CBeebies: 18 Years and Counting ANNOUNCED and being FILMED

CBeebies has given us plenty of mysteries to wonder about. What's the Story in Balamory? Why have I never seen the Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba, and In the Night Garden in the same room together? And just who is that guy who has grubby hands and interacts with vegetables? But all signs point to one of the biggest mysteries of all unfolding on CBeebies: 18 years and Counting, the primetime special celebrating the milestone birthday coming to the CBeebies channel on 10 February, and BBC Two on 18 February: who is the new presenter?

CBeebies: 18 Years and Counting is an all-ages primetime event that offers a colourful look back at eighteen years. This special contains appearances from some old presenters and children's characters, and will be hosted by Cerrie Burnell. the special reimagines classic segments and songs as old and new faces get ready for a big party to celebrate the channel's 18th birthday.

But just what else is happening on this special? Will there be funny bloopers and past presenters we all know and love? Perhaps this clue will help:

 Before the party where she reveals the mystery new presenter, Cerrie will take a look back at CBeebies' past generations while laughing at bloopers in this star-studded celebration. Some of her favorite memories include presenting with co-star Alex Winters, reading viewers' birthday cards, and singing songs.

Who will appear in the special?

Some of your favorite presenters will return for the celebration; Sue Monroe, Nicole Davis, Chris Jarvis, Eva Alexander, Justin Fletcher, Emma Fan Lee, Andy Day, Katy Ashworth, and Ryan Russell. Current presenters Pui Fan Lee, Sid Sloane, Cat Sandion, Ben Cajee, Alex Winters, Nisha Anil, and Sam Michaels will also appear.

When can I watch it? BBC, do you know?

Premiering 10 February 2020 on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.

Case closed! Another mystery solved by Detective Maddie!

BTW, where is Rodd Christensen?

The 10 weirdest classic kids shows of all time

Every generation has a slate of local kids TV shows that seem to transcend the medium, and not always in a good way. Back in the day, 'merica unleashed an avalanche of utterly loopy kids programs onto an unsuspecting public, the effects of which probably still keep a fair amount of psychiatrists busy today.

These are the 10 nuttiest, most brilliantly insane slabs of US TV culture that equally inspired and shocked a generation of kids.

The Electric Company

This PBS series was where TV really wanted kids to go to after they graduated from all those preschool TV shows. This sketch comedy series featured characters played by Rita Moreno, Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby, Joan Rivers, Luis Avalos, Skip Hinnant, Jim Boyd, and Judy Graubart, and aimed to help kids learn punctuation, vowels, and other important grammar skills.

There are many unforgettable moments, including those Spiderman segments, Easy Reader, Vi, Fargo North, J. Arthur Crank, the Short Circus kids, Lorelei the Chicken, and guest stars as varied as Big Bird, Grover and Oscar the Grouch. 

Scooby-Doo

The longest-running children's cartoon series in 1969 was animated by Hanna-Barbera, but looked cheap as chips even with a purported budget of almost $2 million. It's best remembered for its head-ache.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

Fred Rogers was the original children's television host - calming youngsters with his personality and all. His show mixed crafts and field trips with life lesson parables starring puppets and humans alike.

ZOOM

Based upon the popular BBC kid's show Play School, Zoom is now best remembered for its kid hosts and viewer submissions. The series rain daily from 1972 until 1978 on PBS.

During its peak, Zoom was sold to more countries than the mighty Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

A world without Zoom

In a world without Zoom, there is a glumness, persistent as it follows all of us through every aspect of our lives.

In this world, mail addresses do not provoke a jaunty tune everyone knows. Nor do "like but doesn't like" riddles.

In this world, the secret language "Ubbi Dubbi” has never been uttered, and - ubif yubou wubere tubo subay ubit ubout luboud others nearby might assume you were having a stroke.

In this world, millennials all cite Mr. Roger's as the pinnacle show of our preschool days, which is, like, fine, Mr. Roger's, Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and the Muppet Show were all great shows after all, but still something about it left us wanting.

For the next generation, it would (obviously) be Arthur, with a little bit of Sesame, Wishbone, and Dragon Tales thrown in there too!

In this world, Boomers were not allowed to send in their content to TV.

In this world, the likes of the late Jared Nathan, Kaleigh Cronin, and Bernadette Yao find success elsewhere on television and film, though never feel quite fulfilled in their craft.

In this world, Playschool would continue to run (and rerun and rerun) for years on PBS.

