| Rosie and Jim | |
|---|---|
| Format | Children's television series |
| Created by | Anne Wood and Robin Stevens |
| Presented by | John Cunliffe |
| Starring | Rebecca Nagan Robin Stevens John Cunliffe Pat Hutchins Neil Brewer |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 8 |
| No. of episodes | 175 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 11/15 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Ragdoll Productions (1990-2000) Central Independent Television (1990-1991) Carlton Television |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV Network (CITV) |
| Original run | 3 September 1990 – 2002 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Rosie and Jim (sometimes written as "Rosie & Jim") was a British children's television programme which appeared, on and off, on CITV (the ITV Children's Programming Section) since the early 1990s. The programme was the creation of Anne Wood and Robin Stevens, The series was authored by Robin Stevens who also played the character Jim. It is produced by Ragdoll Productions who produced Tots TV, Pob's Programme, Brum, Teletubbies and now "In the night Garden"
The programme features two ragdolls, Rosie and Jim, in a narrowboat called the Ragdoll. In this boat they would travel along the waterways of Central England with their friend Duck and the Ragdoll's owner. The owner is convinced that Rosie and Jim are just ordinary ragdolls; however, each time the boat is moored and the owner visits the town or village, Duck gives the signal by quacking and Rosie and Jim magically come to life and secretly follow the owner, often causing mishaps and hijinks that leave the boat owner and the person or people he/she visits quite bemused.
The programme's popularity with children resides in the amiable joviality of the boat owner and the humour derived from Rosie and Jim's antics. Parents find the programme appealing as it allows children to see parts of Britain that they might not have a chance to in real life, thus educating, informing and entertaining the young audience.
Rosie & Jim was last repeated in the UK on CITV on July 2004 and hasn't been shown since.
Contents |
Postman Pat creator John Cunliffe (nicknamed Fizzgog by the ragdolls), a British author and presenter, was the first owner of the narrowboat, and also wrote the scripts of these two series. In each episode John would finish by writing a short story following inspiration from the places he visited, imagining what Rosie and Jim would have done "if only they could come to life", unaware that they have in fact done so. These stories would be narrated by John and shown as animated cartoon stories at the end of each episode done by the Pigeon Street creators Alan Rogers and Peter Lang. However, he retired at the end of the second series, and it was decided that instead of cancelling the series, a new owner would be introduced.
Cunliffe did 50 episodes.
Titch creator Pat Hutchins (nicknamed Loopy Lobes), a notable British illustrator, took the helm for the following three series. Pat was always inspired to paint a picture or do some form of complex drawing at the end of each episode, which the Ragdolls would admire, while trying to find duck in her drawings, at the end of each episode.
Hutchins did 45 episodes.
Neil Brewer (nicknamed Tootle), a British songwriter, was the boat owner for the most recent series. Neil wrote a short song (typically consisting of a verse and two choruses) inspired by his travels in the episode and typically performed this at the end of each episode, with Rosie and Jim (unbeknown to Neil) enjoying the music and dancing. Neil was the only owner to have made a live stage show in the late 1990s - mid 2000s. These series' were also released on DVD.
Brewer did 80 episodes.
A joyful, slightly Asian looking doll who loves Jim and Duck. She is very sure of herself and tends to take the initiative. However, Rosie is never seen without her collecting bag which she keeps around her neck, as it contains items that come in useful during her adventures with Jim. Her trademark word is 'Noggin' (occasionally 'gobbin'), meaning "idiot" and often playfully applied as a nickname for Jim. Rosie's complexion became noticably darker after the first two series, reflecting an increasing awareness of the diverse target audience.
Rosie was played by Rebecca Nagan.
A curious doll who always questions things around him, constantly asking Rosie "Why?" something is. Jim tends to follow Rosie's lead on their adventures. He always appears happy and relaxed, and is content with taking his time. He is gentle and affectionate, and loves Rosie and Duck. Jim enjoys drawing and is always seen with three crayons in his pocket.
Jim was played by Robin Stevens.
