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{{short description|British children's television show}}
{{Infobox Television
{{pp|reason=Persistent [[WP:Disruptive editing|disruptive editing]]. This has been going on forever. Enough.|small=yes}}
| show_name = Boohbah
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
| image = [[File:Boohbah logo.jpg]]
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
| caption =
{{Infobox television
| format = [[Children's television series]]
| runtime = 25 minutes
| image = Boohbah title card.png
| creator = [[Anne Wood]]
| runtime = 20 minutes
| network = [[CITV]]<br />[[GMTV]]<br />[[PBS Kids]]
| creator = [[Anne Wood]]
| director = {{ubl|Chris Bernard|Annie Gibbs|Vic Finch}}
| originating team = [[Robin Stevens]]<br />[[Alan Dapre]]
| narrated = <!-- Narrator for a whole show, usually credited as "Narrated by". The Voice of the Storywold segments doesn't narrate the majority of the show. -->
| developer = [[Ragdoll Productions]] for [[Cole Entertainment]]
| starring = {{ubl|Emma Insley|Alex Poulter|Cal Jaggers|Phil Hayes|Laura Pero}}
| first_aired = 2003
| theme_music_composer =
| last_aired = 2005
| status = Ended
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| starring = Emma Ainsley<br />Alex Poulter<br />Cal Jaggers<br />[[Phil Hayes]]<br />Laura Pero
| country = United Kingdom
| composer = [[Andrew McCrorie-Shand]]
| language = English
| country = United Kingdom
| num_episodes = 104
| language = English
| num_series = 2
| num_episodes = 104
| producer = Anne Wood
| company = {{ubl|[[Ragdoll Productions]]|[[GMTV]]}}
| network = {{ubl|[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]|[[Nick Jr. (UK and Ireland)|Nick Jr. UK]]}}<!--ITV didn't finish premiering the series until 2006, with some episodes debuting first on Nick Jr. UK, which aired the entire series twice over by late 2005-->
| first_aired = {{start date|2003|4|14|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2006|1|6|df=y}}
| related = {{ubl|''[[Teletubbies]]''|''[[In the Night Garden...]]''}}
}}
}}
'''''Boohbah''''' is a 2003 [[children's television series]] produced by [[Ragdoll Productions]] and aimed at children between three and five years old. It premiered in 2003 on [[GMTV]] and [[CITV]] in the United Kingdom, in the United States on [[PBS]] and [[PBS Kids Sprout]]. It was created by [[Anne Wood]] with scripts by [[Alan Dapre]] and [[Robin Stevens]] (of [[Pob's Programme|Pob]] fame). [[Anne Wood]] also created the children's show ''[[Teletubbies]]'' (another [[Ragdoll Productions|Ragdoll]] series). The similarity between this show and ''Teletubbies'', both of which have a [[science fiction]] theme, is notable. The website says, "The design of the show – visually and otherwise, draws upon early concepts in science, maths and art and combines these with ‘televisual magic’ to create a uniquely funny television experience." One of the show's trademarks is a child's voice pronouncing the show's name in song (BOOH.....BAH).


'''''Boohbah''''' is a British preschool television series created by [[Anne Wood]] and produced by Wood's company, [[Ragdoll Productions]], in association with [[GMTV]].<ref name="Kidscreen_2003">{{Cite web|url=https://kidscreen.com/2003/06/01/health-20030601/|title=A new health-conscious TV trend takes kids from plump to pumped|work=[[Kidscreen]]|date=1 June 2003|last=Ashdown|first=Simon}}</ref> It premiered on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] on 14 April 2003.<ref name="C21_atoms">{{Cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/itv-lines-up-atoms-for-preschool-push/|title=ITV lines up atoms for preschool push|work=C21Media|date=10 April 2003}}</ref> The series was later broadcast on [[Nick Jr. (UK and Ireland)|Nick Jr.{{nbsp}}UK]]<ref name="Nick Jr UK"/> beginning on 2 April 2005.<ref name="2005 press release"/>
There were 104 twenty-five minute episodes. The show was shown in the USA on [[PBS Kids]] in HD until 2005 when it was taken off the air along with ''[[Teletubbies]]'' and ''[[Reading Rainbow]]''. Boohbah was also shown in the [[Netherlands]] on [[Nick Jr.]]. Currently, the series continues to air on [[Tiny Pop]] in the [[UK]]. "Boohbah" means "doll" in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], and the rounded shape of the central characters is reminiscent of the [[bouba/kiki]] effect, but it is not clear if these ideas influenced the name of the show.


The series, with 104 episodes, was designed for preschoolers aged three to six (a slightly older age group than Wood's previous show, ''[[Teletubbies]]'').<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,993119,00.html|title= Television: Tubby, And Bouncy Too|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=19 January 2004}}</ref>
== The Boohbahs ==
The Boohbahs are five furry, [[gumdrop]]-shaped creatures played by actors in full body costumes. Their thick, shimmery fur sparkles with tiny lights; their [[Kewpie doll]] style heads are hairless and feature big eyes with rows of lights for eyebrows. The Boohbahs do not speak, but instead make noises like squeaks, Boohbahs can retract their heads into their furry necks. Each Boohbah is a different color. They are:


According to Anne Wood, the show's visuals were inspired by scientific photographs of [[microorganism|microscopic life]] and [[cell (biology)|cell structures]].<ref name="LA Times">{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-23-et-heffley23-story.html|title=The telly's new tubbies: Boohbahs|date=23 January 2004|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> The main characters, the Boohbahs, are "[[atom]]s of energy"<ref name="Nick Jr UK"/> who sleep in charging pods. Every episode follows the Boohbahs performing a dance routine where the audience is encouraged to participate. The creators at Ragdoll Productions designed the show as an interactive "televisual game" with an emphasis on spatial awareness, [[motor skill]] development and puzzle solving.
* Humbah ([[Yellow]]) – Pedro Lopez
* Zumbah ([[Purple]]) – Alex Poulter
* Zing Zing Zingbah ([[Orange (colour)|Orange]]) – Cal Jaggers
* Jumbah ([[Blue]]) – [[Phil Hayes]]
* JIngbah ([[Pink]]) – Laura Pero


==Characters==
The Boohbahs can fly; part of their routine is to assemble into a circle, holding hands like skydivers. Each then emits a different musical note as a flash of colored light (matching the Boohbah's color) is sent out from their heads to a central point.
Episodes of ''Boohbah'' are divided into two main segments: one featuring the Boohbahs and another featuring the Storypeople.


