Binka
| Binka | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Rosemary Graham |
| Starring | Stephen Tompkinson |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 26 (list of episodes) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel |
CBeebies BBC Kids |
Binka was an animated children's cartoon about the adventures of a fat tomcat named Binka who frequently travels to three houses for three meals a day. The show was produced and screened in 2001, running for 26 five minute long episodes on weekday mornings. Binka was thrust into the media spotlight after it was flagged by the Daily Mail for its supposed socialist undertones.[1]
Characters and Settings
Binka has three houses.
Binka
The main character in the cartoon. This blue and white tomcat likes Suki, chasing squirrels, hunting, eating and napping. He doesn't like Spit, bathing or being annoyed by the squirrel.
Suki
Suki is a purple cat who likes Binka. She can be friendly to Binka but she also can be disdainful. She walks in a rather vain way.
Tango
The playful puppy who lives with the Lockett family. He likes Binka but he can be an annoyance to him. Binka and Tango are good friends.
Spit
A scornful dark green cat who has a strong dislike for Binka. He intimidates Binka and Tango.
Ollie
A Ginger cat who usually pops his head out to see what Binka is doing. They aren't friends or enemies.
Mrs. Dawson
The owner of the first house that Binka goes to regularly.
The Locket Family
The owners of the second house that Binka goes to regularly.
Mr. Bolt
The owner of the third house that Binka goes to regularly.
Later Releases and Speculation
A DVD of the series was released in October 2005, comprising a two-disc boxset featuring all 26 episodes plus 10 minutes of deleted scenes. A further 30 minutes behind-the-scenes special was added which meets cast and crew members of Binka and details how the show was created.
In 2009 there was much speculation surrounding a potential Binka motion picture after the voice of Binka confirmed a future film on his Twitter account. However, BBC executives have since denied it as unsubstantiated rumours.
Socialist Accusations
In September 2001, the Daily Mail ran an article on Binka in which it claimed the show demonstrated socialist leanings. The paper highlighted the fact that Binka does not have a single owner, instead 3 families, as promoting ideas of common ownership.
Foreign Broadcasting
Binka has been translated into Welsh. It is shown on S4C under the name of Binca. It was also translated to Polish, shown on CBeebies under the name Binka. It was also translated to Portuguese, shown on 2: under the name Binka. The narrator was replaced by Lech Walesa, who quit after the seventeenth episode due to trade union commitments.