In this world, “Box 350” makes us think of a big box. And "02134"? A street address somewhere in Boston.

In this world, Boston-ers who want to teach children about science have to go on Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman to do so, and man, it really sucks.

In this world, we never keep singing "I Am a City Child", "John Henry", and "How Do You Do?".

In this world, a kids show would never have 2 specials about 9/11.

In this world, we all still love that We Are Family music video but it doesn’t have that song kick halfway through.

In this world, you never wanted to write letters to your favorite shows about what you'd like to see.

In this world, you will never learn how to fly high.

In this world, children face the cold, dark images of themselves on the TV.

In a world without Zoom, everyone born after 1972 and/or 1999 is selfish, cares only of themselves. They do not know how to share, let alone show compassion. Anyone who does not look like you, think like you, love like you is a threat. Diversity is scary. Thinking outside the box, unnecessary.

In this world, no hip, fast-paced Boston child wants to audition for a TV show with his tone.

In a world with Zoom, we are made better. We are shown science, recipes, plays, games and crafts at a young age, and viewer submissions are celebrated. Both renditions of Zoom (70s and the present day) give us the weird and the silly, but also all of the heart and charm. It shows us healthy relationships, and also how a show with a child cast is cool and diverse. Both Zooms gift us understanding of science and humor, secret languages that stay with us for a lifetime, and growing up knowing these child stars, and it never asks for anything in return. In a world with Zoom, we are given all the tools we need to be confident, compassionate humans as soon as we’re able to walk, and it’s still there for us a generation later. It makes the world wonderful, bright, and Zooming.

Where would you be if it weren't for Zoom?

Why I hate Sesame Street and love Yo Gabba Gabba

FUN FACT: The people behind YGG are actually doing Sesame Street segments. (Sharing Song, Making Pizza), so SS is actually getting that show's taste.

My favorite show is Yo Gabba Gabba. And If there was one show I hate it would be Sesame Street. The core values that I live my life by are obtained from what I learned from these two shows. Helping kids grow into kinder human beings; without them I know for a fact that I would be a completely different person today.

'Sesame Street' (1969 - Present)

Although Sesame Workshop is a non-profit organization, they managed to sell millions of copies of VHS and DVD. I hate it, even though I go on Muppet wiki time to time. Produced in over 150 countries, in 2017 Sesame Workshop had been awarded $100 million to bring early education to refugee children. Every project that they take on is inspiring and it's a secret of mine to be on an episode of Sesame Street, preferably in a scene with Burt and we are taking about birds (Yes, I've thought about this many times).

Growing up there was not a lot of depiction of Asian American on television and when your own third grade teacher referred to you as a "chink" there's no surprise that it was hard for me to feel connected or be proud of my own culture. So when the YGG cast watched Cornelius perform or when Big Bird traveled to Japan and China, I finally felt like I existed. Also, it was quite amusing to watch Big Bird mistake everyone in Japan to be from Ohio when they said hello to him. 

'Yo Gabba Gabba' (2007-2015)

It was hard to write this section of the post because everything thing that could be said about Yo Gabba Gabba has already been said. If you haven't read any of them then to sum it up, Yo Gabba Gabba was created by Christian Jacobs of the Aquabats and Scott Schultz, who worked together on skateboarding videos. From DJ Lance Rock and friends, I learned about not biting my friends or not owning up.

TV Kids next bumpers

I'm creating digital kids’ channel

TV Kids, which launched yesterday, will change the way children watch TV forever.

TV Kids offers programming for youngsters aged 1 to 8. It’s animation meets live action. TV Kids’ rad mix of programming includes Yo Gabba Gabba!, Jack’s Big Music Show, Mister Maker, Show Me, Show Me, Blue’s Clues, Leap Frog, The Wiggles, You & Me, and Wow Wow Wubbzy.

ZOOM Audition

On June 24th, Justin, Sarah-Jane, and I went to Boston to audition for the hipster kids show ZOOM.




It was a long journey from Boston so there was enough time for food and sleep. Days before the shoot Justin had an accident in Staffordshire that left him with a broken nose! Regardless, knowing how excited we were to work with him, he still pushed to move forward with the shoot, even with the swelling and bruising. At the end of the day, we were able to reschedule for the next time they were in town, but we didn’t forget how dedicated Justin was to following through.

This is WGBH Studios, where we auditioned. There were lots of kids there, and some were even already ZOOMers.

