Binka
| Binka | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Rosemary Graham |
| Starring | Stephen Tompkinson |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Release | |
| Original network |
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 aired from 2001-2005 (4 years, including repeats), running for twenty six five minute long episodes on weekday mornings. Binka was thrust into the media spotlight, after it was flagged by The Daily Mail, for its socialist undertones.[1]
Characters and settings
Binka – The main character in the cartoon. This blue and white tomcat likes Suki, chasing squirrels, hunting, eating and napping. He does not like Spit, bathing or being annoyed by the squirrel.
Suki – 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 are not friends or enemies.
Mrs. Dawson – The owner of the first house that Binka goes to regularly.
The Lockett 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.
DVD releases
In October 2005, a DVD of the series was released, featuring nine or ten episodes, titled Binka and Friends. And that was the only DVD of this show ever released.
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 three families, as promoting ideas of common ownership.
Foreign broadcasting
Binka has been translated into Welsh and is shown on S4C under the name of Binca. Also, it has been translated to Polish and shown on CBeebies, shown on 2: translated in Portuguese, and has been broadcast on ABC and ABC2 in Australia.