Category: International/Foreign-Language Television

SUMMARY:        APPROX.  RUNNING TIME: 23:00 Min.

In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, this children’s cartoon series ran for fifty-two episodes over three seasons (2003-2007).  For its time, the program utilized 3D CGI animation graphics in its depiction of the anthropomorphic world of Piggley Winks – both in the present-day and mid-1950’s.  This second-season episode initially aired on October 31, 2004. 

In the present-day, Grandpa (aka Piggley Winks) (Lamb) lives with his grown daughter and her three small children.  Just before bedtime, brothers Seamus and Sean (Futterman/Darling), are unable to find a missing toy: Captain Cyclops.  With Seamus despondent that he won’t be able to sleep without his action figure’s ‘protection,’ Grandpa senses the older Sean’s empathy is imperative.  Grandpa then relates a story from his own youth.  As he is growing up in mid-1950’s rural Ireland, Piggley (Flanagan) is eight years old.  Young Piggley lives on Raloo Farm in the village of Tara.   

Piggley and Dannan (Strong) find out that their friend Ferny’s (Taylor) beloved goldfish, Thor, has passed.  Thinking that distracting Ferny is the best medicine to ease his loss, Piggley and Dannan work hard to console a devastated Ferny.  At best, it temporarily works until Ferny is reminded of Thor’s demise again and again.   Meanwhile, back on Waloo Farm, Wiley the Sheep (Brooks) coaxes his pal Bernie (Uncredited) into playing tennis, sheep-style, for some needed exercise.  Wiley soon regrets that impulse.  

After consulting Ferny’s widowed father (Escanadon) and Piggley’s own dad (Adler), a decision is finally made to hold a traditional Irish wake for Thor.  Surrounded by his father, his schoolmates, and Tara’s other residents, a despondent Ferny realizes remembering his goldfish for the good times they had matters more than holding on to grief.

In the present-day, Grandpa’s message motivates his grandsons to find Captain Cyclops together in the few minutes they still have before bedtime. 

Voice Cast:

Piggley Winks (young): Maile Flanagan

Piggley Winks (Grandpa): Peadar Lamb

Pádraig/Patrick Winks & Mr. Hornsby: Charlie Adler

Molly Winks & Dannan Mallard: Tara Strong

Elly Winks & Fernando “Ferny” Toro: Russi Taylor

Don Toro: Fernando Escanadon

Hector MacBadger: Pamela Adlon

Millie Pelly: Kath Soucie

Gossie: Candi Milo

Seamus & Sean: Nika Futterman (U.S.) / Maria Darling (U.K.)

Bernie the Sheep: Uncredited

Wiley the Sheep: Mel Brooks.

Notes:  Including this episode, a compilation DVD was subsequently released in 2006.  The compilation’s three other episodes are: Season 1’s Sheep on The Loose (the compilation’s title); Season 1’s Donkeys Into Racehorses; and Season 2’s Molly Had a Little Lamb.  Slightly different versions of these episodes exist – per the series policy of using American voice actors for the present-day sequences for its U.S. audience only.

REVIEW:

Twenty years later, the program’s storytelling retains its undemanding charm – it’s a welcome supplement for those fans who enjoy the unrelated Shaun The Sheep.  The 3D CGI animation still holds up well – case in point: the sunset background visuals of Thor’s funeral voyage off into the pond are beautifully rendered.  As for the story, it’s alternately poignant and amusing in reiterating a timeless moral to viewers.

Keeping in mind the target audience, this Jakers! tale serves up a thoughtful treat for both toddlers and preschoolers. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                6 Stars

SUMMARY:           APPROX.  RUNNING TIME: 23:00 Min.

In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, this children’s cartoon series ran for fifty-two episodes over three seasons (2003-2007).  For its time, the program utilized 3D CGI animation graphics in its depiction of the anthropomorphic world of Piggley Winks – both in the present-day and mid-1950’s.  This second-season episode initially aired on September 12, 2004. 

