''Boo!'' is a British

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 ...

that was broadcast in the United Kingdom on the CBeebies channel, and originally on

BBC Two BBC Two is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It covers a wide range of subject matter, with a remit "to broadcast programmes of depth and substance" in contrast to the more mainstream a ...

. It features several cartoon characters who play a game similar to

hide and seek Hide-and-seek (sometimes known as hide-and-go-seek) is a popular children's game in which at least two players (usually at least three) conceal themselves in a set environment, to be found by one or more seekers. The game is played by one chose ...

in a variety of settings. The commentary is performed by an adult male and female narrators and a chorus of children. It was produced by the independent production company Tell-Tale Productions, which was also responsible for '' Tweenies''. From 2007 to 2012, reruns of the show were broadcast in the USA on Qubo. The series aired for a total of 104 episodes and one Christmas special was nominated for a BAFTA in 2002–03. At the end of the programme, a song is sung, usually about matching characters or objects to their shapes or colours. The visual style of ''Boo!'' is very distinctive, using 3D CGI with rounded shapes and

cel-shading Cel shading or toon shading is a type of non-photorealistic rendering designed to make 3-D computer graphics appear to be flat by using less shading color instead of a shade gradient or tints and shades. A cel shader is often used to mimi ...

. The music and songs are generally in an early-70s funk/R&B idiom.

Characters

* Boo - a pear/eggplant-shaped patchwork creature with orange spiky hair. His feet are red with white spots on them. The main goal of the programme is to find Boo in his various hiding places. Half-way through each episode, Boo magically adopts attributes of his surroundings (e.g. becomes "Penguin Boo" in the Antarctic or "Pumpkin Boo" on Halloween). Boo cannot talk, although he whistles at the beginning of each episode and dances during every song. * Laughing Duck (voiced by Kate Harbour) - a yellow

duck Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfamilies, they are a form ...

, who laughs when "found". She has a red-orange bill that matches her legs and has abilities to fly and swim. In some episodes, she meets some people who happen to be

employee Employment is a relationship between two parties regulating the provision of paid labour services. Usually based on a contract, one party, the employer, which might be a corporation, a not-for-profit organization, a co-operative, or any ot ...

s. In the hospital, she has been found sad because her laugh is lost, but it is regained when Boo tickles her flipper and made her laugh again before we sing the Odd One Out song. * Sleeping Bear (voiced by Justin Fletcher) a

brown bear The brown bear (''Ursus arctos'') is a large bear species found across Eurasia and North America. In North America, the populations of brown bears are called grizzly bears, while the subspecies that inhabits the Kodiak Islands of Alaska is k ...

who is usually asleep, yawning or stretching when "found". His blanket is red with white-printed hearts on it. The catchphrase associated with him is "Shhh... Tippy-toe, tippy-toe." In some episodes, he finds a spot to sleep around anything that is so cozy. In the police station, he was lost in the park until his friends had found him sleeping and sitting on the swing set before we sing the Snap song. * Growling Tiger (voiced by Justin Fletcher) - a friendly

tiger The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is the largest living Felidae, cat species and a member of the genus ''Panthera''. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily pr ...

with fluffy white ears. Despite his name, he says "Roar!" (not "Growl!") when "found". His associated catchphrase is "It's Growling Tiger! Run away! Run away!" Other characters, both human and animal vary from one episode to another. The people who have speaking roles in this show are the

artist An artist is a person engaged in an activity related to creating art, practicing the arts, or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse refers to a practitioner in the visual arts only. However, th ...

s, Chatty Hairdresser, Helpful

Nurse Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other health ...

, Caring Doctor, Helpful

Teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. whe ...

(the ice-skater), Helpful

Waitress Waiting staff (British English), waitstaff (North American English), waiters (male) / waitresses (female), or servers (North American English), are those who work at a restaurant, a diner, or a bar and sometimes in private homes, attending ...

, Happy

Customer In sales, commerce, and economics, a customer (sometimes known as a client, buyer, or purchaser) is the recipient of a good, service, product or an idea - obtained from a seller, vendor, or supplier via a financial transaction or exchan ...

s (one man and one woman), Busy

Chef A chef is a trained professional cook and tradesman who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation, often focusing on a particular cuisine. The word "chef" is derived from the term ''chef de cuisine'' (), the director or head of a ki ...

, the woman in high stilts, the ringmaster, Careful Grownup, Smiling Santa, Graceful Teacher (the

ballet dancer A ballet dancer ( it, ballerina fem.; ''ballerino'' masc.) is a person who practices the art of classical ballet. Both females and males can practice ballet; however, dancers have a strict hierarchy and strict gender roles. They rely on ye ...

