Numberjacks

Numberjacks

The ten Numberjacks, seen in Zero the Hero
Written by Chris Ellis
Starring Dylan Robertson (voices of 0 and 1),
Robert Watson (voice of 2),
Alice Baker (voice of 3),
Jonathan Beech (voice of 4),
Laura Maasland (voice of 5),
Oliver Keogh (voice of 6),
Roz Ellis (voices of 7 and 9),
Harry Munday (voice of 8),
Bob Golding
(voices of the Problem Blob and the Puzzler),
Rachel Preece
(voices of the Shape Japer and the Spooky Spoon),
Ross Mullan (voices of the Numbertaker)
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of series 2
No. of episodes 67 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time 15 minutes
(Seaside Adventure: 45 minutes)
Broadcast
Original channel BBC Two
CBeebies
Original run 16 October 2006 – 11 December 2009

Numberjacks is a British children's television series that originally aired on BBC2 in the UK between October 2006[1] and 2009; re-runs of the episodes are still shown regularly on CBeebies (when it was on BBC2, it was only on occasionally, and when it first appeared, it was only on for a week). It was produced by Open Mind Productions for the BBC and featured a mixture of computer-generated animation and live-action.

Synopsis

The Numberjacks were animated characters (the numbers 0 to 9) who live in an ordinary sofa and solve problems outside; each episode has the same structure. At the beginning of the episode, some of the Numberjacks would be engaged in an activity, that would have relevance to the problem that was later discovered - then, an "agent" (who was a live-action child) would call in and describe the problem that is occurring. One (or two) of the Numberjacks would go out into the real world to solve the problem while the remaining Numberjacks stayed in the sofa and watch their progress on a screen. As soon as the problem was understood, 5 would imagined what else could go wrong if it wasn't solved (often wondering what would happen to the Dancing Cow, who never actually made any physical appearance in the real world).

Once outside, the Numberjacks were shown in a live-action setting (although themselves still animated); they diagnosed their problems by examination, and with help from additional ideas from the agents, who called into the base. The problem could either be caused by one of the antagonists, or one of the younger Numberjacks (0, 1 or 2) escaping from the sofa and inadvertently making things go wrong. Problems were solved by using "Brain Gain," a magical force of power activated by use of a machine in the sofa and transferred to the Numberjack.

Once solved, the Numberjacks would return to their base, replay what happened on a screen and then challenge the viewer to think about a related problem and "call the Numberjacks"; the problems encountered were all based upon simple mathematical concepts, and the programme was intended to stimulate young children's interest in mathematics. On satellite, digital, and cable TV, a link to Numberjacks often appeared in the corner of the screen and sometimes on (for example) gardening programmes as a way of helping people with basic numeracy.

Characters

Protagonists

The Numberjacks were the heroes; each of the numbers 0 through 9 was an individual character and each was broadly the age of his or her number. The male Numberjacks were even numbers and the female Numberjacks were odd numbers - however, 1 was voiced by a female actor.

Antagonists

There were five evil villains, the "Meanies", who often cause trouble for people; the Problem Blob, the Puzzler and the Numbertaker were male, while the Shape Japer and the Spooky Spoon were female. The Spooky Spoon also seemed to appear more than any of the other Meanies.

Episode list

The first series, consisting of 45 15-minute episodes, was premiered on BBC Two on 16 October 2006, while the second one, consisting of 20 15-minute episodes, was premiered on CBeebies in 2009; both "specials" were also exclusive to DVD[1]>

# Episode Original Air date Overview DVD release
Series 1 (2006-2007)
1 The Trouble With Nothing 16 October 2006 0 makes things disappear and 6 flies out to sort everything out.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 33, 42, 16, 68

Volume 1
2 Going Wrong, Going Long 17 October 2006 Things get longer thanks to the Problem Blob. 4 is on the way!

