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{{short description|British animated children's television series}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = Fireman Sam
| image = Fireman Sam logo.png
| image = Fireman Sam logo.svg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Logo of Fireman Sam
| genre =
| creator = {{plainlist|
| genre = [[Stop-motion]] (1987–2005)<br/>[[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] (2008–present)
* Dave Gingell
| runtime = 10 minutes (series)<br/>20 minutes (Christmas special episode)
* Dave Jones
| company = [[Bumper Films]] (1987–1994)<br/>[[HIT Entertainment]] (1987–2017) <br />[[Mattel]] (2017-present)<br/>Hibbert Ralph Animation (2008–2009)<br />Xing Xing Management Group (2012–2017)<br />[[DHX Media]] (2017–present)
* Rob Lee
| creator = Dave Gingell<br/>Dave Jones<br/>Rob Lee<br/>Anthony Miller
}}
| producer = Ian Frampton<br/>John Walker
| writer = Nia Ceidiog<br/>Rob Lee
| writer = Laura Beaumont<br />Paul Larson (2012-present)
| director = Jerry Hibbert<br />Gary Andrews<br />Cam Lizotte<br />Greg Richardson<br />Katrina Hadley<br />Jennifer Guglielmucci<br />Oskar Nilsson<br />William Gordon<br />Connor Ferguson
| music = Ben Heneghan<br/>Ian Lawson
| voices = {{plainlist|
| narrated = [[John Alderton]] (1987–1994)
* [[John Alderton]] (series 1–4)
| voices = [[Steven Kynman]]<br/>[[John Sparkes]]<br/>Joanna Ruiz<br/>[[Sarah Hadland]]<br/>David Carling<br/>Su Douglas<br/>Tegwen Tucker<br/>[[Lloyd Langford]]
* [[John Sparkes]] (2005 era)
| editor = Richard Bradley<br/>William J. Oswald<br/>Jane Murrell
* [[Joanna Ruiz]] (2005 era)
| released = 17 November 1987–present
* [[Sarah Hadland]] (2005 era)
| country = [[Wales]], United Kingdom
* Steven Kynman
| distributor = [[DHX Media]] (2016–Present)
* David Carling
| network = [[CBBC]] (1987–2002)<br>[[CBeebies]] (2002–2008, 2018 upcoming)<br/>[[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] (2008–present)
* Su Douglas
| num_series = 10
* Tegwen Tucker
| num_episodes = 188
* Ifan Huw Dafydd
* [[Nigel Whitmey]]
* [[John Hasler]]
* [[Alex Lowe (actor)|Alex Lowe]]
* [[Jo Wyatt]]
* [[Colin McFarlane]]
* [[Ayesha Antoine]]
}}
| narrated = [[John Alderton]] (1987–1994)
| country = United Kingdom
| language = {{plainlist|
* Welsh (series 1–4)
* English
}}
| num_series = 15
| num_episodes = 304
| list_episodes = List of Fireman Sam episodes
| list_episodes = List of Fireman Sam episodes
| first_aired = 17 November 1987
| producer = Various
| last_aired = 18 November 2017
| runtime = {{plainlist|
* 10 minutes (series)
| picture_format = 576i 4:3 (1987–1996)<br/>576i 16:9 (2005–present)
* 20 minutes ("Snow Business" only)
| audio_format = {{unbulleted list|Stereo|5.1 Surround Sound}}
}}
}}
| company = {{plainlist|
* [[Bumper Films]] (1987–1994)
* [[HIT Entertainment]] (2003–2017)
* [[Mattel Television]] (2017–present)
}}
| network = {{plainlist|
* [[S4C]] (Welsh version)
* [[Children's BBC]] on [[BBC One|BBC1]] (series 1–4)
* [[CBeebies]] (series 5)
* [[Cartoonito (British and Irish TV channel)|Cartoonito]] (series 6–present)
* [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] (series 8–present)
}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|1987|11|17|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1994|11|17|df=y}}
| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2005|04|04|df=y}}
| last_aired2 = {{End date|2005|12|26|df=y}}
| first_aired3 = {{Start date|2008|11|24|df=y}}
| last_aired3 = {{End date|present|df=y}}
| music = {{plainlist|
* Ben Heneghan (from 1987 to 2005)
* Ian Lawson (from 1987 to 2005)
* David Pickvance (from 2008 to 2019)
* Blain Morris (from 2020 onwards)
* Mike Shields (from 2021 onwards)
* Amanda Cawley (from 2021 onwards)
}}
}}
'''''Fireman Sam''''' ({{langx|cy|Sam Tân}}) is a British animated [[children's television series]] about a fireman named Sam, his fellow [[firefighter]]s, and other residents in the fictional [[Wales|Welsh]] rural village of Pontypandy (a [[portmanteau]] of two real towns, [[Pontypridd]] and [[Tonypandy]]). It was broadcast for the first time in November 1987 on Welsh TV channel [[S4C]] and is shown in more than 155 countries across the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-20 |title='No stereotype problem' in Fireman Sam |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47629489 |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-41762714|title=Happy 30th birthday Fireman Sam|first=Peter|last=Shuttleworth|work=BBC News|date=17 November 2017}}</ref>


==History==
'''''Fireman Sam''''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] animated comedy [[children's series]] about a fireman called Sam, his fellow firefighters, and other residents in the fictional Welsh rural village of Pontypandy (a [[portmanteau]] of two real towns, [[Pontypridd]] and [[Tonypandy]], which are situated approximately {{convert|8|km}} apart in the [[South Wales valleys]]). Pontypandy is possibly the most dangerous town in Britain (based on population to emergency ratio), managing a major emergency every day. Yet, it still has only 4 whole time firefighters thanks to government cuts.
''Fireman Sam'' first appeared on [[S4C]] on 1 November 1987,<ref>Regional Television Variations. Date: Saturday, Oct. 31, 1987 Publication: The Times (London, England) Sunday: 1st 7.20. {{lang|cy|Sam Tân}}</ref> and a few weeks later on [[BBC One|BBC1]] on 17 November. The original series finished in 1994, and a new series that expanded the character cast commenced in 2003. The series was also shown as ''{{lang|gd|Sam Smalaidh}}'' in [[Scottish Gaelic]] in Scotland. The series was sold to over 40 countries and has been used across the United Kingdom to promote [[fire safety]].


