Tickety Toc

Tickety Toc is a South Korean animated CGI series, produced by The Foundation, part of Zodiak Media Group and FunnyFlux Entertainment.^[1] The first series consist of 52 episodes, each 11 minutes long, but is shown as two blocks of 26 22-minute episodes in some countries.

The first series was acquired by Nick Jr. as part of a global deal. Tickety Toc aired across Asia from 19 April 2012 and was subsequently rolled out internationally with localised dubs. Tickety Toc aired for the first time on British TV on 23 April 2012 as the number 1 Nick Jr. show,^[2] and became the number 1 daytime show on Nick Jr. US^[3] for the first 3 months when it launched 10 September 2012.^[4] In addition to the Nick Jr. global acquisition, the show has been sold to free-to-air television partners internationally. Launching on Channel 5's Milkshake slot 1 November 2012, other broadcasters who have picked up the 52-episode series include TG4 (Ireland), France 5 (France), Disney Junior (Canada, English and French dub), NRK Super (Norway), YLE (Finland), PTS (Taiwan), ATV (Turkey) and Pop TV (Slovenia).

Plot

The series follows the adventures of comedic heroes, twins Tommy and Tallulah and is set in an extraordinary world behind the face of the Tickety Toc Clock. As every hour passes, the clock springs to life to chime in the time, but things don't always run smoothly.^[5]

The show centres on Tommy & Tallulah and their remarkable friends, as they race against time to keep the clock ticking and to perform their duty of chiming in the time. Through Tommy & Tallulah's madcap adventures, Tickety Toc explores concepts of teamwork, social responsibility & problem solving in a fun and engaging way.^[6]

Every show starts with Pufferty dropping off the twins after they've finished Chime Time. Tommy & Tallulah then unintentionally set off a chain of events which will ultimately threaten to prevent Chime Time from happening. With the help from one or more of the eclectic Tickety Town residents, the twins develop ways of overcoming the emotional or physical jeopardy that has been caused. Once the problem is resolved, Pufferty takes Tommy & Tallulah to the Tickety Toc Clock so Chime Time can take place again.

Characters

• Tommy & Tallulah do everything with utmost enthusiasm, commitment and positivity - even if that gets them further and further into trouble. They share that "I want it to happen now" impatience of all preschoolers, but they are 8 years old. Tommy & Tallulah love each other, back each other up and egg each other on…a convincing "well if you're sure, then I'm sure" is all it takes to confirm both their commitments to a course of action. This 'can do' spirit can often produce a calamitous outcome, but their individual approach to a sticky situation and joint resourcefulness always shines through and saves the day.
  Tommy is funny and always ready for adventure. His 'act now think later' approach often lands the twins in a spin. He is practical and resourceful but his confidence sometimes outweighs his own ability with comedic effect. However when things go wrong, he can always turn to his twin sister, Tallulah, for help.
  Tallulah is the more creative half of this duo. She is much more of a thinker and inevitably comes up with the plan to solve the problem they face. She has a big imagination and is not afraid to use it - but she knows she can always rely on Tommy for practical advice and know-how when faced with a problem she can't solve. Tommy has been voiced by Koda Gursoy American voice and Toby Ross Ralph British voice, and Talullah by Isabelle Seratch American voice and Ruby Love UK British voice.
• Pufferty is a very excitable puppy-dog train who helps the citizens of Tickety Town to get around. At the mere mention of his name, he can (and often does) appear out of the blue like a puppy who has heard the word "walkies". His greatest excitement however is reserved for "Chime Time", when he has the honour of delivering Tallulah and Tommy, on time, for their hourly duty. Voiced by [[Higglytown Heroes|Julianne Grossman][Luke Cawley USA]].
• McCoggins is the Tickety Town maintenance man and there's nothing he can't fix. He is also known as the "Clock Doc". An enthusiastic, amateur inventor, he has many weird and wonderful creations. He is a kindly, gentle soul. And, for a cheetah, he is surprisingly ponderous.
• Hopparoo is enthusiastic yet accident-prone, Hopparoo is the madcap bunny of Tickety Town. He spends his days eating carrots, looking for mischief or sleeping on his hammock. Occasionally McCoggins will call upon his DIY skills for maintenance in the town although his hyperactive nature often means that mayhem is never far behind when he's involved. He is voiced by Marvin Kaplan.