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 16, 28, 68, 53

Volume 1
3 Sphere Today Gone Tomorrow 18 October 2006 The Shape Japer turns spheres into cubes - 6 has a scare on the marble run.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 28, 33, 101, 70

Volume 2
4 In Out Shake It All About 19 October 2006 Things that should be inside end up outside - 5 takes 3 out there to help sort the Puzzler out.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 70, 94, 42, 53

Volume 1
5 One More Time 20 October 2006 When 1 goes out alone there's one more of everything - 4 rides the railway to the rescue.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 53, 28, 94, 68

Volume 2
6 Forward Thinking 23 October 2006 The Problem Blob is back - and things go backwards and forwards. 6 hitches a lift.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 16, 33, 53, 85

Volume 3
7 Seven Wonders 24 October 2006 4 finds things add up to 7 when the Puzzler's about.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Agents: 53, 42, 70, 16

Volume 3
8 Getting Heavy 25 October 2006 The Spooky Spoon is making light things heavy - 5 and 3 fly out.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 Agents: 53, 16, 68, 85

Volume 2
9 Belongings 26 October 2006 Things don't belong when the Spooky Spoon mixes things up - another problem for 5.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 16, 33, 68, 42

Volume 3
10 4 He's A Jolly Good Fellow 27 October 2006 The Numbertaker is taking all the fours he can find - will 4 escape his clutches?

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 28, 68, 101

Volume 1
11 Boxing Day 30 October 2006 Boxes go wrong when the Shape Japer plays tricks - but 6 can do the trick too!

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 85, 33, 101, 94

Volume 1
12 Out of Order 31 October 2006 The Spooky Spoon makes sure things are well out of order - until 5 sorts her out.

Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 47, 96, 73, 88

N/A
13 Nine Lives 1 November 2006 The Puzzler has 9 trapped in a puzzle bubble - 6 and 3 come to the rescue.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 (two 3s), 9 Agents: 25, 34, 88, 100

Volume 2
14 Takeaway 2 November 2006 Not just a few problems, lots of them - 4 makes the Numbertaker take more than he wants to.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 28, 101, 85, 70

Volume 4
15 The Cuck-Cuck-Cuck-Oo-Oo-Oo Bird 3 November 2006 There's a pattern to the problems the Puzzler causes - and 5 has to break that pattern.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 14, 47, 73, 96

Volume 4
16 Stop And Go 19 February 2007 Things don't move when they should - 6 has got to sort the Spooky Spoon out.

Numberjacks: 0, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 34, 52, 73, 100

N/A
17 Off Colour 20 February 2007 TheSpooky Spoon wants to be the most colourful character around - 4 is out to stop her.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 88, 34, 25, 100

Volume 1
18 A Game Of Two Halves 21 February 2007 The Shape Japer makes half a load of trouble, and 4 has to make things whole again.

Numberjacks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 14, 47, 73, 96

Volume 3
19 Out For The Count 22 February 2007 2 is out and about and making everyone count wrongly - 6 is after him.

Numberjacks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 96, 61, 100, 25

Volume 4
20 The Container Drainer 23 February 2007 Everything is empty thanks to the Puzzler - 3 helps 5 to fill things up again.

Numberjacks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 96, 61, 100, 25

Volume 5
21 Tens Moments 26 February 2007 1 and 0 get out and about and make ten of everything - 5 has got more work to do.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 25, 52, 61, 88

N/A
22 3 Things Good 27 February 2007 3 is out on her own trying to do battle with the Shape Japer, who does not like things in threes.

Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 25, 34, 88, 100

Volume 4
23 Say What You Mean 28 February 2007 Be clear what you mean or the Problem Blob will make trouble for you, as 4 finds out.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 34, 47, 100, 14

Volume 5
24 One Won 1 March 2007 There's only one of everything, thanks to the Numbertaker - 6 sorts things with help from 1.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 55, 68, 70, 94

Volume 2
25 Tricky Sixes 2 March 2007 The Numbertaker likes two lots of three today - 6 is the Numberjack to sort him out.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 42, 85, 55, 68

N/A
26 May The Fours Be With You 5 March 2007 The Shape Japer is after things that come in eights - 4 goes on the mission.