===Boohbahs===
== The Storypeople ==
The series focuses on the Boohbahs, five colourful creatures who are described as "magical [[atom]]s" of energy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/boohbah/boohbahs.aspx|title=Meet the Boohbahs – Nick Jr UK|date=22 February 2006|website=[[Nick Jr. (UK and Ireland)|NickJr.co.uk]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060222001559/http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/boohbah/boohbahs.aspx|archive-date=22 February 2006}}</ref> They are played by actors in full-body costumes. Their fur sparkles and shimmers with tiny lights, and they have big eyes and rows of lights for eyebrows. Each Boohbah is a different colour:
The Storypeople are a diverse group of familial characters who inhabit Storyland and there participate in various innocent [[vignettes]] inspired by the presents (see below). They exist as wholesome [[archetypes]]. They are:
* Humbah, played by Emma Insley, is a yellow Boohbah.
* Zumbah, played by Alex Poulter, is a purple Boohbah.
* Zing Zing Zingbah, played by Cal Jaggers, is an orange Boohbah.
* Jumbah, played by Phil Hayes, is a blue Boohbah.
* Jingbah, played by Laura Pero, is a pink Boohbah.


===Storypeople===
* Grandmamma (Linda Kerr-Scott) – An elderly yet spry woman. She has white hair and wears a dark pink housedress, white sweater, white socks, and red sneakers.
The Storypeople are silent human characters whose actions are controlled by off-screen children using the magic word "Boohbah".<ref name="Storyworld"/> Every episode of ''Boohbah'' includes a segment where the Storypeople are magically given a present. The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called these segments "comic visual puzzles executed with [[vaudevillian]] flair."<ref name="LA Times"/>
* Grandpappa (Robin Stevens) – An elderly yet spry Caucasian man. He has white hair and a white moustache; he wears a long-sleeved yellow shirt, dark gray slacks, red braces (US: suspenders) and white trainers (US: sneakers).
* Mrs. Lady (Harvey Virdi) – A heavyset [[demographics of India|Indian]] woman. She has dark hair and wears a loose light blue blouse, loose bright pink pants, and pink sneakers.
* Grandmamma (Linda Kerr-Scott) – An elderly yet spry Caucasian woman. She has white banana hair and wears a dark pink housedress, pastel blue sweater, white socks, and red [[trainers]].
* Mr. Man (Mark Ramsey) – A husky African man. He is bald and wears a short-sleeved bright pink shirt, white trousers, and black trainers.
* Grandpappa ([[Robin Stevens (puppeteer)|Robin Stevens]]) – An elderly yet spry Caucasian man. He has white hair and a white moustache; he wears a long-sleeved yellow shirt, dark grey slacks, red [[Braces (clothing)|braces]], and white trainers.
* Mrs. Lady ([[Harvey Virdi]]) – An Indian woman. She has dark hair and wears a loose light blue blouse, loose bright pink trousers, and pink trainers.
* Brother (Manuel Bravo) & Sister (Vee Vimolmal) – ''Always'' paired, they both appear to be in their late teens. ''Brother:'' A Latino boy with short dark hair; he wears a bright blue t-shirt, bright red knee-length shorts, and white trainers with pink laces. ''Sister:'' A [[Thai people|Thai]] girl with hip-length black hair in a long [[ponytail]]; she wears a bright red t-shirt, bright blue [[capri pants]], and white trainers with pink laces.
* Auntie (Sachi Kimura) – A [[Japanese people|Japanese]] woman. She has short black hair and wears a long-sleeved lavender blouse, black trousers, lavender socks, and black shoes.
* Mr. Man (Mark Ramsey) – A Black man. He wears a short-sleeved bright pink shirt, white trousers, and black trainers.
* Brother (Manuel Bravo) and Sister (Vee Vimolmal) – ''Always'' paired, they both appear to be in their late teens. Brother is a Spanish boy with short black hair; he wears a bright blue T-shirt, bright red knee-length shorts, and white trainers with pink laces. Sister is a Thai girl with hip-length black hair in a long [[ponytail]]; she wears a bright red T-shirt, bright blue [[capri pants]], and white trainers with pink laces.
* Little Dog Fido (Dash) – A [[Jack Russell Terrier]]. He wears a scarlet collar & barks sometimes. However, he does not make "farting" noises like the rest of the boohbahs.
* Auntie (Sachi Kimura) – A Japanese woman. She has short black hair and wears a long-sleeved lavender blouse, black trousers, purple tights, and black shoes.
* Little Dog Fido (Dash) – A [[Jack Russell Terrier]]. He wears a red collar. He is the only character in Storyworld who is not wholly controlled by the magic word "Boohbah".<ref name="Storyworld">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/boohbah/storyworld.aspx|title=Meet the Storyworld People – Nick Jr UK|date=22 February 2006|website=[[Nick Jr. (UK and Ireland)|NickJr.co.uk]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060222001625/http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/boohbah/storyworld.aspx|archive-date=22 February 2006}}</ref>


==Development and broadcast==
They do not speak. (When Little Dog Fido appears, he gives an "arf!") Though they sometimes exhibit frustration or confusion, the Storypeople rarely, if ever, appear upset or sad. The Storyland segments are narrated by actor [[Chris Langham]]. In each episode the Storypeople magically receive an object sent to them by a child or group of children.
Production of ''Boohbah'' began shortly after Ragdoll released a direct-to-video ''[[Teletubbies]]'' release titled ''Teletubbies Go!'' in 2001, which featured segments of the characters exercising. The high sales of the release led to Ragdoll's fear of obesity in children and what led the company to develop an exercise-based programme.<ref name="Kidscreen_2003"/>


In November 2002, ITV's pre-school strand [[CITV]] and breakfast franchisee [[GMTV]] signed a five-year broadcast commitment deal with Ragdoll where both broadcasters would share weekday and weekend broadcasts of the series in the United Kingdom respectively. 104 episodes were planned to be split into two series, with the first airing in Spring 2003, and the second series being broadcast in 2004. On the same day, it was announced that [[2Entertain|Video Collection International]], who had a long-time home video agreement with Ragdoll, would release the series on VHS and DVD in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/five-year-deal-for-ragdolls-new-preschooler/|title=Five-year deal for Ragdoll's new preschooler series|work=C21Media}}</ref>
== The Boohball ==
One of the common features in Boohbah is the Boohball. The Boohball is where the Boohbahs live, and it appears out of nowhere in various parts of the show. It travels from country to country when it is called by children. Inside the Boohball is a spinning recharging pod, where the Boohbahs recharge energy. It resembles five deep spoons with the handles linked, or, alternatively, the hammocks resemble five fig halves. The energy is created by the laughter of the children when playing with the Boohbahs, the Boohball, and the Storypeople. It makes cookies in its spare time.