), Friendly

Police Officer A police officer (also called a policeman and, less commonly, a policewoman) is a warranted law employee of a police force. In most countries, "police officer" is a generic term not specifying a particular rank. In some, the use of the ...

s, Strong

Lumberjack Lumberjacks are mostly North American workers in the logging industry who perform the initial harvesting and transport of trees for ultimate processing into forest products. The term usually refers to loggers in the era (before 1945 in the Unite ...

, Gentle Vet, Smiley

Pumpkin A pumpkin is a vernacular term for mature winter squash of species and varieties in the genus ''Cucurbita'' that has culinary and cultural significance but no agreed upon botanical or scientific meaning. The term ''pumpkin'' is sometimes use ...

lantern and Cheering Dad. The Blue Squawking Parakeet (actually a Cockatoo) with a red crest on it appears in a

birdcage A birdcage (or bird cage) is a cage designed to house birds as pets. Antique (or antique-style) birdcages are often popular as collectors' items or as household decor but most are not suitable for housing live birds, being too small, improper ...

(being taken home by a customer) when we are about to enter the veterinarian.

Episodes

Series 1 (2003-2004)

Specials: Pilot - 3 June 2003 this is the first time the children say hello to Boo for the first ever time! A child says is it chase? Boo shakes his head and another child says is it tag? Then Boo says boo! * 1. Rockpool (Show Us A Shape) - 4 June 2003 * 2. Supermarket (The Counting Song) - 11 June 2003 * 3. Pond (Show Us A Shape) - 18 June 2003 * 4. Art Gallery (We're Looking for a Colour) - 25 June 2003 * 5. Desert (Show Us A Shape) - 2 July 2003 * 6. Harbour (The Counting Song) - 9 July 2003 * 7. Bedroom (Show Us A Shape) - 16 July 2003 * 8. Prehistoric Land (We're Looking for a Colour) - 23 July 2003 * 9. Theatre (Do the Same as Me) - 30 July 2003 * 10. African River (Show Us A Shape) - 6 August 2003 * 11. Cave (Do the Same as Me) - 13 August 2003 * 12. Coral Reef (Show Us A Shape) - 20 August 2003 * 13. Train Station (The Counting Song) - 27 August 2003 * 14. Canadian River (Odd One Out) - 4 September 2003 * 15. Indian Jungle (Do the Same as Me) - 11 September 2003 * 16. Café (The Counting Song) - 18 September 2003 * 17. Deep Blue Sea (Show Us A Shape) - 25 September 2003 * 18. Castle (The Counting Song) - 1 October 2003 * 19. African Waterhole (Show Us A Shape) - 7 October 2003 * 20. Kitchen (The Counting Song) - 14 October 2003 * 21. Arctic (The Counting Song) - 21 October 2003 * 22. Fun Fair (Do the Same as Me) - 28 October 2003 * 23. Space (Odd One Out) - 4 November 2003 * 24. Garden (Show Us A Shape) - 11 November 2003 * 25. Hospital (Odd One Out) - 18 November 2003 * 26. Woods at Night (Show Us A Shape) - 25 November 2003 * 27. Library - 5 February 2004 * 28. Canadian Mountain - 12 February 2004 * 29. Australian Bush - 19 February 2004 * 30. Swimming Pool - 26 February 2004 * 31. Forest Floor - 22 April 2004 * 32. Circus - 12 March 2004 * 33. Swamp - 19 March 2004 * 34. Fun House - 26 March 2004 * 35. Playgroup - 2 April 2004 * 36. Antarctic - 9 April 2004 * 37. Ski Resort - 16 April 2004 * 38. Jungle - 25 April 2004 * 39. Farm - 30 April 2004 * 40. Bathroom - 13 May 2004 * 41. Park - 20 May 2004 * 42. Zoo - 27 May 2004 * 43. English Riverbank - 4 June 2004 * 44. American Ranch - 11 June 2004 * 45. Bamboo Forest - 18 June 2004 * 46. American Prairie - 25 June 2004 * 47. Junior Gym - 2 July 2004 * 48. Meadow - 9 July 2004 * 49. Tropical Island - 16 July 2004 * 50. City at Night - 23 July 2004 * 51. Pirate Ship - 30 July 2004 * 52. City Farm - 6 August 2004

Christmas Special (2004)

* Log Cabin/Santa's House - 2004 (Double-Length Episode)

Series 2 (2005-2006)

