Fireman Sam: the worst children’s programme ever? | Dean Burnett | Science | The Guardian Brain flapping Fireman Sam: the worst children’s programme ever? Fireman Sam is a popular, long-running children’s TV show. It is also, scientifically speaking, possibly the worst TV show for children ever Even in cake form, you can sense the darkness inherent within him. Photograph: Tama Leaver/flickr Friday 7 February 2014 02.15 EST Last modified on Wednesday 10 February 2016 11.24 EST Share on Messenger Close Fireman Sam is a well loved children’s TV character. His adventures have been popular for nearly 30 years . For those of you unfamiliar with the programme, it focuses on the exploits of the eponymous fireman and his colleagues in the small Welsh valley town of Pontypandy. The Pontypandy fire brigade are regularly called out to deal with relatively low-key but still-potentially-dangerous mishaps that plague the town, usually due to the antics of local child Norman Price . Granted, it was never without its flaws.

Even as children my friends and I were suspicious of the number of emergencies Pontypandy experienced, especially in a town with an apparent population of 23, over 25% of whom are actually firemen . And it was always a bit suspect how the closest thing they had to a protagonist, the aforementioned Norman Price, was singled out as the only ginger child, implying that red hair is directly correlated with mischief and untrustworthiness. But for all that, I loved it. It was a delightfully charming stop-motion cartoon made in Wales, so there was even a sense of national pride mixed in with the enjoyment of an easy-to-relate-to set of characters and circumstances. I’m a grown man now though. Until I had my son nearly 2 years ago, I had no idea it was still on. I’ve watched it since, and really wish I hadn’t. I’m a trained scientist now and as a result there is too much evidence to ignore the inevitable conclusion: something has gone terribly wrong in Pontypandy. As a former fan and Welshman, my disappointment is tinged with the bitterness of betrayal. I’ve hinted at this before , and it would be a ludicrous exercise to list all my problems with the show here.

But then, this blog has a ludicrous premise, so what the hell? Stop motion to CGI The original Fireman Sam was animated in the 1980s using charming stop-motion . These days it’s done with CGI . I know CGI is all the rage and offers more scope than other techniques, but it’s so omnipresent these days that cheap, less sophisticated CGI becomes more noticeable. And whoever it is that makes the modern Fireman Sam, they certainly are no Pixar . Sam’s vanity In fairness, Sam was always the focus of the show for reasons that were never that clear. Station Officer Steele is the chief of the fire service, and Sam appears to be no more senior or dedicated than any of his colleagues. But it’s typical for one member of a group to be the spokesperson or the popular one, just by dint of being the most charming or friendly or what have you, and this always seemed to be the case originally. The latest incarnation takes this to extremes though. Sam now looks and sounds more like a stripper who happens to be wearing the fireman’s outfit for this particular booking. All the characters now specifically say they’ll call Sam. Not the fire brigade or the emergency services; Sam specifically.

And I've not witnessed one occasion where he tackles an issue single-handed. Yet he’s happy to take the credit, never correcting anyone when they thank him specifically, when his colleagues have all risked their lives as much as he has. His fellow firefighters once sang a song praising him specifically in front of the whole town and he just accepted this as normal. Part of me thinks he causes all of the calamities himself, for the attention. He’s probably got Munchausen by proxy , but with an entire town. Elvis’s mental condition Previously, fireman Elvis Cridlington was a perfectly competent individual, as you’d expect from someone employed in the emergency services whose role would likely involve saving people from life-threatening situations. But in the modern Fireman Sam, although it’s never specifically stated, he seems to have some sort of cognitive deficit . It’s never addressed, but given his occupation, it’s likely he sustained some sort of head trauma while rescuing someone from a hazardous situation. And yet, Sam still insists on taking all the credit for any heroic action in Pontypandy? What an arse. Children’s voices Pontypandy is meant to be set in the Welsh valleys.

I grew up in such a place, and still go there regularly. I was a genuine child of the Welsh valleys, as were all my friends. So I can safely say there is no child in the whole of Wales, or possibly on Earth, who talks like the children in modern Fireman Sam. It’s nothing but a sustained series of shrieks with an unsettling Welsh lilt thrown in. It’s like the children of Pontypandy actually evolved from seagulls. It sounds like a train with rusty brakes doing an impression of Tom Jones. There are very few dogs in Pontypandy, presumably because just being there causes them physical pain. Why would they do this to an innocent audience? Resources For a very small Welsh town, Pontypandy is alarmingly well equipped. The Pontypandy fire brigade seems to have a veritable fleet of emergency vehicles . In a time of austerity when even major population centres like London are having their emergency services stripped , this just seems insulting and wasteful. Geography In the original series, Pontypandy was a small valley village. In the later series, it’s a seaside town. What manner of major geological event could have brought about such a major change in the landscape?

Undeniably, such a thing would have seriously taxed the resources of the emergency services that cover the afflicted area. Maybe that’s why everything is so different in modern Fireman Sam? The trauma experienced by the population of Pontypandy following such a natural disaster has caused them all to behave differently. You’d think they’d have televised this though, it would make for an EPIC episode. Dean Burnett has been spending a lot of time with his 2-year-old son recently and promises to return to blogging about grown-up things next week. He is on Twitter, @garwboy YouTube Undo Close "Fireman Sam : Pontypandy Go..." This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by ABC Commercial. Sorry about that. Most Popular TV Shows for kids - TV.com Follow CBS (ended 1991) Pee-wee's Playhouse stars Pee-wee Herman (played by Paul Reubens, voice of Lock in The Nightmare Before Christmas) and a crazy cast of characters from all over Puppetland. Each episode usually teaches a lesson to the viewer such has how to stay healthy or how to make friends. Pee-wee's Playhouse is aimed at children but can be enjoyed by all ages with its great sense of humor.

For example, each episode has a secret word. Whenever anyone says the secret word, everyone screams as loud as they can. Main Title Theme Song Written by George McGrath, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Paul Reubens; performed by Ellen Shaw Lyrics Come on in, and pull yourself up a chair (like Chairry!) Let the fun begin, it's time to let down your hair Pee-wee's so excited, 'Cause all his friends have been invited (that's you!) To go wacky, at Pee-wee's Playhouse There's a crazy rhythm, comin' from Puppetland (what's that?) Dirty Dog, Cool Cat, and Chicky Baby are the Puppet Band (yeah!) He's got a couple of talkin' fish, And a genie who'll grant a wish Golly, it's cuckoo at Pee-wee's Playhouse Globey's spinnin', Mr. Window's grinnin' 'Cause Pterri's flyin' by (hello!) The Flowers are singin', the Picture Phone is ringin', And the Dinosaur family goes, "Hi!" Mr.

