''Pinky and Perky'' is a

children's television series Children's television series (or children's television shows) are television programs designed for children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run during the early evenin ...

first broadcast by

BBC TV BBC Television is a service of the BBC. The corporation has operated a public broadcast television service in the United Kingdom, under the terms of a royal charter, since 1927. It produced television programmes from its own studios from 19 ...

in 1957, and revived in 2008 as a computer-animated adaptation.

Original series

The title characters are a pair of

anthropomorphic Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. It is considered to be an innate tendency of human psychology. Personification is the related attribution of human form and characteristics t ...

puppet A puppet is an object, often resembling a human, animal or Legendary creature, mythical figure, that is animated or manipulated by a person called a puppeteer. The puppeteer uses movements of their hands, arms, or control devices such as rods ...

pig The pig (''Sus domesticus''), often called swine, hog, or domestic pig when distinguishing from other members of the genus '' Sus'', is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is variously considered a subspecies of ''Sus ...

s, named Pinky and Perky, who were originally going to be named Pinky and Porky but there was a problem registering Porky as a character name. This was solved by Margaret Potter, the wife of their producer, Trevor Hill, who also discovered them, when she woke him up one night announcing "I've got it! Pinky and Perky!" They were created by

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n immigrants Jan and Vlasta Dalibor who moved to the village of

Houndhill Houndhill is a substantial Grade II listed Tudor Farmhouse (part timber-framed) in Worsbrough, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England. The present house, which dates from the late 16th century with 17th-century additions, was originally built by ...

, leaving the pigs under the cupboard in The Bungalow. The characters of pigs were chosen because the pig is seen as a symbol of good luck in the former Czechoslovakia. The puppets, who had only very limited movements, looked very alike. Pinky wore red clothes and Perky wore blue, but this distinction was of little use on monochrome TV, so Perky often wore a hat. Pinky and Perky spoke and sang in high-pitched voices, created by re-playing original voice recordings at twice the original recorded speed; the vocals were sung by

Mike Sammes Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and docume ...

while the backing track was played at half normal speed (Sammes did the same job for Ken Dodd's Diddymen, as

Ross Bagdasarian Ross S. Bagdasarian (; January 27, 1919 – January 16, 1972), known professionally by his stage name David Seville, was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor, best known for creating the cartoon band Alvin and the Chipmu ...

did for the ''original''

Chipmunks Chipmunks are small, striped rodents of the family Sciuridae. Chipmunks are found in North America, with the exception of the Siberian chipmunk which is found primarily in Asia. Taxonomy and systematics Chipmunks may be classified either as ...

in the early 1960s)—hence the expression "Pinky and Perky speed", when an LP record is played at 45 rpm or

78 rpm A phonograph record (also known as a gramophone record, especially in British English), or simply a record, is an analog sound storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove. The groove usually starts near ...

instead of the correct 33 rpm. Pinky and Perky would often sing

cover version In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song release ...

s of popular songs, but also had their own theme song, "We Belong Together". They had their own fictional TV station "PPC TV" (a play on "BBC"). They also performed

comedy Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term o ...

sketches usually with a human foil (similar to

Basil Brush Basil Brush is a fictional red fox, best known for his appearances on daytime British children's television. He is primarily portrayed by a glove puppet, but has also been depicted in animated cartoon shorts and comic strips. The character has ...

). Actor John Slater worked with them as a straight man for many years, enduring soakings from water pistols and similar pranks. Other human companions included Roger Moffat, Jimmy Thompson, Bryan Burdon and

Fred Emney Frederick Arthur Round Emney (12 February 1902 – 25 December 1980) was an English character actor and comedian. Emney was born in Prescot, Lancashire,GRO Register of Births Mar 1902 Frederick Arthur R Emney 8b 725 PRESCOT1901 Census: ...

. Their show included other puppets such as ''the Beakles'' (an

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parody of

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

Topo Gigio Topo Gigio () originally known as "COCO GIGIO" was the lead character of a children's puppet show on Italian television in the early 1960s. The character, created in 1958 by artist Maria Perego, her husband Federico Caldura, and fellow artist Guid ...

