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100 Greatest Kids TV Shows...
100 GREATEST KIDS' TV SHOWS
The Nominees
- Adventure Game
Watch out for the aspidistra!
Outer space quiz and logic games in weird setting. Moira Stewart don't walkinto that vortex..!
- Adventures of Black Beauty
Classic ITV drama and what music!Every Sunday evening a motley assortment of kidnappers, villains and rogueswould be outsmarted by a couple of kids and a horse!
- Adventures of Robin Hood
"Robin Hood, Robin Hood riding through the glen" - if you can't rememberthis fifties costume drama with Richard Greene as the eponymous hero thenyou must remember the theme tune!
- Andy Pandy
Andy Pandy, Looby Loo and Teddy living in harmony in a large basket. "Herewe go Looby Loo?"
- Animal Magic
Some footage of animals, Johnny Morris and an array of dodgy regionalaccents - an inspiration to a generation of vets.
- Bagpuss
Saggy old cloth cat who first appeared in a shop window in 1974. As well asEmily, Gabriel the Toad, Madeleine the rag doll, and the mischievous micealso loved him.
- Banana Splits
Kids version of The Monkees! Four grown men dressed up as animals andintroduced cartoons and dramas. Fleegle. Bingo. Drooper and Snork.Tra-la-la?
- Basil Brush Show
The little fox with the big mouth - along the way accompanied by varioushuman stooges such as Mr Derek Fowlds, Mr Rodney Bewes and Mr Roy North. Haha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Boom boom.
- Batman
ZOW!*Ł SPLAT*&^% BAM*!)* Comic strip stars brought to life in mid-sixtiesaction serial. Will Batman defy the polls and come top of the Channel 4chart? Tune in the same Bat-time...same Bat-channel.
- Battle Of The Planets
Late 70s animated epic followed fearless young orphans dedicated to savingthe galaxy! Always five - acting as one.Dedicated. Inseparable. Invincible!
- Blue Peter
The British institution and magazine programme which is still running today.Each generation has its own favourite memories!
- Bob The builder
"Can we fix it?"
Britain's only builder with a number one hit to his name.
- Boss/Top Cat
Hanna-Barbera's indisputable "leader of the gang". Brains, Choo Choo andBenny all helped TC earn his fortune and be lifelong plague of local bobby,Officer Dibble.
- Byker Grove
The series that truly put Newcastle, and Ant and Dec, on the children's TVmap. Youth-club drama with the odd stolen car and gay kiss thrown in forgood measure.
- Captain Pugwash
The Black Pig sets sail on the ocean to defeat his archenemy Cut ThroatJake. Remember Master Mate?. are you sure?
- Captain Scarlet
Thoroughly indestructible superhero creation of Gerry Anderson, charged withkeeping the mysterious "Mysterons" at bay.
- Catweazle
Medieval magician - finds himself in 1970s Britain, makes friends with a boycalled Carrot. As he tries his best to get to grips with modern day lifeCatweazle ends up in hilarious situations.
- Cheggers Plays Pop
Jump-suited Keith Chegwin presides over a studio packed with 150 kids, twoteam captains, musical guests that no-one's ever heard of and a smatteringof bizarre games.
- Children's Film Foundation
Short films made by this foundation included many stars of the future suchas Keith Chegwin, Phil Collins and Dennis Waterman. Romping around the homecounties, saving ponds and defeating villains.
- Chorlton and the Wheelies
The unforgettable Chorlton and his weird puppet world with the HappinessDragon and adopted Guardian of Wheelie World. Named after the Manchestersuburb where he was created.
- Clangers
Pink, snout nosed little creatures that speak in whistles?sharing the samemoon as the Metal Chicken and the Soupdragon. Living on blue string puddingand green soup.
- Crackerjack
It's Friday... it's five to five... it's games, music, sketches and pantoall rolled into one - and of course the ultimate prize, the Crackerjackpencil! Presenters included: Leslie Crowther, Eamonn Andrews and of courseThe Krankies.
- Crystal Tipps and Alistair
Possibly the woman with the strangest hair in television, Crystal Tipps'musical adventures gripped a generation.
- Daktari
Clarence the cross-eyed lion came to fame in this drama about a vet set indeepest Africa.
- Dangermouse
The greatest secret agent in the world, and probably the only one ever tooperate out of a pillar-box. David Jason and Terry Scott provide theunforgettable voices.
- Do Not Adjust Your Set
Sketch show in which most of the Monty Python team can be found, yearsbefore they ran off to join the Flying Circus. David Jason also starred.
- Double Deckers
Get on board with Scooper and the gang - who have their den in an old Londonbus! Ring that bell!.
- Dr Who
Re-generations of the Doctor have been scaring children's heads behindcushions since 1963. The cult series which broke Sci-fi ground is still aspopular today. Who can ever forget the Daleks?
