The Sooty Show

The Sooty Show was a British children's television series that aired on the BBC from 1955 to 1967 when the BBC eventually cancelled The Sooty Show after Paul Fox, the then controller of BBC One at the time, cleared out some of the long running shows. After it was cancelled from the BBC that year, The Sooty Show swiftly moved to ITV shortly after the launch of Thames Television.

It features the glove puppet characters Sooty, Sweep (who appeared in 1957) and Soo (appeared in 1964), and follows them in their many mischievous adventures. The show was presented from the 1955 to 1975 by Harry Corbett, and from 1976 to 1992 by his son, Matthew as he bought the rights for Sooty for £35,000 from his father, and acted as the token human being.

The Sooty Show concluded its final series, after Thames Television lost its franchise as part of the ITV network in 1992. In 1993, the show was replaced/succeeded by Sooty & Co., also presented by Matthew Corbett and was made by Granada in Manchester, North-West of England.

Characters

• Sooty - A mute yellow bear who is the protagonist of the show. He owns a magic wand whose power is invoked using the words "Izzy wizzy, let's get busy!".

• Sweep - A grey dog with a penchant for bones and sausages. He wears red wellingtons and communicates using bizarre squeaks.
• Soo - A calm and collected female panda who acts as the foil for both Sooty and Sweep. Usually wears a red skirt. Originally voiced by Harry Corbett's wife Marjorie Corbett from 1964 to 1980 and later voiced by Brenda Longman from 1981 to the present day.

• Butch - A black dog, similar to Sweep but able to talk. Introduced by Harry Corbett in the early 1970s, but withdrawn by Matthew in 1980 returning to play the part of a villain.

• Little Cousin Scampi - Sooty's cousin, also mute like Sooty. Introduced in an episode of the same title in 1990 and became a regular character from 1991.

• Muffin the Mule

• Snuffles the Rabbit

Episodes

UK VHS & DVD Releases

Also, in January 2008, a promotional DVD containing 5 early 80s episodes was distributed by The Times newspaper, for Fremantle Media. The episodes featured were: Bob a Job!; Safety First; Sherlock Sooty; Connie Comes to Tea! and Christmas Panto 1981.

Other Sooty-based shows

Below is a list of other Sooty-based shows, after The Sooty Show.