| Bounty Hamster | |
|---|---|
| Format | Animated sitcom |
| Created by | David Max Freedman, Alan Gilbey |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 26 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 11 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV1 |
| Original run | 1 January 2003 – 1 June 2004 |
Bounty Hamster is an animated children's cartoon made in 2002 created by David Max Freedman and Alan Gilbey.
Contents |
It follows the adventures of Cassie, a 13-year-old girl, who is searching the universe for her father after he was kidnapped by space pirates. To help her, she enlists the aid of the only bounty hunter she can afford, who turns out to be a talking blue hamster named Marion. They have an odd-couple style relationship and search the universe together for Cassie's father.
Cassie wears a white shirt and green trousers with an oddly shaped waist that opens at the top and then becomes thinner to the belt. These have darker green patches on her knees and pockets on either side. She wears grey shoes with white rubber soles. She has yellow (blonde) hair and is the more rational, usually, of the pair. She is constantly searching for her father and complaining at Marion's foolishness.
Marion is a 6-inch-high (150 mm) blue talking hamster. He wears an eyepatch on his right eye and can fit all manner of objects within his cheek cavities. He is often outraged by stronger characters calling him 'cute' and tries to defend his personality despite his feminine name and small structure. He is often seen as being clumsy or forgetful with the exception of comedic instances such as when he remembers to use a remote controlled locking device on his space ship.
The blue space ship the pair use is divided into two parts, a driving cockpit which can be detached in order to fly down to a planet in a similar manner to a jolly boat from a vessel and a larger booster component which is attached on top of the small driving compartment. Scenes involving driving often show large objects and rooms that appear within the ship. The name of the ship is Keith.
Marion's catchphrase is Don't call me CUTE! which he says after misinterpreting or actually having received such a naming.
Running gags include Marion pulling many, or odd, objects from his cheeks as if they are large pockets. In one instance he pulls out a large assortment of objects to help him and Cassie when they are falling off a cliff and this includes a cruise ship. Also, one of the science fiction references is the gag in which C-3P0 from Star Wars appears in the ship and Cassie asks who he is.
Every episode starts with a brief explanation of the basic running plot and features a sequence showing Cassie's father being taken away. This is followed by a short sequence showing Marion being uncovered from a 'tough' armoured outfit and standing on stilts. The next sequence features the screen divided into four quarters, each showing several different scenes from episodes. The credits culminate in Marion uttering a fierce growl. The closing credits show an image of stars in space. The tune to the theme sounds like the words 'bounty hamster' but with notes to a 3-4 beat.
Despite airing in a children's timeslot, the show has quite a broad appeal, containing frequent science fiction references, in-jokes and puns, as well as nods to other movies and TV series. Marion's name and eyepatch is a parody of John Wayne and the character he played in True Grit.
Music composed by Rick Cassman and Vyv Hope-Scott
Night Of The Hunters (episode 1, 2003). After Marion's failed attempt at getting information out of a couple of bounty hunters in a bar, Cassie decided to take things into her own hands and starts putting up posters in case someone can help find her father.
Somewhere That's Green (episode 2, 2003). After Marion accidentally ejects all their food and water, the two are left drifting in space, slowly starving to death.
Chin Raider (episode 3, 2003). After Marion steals a sarcophagus from a bunch of space travelling mummies, the find themselves pursued and heading into an asteroid field. After a narrow escape, and a crash landing on a nearby planet, they stumble upon a secret order of monks who worship the Almighty Chin, who can answer any question.
Dog Day (episode 4, 2003). After receiving a distress signal from a nearby ship, Cassie decides to try piloting the ship and does a terrible job, sending Marion flying into a destroyed space station. Marion flees back to the ship, only to find a robotic puppy waiting for him.