We were so nervous that when all 3 of us auditioned it wasn't so bad after all!





Hope we get on!

Flashback Friday: Cape Charles

It’s Friday, that means it’s time for Flashback Friday! Today we’re flashing back to Cape Charles, a joyful Island In Chesapeake. It is also home to all 3 NBeebies filming sets (we’ve been to all of them!)

Trip 1: 2018

This was supposed to be for a Language Nursery remake

Us!!!

Me and Daddy!

Again

Trip 1: 2017

Cousin Catastrophe!

Beauty of the sunset!

It's the end of a Sunny Day

By the Beach!

4th of July Parade

My wacky parents!

Lovely, Happy Family

3 lovely girls

My Family and Me

Working on a new CBeebies show!

I know, I mention CBeebies a lot on my blog, but I'm set to star on a new CBeebies programme!

I"Ve been on Baby Einstein, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Zoom (2010), and Biggleton so far, but a 5th show to star in on the iconic brand? Leave it to me!

The show's called Delaney + Maddie, loosely based on Arthur, Peg + Cat, and Yo Gabba Gabba!. It's about an elementary school in Hawaii and the 6 friends that inhabit it. I'm playing a character called Maddie, while my friends the Dahls, the Lambs, and Lamese Patterson are playing other characters that share the same names as them.

My aunt Nanette Metthias is set to direct at least 2 episodes of the series.

My CBeebies works so far:

• Baby Einstein - World Music
• Yo Gabba Gabba! - Shopping
• Zoom - Seasons 5, 6, and 7
• Biggleton - Various

Rest of Cast? Delaney Lamb plays Delaney, Madison Lamb plays Madison, Lamese Patterson plays Lamese, Devon Dahl plays Devon, and Damon Dahl plays Damon! 

I first appeared on my mom's Teeny Genius videos in 2007.

Tune in March 21st!

Guess who's gonna be signing the NBeebies Bedtime Story on March 21st

Hint: Paper Nose








Answer: Mr. Ingrin
He'll be reading Tiffeny Cambridge's The Little Girl who lost her smile

CBeebies: Bedtime Review

BBC Children's DVD's upcoming CBeebies Bedtime DVD features 64 Zoo Lane, Hey Duggee, the Furchester Hotel, In the Night Garden, Topsy and Tim, Yo Gabba Gabba!, and Bubble's Beautiful Day. The DVD features "some of your favorite CBeebies friends getting ready for bed".

64 Zoo Lane: A Long Night in the Jungle

64 Zoo Lane is kinda like the Very Magic Mango Tree, a book I remember reading. It's about a girl named Lucy and her animal friends. In this episode, the animals tell her a story about two monkeys who want to stay up all night before their birthday. On their birthday, Nelson the Elephant gives them beds.

Hey Duggee: Sleeping Badge

Hey Duggee is about a dog who runs a preschool club for animals. In this episode, the Squirrels take a nap but Tag can't sleep, so Duggee suggests ways.

The Furchester Hotel: Bunk Bed Blues

The Furchester Hotel is a Spin-off of Sesame Street. In this episode, Elmo wonders what it's like to sleep in the Top bunk and see amazing things through his window. Phoebe, on the other hand, wants to sleep in the top bunk, too.

In the Night Garden: Pontipines in Upsy Daisy's bed

In the Night Garden is basically Teletubbies: Midwest Edition because it's made by the same people. In this episode, the Pontipines take a long walk until they find Upsy Daisy's bed and sleep on it.

Topsy and Tim: Wide Awake

Topsy and Tim are a curious pair of twins. In this episode, they can't sleep because they're moving houses tomorrow. Their best friend's parents come over for dinner, but they want to see.

Yo Gabba Gabba!: Sleep

Yo Gabba Gabba! is a throwback to New Zoo Revue with modern sensibility. In this episode, the Gabbas play a game to get their wiggles out, take a nap and have dreams. Watch out for Mark Kozelek and Chaos Chaos!

Bubble's Beautiful Day - Sleep
Bubble's Beautiful Day is a parody of Yo Gabba Gabba!, made by the creators of Maddie & Friends. In this episode, they get their wiggles out and Diamond Rumpas sings a lullaby to his bunny. Watch out for Emmi Morton and Mazzy Star!