In the present-day, Grandpa (aka Piggley Winks) (Lamb) lives with his grown daughter and three small children.  His young granddaughter, Meg (or Meggy) (Disney/Dean), complains why their house has one set of rules while her friend’s family has their own.  In this instance, it’s the issue of why she can only have one candied apple while her friend can enjoy as many as she wants.    

Grandpa relates a tale of her young Aunt Molly’s lesson learned long ago in caring for a toddler lamb.  As children growing up in mid-1950’s rural Ireland, Piggley (Flanagan) is eight years old  and little sister Molly is five years old.  Piggley and Molly live on Raloo Farm in the village of Tara.   

Given responsibility by her parents (Taylor & Adler) of this young lamb, Molly (Strong) finds her lamb’s attention-seeking antics are increasingly exhausting.  More so, the lamb’s cuteness and supposed remorse keeps baiting Molly into various mishaps.  The situation comes to a head when Molly’s bored lamb causes chaos at the schoolhouse.  Meanwhile, back at Raloo Farm, Wiley the Sheep (Brooks) tries to take advantage of the situation. 

As Molly learns, rules are made for a reason, and that such rules must be obeyed by all (including uncooperative little lambs).  Meg, in the present-day, understands Grandpa’s advice that good intentions go along with such rules. 

Voice Cast:

Piggley Winks (young): Maile Flanagan

Piggley Winks (Grandpa): Peadar Lamb

Pádraig/Patrick Winks & Mr. Hornsby: Charlie Adler

Molly Winks & Dannan Mallard: Tara Strong

Elly Winks & Fernando “Ferny” Toro: Russi Taylor

Meg: Melissa Disney (U.S.) / Julie-Ann Dean (U.K.)

Wiley the Sheep: Mel Brooks

Gossie: Candi Milo

Lamby: Uncredited.

Notes:  Young Piggley plays a minor role in this episode, as it’s centered around Molly.  Including this episode, a compilation DVD was subsequently released in 2006.  The compilation’s other three episodes are: Season 2’s Waking Thor; Season 1’s Donkeys Into Racehorses; and Season 1’s Sheep on The Loose (which appears as the compilation DVD’s title).  Slightly different versions of these episodes exist – per the series policy of using American voice actors for the present-day sequences for its U.S. audience only.

REVIEW:

Twenty years later, the program’s storytelling retains its undemanding charm – it’s a welcome supplement for those fans who enjoy the unrelated Shaun The Sheep.  The 3D CGI animation, suffice to say, holds up much better than the show’s opening credits (which resembles a kiddie computer game).   

Keeping in mind the target audience, this average Jakers! caper is a cheerful treat for toddlers. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        5 Stars

SUMMARY:       APPROX.  RUNNING TIME: 23:00 Min.

In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, this children’s cartoon series ran for fifty-two episodes over three seasons (2003-2007).  For its time, the program utilized 3D CGI animation graphics in its depiction of the anthropomorphic world of Piggley Winks – both in the present-day and mid-1950’s.  This first-season episode initially aired on February 29, 2004. 

In the present-day, Grandpa (aka Piggley Winks) (Lamb) lives with his grown daughter and three small children.  His young grandsons: Sean and Seamus (Futterman/Darling) come to him to display their different artistic talents.  One is a better artist while the other is evidently a better writer than artist. 

To encourage them to accept and share their natural gifts, Grandpa subsequently relates a tale from his own youth.  As he is growing up in mid-1950’s rural Ireland, Piggley (Flanagan) is eight years old.  Young Piggley lives on Raloo Farm in the village of Tara. 

At school, teacher Mr. Hornsby (Adler) assigns his students to interpret a timeless Irish proverb that one can’t make a donkey into a racehorse.  Accepting it as a challenge, Piggley (Flanagan) attempts to transform the beloved Winks family donkey, Flanagan, into a racing steed – no matter how futile the task seems.  Piggley gets helpful, if not skeptical, support from his friends: Ferny the Bull (Taylor) and Dannan the Mallard Duck (Strong).  The end result convinces Piggley that Flannagan’s true talents should be accepted for what they are. 

