav Pálka |
| 58 | 2003 | The Greenhouse | Skleník | Marek Beneš |
| 59 | 2003 | The Swing | Houpačka | Marek Beneš |
| 60 | 2003 | Unwanted Guest | Nezvaný návštěvník | Marek Beneš |
| 61 | 2003 | Bodyguards | Bodygárdi | Marek Beneš |
| 62 | 2003 | Painting the Windows | Natírají okna | Marek Beneš |
| 63 | 2003 | Easter Egg | Velikonoční vajíčko | Vlasta Pospíšilová |
| 64 | 2003 | Slim Figure | Štíhlá linie | Vlasta Pospíšilová |
| 65 | 2003 | Vending Machine | Automat | Marek Beneš |
| 66 | 2003 | Autodrome | Autodráha | Marek Beneš |
| 67 | 2003 | Aquarium | Akvárium | Marek Beneš |
| 68 | 2003 | Canning | Zavařují | Ladislav Pálka |
| 69 | 2003 | Hang Glider | Rogalo | Ladislav Pálka |
| 70 | 2003 | Christmas Cake | Vánočka | Milan Šebesta |
| 71 | 2003 | Flu | Stůňou | Ladislav Pálka |
| 72 | 2003 | Fax Machine | Fax | Josef Lamka |
| 73 | 2003 | Strawberries | Jahody | Vlasta Pospíšilová |
| 74 | 2004 | Playing Golf | Hrají golf | Ladislav Pálka |
| 75 | 2004 | Bottle Cap | Někam to zapadlo | Vlasta Pospíšilová |
| 76 | 2004 | Swimming Pool | Kopají bazén | Marek Beneš |
| 77 | 2004 | Hanging a Painting | Věší krajinu | Marek Beneš |
| 78 | 2004 | Christmas Tree | Vánoční stromeček | Marek Beneš |
| Pat a Mat na venkově (Pat & Mat in the Countryside) produced by Patmat film, Prague |||||
| 79 | 2009 | Beds | Postele | Marek Beneš |
| 80 | 2011 | Water Supply | Vodovod | Marek Beneš |
| 81 | 2011 | Paper Plates | Papírový servis | Marek Beneš |
| 82 | 2011 | Projector | Promítačka | Marek Beneš |
| 83 | 2012 | Vacuum Cleaner | Vysavač | Marek Beneš |
| 84 | 2012 | The Pool | Bazén | Marek Beneš |
| 85 | 2012 | The Floor | Podlaha | Marek Beneš |
| 86 | 2013 | Deadwood | Suchý strom | Marek Beneš |
| 87 | 2014 | Orange Juice | Pomerančová šťáva | Marek Beneš |
| 88 | 2014 | Bicycle | Rotoped | Marek Beneš |
| 89 | 2015 | Cactus | Kaktus | Marek Beneš |
| 90 | 2015 | Bathroom Tiles | Obkladačky | Marek Beneš |
| 91 | 2015 | Sun Cover | Sluneční clona | Marek Beneš |
| Pat a Mat nás baví (Pat & Mat Entertain Us) produced by Patmat film, Prague |||||
| 92 | 2018 | Bees | Včely | Marek Beneš |
| 93 | 2018 | (Solar) Lawnmower | Sekačka | Marek Beneš |
| 94 | 2018 | Mole | Krtek | Marek Beneš |
| 95 | 2018 | Fence | Plot | Marek Beneš |
| 96 | 2018 | Clogged Chimney | Ucpaný komín | Marek Beneš |
| 97 | 2018 | Power Station | Elektrárna | Marek Beneš |
| 98 | 2018 | Rock Garden | Skalka | Marek Beneš |
| 99 | 2018 | Rodeo | Rodeo | Marek Beneš |
| 100 | 2018 | Carousel | Kolotoč | Marek Beneš |
| 101 | 2018 | Dishwasher | Myčka | Marek Beneš |
| 102 | 2018 | Waste | Odpad | Marek Beneš |
| 103 | 2018 | Stairs | Schody | Marek Beneš |
| 104 | 2018 | Camera | Kamera | Marek Beneš |
| Pat a Mat – Zimní radovánky/Pat a Mat v zimě (Pat & Mat – Winter Fun/Pat & Mat in Winter) produced by Patmat film, Prague |||||
| 105 | 2018 | Calamity | Kalamita | Marek Beneš |
| 106 | 2018 | Christmas Lights | Vánoční světýlka | Marek Beneš |
| 107 | 2018 | Sauna | Sauna | Marek Beneš |
| 108 | 2018 | Nativity Scene | Betlém | Marek Beneš |
| 109 | 2018 | Tree | Stromeček | Marek Beneš |
| 110 | 2018 | Gifts | Dárky | Marek Beneš |
| 111 | 2018 | New Year | Silvestr | Marek Beneš |
| 112 | 2019 | Christmas Card | Novoroční přání | Marek Beneš |
| 113 | 2019 | Potato Salad | Bramborový salát | Marek Beneš |
| 114 | 2019 | Carp | Kapr | Marek Beneš |
| 115 | 2019 | Gingerbread House | Perníková chaloupka | Marek Beneš |
| 116 | 2019 | Glazed Frost | Ledovka | Marek Beneš |
| 117 | 2019 | Igloo | Iglú | Marek Beneš |
| Pat a Mat kutí (Pat & Mat Pat Handymen's Adventures/DIY Troubles) produced by Patmat film, Prague |||||
| 118 | 2019 | Pancakes | Palačinky | Marek Beneš |
| 119 | 2019 | Flying Machine | Létající stroj | Marek Beneš |
| 120 | 2019 | Popcorn | Popcorn | Marek Beneš |
| 121 | 2019 | New Kitchen / Furniture | Nová kuchyně / Nábytek | Marek Beneš |
| 122 | 2019 | Car Wash | Automyčka | Marek Beneš |
| 123 | 2019 | Harvest | Sklizeň | Marek Beneš |
| 124 | 2019 | Phototrap | Fotopast | Marek Beneš |
| 125 | 2020 | Ice Making | Výroba ledu | Marek Beneš |
| 126 | 2020 | Tube Post | Potrubní pošta | Marek Beneš |
| 127 | 2020 | Barbecue | Barbecue | Marek Beneš |
| 128 | 2020 | Pizza | Pizza | Marek Beneš |
| 129 | 2020 | Bread | Pečou chleba | Marek Beneš |
| 130 | 2020 | Garage Door | Garážová vrata | Marek Beneš |