, a mouse puppet who appeared in many later episodes, as well as a female pig. Other puppets included Ambrose Cat, Basil Bloodhound, Bertie Bonkers the baby elephant, Conchita the Cow, Horace Hare and Vera Vixen. Pinky and Perky also performed guest slots on other shows, including several appearances on ''

Sunday Night at the London Palladium ''Tonight at the London Palladium'' is a British television variety show that is hosted from the London Palladium theatre in the West End. Originally produced by ATV for the ITV network from 1955 to 1969, it went by its original name ''Sunday ...

''. The puppets also appeared on TV in the United States on a number of episodes of ''

The Ed Sullivan Show ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' is an American television program, television variety show that ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971, and was hosted by New York City, New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in Septembe ...

'': 532 (14 September 1958), 548 (4 January 1959), 573 (5 July 1959), 740 (10 March 1963), 780 (23 February 1964, where they shared the bill with the Beatles and

Morecambe and Wise Eric Morecambe (John Eric Bartholomew, 14 May 1926 – 28 May 1984) and Ernie Wise (Ernest Wiseman, 27 November 1925 – 21 March 1999), known as Morecambe and Wise (and sometimes as Eric and Ernie), were an English comic double act, working i ...

) and 908 (26 February 1967). The pigs featured in series, such as ''Pinky and Perky's Pop Parade'' and ''Pinky and Perky's Island'', for 11 years until 1968 on the BBC before transferring to

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 ...

until 1972. There were no real people, sketches or stories in the shows at all. Instead, the puppets would be seen lip-synching and dancing to songs by the likes of

Petula Clark Petula Sally Olwen Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932) is an English singer, actress, and composer. She has one of the longest serving careers of a British singer, spanning more than seven decades. Clark's professional career began during the ...

. In this incarnation, each episode would end with the characters singing

the Scaffold The Scaffold were a comedy, poetry and music trio from Liverpool, England, consisting of musical performer Mike McGear (real name Peter Michael McCartney, the brother of Paul McCartney), poet Roger McGough and comic entertainer John Gorman. ...

's hit "Thank U Very Much". At this point, there would be the only piece of spoken dialogue, which went along these lines: :: "Who's going to say it?" :: "Oh, let me!" :: "No! I want to!" :: "All right, then, let's do it together! Ready—MUCH!"

Other shows and appearances

The characters enjoyed a brief revival in the 1990s, on the short-lived children's series ''The Pig Attraction''. A children's annual was also produced in the '60s featuring their adventures. The ''Pinky and Perky Show'' reappeared in an all-new CGI-animated television series on

CBBC CBBC (initialised as Children's BBC and also known as the CBBC Channel) is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast children's television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is also the bran ...

and

France 3 France 3 () is a French free-to-air public television channel and part of the France Télévisions group, which also includes France 2, France 4, France 5 and France Info. It is made up of a network of regional television services providing ...

, beginning in November 2008 on

BBC One BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's flagship network and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television bulletins, p ...

. There are 52 episodes, each 13 minutes in length. Some of the old characters remained in the show, such as Vera Vixen (who often hatches schemes to try to get rid of the two pigs) and Morton Frog (who works in the production control room, usually running the end titles r in "Cartoon Mash-Up", cueing the end musicat the end of an episode.). Alongside them, there were a host of new characters, such as K.T. the studio manager cat, Wilberforce the tortoise security guard (who comes up with impractical ideas for new acts or games for the show), and a pair of

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receptionists called Tara and Tamara (who, in a recurring gag, often get Pinky and Perky's names wrong). There is also a steady stream of special 'celebrity' guests, many of which spoof better-known franchises, such as

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...

as "Dr. Roo" and

Harry Potter ''Harry Potter'' is a series of seven fantasy literature, fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young Magician (fantasy), wizard, Harry Potter (character), Harry Potter, and his friends ...

as "Harry Trotter". The series was produced by Lupus Films, and line produced by Sally Marchant. A DVD of the new look Pinky and Perky, featuring eight episodes from the new series, entitled ''Licence to Swill'' was released in 2009.

Comics

A comic strip based on the TV series was drawn by Jim Turnbull.