- Famous Five
ITV gave Enid Blyton's 1950s stories a '70s makeover. Flares and Chopperbikes written in alongside smugglers and Timmy the dog.
- Fingerbobs
Yoffy - aka Play School's Rick Jones - lifts a finger and brings variouscharacters to life Including the indefatigable Fingermouse - television'sonly paper mouse.
- Flintstones
"Yabbadabbado"
Fred and Wilma head up Hanna-Barbera's pre-historic family who to this daycontinues to have "a gay old time" on Cartoon Network.
- Flowerpot Men
Recently revived simple tales of Bill and Ben, two likeable chaps withrestricted speech capabilities.
- Grange Hill
The series which broke all the rules...
London's famous fictional comprehensive, one-time home of Tucker, Trisha,Gripper, Zammo, Ziggy, Gonch and hundreds of others.
- Tales from the Riverbank
The first ever soap for hamsters! Hammy and his friends used to get into allkinds of scrapes. This live action series gripped a nation!
- Hector's House
Hector, the Dog and Zaza, the Cat live in a house in the centre of a lovelygarden full of flowers. Kiki the Frog lives next door and they often playtricks on Hector to teach him a lesson. Leading him to say his catchphraseat the end of every episode, "I'm a Great Big?Old Hector".
- He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
"By the power of Grayskull" He-Man always managed to defeat Skeletor'sfiendish plots became one of the most popular animated children's charactersof the 80s.
- Herbs
Parsley the Lion, Dill the Dog, Bayleaf the Gardener, Lord Basil, LadyRosemary, Sage the Owl, and Tarragon the Dragon. Each character with theirown song which they sang at every given opportunity.
- Hong Kong Phooey
Surely not Penry, the mild-mannered janitor?could be?
"Number one super-guy" and probably the only one ever to get changed in afiling cabinet.
- How
ITV's question and answer show began in the late sixties and made householdnames of Jack Hargreaves and Fred Dinenage. And is still running today! How?
- HR Pufnstuf
Cockney teenager - Jack Wild - discovers a magic flute and travels to afantasyland full of monsters and magical happenings. A psychedelic classicfor all kids and ageing hippies everywhere.
- Jackanory
Scores of the most talented actors, comedians and presenters entertainedgenerations on Jackanory. A simple tale - simply read - simple!
- Jamie and the Magic Torch
Each night Jamie clears off to Cuckoo Land accompanied by his faithful dogWordsworth. With the help of his magic torch hi-jinx is sure to ensue?!
- Jim'll Fix It
Santa Claus all year round. Jimmy Saville made dreams come true forthousands of children?even if they wanted to throw up on roller coasters.
- John Craven's News Round
The news for children?with everyone's uncle John Craven.
- Just William
The naughty schoolboy and his gang The Outlaws who made Elizabeth Bottscream and scream until she was sick!
- Junior Showtime
Talent show for kids as they tried to do magic acts and play the bassoon.Possibly the most embarrassing programme you could have appeared on as achild, introduced by a pre-pubescent Mark Curry.
- Knightmare
Recent but famous Children's ITV fantasy game show adored by kids andpopulated by weird characters.
- Lassie
American drama where yet again an animal could communicate their concernsover such matters as global warming and rising inflation.
- Magic Roundabout
French in origin, this show first captivated the UK as long ago as themid-sixties and has become cult TV. Time for bed, said Dougal.
- Magpie
ITV's answer to Blue Peter. Susan Stranks, Mick Robertson et al, wearingjeans and being trendy!
- Maid Marian and her Merry Men
BAFTA-award winning spin on Robin Hood with Tony Robinson as the evilSheriff of Nottingham.
- Mary Mungo and Midge
Do you live in a town? Mary, Mungo and Midge do. They live in a block offlats. Right at the top. Kitchen sink pre-school drama!
- Metal Mickey
Anarchic comedy cult robot spun off, of all things, from Bill Oddie'sSaturday Banana. Watch out for those Atomic Thunderbusters "boogie boogie"
- Michael Bentine's Potty Time
Michael Bentine and his band of madcap characters re-tell famous tales. Aspopular with adults as with kids.
- Mr Benn
Regular visitor to his local fancy dress shop where the mild mannered,bowler-hatted hero, changed costumes and visited rather surreal worldsdepending on what costume he put on.
- Muffin The Mule
Annette Mills became the first "lady" of Children's TV as her and the woodenhorse sang and played through Watch With Mother.
- Multi-Coloured-Swap-Shop
The original, live, Saturday morning show where you could swap a xylophonefor a Barbie-doll. Noel, Keith, Maggie and Posh Paws the dinosaur. Thelegacy of BBC Saturday morning shows started here and was followed byStaurday Superstore, Going Live and Alive and Kicking!
