Playbox (1980s TV series)

Playbox was a TV programme for pre-school children aged 2–5, which ran during the late 1980s and early 1990s in the United Kingdom on ITV and was produced by Central Independent Television. It was the first ragdoll show to be made by ITV. It was created by Leslie Pitts, and Anne Wood (who had only recently founded the now famous Ragdoll Productions).

The show took place inside a red, yellow and blue box, with the main characters, Cat and Dog, being controlled by puppeteers from inside the box. The puppets would draw pictures, tell stories, sing songs, and play jokes on one another (mainly typical slapstick). The puppets were voiced by Pat Coombs and Keith Chegwin.

Playbox was part of the many other children's shows that would appear on weekday lunchtimes on ITV1 between midday and 12.30pm as well as Rainbow, Rod, Jane and Freddy, Allsorts, Rosie and Jim and The Riddlers.

Playbox began on air in 1987 and the show finished in 1992.

Episodes which were the chosen episodes from each series, In 1987 the first series of playbox was broadcast for 13 episodes, In the 1988 series of series two there were 10 episodes, Another 10 episodes from series three in 1989, Another 10 episodes from series 4 in 1990, 9 Episodes were shown in 1991 in series 5 and the final 8 episodes during series six in 1992 until the show was axed, All the series have got 60 episodes.

VHS releases

Episodes

Birds Cat shows Dog her toy roundabout with some children and some birds. They watch a TV where some children feeding birds on the bird table. Dog was swinging his racket and Cat pretends that it is a tree and gets some leaves to put on the top. Then Cat draws a picture of a bird sitting in the tree and they play a guessing game of which has come out of a birds tail.

Water (1) Cat and Dog bought a tray of water and put a toy frog in it. They watch a TV where some children wash the dishes. Cat and Dog bring green cups and dishes. Then Cat draws a picture of frog which is green. And they play a guessing game of where does a frog live.

Shoes Cat shows Dog a toy crocodille which it doesn't bite. Then they watch a TV of a little girl getting her new shoes with her mum. Dog gets different shoes which doesn't make a pair so he gets the right shoes. Cat draws a picture of someone with bright colours was a butterfly. Then they play a guessing game of how many spots on the butterfly.

Pets Cat shows Dog a toy dog just like Dog! They watch a TV of some little girls took their guinea pig to the vets. Cat shows Dog some toy pets all kinds of different pets. Then Cat draws a picture of a hamster and they play a guessing game of which does a hamster eat.

Birthdays Cat shows Dog of a toy man with long heavy arms for balancing on one step without falling over. They watch a TV of some children get presents on someone's birthday. Cat brings her present to Dog and Dog gets his present to Cat. Dog has a little teddy and so does Cat! They both got presents, and Cat draws a picture of a birthday cake and they play a guessing game of how many candles on the cake.

Painting Cat shows Dog of a long red stick with a sheep swinging over and over. They watch a TV of some children paint with their feet. Cat finds a box of water color paints and shows Dog what kind of paints are there. Then Cat draws a picture of a lamb, and they a guessinf game of how does a woolly lamb grow up to be. Today's story with Polly, Monkey and Toucan they visit their friend Hippo and they all draw pictures, Monkey draws a picture of Hippo, Polly does a self-portrait (A picture of Myself) and Toucan draws himself as a king.

Buses Cat shows Dog of a thinning top with the train inside, then they watch a TV of a little boy going on a ride in the bus. Cat and Dog put three small colour balls in the small cup and three big colour balls in the big cup. Then Cat draws a picture of an elephant which is bigger than the bus, then they play a guessing game of how long is the elephant's nose.

Trains Cat shows Dog a spinning top, then they watch a TV of a little boy going on a train. Then Cat and Dog have a trouble getting other sides with the big beach ball. Cat draws a picture of a boat and they play a guessing game of which shape is the sail.

Water (2) Cat and Dog bring a tray of water and they bought a toy crocodille who likes to get wet. They watch a TV of a little boy taking a bath. Dog finds a rain hat and welly boats for him to wear and he pretends to splash in the puddle. Then Cat draws a picture of a crocodille and she and Dog play a guessing game of where does a crocodille lives.

Cranes Cat shows Dog a toy crane that can life things up. Then they watch a TV of some children saw a real tall crane. Cat and Dog build different shape coloured bricks. Cat draws a picture of castle and they play a guessing game of what's on the top of the castle.

Shopping Cat shows Dog a toy cow. They watch a TV of a little girl going shopping with her mum. Cat brings her shopping and shows them to Dog. Can draws a picture of cow and she and Dog play a guessing game of what do cows like to eat.

Playdough Cat shows Dog her toy bee which it won't sting anybody. They watch a TV of some children play with their playdough. Cat and Dog make a flower out of modeling clay. Cat draws a picture of a bee and they play a guessing game of how many bees can they see.

Hippo Cat shows Dog her toy Hippo that has a fish on a string that when pulled it will make his mouth move and he'll eat it. They watch a TV of some children playing with their toys and then helping their mum doing the vacuum cleaning. Cat and Dog look at the shopping they bought of Biscuits, Milk, Yogurt and Cheese. Cat draws a picture of a mouse and they play a guessing game of what a mouse likes to eat. Today's story with Polly, Monkey and Toucan they visit Hippo who is feeling unhappy because he has not had a present for his birthday so they give him a comb to use a teeth which makes Hippo very happy.

Boat Cat drew a picture of a sailing boat. Today's story with Polly, Monkey and Toucan they visit Hippo who has a surprise, in which are stilts that Polly tried first, but Monkey wanted to join in the fun by them sharing one stilt each. Monkey then showed off with tricks that ended up them falling into a bush.