Good: Yo Gabba Gabba!, Bubble's Beautiful Day, Topsy and Tim, Furchester, 64 Zoo Lane
Bad: IN the Night Garden
(My favorite show is Yo Gabba Gabba!)

It features Dolby 2.0. and uses subtitles.

Put on your pajamas and cuddle up with your CBeebies friends for 7 Sleepytime adventures. Join Duggee as he prepares for nap time, the 64 Zoo Lane animals as they prepare for a birthday party for two night monkeys, the Bubble Dreamers as they get their wiggles out and count sheep, the In the Night Garden Gang as they sleep in Upsy Daisy's bed, and Yo Gabba Gabba! as they dance before bed. Enjoy night quality time!

5 tips to prepare for a trip to Disney World

So, you're visiting the Happiest Place on Earth soon? This entry is for you!

1. Watch a movie every night before the big day, even in the car or airplane

Every night before your trip can be movie night! Whenever you love Aladdin, Peter Pan, or The Lion King, we recommend this pre-trip tip!

2. Dress them up as their favorite characters

Kids love the Disney characters! What WDW trip would be complete without them? Kids can visit the park by dressing up as their favorite Disney characters. Could be a princess, Goofy, Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, or Alice.

3. Take the kids out of school
You may or may not go to Disney during the school year, but this is still a great idea!

4. Ear Hats
There is a large variety of Ear Hats at Disney World, so keep track of them in the crowds.

Honorable Mention:  Pick a theme
Our theme on the last trip was princesses. You can always pick a theme for your vacation!

5. Count down the days
Use a calendar to count down days of Disney World!

When you think the Teletubbies make Barney the Dinosaur sound like a college professor.

Sleepover with Mary Moo Cow

Mary Moo Cow is a famous children's singer who has her own show on NBeebies. She commissioned this sleepover

I was a monster under my covers and I scared Mary. But Dad came in the room and we sang "Say Goodnight", which is voiceover sung by Cerrie Burnell each night before CBeebies signs off. But then the Bed was too small for Mary and there was no room to expand. Dad and I her sleep on the floor but she was too big.


Mary was able to fall asleep in a chair in the living room, but then got woken up by loud noise,making it a bad place to sleep as well. I made Mary a feather pillow nest in my room and we slept there for the whole night.

Dan's Card

Today is my Imaginary friend Rebecca Freeshavacadoo's 12th birthday, her Baby brother Dan's turning 1 on Feb. 1st, 2019. Today I decided to make him a Yo Gabba Gabba card with a flap. I'm mailing it to CBeebies and it's due to be read on February 1st, 2019 (AKA his bday). I (with help from my parents) glued all his favorite characters on his card. Here are the following:

-Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy
-Piplings
-Mr. Tumble
-Yo Gabba Gabba (his favorite show)

I printed out pictures of Mr. Tumble, Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy, and the Piplings, while I punched out pictures of Plex, Brobee, and Foofa from my Trading Cards.

I mailed out their address:
PO Box 1234
London
M5 ODN

and the date I'd like them to read it.

Since Rebecca's birthday card is due to be read today, Who will read Dan's card? Sid, Andy, Alex, Cerrie, Cat, Rebecca, or Ben? I predict Cerrie (my favorite) and Alex. Rebecca predicts her card will be read by Ben and Cerrie, who always read the birthday cards.

Most Birthday cards have flaps, so I made a flap with the number 1 on it, and included a drawing of Dan behind it.

Here is the message I made on the back:
Happy Birthday Honey Pie, you're 1 today! This card is sent in with so much love from Mummy, Daddy, and Rebecca (although I made this card).

Hope you like this card!
- Maddie

Rebecca’s cards

I am a big fan of CBeebies (BBC). If you don’t know CBeebies, it’s an educational channel owned by BBC. My imagianary friend Rebecca’s 12th Birthday is on Saturday so I made her a CBeebies card which I recently sent in the mail, I won’t have the card returned but I have a picture above of it so you can see, we have Yo Gabba Gabba, Charlie and Lola, Mr. Tumble, Topsy and Tim, and the Teletubbies. CBeebies features birthday cards every day, and maybe it will air on Sat. (Her birthday). I live in the US, so if anyone could upload a video of birthday cards on Jan 26th that would be great.

I also made Rebecca a card for NBeebies. I love this card so I decided to keep it. It features Maxston [Seitz] from NBeebies, Chica from the Chica Show, Noodle from Noodle and Doodle, Zou, Sportacus and Stephanie, Tree Fu Tom, Justin Time characters, and an NBeebies Slime.