Meanwhile, Wiley the Sheep (Brooks) pilfers Flanagan’s energy-boosting oats for Raloo Farm’s own lackadaisical flock of sheep.  The sheep subsequently enjoy a spirited yet short-lived round of adrenaline-fueled fun.  A subsequent mishap finds Wiley in need of Piggley and Flanagan’s help for a rescue.      

Seamus and Sean, in the present-day, understand Grandpa’s advice to help each other develop their artistic skills. 

Voice Cast:

Piggley Winks (young): Maile Flanagan

Piggley Winks (Grandpa): Peadar Lamb

Pádraig/Patrick Winks & Mr. Hornsby: Charlie Adler

Dannan Mallard: Tara Strong

Don Toro: Fernando Escanadon

Elly Winks & Fernando “Ferny” Toro: Russi Taylor

Seamus & Sean: Nika Futterman (U.S.) / Maria Darling (U.K.)

Gossie the Turtle: Candi Milo

Wiley the Sheep: Mel Brooks.

Notes:  Including this episode, a compilation DVD was subsequently released in 2006.  The compilation’s other three episodes are: Season 1’s Sheep on The Loose (the compilation’s title); Season 2’s Molly Had a Little Lamb; and Season 2’s Waking Thor.  Slightly different versions of these episodes exist – per the series policy of using American voice actors for the present-day sequences for its U.S. audience.

REVIEW:

Twenty years later, the program’s storytelling retains its undemanding charm – it’s a welcome supplement for those fans who enjoy the unrelated Shaun The Sheep.  The show’s 3D CGI animation holds up well; by comparison, the opening credits frankly resemble that of a kiddie computer game.

Keeping in mind the target audience, this amusing Piggley caper (with its morsels of wisdom) is a delightful sitcom treat for toddlers and parents alike.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       6½ Stars

SUMMARY:      APPROX.  RUNNING TIME: 23:00 Min.

In the United States (on PBS), the United Kingdom, and Australia, this children’s cartoon series ran for fifty-two episodes over three seasons (2003-2007).  For its time, the program utilized state-of-art 3D CGI animation graphics in its depiction of the anthropomorphic world of Piggley Winks – both in the present-day and mid-1950’s.  This first-season episode initially aired on March 21, 2004. 

In the present-day, Grandpa (aka Piggley Winks) (Lamb) lives with his grown daughter and three small children.  He bemusedly observes his two grandsons, Seamus and Sean (Futterman / Darling), playing with a remote-control car.  Recognizing their inexperience, Grandpa subsequently relates a tale from his own youth.  As he is growing up in mid-1950’s rural Ireland, Piggley (Flanagan) is approximately eight years old.  Young Piggley’s family lives on Raloo Farm in the village of Tara.    

Entrusted by his parents (Taylor & Adler) to supervise the family’s sheep herd, rookie sheepherder Piggley Winks’ overenthusiasm for the job soon prompts Wiley the Sheep (Brooks) to run away.  It’s then up to Piggley, with help from his friends Dannan the Mallard Duck (Strong), Ferny the Bull (Taylor), and his little sister, Molly (Strong), to track down the ‘fugitive’ Wiley.  Piggley is determined to take responsibility for Wiley’s rebelliousness, and, in the process, he understands why Wiley fled.  More so, Piggley’s parents allow their son to learn from his own initiative.  

Seamus and Sean, in the present-day, understand Grandpa’s message to practice more to better enjoy their shared toy.

Voice Cast:

Piggley Winks (young): Maile Flanagan

Piggley Winks (Grandpa): Peadar Lamb

Pádraig/Patrick Winks & Mr. Hornsby: Charlie Adler

Molly Winks & Dannan Mallard: Tara Strong

Elly Winks & Fernando “Ferny” Toro: Russi Taylor

Seamus & Sean: Nika Futterman (U.S.) / Maria Darling (U.K.)