Additional characters

• Chikidee is Tickety Town's weather chick. She sits on top of the weather vane at the top of the Clockhouse and reports the weather to anyone who'll listen. Chikidee dreams of glamour and being in the limelight – but is often let down by her scatty lack of coordination.
• Madame Au Lait is a larger than life character with a huge heart, enormous amounts of energy and approaches life with immeasurable gusto and enthusiasm. She mothers the Tickety Town residents – especially Tommy & Tallulah, who live with her in the Clockhouse. When she's not knocking up a feast in the kitchen, Madame Au Lait can often be found playing Ping Pong - at which she is almost unbeatable – or practicing her taekwondo.
• Battersby runs the Bell Shop & General Store, a remarkable store which is the go-to place for any item, however obscure, that the residents of Tickety Town might need. Battersby often falls asleep at inopportune moments and always crashes to the floor from his rafters when customers call in to his shop and wake him up. He is easily startled, but utterly loveable and helpful.
• Lopsiloo is Tickety Town's fruit and vegetables delivery snail. She is a fast snail and zips around town pulling her cart festooned with her beautifully displayed produce. When not on her rounds, Lopsiloo can be found tending her white picket-fenced vegetable garden. Lopsiloo is delightfully sweet natured, but with a charmingly ditsy take on the world. She is voiced by Larissa Murray.
• Tooteroo is a curious, inquisitive little owl who seems forever cursed by terrible luck. Tooteroo is completely silent, but it is able to clearly communicate its feelings to the audience with its comedic mannerisms.
• Spring Chicks are Tickety Town's resident family of free roaming chickens. Mother Spring Chick keeps her three chicks in check - although when they are off the leash, her three baby chicks are like three cute little velociraptors – chasing food and wreaking havoc wherever they can.

Catchphrases

• "It's chime time"
• "Well if you're sure, I'm sure"
• "It's time to chime"
• "Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy"
• "Three cheers, tick-tocketeers"
• "Chime in the time"
• "My little chime-timers"
• "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
• "Quickety tickety!"
• "Madame Au Lait will show you the way!"
• "Moo-ly Wooly!"
• "Ba-doing!"

International broadcast

Country/Region	Channel
United States	Nick Jr.
United Kingdom	Nick Jr. Channel 5 Milkshake!
Belgium	Nick Jr.
Canada	Disney Junior
France	France 5
Australia	Network Ten
Ireland	TG4
Norway	NRK Super
Finland	YLE
Turkey	ATV
Slovenia	Pop TV
Thailand	ThaiPBS
Taiwan	PTS
South Korea	Educational Broadcasting System Tooniverse
Italy	Rai 1
Netherlands	Nick Jr.

International names

Merchandise

Zodiak Rights, the Consumer Products Licensing division of the Zodiak Media Group will be launching merchandise; including toys, books, games and clothing internationally from Autumn 2013.^[7] Vivid Imaginations and Just Play are the master toy partners for Tickety Toc globally.^[8] International licensing agents will represent Tickety Toc in the following countries;

• USA - Established Brands
• Canada - Studio Licensing
• France - Zodiak Kids, Paris
• Australia - Fusion
• Benelux - J & M Brands

References

1. ↑ http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/nick-u-s-finds-times-for-zodiaks-tickety-toc/
2. ↑ BARB, C&S homes, K4-15, Nick Jr., April 2012
3. ↑ Nielsen Oct-Nov ‘12
4. ↑ http://www.cartoonbrew.com/biz/new-nickelodeon-preschool-series-tickety-toc-launches-sept-10-69406.html
5. ↑ http://www.channel5.com/shows/tickety-toc
6. ↑ http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/tickety-toc
7. ↑ http://www.licensing.biz/news/10574/Tickety-Toc-licensing-roster-swells-further
8. ↑ http://kidscreen.com/2013/01/15/more-licensees-for-preschool-series-tickety-toc/