## Feature films

| Year | Czech title | English title |
| 2016 | Pat a Mat ve filmu | Pat & Mat in a Movie |
| 2018 | Pat a Mat znovu v akci | Pat & Mat in Action Again |
| 2018 | Pat a Mat: Zimní radovánky | Pat & Mat: Winter Fun |
| 2019 | Pat a Mat: Kutilské trampoty | Pat & Mat: Handymen's Adventures |

## Broadcast

| Country | TV channel(s) | Year(s) |
| Czech Republic | ČST, ČT, ČT :D, Fox Kids | 1979–1992, 1992–present, 2013–present |
| Slovakia | ČST, Jednotka, Dvojka, TV JOJ | 1979–1992, 1993–2010, 2016 |
| Netherlands | NCRV, VPRO | 1982, 1984-present |

## Home media

Shorts from the AIF era were initially unavailable due to copyright issues, but appeared on DVD for the first time in 2007.

## Related products

At least two books with the series' characters have been published:
* Michl, Jiří (1994). Pat & Mat: ...and that's it!. Czech Republic: Egmont.
* Sýkora, Pavel; Jiránek, Vladimír; Beneš, Lubomír (2010). Pat a Mat dokážou všechno [Pat and Mat can do anything] (3rd ed.). Albatros. ISBN 9788000025933.
A Czech computer development company, Centauri Production released the Pat & Mat mini video game. It was released in Czech language in the Czech Republic on 1 October 2009, and in other EU countries in English in 2010. The English version from Steam was taken down in July 2020.
There is a wide range of Pat & Mat merchandise available, including games, dolls, key rings, office material, posters and T-shirts.