The series premiered as planned on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] on 14 April 2003 and later debuted on GMTV's weekend pre-school slot at the same time.<ref name="C21_atoms"/> Ragdoll held worldwide distribution rights to the series.
== The elements of the program ==
Each show follows the same sequence of events in every episode. The sequence of events are:


In June 2003, Ragdoll announced their plans to launch ''Boohbah'' in the United States. They confirmed that [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]], [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]] and [[Hasbro]], the same companies who held the licenses to ''Teletubbies'' in the United States, had acquired TV, publishing and toy rights respectively.<ref name="ragdoll.co.uk">{{cite web | url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_na.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034126/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_na.html | archive-date=23 September 2006 | title=KEY PARTNERS REUNITE TO INTRODUCE BOOHBAH TO NORTH AMERICA}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the first DVD release: ''Boohbah Magic'', was released on 26 May, and shot into the Children's Charts at No. 2.<ref name="ragdoll.co.uk"/> In October 2003, Ragdoll announced that [[Canal+ (French TV channel)|Canal+]] and the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] had acquired French and Australian broadcast rights to the series, where the series would launch in January 2004 and Spring 2004 window in both regions. Ragdoll also announced that the show would premiere in the United States on PBS on 19 January 2004.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_world.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034015/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_world.html | archive-date=23 September 2006 | title=BOOHBAH SPINNING AROUND THE WORLD TWO NEW SIGNINGS FOR RAGDOLL'S LATEST CREATION}}</ref> In the same month, Hasbro signed a separate worldwide toy deal for the show except for the UK, Ireland, Americas and Asia.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_hasbro.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034144/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_hasbro.html | archive-date=23 September 2006 | title=BOOHBAH TO SPIN AROUND THE WORLD WITH HASBRO}}</ref>
* Fundings. Zing Zing Zingbah hands three white [[ball|balls]] to the others. All the Boohbahs play with the balls, and Humbah and Jumbah toss them all into the air. The balls go round and round. A female annoucer says, Boohbah is/was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you. Thank you. The closing is the same. Also, there's another version where the logos are seen on a big [[projector screen]]. Zumbah turns on the projector. And the others watch the funders. The voice-over is the same as the balls variant. And there's also a version where the logos are seen on a sky background with clouds. Funders can change. The voice overs can be the same as the ball and projector versions, Boohbah is/was made possible by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you. Thank you., or Boohbah is/was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
* Opening title. The Boohball flies over at least 3 out of 15 different countries ([[Australia]], [[China]], [[Ecuador]], [[Egypt]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[India]], [[Jamaica]], [[Japan]], [[Namibia]], [[Russia]], [[South Africa]], [[Spain]], [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]])
* Boohbah warm up dance. The children call the Boohbahs by their names ("Humbah, Zumbah, Zing Zing Zingbah, Jumbah, Jingbah – Booh!"), and then the Boohbahs join each other one by one, hand in hand, in a simple yet demanding dance. After all have surrendered and joined in, the pace increases until all the Boohbahs are out of control. As a child calls out their names, they then freeze, stand spread-eagled, and retract their heads. When all have stopped, the children yell, "Booh!" and the Boohbahs fly upward into their circle formation.
* Present giving, in which a group of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 children bring "a [[Gift|present]] for the Storypeople" and they blow it. It enters the Storyworld when the children blow it there. The present given will be the theme of the segment.


In March 2004, Ragdoll announced that the second series would premiere in the UK on CITV on the 16th.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_2nd_citv.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034212/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_2nd_citv.html | archive-date=23 September 2006 | title=BOOHBAH BOUNCES BACK WITH A BRAND NEW SECOND SERIES ON CiTV!}}</ref> In the same month, another VHS/DVD release – "Squeaky Socks", was announced to be released on 10 May.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_easter.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034232/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_easter.html | archive-date=23 September 2006 | title=HAVE A BUMPER BOOHBAH EASTER WEEKEND!}}</ref> At MIPTV 2004 within the same month, Ragdoll announced more broadcast deals for the show. [[Treehouse TV]] acquired the series in English-speaking Canada and would begin airing on 26 April, complementing an earlier French-speaking deal with [[Société Radio-Canada]]. It was also announced that [[BabyTV]] in Israel and [[Pogo (TV channel)|POGO]] in India were already broadcasting the series as well. [[Canal 13 (Chile)|Canal 13]] in Chile and [[TV12 (Singapore)|TV12]] in Singapore also acquired the broadcast rights in their respective countries for broadcast later on in 2004.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_canada.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034216/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_canada.html | archive-date=23 September 2006 | title=BOOHBAH HEADS FOR CANADA}}</ref> Another deal already announced was one with [[Viacom International]], where [[Nickelodeon (Dutch TV channel)|Nickelodeon]] in the Netherlands and [[MTV (Dutch TV channel)|MTV]] in Belgium acquired the Dutch-speaking rights, where the show would air on the Nick Jr. blocks for both channels beginning on 5 April 2004.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_nickelodeon.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034204/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_nickelodeon.html | archive-date=23 September 2006 | title=BOOHBAH BOUNCES ONTO NICKELODEON}}</ref> In October, Ragdoll pre-sold the series to Guangzhou Beauty in China for a launch within Chinese New Year 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbahchina.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923034207/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbahchina.html | archive-date=23 September 2006 | title=BOOHBAH BOUNCES INTO CHINA!}}</ref>
{|
! !!Some examples of presents
|-
|
* bell
* musical pipe
* stack of blocks
* hand jobs
* forklift truck
* [[seesaw]]
* yellow, woolly sweater
* cakes
|
* bubble-making machine
* shed
* cocaine
* [[bass drum]]
* small couch
* treasure chest
* suit of armor
* swim flippers
* assorted musical instruments
|
* giant camera
* jack-in-the-box
* pile of balls
* play tunnel
* black people
*cocaine
* brick wall
* a giant hotdog
* a pile of bananas
* a rocket ship
|}