Kite's soarin', Conky's still a snorin', There's the flashing Magic Screen The Cowntess is so classy, Randy's kinda sassy A nuttier establishment you've never seen! Spend the day with Pee-wee, and you'll see what we mean! (Come on!) Get outta bed, there'll be no more nappin' (Wake up!) 'Cause you've landed in a place where anything can happen Now we've given you fair warnin' It's gonna be that kind of mornin' For bein' wacky For getting nutty Golly, it's cuckoo At Pee-wee's Playhousemoreless Follow ABC (ended 1963) Leave It to Beaver portrayed the iconic postwar American family: June the perfect housewife, Ward the dad (what did he do for a living, anyway? And why did he always wear a suit to dinner?), big brother Wally, and of course Theodore ("The Beaver"), the good-hearted kid whose adventures propelled the show. Leave It to Beaver debuted in October of 1957 on CBS. In the fall of 1958, CBS dropped the series.

ABC picked it up and ran it for an additional 5 years. Few people know that Leave it to Beaver was the first American television show broadcast behind the Iron Curtain -- perhaps part of the reason for so many references to God, Sunday School, Breaking Bread, etc. In several episodes, there are subtle references to the Soviet Union. In episode #31 ( New doctor ): Wally, has a model plane. Look close, it,s a Russian bomber. With, the red star decals. In episode #119 ( Beaver's House Guest ), the two boys are wearing their camp sweatshirts. With the name Camp Chekov on it. Propaganda? Maybe. What the average American family was like in the 1950's? I don't think so. What ever, I guess it worked. The series focuses on Theodore Cleaver (Beaver). Beaver (who was 7 when the series began) is your basic everyday little boy who had a knack of getting himself into trouble at every turn. His older brother Wally, is just entering his teen years and often wonders out loud how Beaver could be so dumb to get himself into stupid situations.

(Examples: getting himself locked in the principals office, letting the bathtub overflow, letting the washing machine overflow, getting his head stuck in a fence at the park, constantly losing things (cats, change, etc.) His parents are your everyday 1950's parents, June and Ward Cleaver, who do their best to understand and support Beaver and Wally as they grew up. Other characters were mostly friends of Wally and Beaver. Wally's friends included Lumpy Rutherford and the two-faced Eddie Haskell. Eddie was courteous to June and Ward but when the grown ups weren't around he was a bully to Beaver and his friends. Beaver's friends include Whitey Whitney, Gilbert Gates/Bates/Harrison (inconsistent last name), Larry Mondello and Richard Rickover. Beaver's teachers, Miss Canfield and later Miss Landers were seen frequently as well as Lumpy's father, played by Richard Deacon known for his role on The Dick Van Dyke Show. While most people lump in Leave it to Beaver with other family sitcoms, such as Father Knows Best, and The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, this series was truly an original, and very much ahead of its time.

It showed the world through the eyes of a young boy, and sometimes dealt with rather controversial subjects. One episode ("Beaver and Andy") dealt frankly with the subject of alcoholism. Another episode ("Beaver's House Guest") showed how divorce can affect a child. In 1985, Leave It to Beaver was in a full blown revival after a 1983 reunion movie, Still the Beaver, when a spin-off series, with the title of the reunion movie, was proposed. It later begin airing in syndication under the title, The New Leave It to Beaver and starred all of the original cast members except Hugh Beaumont who died on May 14, 1982. First Telecast: October 4, 1957 Last Telecast: September 12, 1963 Episodes: 234 B&W Episodes +1 Unaired B&W Pilot Theme Song: "The Toy Parade" Written by: Melvyn Leonard, Mort Greene & Dave Kahn Spin-offs: The New Leave It to Beaver NOTE: All air dates have now been verified through TV Guide.

CBS Broadcast History October 1957-March 1958----Fridays----7:30 p.m. March-September 1958----Wednesdays----8:00 p.m. ABC Broadcast History October 1958-June 1959----Thursdays----7:30 p.m. July-September 1959----Thursdays----9:00 p.m. October 1959-September 1962----Saturdays----8:30 p.m. September 1962-September 1963----Thursdays----8:30 p.m. Nielsen Ratings: (Top 30 or Better) Never hit the top 30moreless Follow Cartoon Network (ended 2006) The Teen Titans are five heroes under one roof. Their names: Robin, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy They live in a large tower in the shape of a T that they call Titan Tower. No secret identities. No school. Just superheroes being superheroes. They must go up against their arch nemesis, Slade, and his evil minions.

What he really plans to do is unknown but one thing's for sure... he's an evil madman. Current Schedule: Teen Titans airs weedays at 4:30 PM ET/PT, part of Miguzi on Cartoon Network. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Teen Titans airs weedays at 4:00 PM ET/PT and Saturdays at 9:00 AM ET/PT on YTV. Show News: 1) Teen Titans is officially over now. There will be no 6th season. However, the feature movie, Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo, will still be released sometime this year. 2) Teen Titans moves back to the 6:30am EST/PST weekday timeslot beginning Monday, April 17th on Cartoon Network. Global News: 1) Season 5 episodes air every Saturday @ 9am EST/PST on YTV. Season 5 re-airings on Mondays @ 4pm; seasons 1 - 4 Tuesdays - Fridays @ 4pm. Please Note: All above listings are in EASTERN time. Please adjust accordingly. Also, additional Teen Titans episodes can be seen on your local stations. Check your local listings for more details.

Character Bios & Super Powers: Robin was formerly the sidekick of the legendary vigilante, Batman, Robin has moved beyond sidekick status to become the Gung-Ho leader of the Teen Titans. With no powers of his own, Robin relies on nothing but his wits and brains to solve problems. After years of training with his former partner, Robin has become fearless and determined, giving it everything he has and fighting to the death. He also has a full loaded utility belt, which includes a Bo-Staff, Birdarangs, Smoke Pellets, Freeze Disks, Explosive Bombs, Electro Disks, and a Grappling Hook. Robin has grown to be a very talented fighter when battling enemies by using his Speed, Martial Arts Skills, Intellect, and reflexes. Robin's primary goal is to find out what this criminal mastermind "Slade" is up to. He even disguised himself as a master thief, Red X, to try and trick Slade into revealing his plans, but unfortunatley Robin's plan backfired, and Slade knew the whole time that Robin was X.

