Lift Off (TV series)

Lift Off
Format	Children's Television
Directed by	Steve Jodrell Paul Nichola
Narrated by	Jeff Peck Rick Maier Bob Ellis Tony Watts Nancy Black Garth Boomer John Hepworth
Country of origin	Australia
Language(s)	English
No. of series	3
No. of episodes	78
Production
Executive producer(s)	Patricia Edgar
Producer(s)	Patricia Edgar Margot McDonald Ewan Burnett Rob Pemberton Susie Campbell Peter Clarke Peter Jackson
Running time	60 min
Broadcast
Original channel	ABC TV
Original run	8 May 1992 – 1 April 1996
External links
Website

Lift Off was an Australian educational television series that was broadcast on ABC Television from 1992 until the series ended in 1996. Each episode featured a live action storyline about a group of young children, and the problems they encountered with growing up, their parents, and various other social issues. Episodes would also feature segments of short animation, puppetry and documentary segments, as well as various songs, stories, and word games. Aimed at 3 to 8 year olds based on the ideas of Harvard University development psychologist Howard Gardner. The series was linked with the school curricula through the Curriculum Corporation of Australia. The different episodes used stories and locations to explore subjects such as jealousy, loneliness and anger.

Contents 1 Cast 2 Episodes 2.1 Season 1 (1992) 2.2 Season 2 (1994) 2.3 Season 3 (1996) 3 EC Plays Lift Off 4 External links 5 References

Cast

Children

• Poss Burke - Erin Pratten
• Nipper Burke - Paul Cheyne
• Max Garcia - Robert Peschel
• Turbo Garcia - Heber Yerien
• Aku Jordan - Aku Bielicki
• Paul Jordan - Luke Carroll
• Kim Stinson - Maria Nguyen

Adults

• Jenny Burke - Madeleine Blackwell
• Ted Burke - David Sandford
• Ricardo Garcia - Petru Gheorghiu
• Teresa Garcia - Irini Pappas
• Snap Jordan - Aku Kadogo
• Harry Stinson - Alan Fletcher
• Stella Stinson - Louise Le Nay
• Mr. (Seymoure) Fish - Mark Mitchell (actor): One of the most memorable characters of Lift Off, Mr. Fish was the caretaker of the small apartment building where the characters lived. He was often seen yelling at the children from behind his desk in the apartment foyer when they came in from the outside.
• Bonza Men -

Puppet Characters

• Lotis (voiced by Julie Forsyth): Lotis was the magical lift that existed in the apartment building; although genderless, Lotis is referred to as her. Lotis would often help the younger characters with their personal problems. However due to her AI status, Lotis often found it difficult to offer advice as she sometimes could not understand more complex human behaviour and thinking.
• Rocky the Frill-Necked Lizard: Rocky was the leader of a colony of frilled-necked lizards. Rocky spied on the humans (whom he referred to as two-footers) and would report his findings to the rest of the colony.
• Beverley: The one-eyed plant that lived in the apartment foyer. Beverley would often show short documentary clips regarding what was being discussed in the episode.
• EC, the animated rag doll. EC stands for Every Child^[1].
• The Rapsacks: two of the children's backpacks that came to life and spoke though their zipper mouths. There are 7 of them owned by each of the 7 Children.

Wakadoo Puppet characters

• The Three Pigs: Their names are Morris, Boris and Doris. They are Lonely's Judges and sometimes Wolf's nemesis.
• Wolf: The Doctor of the group. He is also the pigs nemesis.
• Boss: The Boss of Nearly, Cook and Zelda.
• Nearly: A kind-hearted and clumsy member of the group. He also loses so he needs to get fit to win.
• Zelda: Nearly's sister. She helps her brother.
• Lonely: The Queen-like lady of the Group who runs the tournaments.
• Cook: He cooks and works with Nearly and Zelda.

Episodes

Season 1 (1992)

Episode 1 and 2: A Load of Old Rubbish

Episode 3 and 4: Destroy

Episode 5 and 6: Which One?

Episode 7 and 8: That's Not Fair

Episode 9 and 10: Because It Feels Good

Episode 11 and 12: Into The Unknown

Episode 13 and 14: Once I Grew

Episode 15 and 16: Something Tells Me

Episode 17 and 18: The Wheel Turns

Episode 19 and 20: Out Of Order

Episode 21 and 22: Above and Beyond

Episode 23 and 24: I Can!

Episode 25 and 26: Remember

Season 2 (1994)

Episode 27 and 28: Clash

Episode 29 and 30: For Sale

Episode 31 and 32: Face

Episode 33 and 34: Going Under

Episode 35 and 36: Illusion Is All

Episode 37 and 38: Beneath The Skin

Episode 39 and 40: Real Friends

Episode 41 and 42: Lost

Episode 43 and 44: Funday

Episode 45 and 46: No Entry

Episode 47 and 48: Wanting

Episode 49 and 50: Threads

Episode 51 and 52: All Together Now

Season 3 (1996)

Episode 53 and 54: Brand New

Episode 55 and 56: Under Pressure

Episode 57 and 58: What's Missing

Episode 59 and 60: My World

Episode 61 and 62: Would I Lie

Episode 63 and 64: Give and Take

Episode 65 and 66: Far Out

Episode 67 and 68: Out of This World

Episode 69 and 70: Shape I'm In

Episode 71 and 72: Heroes

Episode 73 and 74: In Your Shoes

Episode 75 and 76: Not Alone

Episode 77 and 78: From Where I Stand

EC Plays Lift Off

EC Plays Lift Off was a spin-off children's game show, hosted by Mr. Fish.

External links

• Lift Off at the National Film and Sound Archive
• Australian Children's Television Foundation - Lift Off Website

References

1. ^ Australian Children's Television Foundation - Lift Off Website