In March 2005, [[Nick Jr. (UK and Ireland)|Nick Jr.{{nbsp}}UK]] acquired the UK pay-TV rights to the series, and the series would premiere on the channel<ref name="Nick Jr UK">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/boohbah/index.aspx|title=About Boohbah – Nick Jr UK|date=4 March 2006|website=[[Nick Jr. (UK and Ireland)|NickJr.co.uk]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060304094335/http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/boohbah/index.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2006}}</ref> on 2 April 2005.<ref name="2005 press release">{{Cite press release|url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_nickjr.html|title=''Boohbah'' to start kids' days on Nick Jr.|publisher=[[Ragdoll Productions]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201032222/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_nickjr.html|archive-date=1 December 2008}}</ref> The programme became a regular fixture of the Nick Jr. UK schedule, airing seven days a week at 7:00&nbsp;a.m. to start off Nick Jr.'s morning schedule.<ref name="2005 press release"/> In July 2005, Ragdoll announced that the show would premiere on CCTV's Youth Channel in China on the 11th. [[SABC 2]] was also announced to have acquired the South African broadcast rights, and would premiere the show in the country on the same day.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_china.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923033421/http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/html/pressrel_boohbah_china.html | archive-date=23 September 2006 | title=BOOHBAH will launch across 2 time zones on Monday, 11 July 2005}}</ref>
* Storyworld and the Storypeople, which is based on the present given in the last segment. During the segment, one or more of the Storypeople will find the present and interact with it. Often the Storypeople will encounter a problem, inspiring the unseen but observing children to say the magic word, which is "Boohbah!" This freezes the story and allows the children to blow another gift to the Storypeople, which enables the story to continue and lead to the problem's solution. These segments are filmed in [[Spain]], unless the segments involve snow, in which case, the respective segment is filmed in Pinewood, England.
* Boohbah dance, where the Boohbahs perform a dance somewhat related to the "Storyworld and the Storypeople" segment. This dance is slightly more complex than the "warm up" dances.
* Look What I (or We) Can Do, shown in the American version in which actual children perform dances of their own. Three different dances are featured per show, and are simple so the home audience can follow along. After this segment, there is a disclaimer on the same background as the funders, telling home audience to learn more about "Boohbah" at pbskids.org.
* End title, in which the Boohball flies off to another country with children calling from far away.


In the United States, the series was aired on [[PBS Kids]] from 19 January 2004 until 31 August 2008. It also aired on [[PBS Kids Sprout]] from 2005 to 2009, where it was shown as part of the programming blocks "Sprout Mornings" and "The Good Night Show".
== Funding ==
* [[Nike, Inc.]] (2004)
* [[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]] (2003-2005)
* [[Public Broadcasting Service|Viewers Like You (Thank You)]] (2003-2005)


==Episodes==
== External links ==
Two series, each containing 52 episodes, were produced for a total of 104 episodes. Many episodes were written by [[Robin Stevens (puppeteer)|Robin Stevens]], who played Grandpappa on the show.
* {{official website|http://www.boohbah.tv}}

* {{imdb title|0398429}} (2003–2005)
===Series 1===
* {{tv.com|24200}}
{{Episode table |background=#FF69B4|total_width=50|overall=|title=|writer=|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Skipping Rope
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|ShortSummary = Come and bounce with the Boohbahs and do some funny folding. In Storyworld, Sister is skipping with a swirly skipping rope and soon everyone wants a turn. But can they all join in without getting in a twist?

Countries: UK & Namibia<br />
Leader of warm-up: Zumbah<br />
Storypeople: Brother and Sister, Mr Man, Mrs Lady, Grandmamma & Grandpappa
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Pearly Shells
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|ShortSummary = Tone up with some Boohbah twists, and have fun hiding in a line. In Storyworld, Brother and Sister find some shells on the seashore. Can they spot the special shells and winkle out what’s inside?

Countries: Jamaica & Australia<br />
Leader of warm-up: Jumbah<br />
Storypeople: Brother and Sister
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Rope and Rock
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|ShortSummary = Swing your arms and shape up with the Boohbahs and do the Push and Pull dance. In Storyworld, Grandmamma and Grandpappa discover a rope. Can they find out what is on the other end if they pull together?

Countries: China & Russia<br />
Leader of warm-up: Humbah<br />
Storypeople: Little Dog Fido, Grandmamma & Grandpappa
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Musical Pipe
|WrittenBy = [[Robin Stevens (puppeteer)|Robin Stevens]]
|ShortSummary = Keep fit with some quick Boohbah action, and join in with their whirly weaving. In Storyworld, Mrs Lady finds a musical pipe. The Storypeople take note and dance to her twirly tune.

Countries: South Africa & France<br />
Leader of warm-up: Zing Zing Zingbah<br />
Storypeople: Little Dog Fido, Mrs Lady, Brother and Sister, Mr Man & Grandpappa
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Windows
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Armchair
|RAltTitle = "Comfy Armchair" {{small|(U.S. title)}}
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|Title = Record Player
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|Title = Squeaky Socks
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|Title = A Pile of Balls
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|Title = Painting the Fence
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|Title = Big Bass Drum
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|Title = Hammock
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|Title = Squeaky Seesaw
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 14
|Title = Jack-In-A-Box
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|Title = Bubbles
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 16
|Title = Settee and Cushions
|RAltTitle = "Couch and Cushions" {{small|(U.S. title)}}
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = FF69B4 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 17
|Title = Big Comb
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 18
|Title = The Big Ball
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 19
|Title = Yellow Woolly Jumper
|RAltTitle = "Yellow Woolly Sweater" {{small|(U.S. title)}}
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 20
|Title = Musical Instruments
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 21
|Title = The Bed
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 22
|Title = The High Wall
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 23
|Title = Cakes and String
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 24
|Title = The Door
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 25
|Title = Building Blocks
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 26
|Title = Hot Dog
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 27
|Title = Treasure Chest
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 28
|Title = Flippers
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 29
|Title = Two Hats
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 30
|Title = Bells
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 31
|Title = Shed
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 32
|Title = Shining Armour
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 33
|Title = Flowers & Vase
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 34
|Title = A Big Bag
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 35
|Title = Piggy Bank
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 36
|Title = Drink of Milk
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 37
|Title = Leaky Hose
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 38
|Title = Parping Horn
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 39
|Title = Musical Cushions
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 40
|Title = Following the Signs
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 41
|Title = Puddle
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 42
|Title = Skittles
|RAltTitle = "Bowling Pins" {{small|(U.S. title)}}
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 43
|Title = Pencil Sharpener
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 44
|Title = Cracker
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 45
|Title = Island
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 46
|Title = Collecting Mail
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 47
|Title = Tunnel
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 48
|Title = Necklace
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 49
|Title = Heavy Suitcase
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 50
|Title = Television
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 51
|Title = Long Drink
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 52
|Title = Fairground Thing
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
}}