Numberjacks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 Agents: 16, 42, 68, 101

Volume 5
27 Best Estimate 6 March 2007 The Problem Blob makes things go wrong when people can't estimate - 5 to the rescue.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 28, 55, 70, 101

Volume 2
28 On and Off 7 March 2007 The Spooky Spoon is mixing things up again, so instead of being on things are off - 4 is on the case.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 16, 33, 68, 85

N/A
29 Zero the Hero 8 March 2007 0 to the rescue when just for once, the Numberjacks are the problem, not the answer!

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Agents: 33, 55, 85

Volume 3
30 Bad Circles 9 March 2007 The Shape Japer is making bad circles - 6 is ready to sort her out.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 28, 42, 70, 94

Volume 6
31 Famous Fives 12 March 2007 The Puzzler sets the problem - and 5 is the right Numberjack to sort it out.

Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 16, 42, 68, 94

Volume 6
32 Fair Shares 13 March 2007 Things aren't being shared fairly, thanks to the Problem Blob - 6 makes everything all right.

Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Agents: 28, 101, 85, 33

Volume 4
33 Being 3 14 March 2007 The Numbertaker is taking threes today - but he can't take Numberjack 3.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 28, 55, 70, 101

Volume 3
34 Into the Teens 15 March 2007 The Numbertaker has added ten more than 1 - 4 has to sort him out.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Agents: 33, 55, 70, 85

Volume 6
35 Slide and Turn 16 March 2007 The Shape Japer is moving things and causing problems - 5 goes out there.

Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 17, 41, 60, 106

N/A
36 Six Of One 19 March 2007 The Problem Blob is making trouble with sixes - Numberjack 6 to the rescue.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 22, 41, 60, 106

N/A
37 Time Trouble 20 March 2007 Time passes very strangely - thanks to the Spooky Spoon. 5 investigates. This was the first appearance of the Beeper (a timing device).

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 38, 54, 79, 95

Volume 5
38 1, 2, 3, Go 21 March 2007 It's 1, 2, 3 - pattern time! 3 battles with the Puzzler. This is also the only episode where the Brain Gain machine was never used.

Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 Agents: 17, 54, 60, 106

N/A
39 More 4 22 March 2007 The Shape Japer makes trouble with symmetry - 4 goes out to sort things out.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Agents: 17, 22, 41, 38

N/A
40 Almost Human 23 March 2007 The Problem Blob causes trouble - and 4 tries out being a human being.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 79, 83, 95, 106

N/A
41 Two, Four, Six, Eight 26 March 2007 The Numbertaker takes all the even numbers - 6 and 8 fly out to put things right.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Agents: 79, 54, 57, 17

Volume 5
42 Round and Round 27 March 2007 The Problem Blob has gotten people going around in circles - can 5 restore things to normal?

Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 41, 60, 83, 106

N/A
43 Square Dancing 28 March 2007 The Shape Japer's about - and 1, 4, and 9 sort out problems with squares.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 Agents: 22, 41, 79, 95

N/A
44 Data Day 29 March 2007 The Spooky Spoon is mixing things up - 3 gets ready to take her on.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 17, 54, 60, 106

Volume 4
45 How? What? Check! 30 March 2007 5 sorts out the Puzzler's problems - and checks to make sure.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 22, 38, 83, 95

N/A
Series 1 Specials
46 Counting Down To Christmas N/A The Numbertaker, the Shape Japer and the Spooky Spoon make Christmas go wrong, and Agent 20 is one of the victims. 5 and 6 fly out and save Christmas Day with help from 3 and some other agents. In this episode, the Meanies work together. It was also exclusive to DVD.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Agents: 20, 77, 49

Volume 5 (Release date: 24 November 2008)
47 Seaside Adventure N/A The Numberjacks have a holiday at the beach, only to face troubles with the Meanies!