A carved wooden boat decoration that cannot leave the narrowboat unaided. He is a faithful companion to Rosie and Jim, and a conspirator to their mischief by quacking when the coast is clear or as a warning that the owner is coming back. He also quacks at the beginning of each episode to 'wake up' Rosie and Jim before they begin their adventures. Robin Stevens also played Duck in the series. The character of Duck was based on Richard 'Richy' Watts.
He only appears in the Learning to Read and Write episodes.
National Science Foundation (1990-2001)
The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations (1993-2001)
Corporation For Public Broadcasting (1990-2001)
The Pew Charitable Trusts (1993-1999)
Carnegie Corporation of New York (1990-1999)
Annual Finnancial support of Public Television Viewers Like You / of PBS Viewers Like You(1990-1999) Contributions to Your Viewers Like You (1999-2001)
Kellogg's (1990-1999)
Barnes & Noble.com (1990-2001)
Lego (1990-2002)
Boscov's (1999-2002)
175 episodes
1. Locks - 3 September 1990
2. Painting - 4 September 1990
3. Tunnel - 5 September 1990
4. Supermarket - 6 September 1990
5. Coal - 7 September 1990
6. Bread - 10 September 1990
7. Shopping - 11 September 1990
8. Steam - 12 September 1990
9. Horse Towing - 13 September 1990
10. Glass - 14 September 1990
11. Boat Building - 17 September 1990
12. Washing - 18 September 1990
13. Pottery - 19 September 1990
14. Finding The Way - 20 September 1990
15. Letters - 21 September 1990
16. Fairground - 24 September 1990
17. Abbey - 25 September 1990
18. Falcons - 26 September 1990
19. Sailing - 27 September 1990
20. Weaving - 28 September 1990
21. Milking - 1 October 1990
22. Breakdown - 2 October 1990
23. Woollen Mill - 3 October 1990
24. Ferry - 4 October 1990
25. Clipping - 5 October 1990
26. Automata - 4 November 1991
27. Butterflies - 5 November 1991
28. Houses - 6 November 1991
29. Hair - 7 November 1991
30. Small Animals - 8 November 1991
31. School - 11 November 1991
32. Bricks - 12 November 1991
33. Hats - 13 November 1991
34. Trees - 14 November 1991
35. Hospital - 15 November 1991
36. Boat Painting - 18 November 1991
37. Sheepdog - 19 November 1991
38. Waterworks - 20 November 1991
39. Rope - 21 November 1991
40. Boat Festival - 22 November 1991
41. Coracle - 25 November 1991
42. Flying - 26 November 1991: Whizzy Dizzy Flying High Up In The Sky I Eye Whizzy Dizzy Flying High Up In The Sky I Eye
43. Blacksmith - 27 November 1991
44. Brass - 28 November 1991
45. Shire Horses - 29 November 1991
46. Puppet Show - 2 December 1991
47. Eggs - 3 December 1991
48. Library - 4 December 1991
49. Shoes - 5 December 1991
50. Dredging - 6 December 1991
Soapy Duck - 12th July 1994 Superhero Bids 3rd April 1886 to 21 august 1995
Bus Ride
A Jacket For Neil - 17 March 1997
Sticky Stuck up - 4 January 1998
Naughty Little Frog - 12 January 1998
Amazing Teddy - 20 January 1998
Steel band - 1 February 1998
Sticky Honey - 5 January 1999
Radio Control - 6 January 1999
Reeds On The Roof - 7 January 1999
Mothers Day - 8 March 1999
Washing Day One Last Goodbye - 11 December 2000
USA
History's Best On PBS (1998-1999)
Series of New Style PBS Home Video
UK
Games and Songs - Stories and Rhymes
*USA
PBS Home Video (1990-Present)
PBS Kids Video (1993-1999) (1999-Present)
Strand VCI Entertainment (1990-1992)
Strand Home Video (1992-1994)
Video Treasures (1994-1998)
Anchor Bay (1997-2004)
* UK
o Carlton Video
o Video Collection International (1990-2002)