* 53. Fire Station - 1 March 2005 * 54. Dentist - 7 March 2005 * 55. The Pyramids - 14 March 2005 * 56. Athletics Track - 21 March 2005 * 57. Airfield - 28 March 2005 * 58. Kite Festival - 4 April 2005 * 59. Ballet - 11 April 2005 * 60. Veterinarian - 18 April 2005 * 61. Car Factory - 25 April 2005 * 62. Pottery - 2 May 2005 * 63. Carpenter's Workshop - 9 May 2005 * 64. Sports Day - 16 May 2005 * 65. Cheese Market - 23 May 2005 * 66. Tennis Court - 30 May 2005 * 67. Post Office - 6 June 2005 * 68. Diwali Party - 16 September 2005 * 69. Fishing Dock - 20 June 2005 * 70. Fancy Dress Shop - 27 June 2005 * 71. Garden Centre - 4 July 2005 * 72. Police Station - 11 July 2005 * 73. Pop Concert - 18 July 2005 * 74. Chinese Garden - 1 February 2006 * 75. Tea Plantation - 3 August 2005 * 76. Basketball Court - 10 August 2005 * 77. Hairdressers - 17 August 2005 * 78. Ice Rink - 24 August 2005 * 79. Bus Station - 16 February 2006 * 80. Chicken Farm - 23 February 2006 * 81. Street Market - 2 March 2006 * 82. Bakery - 9 March 2006 * 83. Building Site - 16 March 2006 * 84. Baseball Ground - 23 March 2006 * 85. Birthday Party - 30 March 2006 * 86. Football Match - 6 April 2006 * 87. Surfer Beach - 13 April 2006 * 88. Race Track - 20 April 2006 * 89. Roman Villa - 27 April 2006 * 90. Orange Grove - 4 May 2006 * 91. Venetian Canal - 23 May 2006 * 92. Children's Play - 30 May 2006 * 93. Crazy Golf Course - 6 June 2006 * 94. Timber Forest - 13 June 2006 * 95. Lei Day - 20 June 2006 * 96. House Being Decorated - 24 June 2006 * 97. Seaside - 27 June 2006 * 98. Halloween - 30 October 2006 * 99. Campsite - 10 July 2006 * 100. Film Set - 7 September 2006 * 101. Snowy Garden - 8 December 2006 * 102. Rainforest Canopy - 23 December 2006 * 103. Galapagos Islands - 25 December 2006 * 104. Chinese New Year - 29 December 2006

Development, Songs and Broadcast

Development

The show was created by Will Brenton and Iain Lauchlan, who have created and produced '' Fun Song Factory'', '' BB3B'', and ''

Jim Jam and Sunny ''Jim Jam and Sunny'' is a British children's television programme that aired on the CITV CITV (short for Children's ITV, also known as the CITV Channel) is a British free-to-air children's television channel owned by ITV plc. It broadca ...

'' in addition to ''Tweenies''. Brenton also designed the characters. On July 26, 2002, the BBC picked up the UK broadcasting rights to Boo! for a broadcast in September 2003. On September 1, it was announced that

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Americ ...

had acquired worldwide distribution rights to the series in exchange for providing co-funding. On May 22, 2003, the show was announced to premiere on June 4 on the CBeebies on

block. On April 7, 2004, ''Boo!'' was renewed for a second series.

Broadcast

"Boo!" can be seen in the United Kingdom on CBeebies (formerly on CBeebies on

), reruns from 2007-2012 in the United States on the digital channel

Qubo Qubo ( ; stylized as qubo) was an American television network for children between the ages of 5 and 14. Owned by Ion Media, it consisted of a 24-hour free-to-air television network often mentioned as the "Qubo channel" (available as a digital ...

(with two episodes in a half-hour format), Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Australia's ABC. "Boo!" is also available in Canada on the French educational public broadcaster TFO. HOP! in Israel, and

Baraem Baraem ( ar, براعم) (meaning: buds) is a Qatari pay television channel aimed at preschool kids. It was launched on January 16, 2009, and broadcasts 17 hours daily. Previously co-owned by Al Jazeera Media Network and the Qatar Foundation, A ...

in Qatar. In some episodes, Growling Tiger, Sleeping Bear or Laughing Duck says when it’s time for a song to begin when Boo dances to every song and the kids begin to yell "Hurray!" really loud before the song begins in every episode of Boo!

Songs

"Where’s Boo? (Can You Find Boo?)" "Show Us a Shape" "The Counting Song" "We’re Looking for a Colour" "Do the Same As Me" "Odd One Out" "Everybody Do This Sound" "Snap!" "Can You Guess?" "What’s Missing?" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

Home Media

VHS, DVD and VCD releases of the series were handled by

Universal Studios Home Video Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (formerly Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Video, MCA/Universal Home Video, MCA Home Video, MCA Videodisc and MCA Videocassette, Inc.) is the home video distribution division of Am ...

in all regions.

References

External links

* * * ''Variety'' story from MIPCOM 2002
BBC goes 'Boo!'
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boo! (Tv Series) 2003 British television series debuts 2006 British television series endings 2000s British children's television series 2000s preschool education television series Animated preschool education television series BBC children's television shows British children's animated fantasy television series British preschool education television series CBeebies English-language television shows Cel-shaded animation Television series by Universal Television