TV: Moon Baby a must for preschoolers

Heads up for a new preschool show made in Atlanta.
 It airs on CBeebies, so I'm giving fair warning in case you need your iPhones to remind you before you rush out the door for work.

It's important to watch. First, it is local. and Second, it's made by Andrew Davenport, the "genius" who introduced us to Teletubbies and In the Night Garden...

Aimed at 18-month old babies, Moon and Me is about a doll named Peppianna who comes alive when the moon shines down on her toy house. When she wakes up, she writes a letter to the moon. But little does she know that the moon lives a character called Moon Baby who comes to the toy house and brings the other toys to life.

It is a mix of puppetry and stop-motion.

Set to air on the Bedtime Hour schedule on CBeebies, Moon and Me may or not replace In the Night Garden... in the schedule. I'm panicking in case!

Michael Towner, Comonissing editor of CBeebies, called Davenport a "genius" and said the show's calming combination of story and song is guaranteed "to stop children from climbing the walls".

Full of catchphrases such as "Tiddle Toddle", the show has a character called Moon Boy who could double for the creator.

Davenport believes his newest show will transport toddlers to the land of Nod.

Characters who may or may not appear include Mr. Onions, who begins every sentence by saying Onions -- Collywobble, Lilyplant, and Lambkin.

Towner said "If any of you didn't have a lump in your throat toward the end of that, you are not human and you shouldn't be working with children."

It premiered at MIPJunior in Cannes.

Sprout will pick up the series in the US.

NBeebies: Presenter Hunt: Preschool channel looking for new Presenter

NBeebies has an annual nationwide search for a new presenter called "NBeebies: Presenter Hunt". All year, NBC's national preschool channel "your parents want you to watch" wants actors, singers, presenters, and fans to send in a 60-second audition video.

"NBeebies: Presenter Hunt is a great way to expand our casting process to find bright new talent to move into the NBeebies House! Broadening our search and uploading videos on YouTube is an incredibly fun way to discover new talent and engage our audience. After all, who wouldn't want to walk in the footsteps of TV icons such as Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers?"
- Melissa Braxton, Controller of NBeebies

Actually ... I was a presenter on Nick Jr's live preschool block KIDS for three years (2010-2012), and I'm a big fan of NBeebies since I was a baby. Should I throw my hat into the ring?

Backdoor Pals

Georgie the orange hippo has friends called Backdoor Pals.

My dad says I can't watch Georgie anymore because he's innapropriate. He says I should be watching something kid friendly like Baby Genius.

Georgie the Orange Hippo

Today Georgie the Orange Hippo, a children's TV icon, visited my house, the real Georgie! I love Georgie and he sung the special song (sung by the tune of This Old Man).


I hug you, you hug me
It's a special day you see
We're all very special and you're my special friend
You're so special I'll sing it again

Top 10 TV Shows for Babies

Educational and Fun TV Shows for Babies

These shows can teach babies social skills and good habits.

1. Sesame Street 

Probably the oldest kids show. It started in 1969 and has won many awards. There are many characters educating kids about letters and numbers.

2. Scooby Doo
Not just the babies but this show can be nogilastic for all of us. Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, and Fred travel around in their mystery machine solving problems looking so adorable.

3. Daniel Tiger
It's based on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and features some of the characters, all grown up, and their kids. Daniel teaches social skills such as going to the bathroom.

4. Teletubbies

It's about 4 characters with TVs in their tummies where they watch real kids' stories.

5. Hey Duggee

This show highlights teamwork and problem solving skills. Duggee is an adorable character who runs a day camp and then the fun begins.

6. Jiggijump

Please do show this one to your kids because it mixes dancing and animation and then cooling down afterwards.

7. The Moblees

 Story about 5 cute Moblees named Carlin Caterpillar, Bailey Butterfly, Dasha Dog, Gisbert Grasshopper, and Sylvio Snake. the Moblees not only highlight the importance of moving, but also solve problems by being imaginative.

8. Baby Genius

Uses Nursery Rhymes and Children's songs to help Babies' minds grow.

9. Playschool

I actually hate this series even though it ran long. It started in Australia and has won many awards to count.

10. Tom and Jerry

An all time favorite of everyone after Scooby Doo. It teaches kids the spirit of friendship with the famous Cat and Mouse duo,

The following shows above are not only fun for babies to watch but are educational too.