Wiley the Sheep: Mel Brooks.

Notes:  Entitled the same as this episode, a compilation DVD was released in 2006.  The compilation’s other three episodes consist of: Season 2’s Waking Thor; Season 1’s Donkeys Into Racehorses; and Season 2’s Molly Had a Little Lamb.  Also, slightly different versions of these episodes exist – per the series’ policy, American voice actors are used for Grandpa’s family in the present-day sequences for the U.S. audience only.

REVIEW:

Twenty years later, the program’s storytelling retains its undemanding and innocent charm.  Hence, it’s a welcome attraction to those fans who enjoy the unrelated Shaun The Sheep.  Though the 3D CGI animation predictably appears dated, Jakers!’  visuals are still superior to that of its opening credits.  The show’s opening credits, suffice to say, resemble kiddie interactive computer games of that era. 

Keeping in mind the target audience, this average Piggley predicament offers a cute treat for preschoolers.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        5 Stars

SUMMARY:   APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 52:00 Min. (Black & White)

First airing on England’s Associated British Corporation on September 29, 1962, “Mr. Teddy Bear,” continuity-wise, implies that British secret agents John Steed (Macnee) and Catherine “Cathy” Gale (Blackman) have already worked together before.  In this instance, a bizarre fatal poisoning occurs during a live television interview.  The autopsy’s subsequent forensics disclose that esteemed author and international expert Colonel Wayne-Gilley (Keeling) is evidently the latest victim of a highly-paid and techno-savvy assassin dubbed ‘Mr. Teddy Bear.’ 

Assigned by One Ten (Muir) to the case, Steed sets himself up as the killer’s next target, with Gale posing as a client paying an exorbitant fee for his ingenious assassination. Finding their adversary elusive, via hidden microphones (in a plush teddy bear, no less) and remote cameras, neither Gale nor Steed have any idea what this soft-spoken ‘Mr. Teddy Bear’ even looks like. 

An informant’s subsequent murder convinces Steed shouldn’t take their current adversary lightly, no matter the assassin’s peculiar gimmicks. Gale soon finds herself prompted to pay the balance due after Steed’s apparent homicide inside his own apartment.  With Gale seemingly held as an expendable hostage, a battle of wits ensues between ‘The Avengers’ and this unconventional assassin.

John Steed: Patrick Macnee

Catherine “Cathy” Gale: Honor Blackman

One Ten: Douglas Muir

Dr. James Howell: John Ruddock

‘Mr. Teddy Bear:’ Bernard Goldman

Henry Farrow: Michael Robbins

Dr. Gilmore: John Hershey

Technician: Michael Collins

Colonel Wayne-Gilley: Kenneth Keeling

Interviewer: Tim Brinton

Café Patron: Sarah Maxwell

Freckles the Dalmatian: Uncredited

Café Extras: Uncredited

Television Crew Members: Uncredited.    

REVIEW:

Given it’s the debut of The Avengers’ first iconic duo, this tongue-in-cheek episode is frankly unremarkable.  Aside from a quirky premise, its watchability mostly owes to Honor Blackman’s charming presence – ironically, even more so in her scenes without Patrick Macnee. 

The dubious flip side is that Macnee’s ‘Steed’ grows tiresome mighty fast with his incessant, rapid-fire blathering.  Constantly glib about his insider knowledge of the assassin’s case file, Steed’s cheery nonchalance too often stifles the plot’s efforts at suspense. Still, Macnee excels in the sequence selling Steed’s sudden ‘demise.’  

With some help from the guest cast, “Mr. Teddy Bear,” at least, enjoys its share of fun, almost spoofy noir moments. Suffice to say, The Avengers’ playfully intriguing brand of spy games, such as seeing Emma Peel’s demure predecessor in action, makes exploring other (and hopefully superior) episodes a likelihood.          

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       4½ Stars

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