Robin's determination to catch Slade even caused him to be caught by Slade and was forced to be his Apprentice in order to save his friends lives. Ever since Slade's 'apparent' death, Robin has been haunted with one question: Is Slade still alive? Super Powers: He has no powers, but he is a very highly trained Martial Artist, has outstanding speed, Awesome reflexes, an intellegent mind, and a full loaded utility belt including Birdarangs, a Grappling Hook, a Bo-Staff, Freeze Disks, Explosive Bombs, and Smoke Pellets. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Starfire is the peacekeeping one, she hates to see the others fighting. She often appears weird to the others with her alien customs and lack of knowledge about Earth. She also has a crush on Robin even though she doesn't show it much. Super Powers: Flight, great strength, star-bolts (energy blasts from her hands), eye lasers (from the episode "Transformation" and onwards).

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Beast Boy is the joker of the team, he enjoys playing pranks and doing things just for a laugh, he ends up as the target of many pranks himself as well (mostly by Cyborg). Unable to take anything seriously, he makes jokes and one-liners even when fighting Supervillians, Beastboy seems to have an interest in the character Terra, who joins the team for a short while. Super Powers: Can change into any animal. However it is unclear exactly where the limit of his power is because he doesn't seem able to transform into any made-up animals or any alien creatures (except in "Betrothed"), but he can become a dinosaur or other extinct animal. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Raven is the mysterious one, she reveals little about herself and doesn't let anyone into her room. Raven has to remain calm in any situation as her powers are driven by her emotions (a bit like Starfire's). We discovered in "Birthmark" that Raven has been destined to end the world since she born.

Super Powers: Telekinesis (this includes moving herself to levitate), she can create solid shapes (hands, shields etc...), out of dark energy she can also pass through walls (although she has only done this 3 times), telepathy (see "Haunted"), teleportation (as seen in "Deception"), she can also unleash her soul-self (as she did in "Nevermore" and "Aftershock (1)"), she can stop time (as shown in "Birthmark"), and can send people to alternate dimensions, like she threatened to do to Beast Boy in "Every Dog Has His Day." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Cyborg is a talented engineer with a passion for vehicles, he built the Titans' car and the submarine and is very protective of both of them. Except when it comes to the car, Cyborg is pretty laid back, he plays a lot of video games. Super Powers: Great strength, Enhanced Vision, can turn right arm into a sonic cannon, a chain saw, or a hand grapple, has various built in gadgets including a foot laser, a flashlight, a detachable fore arm, and a welding torch.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Terra was the strange new comer. She didn't step in till the second season, episode "Terra." At first, she was welcomed with open arms and gladly stood beside the Titans fighting Slade. But sadly, she turned the Titans over to Slade and revealed she had been working for him since she left Titan's Tower in "Terra." But she redeemed herself by turning on Slade at a peak moment and presumably killed him at the cost of her own life. Super Powers: Terra has the ability of telekinesis. She can move anything made from the earth. She usually gets transported by a moving stone. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Slade is a criminal mastermind whom is very determined to take over the city and destroy the Teen Titans. Patient, cunning, slick, and doing whatever it takes to get what he wants, Slade is easily the toughest foe the Titans have ever faced. Slade often hires other villains to do his dirty work. His first plan was revealed when he launched a "Chronotan Detonator" - a device that can freeze time while we know it.

Robin went out to catch him, while the others went for the detonator - but the detonator was a fake to shoot probes into the other Titans. Slade forced Robin to commit crimes as his apprentice or he will activate the probes and destroy the Titans. Luckily, the Titans found out about Slade's plans and defeated him. He later returned and captured the Titans newest "friend" Terra. He tought her how to control her powers and sent her to spy on the Titans and give him everything he'd ever need to know about them - codes, weaknesses, strengths, everything. In his last battle with them, Terra turned back on him and threw him into a pit of lava. He was presumed dead by the Titans, but Robin couldn't help wonder if he was really dead or not considering that his body was never found. Robin got his answer after Cinderblock busted out of jail and he was hurled into a vast forest: Slade was standing right in front of him. And when the other Titans said that they couldn't see him and that he wasn't really there, Robin decided that he was the only one who could stop him.

Slade had almost killed Robin, but luckily Robin found out that he wasn't really there and was only in his mind and stopped his nemesis once and for all. The Titans learn that before his last act of cruelity, Slade pulled off one last trick -- the dust in his mask made Robin able to see, hear, and feel him even though he wasn't really there. But the dust didn't trigger on it's own -- someone activated it... but who? A while later, on Raven's birthday, Slade mysteriously arose from the ashes of the volcano Terra made and found out the secret of Raven's birthday -- Trigon. Trigon gave him ultimate powers and he headed out to show Raven the Prophecy that was to come of her destroying the world and Trigon being released into the real world. Raven may have stopped him, but he vows to Trigon that he will fulfill that Prophecy at all costs. Super Powers: Expert martial artist; genius I.Q.; skilled in engineering, robotics, biology, and invention; possibly has moderate skills in sorcery (as shown in "Forces of Nature") uses various weapons, most notably cybernetic strength-enhancing body armor.