- Muppet Show
Kermit's a frog. Fozzie's a bear. And Gonzo? Generations of kids and adultslaughed through thousands of puppet sketches where everything wentwrong...and Kermit always got hit by Miss Piggy!
- Noggin the Nog
In the Land of Nog, the sagas of Noggin are the stuff of legend as he triesto defeat his evil uncle Nogbad the Bad and marry his love Nooka.
- Pinky and Perky
Pair of puppet pigs with speeded up voices that perennially populated peakpositions in the pop parade as well as their own TV series.
- Pipkins
The lunchtime antics of a group of puppets on a mission to help others ledby television's most camp hare, Hartley."It's time for Pipkins."
- Play School
Lets see what's through the Square window...
The first school most children wanted to go to.While the older kids watched the sister show - Play Away!
- Pob's Programme
Strange puppet creation from Teletubbies creator Anne Wood. Celebrityguests, stories, and lots of complaints about Pob spitting and writing hisname in it.
- Pokémon
Badly-animated story of Ash and his mates, including that one who doesn'tseem to have any eyes, in their quest for Pokémon.They've gotta catch 'em all.
- Postman Pat
A dull looking geezer delivering letters with a black and white cat early inthe morning. Magic!
- Press Gang
Acclaimed and award-winning comedy about a teenage team of reporters workingon their own newspaper with dialogue more like a Spencer Tracy/KatherineHepburn film. Julia Sawalha and Dexter Fletcher starred.
- Rainbow
ITV's longest-running show for pre-schoolers in which all the puppets slepttogether and no one said anything? Zippy especially.
- Record Breakers
The all-trumpeting, all tapping, Roy Castle made this show a great success.With Roy it wasn't just about facts and records but about taking part andgetting involved. And a little dedication of course...
- Rentaghost
Gadzooks! A long-running sitcom of ghosts and rather odd people running anodd-job agency. Master Meaker and Timothy Claypole started this seriescreated by comedy supremo, Bob Block.
- Roland Rat
The classic mega-star that still thinks nothing of speaking as he finds andrapping along to the odd hit single.
- Roobarb and Custard
Probably best known for Bob Godfrey's distinctive felt-tip animation style,Roobarb is a dog with attitude - Custard a cat that wobbled!
- Runaround
G-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-go! Fast-moving 70s studio quiz with ten kids a lot of ballsand Mike Reid.
- Scooby Doo
Animated thrillers with Scoob, Shaggy and the rest of the "pesky kids" fromthe Mystery Machine. Who did it??why Mr Bleepers the janitor of course!
- Screen Test
The quiz about movies, hosted by Michael Rodd, Mark Curry and latterly BrianTrueman. Pick out the waiter from the scene you've just seen!
- Sesame Street
For over 30 years Sesame Street has been teaching children through fun andgames. The stomping ground of Jim Henson's muppets and often brought to youby the letters G, P and the number 2.
- Secret Garden
BBC costume-drama respective of a great many other successful adaptationsfrom famous literary works. Sunday evenings in with the family as you walkedout of your back garden and into a mystery world.
- Simpsons
Probably the most sophisticated cartoon ever made! Bart, Lisa, Homer and therest of the characters pull American suburban life to pieces in thisadult/kids cartoon that pulls no punches.
- Skippy
Surely the world's most intelligent and famous kangaroo. Skippy came to therescue of many in his 90-odd-episode run.
- The Singing Ringing Tree
A fairy tale film with only three parts made though generations would swearthat there were more! The usual menu of handsome princes, kings, a wickeddwarf, a soldier and a singing, ringing tree.
- SM:tv
Ant & Dec's Saturday morning bonanza with Cat Deeley. Live guests, music anddouble entendres. Bring on the Beavers!
- The Snowman
The animated adaptation of Raymond Briggs' book is now as synonymous withChristmas as eating too much turkey. A true classic.
- The Sooty Show
Television's least talkative bear is still going strong after 50 years ofhaving a hand up his cassock!
- Teletubbies
World-wide smash-hit series for pre-schoolers starring four colourfultechnological babies and their over-conscientious vacuum cleaner.
- Thomas the Tank Engine
Ringo Starr narrated these ever-popular stories about Thomas the steamengine.
- Thunderbirds
The puppets which launched a thousand spoofs! Gerry Anderson's creations arethirty years old and Thunderbirds are still go. FAB!
- Wide Awake Club
Timmy Mallett a lot of shouting and mad goings on. Spawned other showsincluding Wacaday.
- TISWAS
"Today is Saturday, Watch and Smile". Legendary anarchic Saturday morningshow, which began life as a regional show before storming the ITV network.
- Tom and Jerry
Often dubbed one of the most violent programmes on television, but therecan't be many people in the world who don't know the famous cat and mouseduo.