===Series 2===
{{Episode table |background=#FF7518|total_width=50|overall=|title=|writer=|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 53
|Title = Big Switch
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = FF7518 }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 54
|Title = Bouncers
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 55
|Title = Beards
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 56
|Title = Paper Plane
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 57
|Title = Droopy Flowers
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 58
|Title = Fido's Flag
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 59
|Title = Sailing Boat
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 60
|Title = Gigantic Carrot
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens and Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 61
|Title = Stream
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 62
|Title = Feathers
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 63
|Title = Bat & Ball
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 64
|Title = Chair in the Air
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 65
|Title = Falling Oranges
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 66
|Title = Comfy Slippers
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 67
|Title = Ice Cream Cone
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 68
|Title = Banana Split
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 69
|Title = Pulling the Rope
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 70
|Title = Springy Sofa
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 71
|Title = Club & Ball
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 72
|Title = Hole in the Fence
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 73
|Title = Crossroads
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 74
|Title = Fido's Bone
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 75
|Title = Coloured Bricks
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 76
|Title = Glowing Lanterns
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 77
|Title = Little White Cloud
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 78
|Title = Stack of Cushions
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 79
|Title = Jigsaw
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 80
|Title = Stick
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 81
|Title = Flag
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 82
|Title = Four Jumpers
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 83
|Title = Snowshaker
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 84
|Title = Squirty Flower
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 85
|Title = Fido's Picture
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 86
|Title = Unwinding Carpet
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 87
|Title = Bouncy Castle
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 88
|Title = Wardrobe
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 89
|Title = Over the Net
|WrittenBy = Alan Dapré
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 90
|Title = Snowballs
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 91
|Title = Space Rocket
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 92
|Title = Sticky Wrapper
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 93
|Title = Jumping on the Balls
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 94
|Title = Sledge
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 95
|Title = Camera
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 96
|Title = Tightrope
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 97
|Title = Ball & Hoop
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 98
|Title = Little Rocky Boat
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 99
|Title = Flying Fish
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 100
|Title = Bucket & Spade
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 101
|Title = Umbrella
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 102
|Title = Snowman
|WrittenBy = Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 103
|Title = Grass Skirt
|WrittenBy =
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 104
|Title = Book
|WrittenBy = Robin Stevens
|LineColor = 7CAFFF }}
}}

==Reception==
<!-- Don't add unsourced summaries of critical response, like "mostly ___ reviews" -->[[Ken Tucker]], in his review for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', gave the show an "A−" score and commented, "I'm positive that ''Boohbah'' can be experienced by both its intended audience (kids ages 3 to 6) and its inevitable inadvertent audience (doting parents and stoners of every age) as a mind-blowing gas."<ref name="Entertainment Weekly"/> Tucker joked that when ''Boohbah'' aired in America, it would prove more popular than ''[[The Price Is Right]]'' due to having more "flashing lights, blinding colors, and silly noise".<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{Cite web|title=Boohbah|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/02/16/boohbah/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816232631/https://ew.com/article/2004/02/16/boohbah/|archive-date=16 August 2015}}</ref> [[Lorraine Ali]], a senior writer for ''[[Newsweek]]'', also gave ''Boohbah'' a positive review and wrote, "Move over, Barney, and make room for Zing Zing Zingbah."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment-shorts-television-125907|title=Entertainment Shorts: Television|first=Lorraine|last=Ali|date=25 January 2004|website=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref> [[Common Sense Media]] gave ''Boohbah'' a rating of 3/5 stars, writing that its educational and fitness goals were "admirable", but that "the real test is whether or not the show works with your kid."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/boohbah|title=Boohbah – TV Review|date=7 January 2011|website=[[Common Sense Media]]}}</ref>

''[[The New York Times Magazine]]'' commented that although the show's sequence of events "may sound incoherent&nbsp;... the overall effect is mesmerizing, sometimes funny, even beautiful."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/04/magazine/she-speaks-3-year-old.html|title=She Speaks 3-Year-Old|first=Susan|last=Dominus|date=4 January 2004|website=[[The New York Times Magazine]]}}</ref> ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' felt that the "segments featuring the Boohbahs are ploddingly slow, maddeningly repetitive, and without much purpose&nbsp;... the live-action segments with real people are the only things worth watching."<ref>{{Citation|title=Boohbah: Season 1|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2004/01/17/for_one_3_year_old_slow_moving_boohbah_is_not_all_consuming/|access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref> ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' was bemused by the show's segments and design, feeling that ''Boohbah'' was less effective than Anne Wood's previous show ''[[Teletubbies]]'': "For all its earnest intentions, ''Boohbah'' lacks both the conceptual purity of ''Teletubbies'' and its sublimely silly sensibility."<ref>{{Citation|title=Creature Feature – Is Boohbah the new Teletubbies?|journal=Slate |date=30 January 2004|url=https://slate.com/culture/2004/01/is-boohbah-the-new-teletubbies.html|access-date=2021-07-04|last1=Stevens |first1=Dana }}</ref> ''Cheat Sheet'' ranked the show first on their list of "5 Most Horrifying TV Shows That Aren't Supposed to Be Scary", criticising the characters' appearances, although crediting it for encouraging children to perform in [[physical exercise]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Roberts|first1=Will|date=2016-10-27|title=5 Most Horrifying TV Shows That Aren't Supposed to Be Scary|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/horrifying-tv-shows-arent-supposed-scary.html/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet}}</ref>