In "Birthmark," he gained the abilities to manipulate fire, fly, melt through objects, and create fire walls. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Trigon is a giant evil red demon who was banished from the real world, though he has the power to send his voice and energy into the real world. On Raven's birthday, he gave Slade his mystical powers and sent him to show Raven a glance at the horrible Prophecy that was foretold on her birthday by revealing the birthmarks on her that are only visible on her birthday. The Prophecy was of her destroying the world and summoning Trigon back into the real world. Slade vows to Trigon that he will fulfill that prophecy at all costs. Super Powers: Heat Eyes, Manipulate Fire, Superstrength, others not known as of yet. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Brother Blood is the new ruler of the H.I.V.E., who didn't debut until Season 3. After Slade's 'apparent' death in "Aftershock (2)," Brother Blood became the new ruler of the H.I.V.E. acedemy. Brother Blood was able to hypnotize people into helping the H.I.V.E.

to dirty work. When Brother Blood found out that his student 'Stone' was Cyborg and was trying to spy on his plans, he was able to talk Cyborg into helping. Cyborg tricked Blood and backfired on him, but this surely wasn't the end of him He later made another H.I.V.E. fortress underwater, and what Cyborg didn't know was that when he was at his school, Brother Blood downloaded his blueprints that gave him acess to anything he'd ever need to know about Cyborg, and was also able to create a doomsday device that could flood the whole city. The Titans were able to defeat him again, but he got away again. Brother Blood later arrived in Steel City, where he hypnotized the new Titans East members -- Aqualad, Speedy, Bumblebee, and Mas Y Menos and made them create a new Titans Tower there and lure Cyborg into it. When Cyborg had fallen for the hypnotized Titans East's trap, Blood had the perfect time to strike and put his master plan to work -- making himself a cyborg as well.

This new cyborg form would give him equal powers to Cyborg and was able to take Cyborg down easily and was eagerly ripping through his mechanical body trying to find what made him resist his mind control, but good triumphed over evil and Cyborg was able to defeat Blood once and for all. He now serves time in prison. Super Powers: Expert fighter, high I.Q, and many mental powers including mind control. Blood also seems to be able to create small force fields with his hands and has the ability to walk on water ("Titans East (1)"). After Blood converted himself to cyborg, he gained super strength, energy blasts, and the ability to teleport over short distances. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Red X is a mysterious Super Thief with tons of special abilities, who jumped into town, robbing strange micro-chips. Red X turned out to be Robin, and his real plan was to trick Slade into revealing his plans to him, so he could stop him once and for all. After failing to capture Slade, Robin sealed the Red X suit into a vault. Later, a strange man nabbed it from the vault and gained control of the Red X powers, and began robbing banks, etc.

Robin planned to nab X and take care of the problem that he started. Unfortuanatley, X got away, but Robin was able to steal X's belt so he could do no harm. Super Powers: Martial arts, stealth, X-Blasts. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ The Brotherhood of Evil are the main villains in the fifth season. The core members are Brain, Monsieur Mallah, Madame Rouge, and General Immortus. Their plan is to take over the world. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Kid Flash - A bolt of lightning endowed young Wally West with super-speed, enabling him to become Kid Flash, protégé to the Flash. When the Flash was slain during a great crisis, Wally became the Flash in honor of his fallen mentor. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Red Star - Leonid Kovar's exposure to a meteorite gave him powers - enabling him to become Russia's first young hero as Starfire. Leonid later joined the team as Red Star and developed fiery new abilities. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Mal Duncan/Herald - Streetwise Mal Duncan was invited to join the Titans by Loren Jupiter.

Mal later adopted the identity of the Herald when his girlfriend, Karen Beecher, helped fashion a dimension-opening Gabriel's Horn for him. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Gnarrk - A gentle Caveman out of his own time, Gnarrk bonded with the Titan Lilith Clay before his tragic death. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Jericho - As son of Slade Wilson, Joe Wilson was born with the mutant ability to possess people once he made eye contact. The gentle mute hero known as Jericho joined the Titans despite his familial ties. Long believed slain during an encounter with the Wildebeest Society, Jericho's damaged spirit has managed to return from certain death. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Kole - The gentle crystal spinner Kole Weathers gained powers as a by-product of her father's bizarre experiments. Kole was rescued by the Titans and grew close to Jericho before her untimely demise in the Crisis on Infinite Earths. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Pantha - A product of the Wildebeest Society's macabre experiments, Pantha long sought the truths behind her origins.

Pantha's razor sharp personality was softened when Baby Wildebeest bonded with ferocious feline as his 'mama' - much to her chagrin. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Killowat - Originally a soldier for Lord Chaos, Charlie Watkins realized the error of his ways during an accident with a bank of energy converters. Crackling with electricity, Charlie joined the Teen Titans as Killowat! Killowat was erased from time during the Zero Hour time crisis. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Argent - Silver-skinned Toni Monetti learned she had the ability to control bursts of silver plasma energy. Joining the Teen Titans as Argent, Toni evolved from spoiled rich girl to capable heroine.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~=~=~=~=~ Bushido - The Japanese teenager became the proud Bushido warrior upon his mother's death - fulfilling a long family line of honorable heroes Awards & Nominations: 2005 Annie Awards - Outstanding Storyboarding in an Animated Television Production (Nominated) 2004 Annie Awards - Outstanding Music in an Animated Television Production (Nominated) - Outstanding Storyboarding in an Animated Television Production (Nominated) 2004 Motion Picture Sound Editors Awards: - Best Sound Editing in Television Animation (Won!) More Details Theme Song: When there's trouble you know who to call Teen Titans! From their tower, they can see it all Teen Titans! When there's evil on the attack You can rest knowing they got your back 'Cuz when the world needs heroes on patrol Teen Titans GO! With their superpowers they unite Teen Titans! Never met a villain that they liked Teen Titans! They've got the bad guys on the run They never stop 'till the job gets done 'Cuz when the world is losin' all control Teen Titans GO! 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. Go! Teen Titans!

Performed by Puffymoreless Follow The WB (ended 2004) Quick-witted Virgil Hawkins finds himself imbued with electromagnetic superpowers after being exposed to a mutanic gas and takes on the guise of Static, an urban hero of his own creation. He confronts real problems and issues faced by today's kids, such as peer pressure, gangs and growing up in an ethnically diverse urban neighborhood. Learning to control his powers, figuring out how to patrol the skies at night and still make it home in time to study for his chemistry class, Virgil's greatest discovery becomes the real "charge" he gets in helping people and making a positive difference in his community - Dakota City. First Telecast: September 23, 2000 Last Telecast: May 22, 2004 Episodes: 52 Color episodes (52 half-hour episodes, 1 two-part episodes) Production: Warner Bros. Animation Distributors: Kids' WB For updates on Static, go to the creator's homepage at: Character Guide Virgil Hawkins / Static Shock - Can control electricity and manipulate metal objects. He's been living with his sister and father. His father works for the city.

