The Stock-Motion Show
The BBC had rejected this show many times, denoting it 'Too Weird' before finally deciding to take it on in 1965, under the condition that it could be altered so the British audience could understand it...just how weird WAS the original?, one has to ask. Eric Tompson, a Playschool presenter at the time, was given the task of changing the shows content to suit a British audience. Tompson did this by simply turning off the sound and creating his own scripts for the episodes, doing so with a machine he had to run with foot pedals. Unlike the original French version, Tompson himself voiced all the characters, be they male, female, or snail (which are both, incidentally).
The Magic Roundbout was shown in the five-minute slot before the 6 o'clock News, and so was watched by both adults and children alike. Children loved the pretty colours and bizare animals, while the adults loved the dry British humor. The Magic Roundabout soon became the Nations second favorite show, right after the News, at it's peak, the Magic Roundabout had over eight million viewers.
In 1992, some 'forgotten' episodes were found. These were translated by Nigel Planner and shown on Channel 4. The show became popular with students for it's mil drug inudenoes and supposed 'political debates'. The catch phrase uttered at the end of every episode by Zebedee 'Time for bed', sent million of children duitifully off to bed. Myself and my older brother included.
Dylan - Flappy
Dougal - Pollux
Ermintrude - Azalée
Brian - Ambroise
Florence - Margotte
Mr Rusty - Le Père Pivoine
Zebedee - Zebulon