==Video games==
There were multiple [[Video_game|video games]] released underneath the Boohbah [[intellectual property]]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! Platform !! Release Date
|-
| '''Boohbah, Welcome to the Boohzone'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pbskids.org/boohbah/boohbah.html |title=Boohbah , Welcome to the Boohzone|website=PBS Kids |publisher=PBS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040923121911/http://pbskids.org/boohbah/boohbah.html |archive-date=September 23, 2004 |access-date=July 16, 2024}}</ref>
|| Online || 2003
|-
| '''Boohbah: Wiggle and Giggle'''<ref> {{moby game|id=/109004|name=''Boohbah: Wiggle and Giggle''}} </ref> || Windows, Mac || 2004
|-
| '''The Boohbah Zone''' || Online|| 2004
|-
| '''Boohbah Dance''' || Online|| 2004
|}


==References==
{{Disney Junior}}
{{PBSKids shows}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
[[Category:2003 television series debuts]]
*{{IMDb title|id=0398429|title=Boohbah}}
[[Category:2005 television series endings]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060304094335/http://www.nickjr.co.uk/shows/boohbah/index.aspx ''Boohbah'' at NickJr.co.uk] (archive)
[[Category:American children's television series]]
{{Ragdoll Productions}}
[[Category:Children's ITV television programmes]]
{{Former PBS Kids shows}}


[[Category:ITV children's television shows]]
[[es:Boohbah]]
[[Category:British children's fantasy television series]]
[[pt:Boohbah]]
[[Category:Television series by WildBrain]]
[[simple:Boohbah]]
[[Category:Television series by Ragdoll Productions]]
[[Category:2000s British children's television series]]
[[Category:2000s preschool education television series]]
[[Category:2003 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:2006 British television series endings]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:British preschool education television series]]
[[Category:British surreal comedy television series]]

Latest revision as of 09:46, 18 November 2024

Boohbah
Created byAnne Wood
Directed by
  • Chris Bernard
  • Annie Gibbs
  • Vic Finch
Starring
  • Emma Insley
  • Alex Poulter
  • Cal Jaggers
  • Phil Hayes
  • Laura Pero
ComposerAndrew McCrorie-Shand
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes104
Production
ProducerAnne Wood
Running time20 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
Release14 April 2003 (2003-04-14) –
6 January 2006 (2006-01-06)
Related

Boohbah is a British preschool television series created by Anne Wood and produced by Wood's company, Ragdoll Productions, in association with GMTV.[1] It premiered on ITV on 14 April 2003.[2] The series was later broadcast on Nick Jr. UK[3] beginning on 2 April 2005.[4]

The series, with 104 episodes, was designed for preschoolers aged three to six (a slightly older age group than Wood's previous show, Teletubbies).[5]

According to Anne Wood, the show's visuals were inspired by scientific photographs of microscopic life and cell structures.[6] The main characters, the Boohbahs, are "atoms of energy"[3] who sleep in charging pods. Every episode follows the Boohbahs performing a dance routine where the audience is encouraged to participate. The creators at Ragdoll Productions designed the show as an interactive "televisual game" with an emphasis on spatial awareness, motor skill development and puzzle solving.

Characters

Episodes of Boohbah are divided into two main segments: one featuring the Boohbahs and another featuring the Storypeople.

Boohbahs

The series focuses on the Boohbahs, five colourful creatures who are described as "magical atoms" of energy.[7] They are played by actors in full-body costumes. Their fur sparkles and shimmers with tiny lights, and they have big eyes and rows of lights for eyebrows. Each Boohbah is a different colour:

  • Humbah, played by Emma Insley, is a yellow Boohbah.
  • Zumbah, played by Alex Poulter, is a purple Boohbah.
  • Zing Zing Zingbah, played by Cal Jaggers, is an orange Boohbah.
  • Jumbah, played by Phil Hayes, is a blue Boohbah.
  • Jingbah, played by Laura Pero, is a pink Boohbah.

Storypeople

The Storypeople are silent human characters whose actions are controlled by off-screen children using the magic word "Boohbah".[8] Every episode of Boohbah includes a segment where the Storypeople are magically given a present. The Los Angeles Times called these segments "comic visual puzzles executed with vaudevillian flair."[6]

  • Grandmamma (Linda Kerr-Scott) – An elderly yet spry Caucasian woman. She has white banana hair and wears a dark pink housedress, pastel blue sweater, white socks, and red trainers.
  • Grandpappa (Robin Stevens) – An elderly yet spry Caucasian man. He has white hair and a white moustache; he wears a long-sleeved yellow shirt, dark grey slacks, red braces, and white trainers.
  • Mrs. Lady (Harvey Virdi) – An Indian woman. She has dark hair and wears a loose light blue blouse, loose bright pink trousers, and pink trainers.
  • Mr. Man (Mark Ramsey) – A Black man. He wears a short-sleeved bright pink shirt, white trousers, and black trainers.
  • Brother (Manuel Bravo) and Sister (Vee Vimolmal) – Always paired, they both appear to be in their late teens. Brother is a Spanish boy with short black hair; he wears a bright blue T-shirt, bright red knee-length shorts, and white trainers with pink laces. Sister is a Thai girl with hip-length black hair in a long ponytail; she wears a bright red T-shirt, bright blue capri pants, and white trainers with pink laces.
  • Auntie (Sachi Kimura) – A Japanese woman. She has short black hair and wears a long-sleeved lavender blouse, black trousers, purple tights, and black shoes.
  • Little Dog Fido (Dash) – A Jack Russell Terrier. He wears a red collar. He is the only character in Storyworld who is not wholly controlled by the magic word "Boohbah".[8]

Development and broadcast

Production of Boohbah began shortly after Ragdoll released a direct-to-video Teletubbies release titled Teletubbies Go! in 2001, which featured segments of the characters exercising. The high sales of the release led to Ragdoll's fear of obesity in children and what led the company to develop an exercise-based programme.[1]

In November 2002, ITV's pre-school strand CITV and breakfast franchisee GMTV signed a five-year broadcast commitment deal with Ragdoll where both broadcasters would share weekday and weekend broadcasts of the series in the United Kingdom respectively. 104 episodes were planned to be split into two series, with the first airing in Spring 2003, and the second series being broadcast in 2004. On the same day, it was announced that Video Collection International, who had a long-time home video agreement with Ragdoll, would release the series on VHS and DVD in the country.[9]

The series premiered as planned on ITV on 14 April 2003 and later debuted on GMTV's weekend pre-school slot at the same time.[2] Ragdoll held worldwide distribution rights to the series.