His mother was a paramedic until one day she died in the Dakota Riots. Richie Foley/Gear - Virgil's best friend and is a genius. Richie mutates in the third season and gains superpowers. He's still Static's sidekick, but he has a more active role creating the tools they need to stop crime. Hotstreak - Francis Stone Aka F-Stop. A gang leader who bullied Virgil around. Mutated so he could control fire. Ebon - Aka Ivan Evans. Petty thief, who has a gang of three. He turned into a living shadow. He can go under doors, through cracks and even take others with him. Rubberband Man - Aka Adam Evans. Disgruntled music writer. He used his powers for revenge when a famous rap star stole his lyrics. His body is like a rubber band that can stretch or become anything. Now, he's using his powers for good. He is Ebon's brother. Talon - Real name revealed to be Teresa. Mutated into a bird. She's one of the members of the meta-breed. She can fly and screech at high levels, which is deafening to anything around her.

Shiv - Also part of the meta-breed, along with Ebon and Talon. He can create light energy weapons at his disposal. Puff - A meta-human bounty hunter. She can breathe any kind of gas (acid or knock-out) from her mouth and also turn her legs into steam to fly. Onyx - Puff's sidekick in the show. He's a rock monster with super strength. Carmen Dillo - A humanoid armadillo who could roll up into a ball and launch himself as a projectile. Kangor - The leader of the Ruffpack with feet big enough to deliver powerful kicks and shake the ground. Sometimes works with Ebon. Ferret - Member of the Ruffpack who has a snout that can smell anything. He can also scale buildings. Omnifarious - Edwin Alva Jr. can use his meta gas and control it to have any power he wants. He probably could have found a cure if things hadn't been ruined with his dad.

Theme Song Fight the criminals, chase the bad guys Save the world, fly through the sky Half kid, half amazing Ok, Static Shock's who you're facing Yeah, one zip, then you zapped Good against evil, get trapped Look in my eyes, I've got the power Villains run from the static shower Superhero Static Shock (Woo-hoo!) Superhero Static Shock (Woo-hoo!) Criminals get twisted This superhero gifted The bell rings and I'm back in school Nobody know what I do, ok Superhero Static Shock (Woo-hoo!) Superhero Static Shock (Woo-hoo!) Superhero Static Shock (Woo-hoo!) One zip, then you zapped Good against evil, get trapped Look in my eyes, I've got the power Villains run from the static shower Criminals get twisted This superhero gifted The bell rings and I'm back in school Nobody know what I do, ok Superhero Static Shock! Performed by: Lil' Romeo (Seasons 3 and 4 only). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kids' WB Broadcast History September 9, 2000 - October 28, 2000 ....

Saturday, 10:30am November 4, 2000 - June 16, 2001 .... Saturday, 11:00am January 26, 2002 - August 31, 2002 .... Saturday, 8:30am January 25, 2003 - July 26, 2003 .... Saturday, 10:30am August 2, 2003 - September 6, 2003 .... Saturday, 11:30am January 17, 2004 - February 7, 2004 .... Saturday, 11:30am February 14, 2004 - May 22, 2004 .... Saturday, 8:30am June 5, 2004 - August 21, 2004 .... Saturday, 10:30am Repeats January 5, 2004 - April 30, 2004 ....

Monday - Friday, 3:30pm May 3, 2004 - July 30, 2004 .... Monday - Friday, 3:00pm Special Presentations May 2, 2002 .... Saturday, 8:00am July 13, 2002 .... Saturday, 8:00am January 27-31, 2003 .... Monday - Friday, 3:30pm April 14-18, 2003 .... Monday - Friday, 3:30pm May 3, 2003 .... Saturday, 9:30am April 10, 2004 .... Saturday, 8:00am Cartoon Network Broadcast History September 27, 2004 - Current .... Monday - Thursday, 9:30pm October 10, 2004 - Current .... Sunday, 8:00am October 18, 2004 - Current ....

Monday - Friday, 6:30PM Awards & Nominations 2003 Annie Award - Outstanding Directing in an Animated Television Production 2003 Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition 2003 Humanitas Prize - Children's Animation Category (Winner!) 2003 Golden Reel Award - Best Sound Editing in Television Animation 2004 Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Special Class Animated Program 2004 Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Music Direction and Composition (Winner!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------moreless Follow The WB (ended 2006) Yu-Gi-Oh! is a show about a boy named Yugi Moto and his alter-ego who lives in his pendant known as the Millennium Puzzle, Yami Yugi, who plays a card game known as Duel Monsters. However, everything is not so simple. The game of Duel Monsters originates in ancient Egypt, and the monsters in the cards are based off of real monsters. Also, the Millennium Puzzle holds several powerful secrets that several people want to get their hands on.

As the series progress, Yugi is given the task of awakening Yami Yugi's lost memories and laying his spirit to rest, while facing deadly enemies.moreless Follow Nickelodeon (ended 2004) In the year 1989, two married parents named Gabor Csupo and Arlene Klasky made the pilot for the show; their baby son, Brendon, was their inspiration to create the Rugrats. After showing it to Nickelodeon they automatically liked it and turned it into a series; in three years, Rugrats had aired more than fifty episodes. With a total of sixty five episodes they stopped making new episodes and Rugrats was shown in primetime in 1994; after that, the popularity of the show increased. Nickelodeon realized what good ratings they had and they decided to air brand new episodes of Rugrats in 1997; it was so popular that it had its first movie to be shown in theaters the following year featuring a new Rugrat named Dil.

After the movie, they aired even more new episodes, including Dil with them on the show; then again in the year 2000, Nickelodeon made a second movie for the Rugrats, giving Chuckie a stepmom and featuring another new Rugrat named Kimi. More new episodes aired after that with Kimi and in the year 2001, Nick had big plans for the show. With Rugrats in their tenth year, so Arlene Klasky and Nickelodeon decided to make the Rugrats ten years older in their anniversary special, "All Growed Up;" this episode was the most viewed Rugrats-related episode. Originally, there were only four young rugrats who would sit in their playpen watching the world go by. The fearless leader of the group was Tommy Pickles, a resourceful baby who hides a plastic screwdriver in his diaper so that they can leave the pen. His best friend was Chuckie, a fearful, red-haired toddler who reluctantly agreed to venture out into the open, unsafe areas of the house. There were also the twins Phil and Lil who were always ready for any new challenge.

