The Koala Brothers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Koala Brothers is an animated children's television show, made by UK's Spellbound Entertainment, featuring the adventures of the titular brothers, Frank and Buster, and follows their exploits in helping their neighbors in a sleepy town in the Australian Outback. The Koala Brothers fly a bright yellow two-seater propellor monoplane and use it to identify individuals in need of help. It is broadcast in America on the Disney Channel as party of its "Playhouse Disney" lineup. It is also broadcast on ABC Kids, on CBeebies in the UK, and in Canada on The Knowledge Network and TVO, in addition to being broadcast in its adoptive Australia.

A notable quality of the series in that although there can be differences of opinion and occasional instances of antisocial or thoughtless behaviour, there are no villains or disagreeable characters. The emphasis is on helping, and being a good friend.

[edit] Animation

The show is animated using plasticine, clay-like figures and traditional stop-motion techniques.

[edit] Format

On CBeebies the it is shown in 10-minute episodes, elsewhere there are two 15-minute segments per 30-minute episode. The format is simular in each episode. The show opens with the theme song "Call the Koala Brothers" and then the narrator introduces Frank and Buster as they fly in their airplane above the outback. Then, the supporting cast is introduced as the narrator invites the viewer to speculate as to "who do you think the Koala Brothers are going to help today?". CBeebies has no introductions, moving directly into the story. The episodes feature the brothers assisting one of their friends and overcoming a problem, such as jealousy, fear, or the failure to share. Each 30-minute episode ends with "The Helping Song" in which all the characters gather at the Koala Brothers' homestead and sing about always trying to help and caring for one another. The 10-minute CBeebies episode has no helping song.

[edit] Characters

The Koala Brothers: The Brothers seem to be employed as local handymen and are always tinkering on something. They live in a homestead outside of town. Their characteristics indicate an age in the mid-twenties to early-thirties. They seem to act in the stead of foster parents or guardians to Mitzi the Possum and Ned the Little Wombat.

Frank: Frank appears to have the more dominant personality of the two Koala Brothers. He is the pilot of the plane. He has demonstrated excellent skills in tennis and was the only member of the community able to defeat Archie, though he admitted it was probably just luck. He also fostered an interest in pottery at one point but did not have any great artistic ability.

Buster: Buster sits behind Frank and uses his telescope to spot friends in need from the air. He is always willing to prove a pep talk or a hug to his friends, and seems more able to identify others' emotional needs. He speaks more softly than Frank and has a small tuft of hair on the top of his head. Buster loves to bake, especially butter cookies. He wears an orange jumpsuit.

Mitzi: Mitzi the Possum lives in a room in the Koala Brothers' homestead that is not directly connected to the rest of the house and is accessible only from outside. She always wears a pink and white frock and thick spectacles. Mitzi has a nervous, excitable personality and is often controlling and bossy. She exerts a great deal of influence over Ned the Little Wombat and seems to fill the role of a big sister to Ned. She needs the Koala Brothers' help often in overcoming her dominant, perfectionist, controlling personality. She seems to be in her mid-to-late teens.

Ned: Ned the Little Wombat is the youngest member of the local community and lives in a trailer next door to the Koala Brothers' homestead. He is often unsure of himself, but he dreams of adventure as an explorer or a sea captain. He is very determined, and easily fixated on an idea. Ned is likely around ten years old.

George: George the Tortoise is the local postal carrier. He has no known residence (perhaps because he carries his home on his back?) but is always seen delivering the mail with his trusty leather satchel. He is very proud of being a mail carrier and tells the best campfire stories in the outback. He appears to be the oldest community member.

Sammy: Sammy the Echidna lives in town and owns the local general store. He seems to be one of the most stable individuals and has the least amount of problems, next to the Koala Brothers that is. He has a monopoly on most commodities and sells fuel in addition to comestibles. His sole employee is Josie. Sammy appears to be around forty years old.

Josie: Josie the Little Kangaroo works at the general store. Josie has a high pitched voice and an extremely friendly demeanor. She wears a midriff-baring t-shirt and denim miniskirt (complete with "pouch" pocket), and appears to be the most "girly" female character, though she loves athletic activities, including throwing a boomerang, jumping rope, and playing tennis. She appears to be her late teens and is great friends with Mitzi.

Alice: Alice the Platypus works at the local cafe and appears to be the sole employee, though it is not clear if she owns the place. She is very forgetful, to the point of having severe short-term memory problems. She wears red and white stripes and a similarly striped handkerchief as a hat. She rides a green motor-scooter around, which seems to have its share of engine problems. She loves to bake and one of her few talents is following recipes, although she is also good at reading maps. Alice appears to be around thirty years old.

Archie: Archie the Crocodile lives in a well-appointed cottage near the local watering hole. He is a fitness nut, and is always exercising, stretching, or playing tennis, and is renowned at being the best at almost every sport. He is British, and has a very upper-crust demeanor. It is not clear what brought an apparently wealthy Briton to the middle of the outback, but nevertheless Archie seems content with his situation. Archie appears to be in his mid-to-late thirties.

Penny: Pennie the Penguin is an explorer who lives in Anarctica, but has visited the outback on occasion and keeps up a regular written correspondance with the Koala Brothers. She does not speak English, but communicates in a form of language that closely resembles the cooing of a human infant. Penny's age is indeterminate, but she is old enough to be exploring the world on her own.

Lollie: Lollie the Emu is the local ice-cream vendor and can often be seen driving her pink ice cream truck around. While she makes the best ice cream in the land, her talent for choosing new flavors is somewhat lacking. Lollie seems to think that spinach and broccoli make good ice cream. Lollie seems to be in her thirties.