Me Too! (UK TV series)

Me Too!

Titlecard used from Series 1 onwarda
Genre Children's
Starring Jane McCarry
Rosemary Amoani
Chris McCausland
Donald Cameron
Matthew McVarish
Elaine McKenzie Ellis
Samantha Seager
Ross Allan
Joyce Galugbo
Michelle Rodley
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of episodes 26 series 1. 26 series 2. (list of episodes)
Production
Location(s) Glasgow
Edinburgh
Newcastle upon Tyne
Manchester
London
Running time 28 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel BBC Two (2006-)
Original run 2006 – present
Chronology
Related shows Balamory
External links
Website

Me Too! is a live-action television series on BBC Two and CBeebies for preschool children based around the large (fictional) community of Riverseafingal in Scotland. In reality the programme is filmed in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Newcastle upon Tyne, with some exterior shots of Manchester Metrolink trams also being used.

Me Too! is produced by Glasgow-based production company Tattiemoon. One of the Directors is Andrew Agnew, Balamory's famous Policeman PC Plum. Two of Bobby's helpers cleaning the buses are Stevie Robertson (the husband of Jane Robertson who also worked on the show) and Jamie Gash.

The Series

The series follows six parents and their children including Lisa, Jack, Rebecca, Kai and a dog called Sampson who are apart during the day as the children go to Granny Murray's and the parents go to work. At various points in the programme the parent will think of their child and a 'think puff' will travel across the city to Granny Murray's. The programme then alternates between what the parents are doing at work and what the children are doing with Granny Murray. One of the aims behind the series is to reassure children of working parents who go to childminders that their parents are always thinking of them. In addition, children get a view into an adult's working day (simplified and more entertaining than a real work day for children's benefit). Each day's plot hinges on a problem that develops at work and the main character's "race against time" to sort it out. Granny Murray has always provided a kernel of wisdom during the programme's opening that helps in solving the problem. The programme features much usage of clocks and time, and hence also aims to teach young children to tell the time.

Return

The show returned to CBeebies in December 2006. However some viewers were annoyed to find that the original songs had been "re-composed", but with the original lyrics remaining in place. The reason for this is still unclear. Fans on the BBC Parenting message board have observed that there were previous complaints about the original songs being too fast, unmemorable and difficult for children to learn. The question of copyright issues was also raised as a possibility, unverified. A Tattiemoon representative states only that the staff of the programme have been "working on the new songs for a long time." (Tattiemoon email letter sent to multiple enquirers.)

Main characters

Adults

Character Job Played by
Granny Murray ChildminderJane McCarry
Dr Juno DoctorRosemary Amoani
Mickey JohnSchool teacher Donnie Cameron
Raymond Buffet car manager Matthew McVarish
Tina Taxicab driverElaine Mackenzie Ellis
Bobby[1] Bus cleanerSamantha Seager
Nurse Hendry Nurse Ross Allan
Rudi Market stall trader Chris McCausland
ChuckFerryboat band musician Joyce Galugbo
LouieFerryboat band musician Michelle Rodley[2]

Children

Character Parent(s) Played by
Lisa Tina and Raymond Lisa Irvine
RebeccaMickey John Rebecca Morrow
KaiBobbyKai Ross
JackRudi and LouieJack McGarril

Animals

Animal Owner
Sampson Dr.Juno

Other Adults

Stevie Robertson (Bus Cleaner), Jamie Gash (Bus Cleaner), Skip Reid (Market Stall Vendor)

Episodes

Series 1

I Want to Dance Raymond wants someone to buy his chocolate mousse in the buffet car.

Fireworks Granny Murray takes the children to a fireworks display at the castle, but Bobby worries it might be scary.

The Rattle Tina hears noises while she is driving, and thinks there must be a carnival in town.

I Want to See the Parade Doctor Juno creates carnival fun in the hospital to make up for not being able to see the local parade.

Bumps in the Night A storm hits Riverseafingal and breaks Bobby's broom.

The Puncture The old swing in Granny Murray's garden gets thrown out but Tina thinks she can replace it.

Paper Mountain The children have fun with paper, and Mickey John learns about recycling.

Baby The gang awaits the baby's arrival, but father Bruce goes for a walk at a vital moment.

Roadworks Riverseafingal is beset with roadworks, so Rudi recruits some helpers to sell fruit and vegetables somewhere quieter.

I Want To Stay Up All Night When Kai declares he wants to stay up all night, Granny Murray enlists the help of Bobby to get him to sleep.