Discography

Albums

* ''Pinky and Perky's Melodymaster'' ( Columbia, 1963) * ''Pinky and Perky's Hit Parade'' ( MFP, 1968) * ''Christmas with Pinky and Perky'' (MFP, 1969) * ''Pinky and Perky's Nursery Rhymes'' (MFP, 1970) * ''Pinky and Perky's Film Parade'' (MFP, 1970) * ''Pinky and Perky's Hit Parade No. 2'' (MFP, 1971) * ''Pinky and Perky Have a Party'' (MFP, 1972) * ''Pinky and Perky's Hit Parade No. 3'' (MFP, 1973) * ''Singalong Party'' (MFP, 1974) * ''Pinky and Perky's Pop Parade'' (MFP, 1975) * ''The Pig Attraction'' (also released on CD) (

Telstar Telstar is the name of various communications satellites. The first two Telstar satellites were experimental and nearly identical. Telstar 1 launched on top of a Thor-Delta rocket on July 10, 1962. It successfully relayed through space the fi ...

, 1993)

EPs

* ''Children's Choice with Pinky and Perky'' ( Columbia, 1960) * ''Children's Favourites with Pinky and Perky'' ( Columbia, 1961) * ''Christmas with Pinky and Perky'' ( Columbia, 1961) * ''Pinky and Perky Out West'' ( Columbia, 1962) * ''Pinky and Perky's Pals'' ( Columbia, 1962) * ''Pinky and Perky Down on the Farm'' ( Columbia, 1963) * ''Nursery Romp'' ( Columbia, 1963) * ''Pinky and Perky at the Circus'' ( Columbia, 1964) * ''Pinky and Perky's Beat Party'' ( Columbia, 1965) * ''Pinky and Perky in Outer Space'' ( Columbia, 1965) * ''Playtime'' ( Columbia, 1966) * ''Celebration Day'' ( Columbia, 1966) * ''Pinky and Perky's Summer Holiday'' ( Columbia, 1967) * ''Up, Up and Away'' ( Columbia, 1967) * ''Coming Your Way'' ( Columbia, 1968)

Singles

All singles were released on 7" vinyl format unless otherwise stated. * " Tom Dooley"/"The Velvet Glove" (also released on 78 rpm) (

Decca Decca may refer to: Music * Decca Records or Decca Music Group, a record label * Decca Gold, a classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group * Decca Broadway, a musical theater record label * Decca Studios, a recording facility in W ...

, 1958) * "

Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On the Bedpost Overnight?) "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour (On the Bedpost Overnight?)" is a novelty song by Lonnie Donegan. Released as a single in 1959, it entered the UK Singles Chart on 6 February 1959 and peaked at number three. It was also Donegan's greatest ch ...

"/"The Little Mountaineer (Il Piccolo Montanaro)" (also released on 78 rpm) (

, 1959) * "Pinky and Perky's Party Sing-Song" (Medley) (

, 1959) * "Clinkerated Chimes" (signature tune of ''Pinky and Perky's Pop Parade'') (Instrumental) (

RCA The RCA Corporation was a major American electronics company, which was founded as the Radio Corporation of America in 1919. It was initially a patent trust owned by General Electric (GE), Westinghouse, AT&T Corporation and United Fruit Comp ...

, 1959) * "Clinkerated Chimes" (signature tune of ''Pinky and Perky's Pop Parade'')/ Cradle of Love (

, 1960) * "

The Ugly Duckling "The Ugly Duckling" ( da, Den grimme ælling) is a Danish literary fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875). It was first published on 11 November 1843 in ''New Fairy Tales. First Volume#New Fairy Tales. Fir ...

"/" Eeny Meeny Miney Mo" ( Columbia, 1960) * "What's New at the Zoo" (from '' Do Re Mi'')/"Dream Your Tears Away" ( Columbia, 1961) * "The Valley of Christmas Trees"/"

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" is a Christmas song with music and lyrics by British songwriter Tommie Connor and first recorded by American singer Jimmy Boyd in 1952. The song has since been covered by many artists, with the Ronettes's 1963 ...