Leaving the safety of their own playpen, the children would explore their surroundings and try to make sense out of what the adults are doing. Some of the most interesting characters were the parents and Tommy and Angelica's grandfather who would always fall asleep when taking care of the children. The parents' comments are so genuine that they bring a sense of reality to the show. Even the parents had different lives, with Chuckie's widowed father, and Angelica's loving father and busy mother. The series won 4 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program, Outstanding Animated Children's Program, Outstanding Animation and Outstanding Children's Animated Program. moreless Follow Cartoon Network (ended 2003) Dexter's Laboratory is the story of a young boy prodigy. Born with an extraordinary mind, Dexter has built his very own extremely high-tech and expansive laboratory in his room that NASA could only dream of. But Dexter has to keep his lab a secret for fear others will exploit it. Through out the years, Dexter has had to hide his lab from his parents and others but it is no easy task.

All Dexter wants is to spend all the time he can inventing new things in his lab, but between his stupid and annoying older sister Dee Dee constantly barging into his lab and tearing up the place and his arch enemy and rival genius Mandark constantly tiring to take over his lab, Dexter's life is anything but easy. Dexter's Laboratory was originally premiered on Cartoon Network as part of the inaugural, Space Ghost hosted, "World Premiere Toons" before becoming a feature with two full shorts on the regular series, a.k.a. the What a Cartoon Show, it eventually became a series itself. Characters: Dexter - Dexter is the big guy here to spite his short size. Dexter's IQ is enough to rival his role model, Albert Einstein. Dexter is an impressionable little boy who loves action. He is always looking for a fight in his giant Robo-Dexter or against his rival, Mandark and when he isn't doing that or working in his lab, he is playing with his action figures or watching TV. You would be hard pressed to see Dexter outside unless he is doing some sort of experiment or fighting some sort of evil. But other than all that, Dexter spends all his time in his lab.

Dexter is constantly working on something new and building on to the lab. So much in fact that he has some inventions he can't even remember making and there are parts of the lab he doesn't know anything about. Naturally, Dexter is the head of his class much to the dismay of his fellow students. Dexter is pretty much devoid of friends but he isn't really bothered by it. As long as he can work in his lab, Dexter lives on. Dee Dee - Dexter's older sister is a very happy and delightful girl. Being taller and older than Dexter gives her a sisterly edge. Dee Dee is one of the few who knows about Dexter's lab as she stumbled upon in when the both were younger. But Dexter does not need to worry about her spilling the secret as no one would believe her even if she did. Dee Dee lives in her own little world complete with unicorns, imaginary dragons, and talking ponies. Her room is a pink nightmare of stuffed animals and dolls that Dexter must avoid at all costs. So naturally, no one really takes her seriously. She is a dancer and a singer but insists on practicing in the lab and wreaking the place in the process. She also has some athletic skill in most sports.

But behind it all, Dee Dee is actually a very caring sister who does truly love her little brother. Mom - Mom is a happy home maker who can't stand filth in any form. You will be hard pressed not to find her wearing her yellow gloves. She, like Dexter, wears them everywhere. Mom always has dinner on the table by the time Dad gets home and is always willing for a bit of "playing around" with her husband at anytime. She gets the kids on the bus in the morning and off in the evening. Just your standard work at home Mom who sits on the brink of insanity at times. Dexter seems to take after her with her hard work ethic and inability to stop once she starts. She works in the kitchen much like Dexter works in the lab and hates it when Dad drops in to bother her. Dad - Dad is the typical working man. He leaves in the morning for work and comes home in the evening for dinner. He loves sports and working with his tools. He is a handy man and handles most of the hard work around the house. He likes to mess around with his family, especially Dexter. He enjoys annoying his wife in the kitchen and giving her a playful little pinch in the butt.

His constant attempts to get Dexter out of his room and into a uniform of some sort usually are forfeit. He is an outdoors man as well. He loves to fish and camp. Dad is a very laid-back guy. Dee Dee seems to take after Dad with his sports skill, his love of the outside, and his thrive at being annoying. Mandark - Mandark is Dexter's rival and he is totally evil. Mandark is on the same intellectual level as Dexter and has proved it many times. He also has his own lab in his room though it doesn't seem to be a secret as Dexter's. Mandark's lab is bigger and better than Dexter's and he never misses a chance to reminded Dexter of that fact. Mandark's #1 ambition is to shut down Dexter's lab thus making him the only genius around. Mandark is always looking for a way to outdo Dexter in anyway possible. Mandark also has a major crush on Dee Dee which is a point that Dexter exploits all the time. His parents are actually peace loving and hippies in a sense. He repents his parent's ways, but still is forced by them to do peaceful rituals when the time comes.

Annie Awards: 1997 - Nominated, Best Individual Achievement: Voice Acting by a Female Performer in a TV Production - Christine Cavanaugh as Dexter. 1997 - Nominated, Best Individual Achievement: Producing in a TV Production - Genndy Tartakovsky. For episode " Hamhocks and Armlocks ." 1997 - Nominated, Best Individual Achievement: Music in a TV Production - Steve Rucker and Thomas Chase. 1997 - Nominated, Best Animated TV Program. 1997 - Won! Best Individual Achievement: Writing in a TV Production - Paul Rudish and Jason Butler Rote. For episode, " Beard to be Feared ." 1998 - Nominated, Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Female Performer in an Animated Television Production - Christine Cavanaugh as Dexter. 1998 - Nominated, Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Television Production - Thomas Chase, Steve Rucker and David Smith. For episode, " LAB-retto ." 1998 - Nominated, Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Primetime or Late Night Television Program.

2000 - Nominated, Outstanding Achievement in a Primetime or Late Night Animated Television Program. 2000 - Won! Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Female Performer in an Animated Television Production - Christine Cavanaugh as Dexter. For episode, "Ego Trip." Emmy Awards: 1995 - Nominated, Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or Less) For episode, " Changes ." 1996 - Nominated, Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or Less) For episode, " The Big Sister ." 1997 - Nominated, Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or Less) For episode, " Star Spangled Sidekicks " / " TV Super Pals " / " Game Over ." 1998 - Nominated, Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or Less) For episode, " Dyno-Might " / " LAB-retto ." Ending Theme tune: Into at your own peril, past the volted door where impossible things may happen that the world's never seen before In Dexter's Laboratooooryyyyy.... lives the smartest boy you ever seeeeeeen...