Agents: 39, 91, 121, 122, 20 Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Volume 6 (Release date: 3 August 2009)
Series 2 (2009) [1]
48 Ups and Downs 26 October 2009 Some upside down adventures as 4 sorts out the Spooky Spoon – with a little help from 8.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 Agents: 18, 37, 58

N/A
49 On the Move 27 October 2009 People keep counting when they don’t need to - thanks to the Problem Blob. 5 sorts things out.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 81, 44, 63

N/A
50 Very Shapely 28 October 2009 The Shape Japer is into extreme shapes – 6 gets busy sorting things out.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 99, 72, 27

N/A
51 Wee Three Phone Home 29 October 2009 The Puzzler sets a puzzle, and 3 is up to the challenge, with a little help from 7, 8 and 9.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Agents: 108, 12, 63

N/A
52 Did You Notice Anything? 30 October 2009 The Numbertaker’s causing problems, but strangely people don’t notice. 4 to the rescue.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 81, 108, 27

N/A
53 Measured Response 2 November 2009 The Shape Japer’s changing the lengths of things – 6 and his buddy sticks are on the case.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 72, 44, 37

N/A
54 Think Again 3 November 2009 Sometimes it's good to think again, as 5 discovers when she’s dealing with the Spooky Spoon's latest stirrings.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 58, 63, 99

N/A
55 Carry On Counting 4 November 2009 People need to carry on counting, not start again – 6 sorts out the Problem Blob.

Numberjacks: 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Agents: 12, 108, 81

N/A
56 A Record In The Charts 5 November 2009 People need more information – so 4 goes out there battling with the Puzzler.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Agents: 27, 72, 44

N/A
57 Half Time 6 November 2009 The Numbertaker is halving the number of things – 4 is out there at the double.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 Agents: 37, 58, 99

N/A
58 A Close Thing 9 November 2009 The Problem Blob keeps putting things in the wrong position – 6 is the Numberjack for the job.

Numberjacks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 58, 37, 18

N/A
59 A Circle at Both Ends 10 November 2009 The Shape Japer is having fun with cylinders - 5 to the rescue.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 44, 63, 81

N/A
60 Matchmaking 11 November 2009 Numbers don’t match when the Numbertaker's about - until 3 saves the day.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 99, 72, 27

N/A
61 A Different Sort 12 November 2009 The Spooky Spoon is jumping things about – and 4 is the one to sort her out.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 Agents: 12, 108, 63

N/A
62 Areas of Concern 13 November 2009 The Puzzler is making things bigger and smaller – 6 and his buddy tiles save the day.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 18, 37, 99

N/A
63 The Dreaded Lurgi 7 December 2009 5 to the rescue when things are going up and down and round and round, all thanks to the Problem Blob.

Numberjacks: 0, 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 58, 81, 18, 12, 72, 44, 99, 37, 108, 63

N/A
64 Fraction Action 8 December 2009 The Shape Japer is splitting things into fractions, and 3 is on the case.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 Agents: 12, 44, 72

N/A
65 Interesting Times 9 December 2009 7 tells the story of how 3, 4, 5, and 6 had to sort out day and night when the Spooky Spoon mixed things up.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Agents: 37, 58, 99

N/A
66 More Ways Than One 10 December 2009 When the Puzzler bubbles 8, 4 has to find three different ways making eight to release him.

Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Agents: 27, 63, 18

N/A
67 Hundreds and Thousands 11 December 2009 6 saves the day when the Numbertaker is taking hundreds and thousands.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Agents: 44, 81, 108

N/A

Awards

  • Awarded Best Schools Programme - 0-5 Years (for the episode "Nine Lives")[2]
  • Awarded Best Schools Programme - 0-5 Years (for the episode "Zero the Hero")[3]

DVD releases

The Numberjacks are on Their Way (Volume 1) (Early issues of this volume have 3, 4 and 5 watching 6 on a TV on the cover)

Calling All Agents (Volume 2)

Standing by to Zoom (Volume 3) (This volume also contained a special free Christmas CD; it was released in December 2007)

Brain Gain (Volume 4) (Early issues of this volume have 5 in the centre of the cover while later reissues have 4 instead)

Counting Down to Christmas (Volume 5)

Seaside Adventure (Volume 6)

Other merchandise

References

External links