''Alias the Jester'' is a British

animated series An animated series is a set of animated works with a common series title, usually related to one another. These episodes should typically share the same main characters, some different secondary characters and a basic theme. Series can have either ...

created by

Cosgrove Hall Films Cosgrove Hall Films (also known as Cosgrove Hall Productions) was an English animation studio founded by Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall; its headquarters was in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. Cosgrove Hall was once a major producer of childr ...

, airing in 13 episodes on

ITV ITV or iTV may refer to: ITV *Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of: ** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...

starting on 13 November 1985. The

Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the national broadcaster of Australia. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-own ...

aired the show in 1987 during their after school timeslot and is considered one of the Classic ABC shows.

GBC TV GBC may refer to: * Global Business Coalition Broadcasting * Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation * Ghana Broadcasting Corporation * Granite Broadcasting, in the United States * Greek Business Channel, in Greece * Guyana Broadcasting Corporation ...

Gibraltar ) , anthem = " God Save the King" , song = " Gibraltar Anthem" , image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg , map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe , map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green , mapsize = , image_map2 = Gib ...

aired the series several times in the late 1980s, mainly as a filler during the children's 6:30pm–7:30pm weekday slot.

Synopsis

The show follows the adventures of a time traveller by the name of Alias and his dog-like companion Boswell. After their malfunctioning ship gets stuck in the Earth's magnetic pole, they crash-land in a Middle Age kingdom called Houghton Bottoms, ruled by the diminutive

King Arthur King Arthur ( cy, Brenin Arthur, kw, Arthur Gernow, br, Roue Arzhur) is a legendary king of Britain, and a central figure in the medieval literary tradition known as the Matter of Britain. In the earliest traditions, Arthur appears as a ...

and his Queen Edith. Taking up a secret identity of sorts as Alias the Jester, he gains employment at the court and befriends the bumbling court wizard Meredith. When the situation calls for it, Alias instantly changes back into his red uniform, which enables him to fly, and a degree of super strength, which he can use to face the various villains of the show. Each episode inevitably ends with Arthur firing Alias and Meredith (exception being the initial episode in which Arthur proclaims "you're hired").

Characters

Alias the Jester – A "time traveller bold" as said in the title track. After crashing in the Middle Ages he gets a job as a

jester A jester, court jester, fool or joker was a member of the household of a nobleman or a monarch employed to entertain guests during the medieval and Renaissance eras. Jesters were also itinerant performers who entertained common folk at fairs and ...

for King Arthur. He also fights crime as the Red Knight, who the wizard Meredith believes he summoned. Alias is a stereotypical hero in many ways, possessing an urge to do what is right, however he also has a distinct but subtle sarcastic edge, which he sometimes uses in conversation, especially with Meredith. The feathers on his head appear to be part of his head rather than his suit as they are seen moving and could be the source of his flight. Boswell – Alias' dog-like alien companion, apparently possessing a fairly high intellect as he is able to understand Alias and take orders. He is, however, only able to communicate with beeping and honking sounds, which presumably make up his language. Often he is among the first to sense danger. Meredith – The bumbling but well-meaning court wizard of King Arthur. In an attempt to save the kingdom from its various enemies, he tried to summon a magical Red Knight. At that moment, completely coincidentally, Alias' ship crashed. From that point on, Meredith believes him to be the hero he had summoned.

Episodes

Home releases

VHS

DVD

The entire series was released on DVD in March 2006 alongside

Avenger Penguins ''Avenger Penguins'' is a British animated series produced by Cosgrove Hall Films and Granada Television in 1993, and animated by both Alfonso Productions, a Spanish-based animation studio also responsible for bringing Cosgrove Hall's shows ''C ...

Voice cast

Richard Briers Richard David Briers (14 January 1934 – 17 February 2013) was an English actor whose five-decade career encompassed film, radio, stage and television. Briers first came to prominence as George Starling in ''Marriage Lines'' (1961–66), but ...

as Alias, The Black Najjer *

Jimmy Hibbert James Christian Hibbert is an English actor and writer. He is best known for his voice work with the animation studio Cosgrove Hall Films. Early life James Christian Hibbert was born as the eldest of three children of author Christopher Hibbe ...

as Boswell, Queen Edith, Sir Pinkly *

Myfanwy Talog Myfanwy Talog Williams ( 31 March 1944 – 11 March 1995), known professionally as Myfanwy Talog, was a Welsh actress and the long-term partner of English actor David Jason. Personal life Talog was born on 31 March 1944 in Caerwys, Flintshire a ...

as Princess Amaranth *

Brian Trueman Brian Trueman (born 16 May 1932) is an English broadcaster, writer and voice actor. He is known mainly for his work with the animation studio Cosgrove Hall. He wrote and/or narrated children's cartoon series, mostly during the 1970s and 1980s. ...

as King Arthur, The Vikings *

Brian Wilde Brian George Wilde (13 June 1927 – 20 March 2008) was an English actor, best known for his roles in television comedy, most notably Mr Barrowclough in '' Porridge'' and Walter "Foggy" Dewhurst in ''Last of the Summer Wine''. His lugubrious ...

as Meredith

Credits

*Written by: Brian Trueman *Music: Keith Hopwood, Malcolm Rowe *Layout: Chris Randall, Jean Flynn, Stephen Thomas, Ted Pettengell *Storylines: Tony Garth, Chris Randall *Animation: Dan Whitworth, Denise Heywood, Andy Wilson, Phil McMylor, Meryl Edge, Stephen Thomas, Jean Flynn, Robert Newman, Phil Morris, Kay Widdowson, Janet Nunn, Arthur de Cloedt, George Jackson, Denise McAllister, Gary Owen, Clinton J. Priest, Margaret Riley *Backgrounds: Margaret Riley, Barbara Alcock, Diane Wren, Malcolm Turner, Nick Pratt, Kevin Smith *Special Effects: Roy Huckerby *Painting: Lorraine Thomas, Judy Ringrose, Bev Phillips, Joan Storey, Yasodha Huckerby, Andrea Hancock, Jackie Mitchell, Lynn Hardie, Karen Brumell, Gloria Vassilou, Lesley Scott, Tony McAleese, Edmund Williams, Stephen Simpson, Sue Halliwell, Mark Povey, Andy Wilson, Simon White, Yasodha Gopal, Stephania Giani *Camera: Frank Hardie, Wendy Hardie, Wendy Senior, Peter Kidd, Phil Atack, Mark Sutton *Editing: Nigel Rutter, Nibs Senior, Zyggy Markiewicz, Jane Hicks, Stephen Perry, David Crompton *Assistant Director: Jean Flynn *Production Supervisor: Bob Burrows *Executive Producer: John Hambley *Produced by: Brian Cosgrove, Mark Hall *Directed by: Chris Randall *© Cosgrove Hall Productions Ltd MCMLXXXV, MCMLXXXVI *Thames Colour Production

External links

Toonhounds entry on Alias the Jester
* {{TV series based on Arthurian legends 1985 British television series debuts 1986 British television series endings 1980s British children's television series Television series based on Arthurian legend British children's animated action television series British children's animated superhero television series ITV children's television shows Animated television series about extraterrestrial life Fictional jesters Television series by FremantleMedia Kids & Family Television shows produced by Thames Television English-language television shows 1980s British animated television series BAFTA winners (television series) Television series by Cosgrove Hall Films