But Dee Dee blows his experiments to smithereeeennnsss.. there is doom and gloom while things go booooom... in Dexter's Laaaaaaab...moreless Follow PBS (ended 1997) A classroom taught by Ms. Valerie Frizzle is always fun and exciting. The colorful teacher owns a Magic School Bus which can transform into different things like a spaceship, a battery, or even an alligator! These things can help Ms. Frizzle with visual teaching methods as she reveals information about anything in science. The students include Carlos, Phoebe, Keesha, Dorothy Ann, Tim, Ralphie, Arnold, and Wanda. Originally, The Magic School Bus aired on PBS. But when production ceased after four years, The Magic School Bus's run on PBS ended with it. It reruns on TLC and Discovery Kids' network in the United States. It also airs in other countries.moreless Follow The CW (ended 2009) Humans find the Advent Decks and use them to become Kamen Riders in order to fight in a mirror world against a great evil, known as General Xaviax.

Broadcast History: The first episode, "Search for the Dragon" , premiered on The CW4Kids as a "Sneak Peak" on December 13th, 2008 at 9:30am (ET). The series then returned on January 3rd, 2009 with this same episode at its current timeslot, 11:30am (ET). New episodes continued to premiere on Saturday mornings at 11:30am (ET) on The CW4Kids. "For Ventara and Earth Part I" premiered on December 26, 2009 at 11:30am (ET) as the final episode of Kamen Rider Dragon Knight to air on television. The last two episodes of the series can be seen on 4KidsTV.com .moreless Follow ABC (ended 2000) The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show is a compilation show, meaning Warner Bros. took old episodes of their classic "Looney Tunes" and compiled them together for special airings. Now, your favorite Looney Tunes are in an all new show, The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show!

It hadover 10 seasons full of many episodes. Running from September 13,1986 to September 2, 2000 on ABC had many children growing up watching their favorite Looney characters in a all-new wacky show. Intro Lyrics "Overture, curtain, lights! This is it. The night of nights. No more rehearsing or nursing a part. We know every part by heart! (cane flip) This is it. We'll hit the heights! And oh, what heights we'll hit! On with the show, this is it! (character procession) Tonight what heights we'll hit!

On with the show, this is it!" "The Bugs Bunny & Tweety Show." Other Looney Tunes Spin-Off's Baby Looney Tunes (Cartoon Network, 2002-05) Loonatics Unleashed (The WB & The CW, 2005-07) The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries (The WB, 1995-01) Tiny Toon Adventures (first-run syndication, 1990-92& FOX, 1992-95) Taz-Mania (FOX, 1991-95) The Road Runner Show (CBS; 1966-68& ABC; 1971-73) Duck Dodgers (Cartoon Network, 2003-05)moreless 17 classic children’s TV shows back on our screens - Birmingham Mail Danger Mouse ran on ITV from 1981 to 1992 - and is now coming back on CBBC in 2015 Share Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email Children's classic Danger Mouse is returning to the TV screen for more daring adventures in 2015 - and it's one of the many programmes from the past to make a comeback. The cartoon featuring a rodent secret agent and his hapless hamster sidekick Penfold originally ran on ITV from 1981 to 1992, with the pair tackling villains including Count Duckula and the archnemesis toad Baron Silas Greenback. David Jason (Only Fools and Horses) voiced Danger Mouse while the late Terry Scott (best known for the comedy Terry and June) voiced Penfold. The new series, produced by FreemantleMedia and Boulder Media, is set to be broadcast in 2015 on CBBC, one of the BBC's two children's television channels (the other being CBeebies). The voice actors for the remake have not yet been announced. Fremantle’s Rick Glanker said: "The thrills, spills and comedy of this landmark international animated series are all still here but this rebooted version will be brought up-to-date for today’s tech-savvy and content-hungry kids.

"In this new 21st century version the laughs are set to be even louder as the world’s smallest secret agent faces mightier missions, voracious villains and knee-trembling threats.” Here we take a look at 16 more classic children's shows that are coming back to our screens, or which have already returned in a revamped form. View gallery The Mr Men The children’s books by Roger Hargreaves and then his son Adam were adapted into two animated series in 1974, narrated by Dad’s Army star Arthur Lowe (who died in 1982 after collapsing in his dressing room at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham). A further adaptation, Mr Men and Little Miss, aired on Channel 5's Milkshake! from 1995 to 1997, with narration by Geoffrey Palmer. And then in 2006, the characters returned in The Mr Men Show, a new cartoon produced by Renegade Animation that appeared on Channel 5’s Milkshake in 2008, with Simon Callow as narrator. Teletubbies Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po are returning for new adventures.

The series originally ran from 1997 to 2001 - and then a new set of 60 episodes was commissioned by BBC preschool channel CBeebies in June 2014, this time to be enhanced with computer animation. UK production company Darrall Macqueen, who also make Baby Jake and the new Topsy and Tim series for CBeebies, is behind the relaunch. The Wombles Lovable litter-pickers The Wombles were on TV from 1973-1975, and then from 1997-1998 - and now they are getting a hi-tech makeover. A new show based on their adventures on Wimbledon Common starts on Channel 5’s pre-school section Milkshake in 2015. Topsy and Tim Topsy and Tim, a series of children’s books previously adapted into a cartoon during the 1990s, returned in live-action form with real actors in the roles in November 2013. But many parents criticised the CBeebies remake for being sexist because the characters conformed to gender stereotypes.

The Clangers A new series is in production for CBeebies in 2015 in a joint project with US pre-school channel PSB Kids Sprout. Originally broadcast from 1969 to 1974, The Clangers featured a family of mouse-like creatures who lived in craters covered with dustbin lids, spoke in whistles and ate green soup that had been collected by the Soup Dragon. They inhabited a small planet that had Music Trees on which musical notes grew like fruit. Fireman Sam The series about a fireman in the fictional town of Pontypandy first appeared in Welsh on S4C in 1985 and then in English on the BBC in 1987. The show made a comeback in 2005, and a musical theatre show adaptation started touring the UK in 2011. Sooty There have been so many new series for Sooty that it’s now the longest-running children’s programme on TV. The Sooty Show started on BBC1 in 1955 - with Sweep added in 1957 and Sue in 1964 - but was cancelled in 1967 and moved to ITV.