In June 2003, Ragdoll announced their plans to launch Boohbah in the United States. They confirmed that PBS, Scholastic and Hasbro, the same companies who held the licenses to Teletubbies in the United States, had acquired TV, publishing and toy rights respectively.[10] In the United Kingdom, the first DVD release: Boohbah Magic, was released on 26 May, and shot into the Children's Charts at No. 2.[10] In October 2003, Ragdoll announced that Canal+ and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation had acquired French and Australian broadcast rights to the series, where the series would launch in January 2004 and Spring 2004 window in both regions. Ragdoll also announced that the show would premiere in the United States on PBS on 19 January 2004.[11] In the same month, Hasbro signed a separate worldwide toy deal for the show except for the UK, Ireland, Americas and Asia.[12]

In March 2004, Ragdoll announced that the second series would premiere in the UK on CITV on the 16th.[13] In the same month, another VHS/DVD release – "Squeaky Socks", was announced to be released on 10 May.[14] At MIPTV 2004 within the same month, Ragdoll announced more broadcast deals for the show. Treehouse TV acquired the series in English-speaking Canada and would begin airing on 26 April, complementing an earlier French-speaking deal with Société Radio-Canada. It was also announced that BabyTV in Israel and POGO in India were already broadcasting the series as well. Canal 13 in Chile and TV12 in Singapore also acquired the broadcast rights in their respective countries for broadcast later on in 2004.[15] Another deal already announced was one with Viacom International, where Nickelodeon in the Netherlands and MTV in Belgium acquired the Dutch-speaking rights, where the show would air on the Nick Jr. blocks for both channels beginning on 5 April 2004.[16] In October, Ragdoll pre-sold the series to Guangzhou Beauty in China for a launch within Chinese New Year 2005.[17]

In March 2005, Nick Jr. UK acquired the UK pay-TV rights to the series, and the series would premiere on the channel[3] on 2 April 2005.[4] The programme became a regular fixture of the Nick Jr. UK schedule, airing seven days a week at 7:00 a.m. to start off Nick Jr.'s morning schedule.[4] In July 2005, Ragdoll announced that the show would premiere on CCTV's Youth Channel in China on the 11th. SABC 2 was also announced to have acquired the South African broadcast rights, and would premiere the show in the country on the same day.[18]

In the United States, the series was aired on PBS Kids from 19 January 2004 until 31 August 2008. It also aired on PBS Kids Sprout from 2005 to 2009, where it was shown as part of the programming blocks "Sprout Mornings" and "The Good Night Show".

Episodes

Two series, each containing 52 episodes, were produced for a total of 104 episodes. Many episodes were written by Robin Stevens, who played Grandpappa on the show.

Series 1

No.TitleWritten by
1"Skipping Rope"Alan Dapré

Come and bounce with the Boohbahs and do some funny folding. In Storyworld, Sister is skipping with a swirly skipping rope and soon everyone wants a turn. But can they all join in without getting in a twist?

Countries: UK & Namibia
Leader of warm-up: Zumbah

Storypeople: Brother and Sister, Mr Man, Mrs Lady, Grandmamma & Grandpappa
2"Pearly Shells"Alan Dapré

Tone up with some Boohbah twists, and have fun hiding in a line. In Storyworld, Brother and Sister find some shells on the seashore. Can they spot the special shells and winkle out what’s inside?

Countries: Jamaica & Australia
Leader of warm-up: Jumbah

Storypeople: Brother and Sister
3"Rope and Rock"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan

Swing your arms and shape up with the Boohbahs and do the Push and Pull dance. In Storyworld, Grandmamma and Grandpappa discover a rope. Can they find out what is on the other end if they pull together?

Countries: China & Russia
Leader of warm-up: Humbah

Storypeople: Little Dog Fido, Grandmamma & Grandpappa
4"Musical Pipe"Robin Stevens

Keep fit with some quick Boohbah action, and join in with their whirly weaving. In Storyworld, Mrs Lady finds a musical pipe. The Storypeople take note and dance to her twirly tune.

Countries: South Africa & France
Leader of warm-up: Zing Zing Zingbah

Storypeople: Little Dog Fido, Mrs Lady, Brother and Sister, Mr Man & Grandpappa
5"Windows"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
6"Armchair"
"Comfy Armchair" (U.S. title)		Robin Stevens
7"Record Player"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
8"Squeaky Socks"Alan Dapré
9"A Pile of Balls"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
10"Painting the Fence"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
11"Big Bass Drum"Alan Dapré
12"Hammock"Alan Dapré
13"Squeaky Seesaw"Alan Dapré
14"Jack-In-A-Box"Alan Dapré
15"Bubbles"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
16"Settee and Cushions"
"Couch and Cushions" (U.S. title)		Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
17"Big Comb"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
18"The Big Ball"Robin Stevens
19"Yellow Woolly Jumper"
"Yellow Woolly Sweater" (U.S. title)		Alan Dapré
20"Musical Instruments"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
21"The Bed"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
22"The High Wall"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
23"Cakes and String"Robin Stevens
24"The Door"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
25"Building Blocks"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
26"Hot Dog"Alan Dapré
27"Treasure Chest"Robin Stevens
28"Flippers"Alan Dapré
29"Two Hats"Alan Dapré
30"Bells"Alan Dapré
31"Shed"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
32"Shining Armour"Robin Stevens
33"Flowers & Vase"Alan Dapré
34"A Big Bag"Alan Dapré
35"Piggy Bank"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
36"Drink of Milk"Alan Dapré
37"Leaky Hose"Robin Stevens
38"Parping Horn"TBA
39"Musical Cushions"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
40"Following the Signs"Alan Dapré
41"Puddle"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
42"Skittles"
"Bowling Pins" (U.S. title)		Alan Dapré
43"Pencil Sharpener"Alan Dapré
44"Cracker"Alan Dapré
45"Island"Robin Stevens
46"Collecting Mail"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
47"Tunnel"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
48"Necklace"Alan Dapré
49"Heavy Suitcase"Robin Stevens
50"Television"Robin Stevens
51"Long Drink"Robin Stevens
52"Fairground Thing"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan

Series 2

No.TitleWritten by
53"Big Switch"Robin Stevens
54"Bouncers"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
55"Beards"Alan Dapré
56"Paper Plane"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
57"Droopy Flowers"Robin Stevens
58"Fido's Flag"Robin Stevens
59"Sailing Boat"Alan Dapré
60"Gigantic Carrot"Robin Stevens and Alan Dapré
61"Stream"Alan Dapré
62"Feathers"Robin Stevens
63"Bat & Ball"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
64"Chair in the Air"Robin Stevens
65"Falling Oranges"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
66"Comfy Slippers"Alan Dapré
67"Ice Cream Cone"Alan Dapré
68"Banana Split"Alan Dapré
69"Pulling the Rope"Alan Dapré
70"Springy Sofa"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
71"Club & Ball"Robin Stevens
72"Hole in the Fence"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
73"Crossroads"Robin Stevens
74"Fido's Bone"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
75"Coloured Bricks"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
76"Glowing Lanterns"Robin Stevens
77"Little White Cloud"Alan Dapré
78"Stack of Cushions"Robin Stevens
79"Jigsaw"Alan Dapré
80"Stick"Alan Dapré
81"Flag"Robin Stevens
82"Four Jumpers"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
83"Snowshaker"Robin Stevens
84"Squirty Flower"Robin Stevens
85"Fido's Picture"Alan Dapré
86"Unwinding Carpet"Alan Dapré
87"Bouncy Castle"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
88"Wardrobe"Alan Dapré
89"Over the Net"Alan Dapré
90"Snowballs"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
91"Space Rocket"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
92"Sticky Wrapper"TBA
93"Jumping on the Balls"TBA
94"Sledge"TBA
95"Camera"TBA
96"Tightrope"TBA
97"Ball & Hoop"TBA
98"Little Rocky Boat"TBA
99"Flying Fish"TBA
100"Bucket & Spade"TBA
101"Umbrella"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
102"Snowman"Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan
103"Grass Skirt"TBA
104"Book"Robin Stevens

Reception

Ken Tucker, in his review for Entertainment Weekly, gave the show an "A−" score and commented, "I'm positive that Boohbah can be experienced by both its intended audience (kids ages 3 to 6) and its inevitable inadvertent audience (doting parents and stoners of every age) as a mind-blowing gas."[19] Tucker joked that when Boohbah aired in America, it would prove more popular than The Price Is Right due to having more "flashing lights, blinding colors, and silly noise".[19] Lorraine Ali, a senior writer for Newsweek, also gave Boohbah a positive review and wrote, "Move over, Barney, and make room for Zing Zing Zingbah."[20] Common Sense Media gave Boohbah a rating of 3/5 stars, writing that its educational and fitness goals were "admirable", but that "the real test is whether or not the show works with your kid."[21]

The New York Times Magazine commented that although the show's sequence of events "may sound incoherent ... the overall effect is mesmerizing, sometimes funny, even beautiful."[22] The Boston Globe felt that the "segments featuring the Boohbahs are ploddingly slow, maddeningly repetitive, and without much purpose ... the live-action segments with real people are the only things worth watching."[23] Slate was bemused by the show's segments and design, feeling that Boohbah was less effective than Anne Wood's previous show Teletubbies: "For all its earnest intentions, Boohbah lacks both the conceptual purity of Teletubbies and its sublimely silly sensibility."[24] Cheat Sheet ranked the show first on their list of "5 Most Horrifying TV Shows That Aren't Supposed to Be Scary", criticising the characters' appearances, although crediting it for encouraging children to perform in physical exercise.[25]

Video games

There were multiple video games released underneath the Boohbah intellectual property

Title Platform Release Date
Boohbah, Welcome to the Boohzone[26] Online 2003
Boohbah: Wiggle and Giggle[27] Windows, Mac 2004
The Boohbah Zone Online 2004
Boohbah Dance Online 2004

References

  1. ^ a b Ashdown, Simon (1 June 2003). "A new health-conscious TV trend takes kids from plump to pumped". Kidscreen.
  2. ^ a b "ITV lines up atoms for preschool push". C21Media. 10 April 2003.
  3. ^ a b c "About Boohbah – Nick Jr UK". NickJr.co.uk. 4 March 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2006.
  4. ^ a b c "Boohbah to start kids' days on Nick Jr" (Press release). Ragdoll Productions. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008.
  5. ^ "Television: Tubby, And Bouncy Too". Time. 19 January 2004.
  6. ^ a b "The telly's new tubbies: Boohbahs". Los Angeles Times. 23 January 2004.
  7. ^ "Meet the Boohbahs – Nick Jr UK". NickJr.co.uk. 22 February 2006. Archived from the original on 22 February 2006.
  8. ^ a b "Meet the Storyworld People – Nick Jr UK". NickJr.co.uk. 22 February 2006. Archived from the original on 22 February 2006.
  9. ^ "Five-year deal for Ragdoll's new preschooler series". C21Media.
  10. ^ a b "KEY PARTNERS REUNITE TO INTRODUCE BOOHBAH TO NORTH AMERICA". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
  11. ^ "BOOHBAH SPINNING AROUND THE WORLD TWO NEW SIGNINGS FOR RAGDOLL'S LATEST CREATION". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
  12. ^ "BOOHBAH TO SPIN AROUND THE WORLD WITH HASBRO". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
  13. ^ "BOOHBAH BOUNCES BACK WITH A BRAND NEW SECOND SERIES ON CiTV!". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
  14. ^ "HAVE A BUMPER BOOHBAH EASTER WEEKEND!". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
  15. ^ "BOOHBAH HEADS FOR CANADA". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
  16. ^ "BOOHBAH BOUNCES ONTO NICKELODEON". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
  17. ^ "BOOHBAH BOUNCES INTO CHINA!". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
  18. ^ "BOOHBAH will launch across 2 time zones on Monday, 11 July 2005". Archived from the original on 23 September 2006.
  19. ^ a b "Boohbah". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  20. ^ Ali, Lorraine (25 January 2004). "Entertainment Shorts: Television". Newsweek.
  21. ^ "Boohbah – TV Review". Common Sense Media. 7 January 2011.
  22. ^ Dominus, Susan (4 January 2004). "She Speaks 3-Year-Old". The New York Times Magazine.
  23. ^ Boohbah: Season 1, retrieved 18 June 2021
  24. ^ Stevens, Dana (30 January 2004), "Creature Feature – Is Boohbah the new Teletubbies?", Slate, retrieved 4 July 2021
  25. ^ Roberts, Will (27 October 2016). "5 Most Horrifying TV Shows That Aren't Supposed to Be Scary". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  26. ^ "Boohbah , Welcome to the Boohzone". PBS Kids. PBS. Archived from the original on 23 September 2004. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  27. ^ Boohbah: Wiggle and Giggle at MobyGames
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