- Tomorrow People
Low-budget science fiction series with scary title sequence, outrageousstory lines and the occasional Nazi / bondage scene.
- Trumpton
In the same part of the world as Camberwick Green and Chigley, the folk ofTrumpton are famed for placing unreasonable demands on their fire station.
- Tweenies
Four Tweenies sing and dance their way through life in this pre-school showwith an adult following. Features Bella (the bossy one), Milo (purple), Fizz(the nice polite one) and Jake (yellow mohican) and Doodles the talking dog.
- Vision On
Long-running compendium of visual items and Tony Hart's art. A showespecially enjoyed by hard-of-hearing kids because of its minimal speechcontent.
- Wallace and Gromit
In this collection of Nick Park's Oscar-winning films Wallace and Gromit getin and out of hilarious trouble in The Wrong Trousers, A Grand Day Out and AClose Shave.
- We are the Champions
Ron Pickering presided over this outdoor activity based contest - thenearest thing kids got to It's a Knockout. "Away you go!"
- White Horses
Black and white French speaking drama with a bunch of kids, a host of whitehorses and unforgettable title music.
- Wind in the Willows
Cosgrove-Hall animated puppets in this tale where all the voices areclassically trained!
- Why Don't You
School holiday BBC series featuring "gangs" of kids from the BBC regionalcentres. The programme which advised viewers to "switch off and do somethingless boring instead"...after they'd finished watching off course!
- Wombles
Uncle Bulgaria, Tomsk, Orinocco and the rest who live on Wimbledon Commonand collect useful rubbish left behind by the thoughtless humans. The firstre-cycling bears on children's TV!
- Woodentops
There was Mummy Woodentop and the baby. And Daddy Woodentop, then there wereWillie and Jenny the Twins. And Mrs Scrubbit, who comes to help MummyWoodentop. And Sam, who helps Daddy Woodentop. And last of all - the verybiggest spotty dog you ever did see. And they all lived in a big house inthe country.
- Worzel Gummidge
Jon Pertwee often lost his head over Aunt Sally (Una Stubbs) in this dramaabout scarecrow passion in a farmer's field.
FINAL AND DEFINITVE ORDER OF RESULTS- The Simpsons
- The Muppet Show
- Dangermouse
- Bagpuss
- Grange Hill
- Mr Benn
- Rainbow
- Scooby Doo
- Dr Who
- He-Man and Masters of the Universe
- The Magic Roundabout
- The Clangers
- Wallace and Gromit
- Rentaghost
- Maid Marian and Her Merry Men
- Tom and Jerry
- The Wombles
- The Flintstones
- Hong Kong Phooey
- Worzel Gummidge
- Knightmare
- Trumpton
- Postman Pat
- Thunderbirds
- Jim'll Fix It
- Thomas The Tank Engine
- Roobarb and Custard
- Jamie and the Magic Torch
- SM:TV Live
- Sesame Street
- The Basil Brush Show
- Boss / Top Cat
- Blue Peter
- Byker Grove
- Banana Splits
- The Sooty Show
- Chorlton and the Wheelies
- Roland Rat
- The Adventure Game
- Why Don't You?
- Tiswas
- Battle of the Planets
- Play School
- Batman
- Captain Pugwash
- Press Gang
- Crackerjack
- Fingerbobs
- The Tomorrow People
- Multi-Coloured Swap Shop
- Captain Scarlet
- The Herbs
- Timmy Mallett's Wide Awake Club
- Animal Magic
- Pipkins
- Wind In The Willows
- The Flowerpot Men
- Metal Mickey
- Pob's Programme
- The Adventures of Black Beauty
- Andy Pandy
- Lassie
- John Craven's Newsround
- Famous Five
- How
- Double Deckers
- The Snowman
- Record Breakers
- Mary, Mungo and Midge
- Jackanory
- Bob The Builder
- Michael Bentine's Potty Time
- Pokemon
- Skippy
- Noggin The Nog
- We Are The Champions
- Catweazle
- Tweenies
- Hammy Hamster's Tales From the Riverbank
- Cheggers Plays Pop
- The Adventures of Robin Hood
- Pinky and Perky
- The Secret Garden
- Vision On
- Just William
- Hector's House
- The Woodentops
- Teletubbies
- Daktari
- Runaround
- Magpie
- Screen Test
- White Horses
- H R Pufenstuf
- Children's Film Foundation
- The Singing Ringing Tree
- Crystal Tipps and Alistair
- Muffin the Mule
- Do Not Adjust Your Set
- Junior Showtime
This is as decided by Channel 4 viewers, it doesn't necessarily reflect my own personal views or the aggregate views of TF or TFs community.
Oh, by the way, this is just a tiny percentage of the kids tv and cartoons that you will be able to see detailed and full info and guides for soon in one of the new sections being developed.
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