" ( Columbia, 1961) * "What Have We Got? (We Got Music)"/"Give Us a Kiss for Christmas" ( Columbia, 1962) * "The Ice-Cream Man"/" Volare (''Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu'')" ( Columbia, 1963) * "

When The Saints Go Marching In "When the Saints Go Marching In", often referred to as simply "The Saints", is a traditional black spiritual. It originated as a Christian hymn and is often played by jazz bands. This song was famously recorded on May 13, 1938, by Louis Armstron ...

"/"Nursery Romp" ( Columbia, 1963) * " Hole in My Bucket"/"

Glow Worm Glowworm or glow-worm is the common name for various groups of insect larvae and adult larviform females that glow through bioluminescence. They include the European common glow-worm and other members of the Lampyridae, but bioluminescence also o ...

" ( Columbia, 1965) * "

Winnie The Pooh Winnie-the-Pooh, also called Pooh Bear and Pooh, is a fictional Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphic teddy bear created by English author A. A. Milne and English illustrator E. H. Shepard. The first collection of stories about the character w ...

"/"We Belong Together" ( Columbia, 1966) * "

Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines ''Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines; Or, How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours and 11 Minutes'' is a 1965 British period comedy film that satirizes the early years of aviation. Directed and co-written by Ken Annakin, the film ...

"/" Yellow Submarine" ( MFP, 1968) * "

The Holly and the Ivy "The Holly and the Ivy" is a traditional British folk Christmas carol, listed as number 514 in the Roud Folk Song Index. The song can be traced only as far as the early nineteenth century, but the lyrics reflect an association between holly a ...

"/" While Shepherds Watched" (MFP, 1969) * "

Consider Yourself "Consider Yourself" is a song from the 1960 original West End and Broadway musical '' Oliver!'' and the 1968 film of the same name. It was introduced on Broadway by Davy Jones and the ensemble. In the 1968 film version, it is performed in the ma ...

" (from "Oliver")/" I Wanna Be Like You" (from ''The Jungle Book'') (MFP, 1970) * " Pushbike Song"/"Jack-In-The-Box" (MFP, 1971) * "Bridget the Midget"/"Rosetta" (MFP, 1971) * "

The Grand Old Duke of York "The Grand Old Duke of York" (also sung as The Noble Duke of York) is an English children's nursery rhyme, often performed as an action song. The eponymous duke has been argued to be a number of the bearers of that title, particularly Prince Fre ...

"/"

London Bridge Is Falling Down "London Bridge Is Falling Down" (also known as "My Fair Lady" or "London Bridge") is a traditional English nursery rhyme and singing game, which is found in different versions all over the world. It deals with the dilapidation of London Bridge ...

" (MFP, 1972) * "Together Whevever We Go"/"

Long Haired Lover From Liverpool "Long Haired Lover from Liverpool" is a pop song best known as a hit for Little Jimmy Osmond. Written by Christopher Kingsley (somehow credited as Christopher Dowden on the UK release) and produced by Mike Curb and Perry Botkin Jr, "Long Haired L ...

" (MFP, 1973) * "

Everything Is Beautiful "Everything Is Beautiful" is a song written, composed, and performed by Ray Stevens. It has appeared on many of Stevens's albums, including one named after the song, and has become a pop standard and common in religious performances. The childre ...

"/"

Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" is a song recorded by Tony Orlando and Dawn. It was written by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown and produced by Hank Medress and Dave Appell, with Motown/ Stax backing vocalist Telma Hopkins, J ...

" (MFP, 1973) * " Ma (He's Making Eyes at Me)"/" High Hopes" (MFP, 1974) * "Oh Boy"/"Sing Baby Sing" (MFP, 1975) * "Give Us a Kiss for Christmas"/"

"/"Nursery Romp" (also released as a CD-single with bonus track "The Ugly Duckling") (

EMI EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British Transnational corporation, transnational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate founded in March 1 ...

, 1990) * "

Reet Petite "Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl in Town)" (originally subtitled "The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet") is a song written by Berry Gordy, Billy Davis, and Gwen Gordy Fuqua, and made popular by Jackie Wilson. It was his first solo hit after leav ...

"/" It Only Takes a Minute Girl" (also released as a cassette single and a CD-single with bonus track "Thunderbirds Are Go! traight Run Mix) (

, 1993)

Cultural references

* In Nick Hornby's 1998

novel A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itsel ...