The Juicer Mickey John feels hot in the sun, but later realises what a help it can be to him.

Less Rush Doctor Juno has a busy day and forgets to take a patient's plaster off, until she is reminded by Tina.

I Want to Say Goodnight Bobby misses her routine goodnight call and dashes across the city to put things right.

Granny Murray's Potato Recipes Rudi finds himself running low on supplies because Granny Murray's potato recipes are so popular.

Fruit Bus Bobby cleans the bus in preparation for a healthy eating campaign.

Fantastical Mickey John tells a story about a king and queen, and the children draw pictures of the characters.

Ratatouille Rudi misplaces Raymond's list of ingredients for Granny Murray's ratatouille, but luckily remembers what is in it.

The Kiss Raymond acts strangely as he awaits a visit from jazz singer Edith Budge.

Cheese and Tomato Toasties Raymond eats a lot of tasty cheese toasties, leaving him short of bread.

Strawberries Tina helps Rudi collect strawberries from Hayes Farm to sell at his stall.

Market Cries Granny Murray takes the children to the park and to the market, where they learn about working in a team.

The Pet Bobby is `chosen' by an abandoned kitten so she decides to take it home and keep it as a pet.

Harlequin Day Doctor Juno has been too busy working and sorting out the Harlequin Day to organise the opening.

Driving Lesson Granny Murray shows the children lots of cars, and Tina takes Bobby for a driving lesson in her taxi.

Signs Rudi has too many pears to sell so comes up with an idea to help get rid of them.

Castle Rocks Everyone sets off to a concert to see the Ferry Boat Band, but guest singer Doctor Juno is held up at the hospital.

Give a Wave Day Bobby does not realise she has been given special instructions to decorate the buses - but manages to set things right in the nick of time.

Creative Train Mess and disorganisation leave Raymond frustrated, so he sorts out the activities for the Creative Train day in the buffet car.

Parking Tina wants to do her shopping and pick up Lisa from Granny Murray's, but has trouble finding a parking space.

Fashion Show Tina delivers outfits for the college fashion show to the town hall, with a little help from Granny Murray.

Story Bus Bobby makes a special picture book for Kai by using old bus adverts.

Don't Touch Mickey John asks Doctor Juno to talk to his class about dangers in the home.

The School Trip Mickey John forgets to remind the children to bring packed lunches for the school trip, so he asks Raymond to prepare the food.

The Planetarium Granny Murray's children look at stars through Mickey John's telescope.

The Robot Bobby wants to get Kai a present, but runs out of time to go shopping and ends up making a simple robot instead.

Niggles Everyone is annoyed with Raymond's grumpy mood, so he decides to decorate the buffet car to make amends.

Seaside Run Tina forgets to get petrol for her vehicle in the rush to prepare for the taxi drivers' annual day trip to the seaside with the children.

The Hat Parade The gang prepare for a hat parade at the People's Palace in the park, but Tina's headgear gets broken.

Play Safe Granny Murray takes Sampson and the children to try out skating, while Doctor Juno starts a safety campaign.

Running Out Louie is ill and Rudi is so busy looking after her, he forgets to order stock for his stall. He runs out of things to sell, so calls on Tina for help.

Painting by Numbers Mickey John teaches how to mix colours during an art lesson.

Leaky Bus Bobby arranges for a leaking bus to be serviced, and has a broken toy mended for Kai.

Clean Floors Raymond takes much pride in how clean and safe he keeps his buffet car, but when Mickey John demonstrates his steam engine to Raymond, it leaves oil on the floor. Will Raymond realise and clean it up in time before there is an accident?

Precious Tina visits a hospital when she gets a small ring stuck on her finger.

Fruit Race Rudi has to decorate the finish line of the fruit race before the winner crosses it.

Grumpy Doctor Juno tries to cheer up a grumpy Nurse Hendry.

Fun with Words Mickey John sends his class to sleep while teaching poetry, before calling on Tina and Raymond to help wake them up.

The above list is the episodes from the first series. Series two is missing.

Places

Within Riverseafingal, there are many locations:

Songs

All the music has been composed by Lester Barnes and during the course of each episode, a wide range of songs are played:

References

  1. ↑ "What's the story? Balamory makers hop on bus to Capital - News - Scotsman.com". The Scotsman. 14 February 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  2. ↑ Fulton, Rick (31 August 2006). "GAME FOR KIDS' PLAY - The Daily Record". Daily Record. Retrieved 24 June 2012.

External links