Sooty was created by Matthew Corbett, whose son took over until retiring in 1998. Entertainer and amusement park operator Richard Cadell then stepped in as new presenter. The show ended in 2004, but Cadell bought the rights four years later and revived the series once again, with the latest version set in a holiday resort and running since 2011 on CITV. Thomas The Tank Engine Thomas the Tank Engine chugged on to TV in the series Thomas & Friends on ITV in 1984, with Beatles drummer/singer Ringo Starr as its storyteller. The programme was adapted from the stories published by Kings Norton curate Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry . Different series have developed over the years featuring an updated Thomas and various narrators including Pierce Brosnan and former Liver Birds actor Michael Angelis. Narration for the US versions has been provided by actors including Alec Baldwin and Dempsey & Makepeace star Michael Brandon. In 2009 the show switched to computer-generated animation rather than models. In 2012, production moved to a new company in Canada and the latest incarnation of the show began airing in 2013.

Postman Pat The first series was screened by the BBC in 1981, with a second following in 1996 that showed the title character had a family. A new version aired on CBeebies from 2003 to 2008. It was in 2008 that the show underwent a major revamp as Postman Pat Special Delivery Service, featuring new characters and vehicles including a helicopter that Pat uses to deliver parcels in remote areas. Rentaghost The original series, broadcast from 1976 to 1984, followed the antics of an entertainment agency that hired out spooks. The cast included Selly Oak actor Michael Staniforth as jester Timothy Claypole, Walsall-born Coronation Street actress Sue Nicholls as hayfever-suffering Nadia Popov and author/writer Lynda La Plante (whose writing credits include Widows and Prime Suspect) as Tamara Novek. In 2008, it was reported that Rentaghost could return to TV screens. Channel 4’s Wife Swap producer RDF acquired the rights but the Rentaghost revamp never materialised.

In December 2010, it was reported that Warner Bros were negotiating to buy the rights and were considering making a comedy film starring Russell Brand as Rentaghost boss Fred Mumford. Brand dropped out when his remake of Arthur performed poorly at the box office and in October 2011 it emerged that 20th Century Fox had bought the rights, with Ben Stiller instead set to star in a film adaptation as a consultant sent to turn around the failing agency, and Night at the Museum writers Tom Lennon and Robert Ben Garant penning the script. Bill & Ben Kids’ favourite The Flower Pot Men - about two little men made from flowerpots and their friend, a yellow flower called Weed - first appeared as the Wednesday feature on BBC1’s Watch With Mother children's afternoon slot in 1952. On other days, Watch with Mother showed Picture Book; Andy Pandy; Rag, Tag and Bobtail; and The Woodentops. The puppetry was replaced with stop-motion animation when a new series, this time called Bill and Ben, arrived on BBC2 in January 2001. A whole new set of other characters were added and Weed was instead depicted as a giant sunflower.

Doctor Who Doctor Who debuted on TV in 1963, running until 1989. A TV movie in 1996 featured Paul McGann as the 8th Doctor. It was then revived as a series in 2005 by long-time fan Russell T Davies, with Christopher Eccleston as the 9th incarnation of the Time Lord. He was followed by David Tennant, Matt Smith and now Peter Capaldi. Noddy Created by Enid Blyton in books published between 1949 and 1963, the little wooden boy who finds a new home in Toyland first arrived on our TV screens in 1955. Many other versions followed over the decades, with Noddy in Toyland the most recent. This new computer-animated remake launched in 2009. Over the years, some characters have disappeared - such as garage owner Mr Golly being replaced by a Scotsman called Mr Sparks after golliwogs were criticised as racist caricatures - while others have been introduced. The Magic Roundabout This series first appeared as a black-and-white programme in France before the BBC revamped it by adding English narration.

It was broadcast from 1965 to 1977 and was a great success. Featuring the characters Dougal, Zebedee, Brian the snail, Ermintrude, Dylan and Florence, the series screened its first colour episode in 1970. Later, 52 previously unseen episodes were shown on Channel 4 in 1991. It was in 2005 that The Magic Roundabout was turned into a computer-animated British film using voices including those of Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Joanna Lumley, Ian McKellen, Lee Evans and Tom Baker. It was well-received but the US version, renamed Doogal and with a narration from Judi Dench as well as replacing the voice actors (apart from Kylie and Ian McKellen) with American stars such as Whoopi Goldberg, was a total flop. The computer-generated character designs from the movie were reused in a new TV version that launched in 2007 and returned for a second set of episodes in 2010.

Bananas in Pyjamas The Aussie children's TV show ran from 1992 to 2001 and was revamped in 2011 using computer-generated animation. Thunderbirds Thunderbirds ran from 1965 to 1966, with a 1982 remake called Thunderbirds 2086. A further revamp called Thunderbirds Are Go! is set to be broadcast in 2015 on ITV, 50 years after the original and with Rosamund Pike as the voice of Lady Penelope and David Graham returning as the voice of her chauffeur Parker. ... As a footnote, it's worth mentioning that there are also calls for the return of Roland Rat. The rodent puppet first emerged from his Ratcave (supposedly beneath King’s Cross station) to appear as a guest on ITV breakfast show TV-am in 1983. He finished his run on TV-am in 1985, moving to the BBC and then, in the late 1990s, to Channel 5.

Roland has made various other guest appearances over the years and in 2014, we reported on a social media campaign to get him on ITV’s new breakfast programme Good Morning Britain. However, ITV said there were "no plans at this stage" to bring Roland back. Which TV shows do you want to see back on our TV screens? Have your say in the comments section below. Like us on Facebook Most Read Most Recent Fireman Sam | Cartoonito UK Cartoonito UK Lion Colouring Fireman Sam lives in accident-prone Pontypandy, where he helps with fighting fires, manning the lifeboat, helping the mountain rescue, or joining up with the emergency medical services. Even when Sam has no official role in the rescue, he is always there to help! More about Fireman Sam Fireman Sam Home ©2017 Prism Art & Design Limited. The Fireman Sam name and character are trademarks of Prism Art & Design Limited. © 2017 HIT Entertainment Limited.

Question: On children's television, which character lives in the fictional town of Pontypandy?
Answer: FIREMAN SAM