'' About a Boy'', the main character, Will, visits the record shop Championship Vinyl and sees an attractive woman asking for a Pinky and Perky record. She is met with contempt from the sales clerk. A few days later Will thinks he sees the woman again and, trying to make an impression, introduces himself with the line "I like Pinky and Perky", only to suddenly realize that it's a different woman. * Pinky and Perky are mentioned in Richard Thompson's song "Let It Blow" which is the first track of his 2005 album '' Front Parlour Ballads''. * The two appear in ''

The Goodies The Goodies were a trio of British comedians: Tim Brooke-Taylor (17 July 1940–12 April 2020), Graeme Garden (b. 18 February 1943) and Bill Oddie (b. 7 July 1941). The trio created, wrote for and performed in their eponymous television com ...

'' episode The Goodies Rule – O.K.? where they sound a buzzer ("Not so fast!"). * Pinky and Perky are mentioned in ''

The Bank Job ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'', a 2008 British crime film, in reference to two supporting characters. * In BBC1's ''

Red Dwarf ''Red Dwarf'' is a British science fiction comedy franchise created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, which primarily consists of a television sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999, and on Dave since 2009, gaining a cult following. T ...

'' episode " Better Than Life", Rimmer refers to the Skutters as "Pinky and smegging Perky". * In BBC1's '' The Good Life'', the pigs adopted by Barbara and Tom Good are named Pinky and Perky. * In BBC2's ''

Top Gear Top Gear may refer to: * "Top gear", the highest gear available in a vehicle's manual transmission Television * ''Top Gear'' (1977 TV series), a British motoring magazine programme * ''Top Gear'' (2002 TV series), a relaunched version of the or ...

'' and Amazon Prime's ''

The Grand Tour ''The Grand Tour'' is a British motoring television series, created by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and Andy Wilman, made for Amazon exclusively for its online streaming service Amazon Prime Video, and premiered on 18 November ...

'',

James May James Daniel May (born 16 January 1963) is an English television presenter and journalist. He is best known as a co-presenter of the motoring programme '' Top Gear'' alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond from 2003 until 2015. He also ...

refers to co-presenters

Jeremy Clarkson Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson (born 11 April 1960) is an English broadcaster, journalist, game show host and writer who specialises in Driving, motoring. He is best known for the motoring programmes ''Top Gear (2002 TV series), Top Gear'' an ...

and Richard Hammond as Pinky and Perky. * BBC1's ''

Call the Midwife ''Call the Midwife'' is a BBC period drama series about a group of nurse midwives working in the East End of London in the late 1950s and 1960s. The principal cast of the show has included Jessica Raine, Miranda Hart, Helen George, Bryony Ha ...

'', set in the late 1950s, makes several references to Pinky and Perky. * Pinky and Perky are mentioned in the 1993 movie ''

In the Name of the Father IN, In or in may refer to: Places * India (country code IN) * Indiana, United States (postal code IN) * Ingolstadt, Germany (license plate code IN) * In, Russia, a town in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast Businesses and organizations * Indepen ...

'', when the protagonist is eating pork sausages. * In

Collett Dickenson Pearce Collett Dickenson Pearce & Partners (CDP) was a British advertising agency which operated from 1960 till 2000. It was founded by John Pearce and Ronnie Dickenson who bought an existing agency owned by John Collett. The agency played a pivotal ro ...

's 1976-1977 award-winning advertising campaign for Wall's, an ad featuring an image of a pork pie carries the headline "Pinky and Porky", a pun on "Pinky and Perky".

Notes

External links

*
Watch The Pinky and Perky Show on BBC iplayer

Pinky and Perky tribute (fan) site

original show images at children's television programs website thechestnut.com * Chapter 17 in Over the Airwaves, Trevor Hill's autobiography (Book Guild 2005) {{DEFAULTSORT:Pinky And Perky British television shows featuring puppetry Animated television series about pigs BBC children's television shows British music television shows British children's animated comedy television series Fictional pigs ITV children's television shows Television shows produced by Thames Television Television series by FremantleMedia Kids & Family 1957 British television series debuts 1968 British television series endings 1998 British television series debuts 1950s British children's television series 1960s British children's television series 1970s British children's television series Television shows adapted into comics