The theme song was performed by [[Mal Pope]] in a classic rock style from 1987 to 1994, then by a different singer, Cameron Stewart, in a 2000s alternative rock style since the 2003 new episode broadcasts.
The original idea for the show came from two ex-firemen from [[Kent]], England, who took their idea to artist and writer Rob Lee who developed the concept, and the show was commissioned.

''Fireman Sam'' first appeared as "Sam Tân" (literally "Sam Fire" in Welsh), on [[S4C]] in 1987, and later that year on [[BBC One]]. The original series finished in 1994, and a new series that expanded the character cast commenced in 2005. The series was also shown in [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] in Scotland. The series was sold to over 40 countries and has been used across the United Kingdom to promote [[fire safety]].


==Development==
==Development==
The original idea came about from two ex-London firemen – Dave Gingell and [[David Jones living at the time in Langley (writer)|David Jones]] after purchasing the cartoon drawn by artist Anthony Miller. They approached Mike Young, creator of ''[[SuperTed]]'', in [[Barry, Vale of Glamorgan|Barry]], Wales, and asked them to further develop their concept. The idea was then brought to [[S4C]]'s Director of Animation, Chris Grace, who saw potential in the idea and commissioned the series. Grace had previously commissioned ''Superted'', which had achieved success across the [[United Kingdom]] and worldwide. The characters and storylines were created by Rob Lee, an illustrator from Cardiff, and the program was produced using stop-motion. It could take up to 4 days to produce 1 minute of this form of puppet animation. ''Fireman Sam'' has to this day been translated into over 25 different languages including Mandarin.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.firemansamonline.com/uk/Parents/About_Sam/index.asp | title=About Sam | accessdate=4 January 2011}}</ref>
The original idea came about from two ex-firemen from [[London]], England – Dave Gingell and David Jones after [[Commission (art)|purchasing]] a [[stop motion]] animation book by artist Anthony Miller. They approached [[Mike Young (producer)|Mike Young]], creator of ''[[SuperTed]]'', in [[Barry, Vale of Glamorgan|Barry]], Wales, and asked him to further develop their concept. The idea was then brought to S4C's Director of Animation, Chris Grace, who had previously commissioned ''SuperTed'', saw potential in the idea and commissioned the series. The characters and the storylines were created by Rob Lee, an illustrator from Cardiff, and the programme was made using [[stop motion]]. It could take up to four days to produce one minute of this form of puppet animation. ''Fireman Sam'' has to this day been translated into over 25 different languages including Mandarin.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.firemansamonline.com/uk/Parents/About_Sam/index.asp | title=About Sam | access-date=4 January 2011}}</ref>


In the original series, all the character voices were performed by [[John Alderton]]. The later series used several actors' voices.
In the original series, all the character voices were performed by [[John Alderton]]. The later series used several actors' voices.


In 2021, Mike Young said that shows like ''Fireman Sam'' and ''SuperTed'' would not be able to exist without government subsidies to [[S4C]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-10-21 |title=TV: Fireman Sam and SuperTed 'wouldn't exist' without subsidies |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-58955393 |access-date=2023-12-13}}</ref>
==History of the series==


==Episodes==
===Original series (1987–1994)===
{{main|List of Fireman Sam episodes}}
The original series comprised 32 ten-minute episodes and a 20-minute [[Christmas special]]. The narration and all the character voices were done by [[John Alderton]]. Sam is the main character in the show, and interacts with both colleagues at the [[fire station]] and fellow villagers. He is seen as somewhat of a hero in the village. Despite being so small, and with so little activity, the village sees its fair share of fires, which Sam and his team can easily handle. The vehicles at the fire station include a four-wheeled [[Bedford TK]] fire engine called '''Jupiter''', a six-wheeled 1982 [[TACR2 (Range Rover)|Range Rover Rescue Tender]] named '''Venus,''' and Trevor's bus, a 1985 [[Ford Transit]] Dormobile. Fireman Sam's colleagues are '''Elvis Cridlington''', '''Station Officer Basil Steele''' (renamed Norris Steele in the new CGI series) and later '''Penny Morris''' (who hailed from Newtown with the firetender). The villagers are bus driver/auxiliary firefighter '''Trevor Evans''', Italian café owner '''Bella Lasagne''', '''Norman Price''', Norman's mother '''Dilys Price''', and the twins '''Sarah''' and '''James Jones'''. The objects include Bentley the Robot, M.O.P., and Mechanical Master Chef.
{{:List of Fireman Sam episodes}}


==Characters==
The original series aired on BBC One, CBBC and CBeebies since it was launched in 1987, most commonly airing on CBeebies on a daily basis with repeats showing until 2008. In the original series produced by [[Bumper Films]] from 1987 to 1994, the firefighters had yellow and black uniforms, whereas in 2005 series produced by S4C and the BBC and the [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] series produced by [[HIT Entertainment]] and Hibbert Ralph, the firefighters now have yellow and blue uniforms.
{{Main|List of Fireman Sam characters}}

In 1988, the series was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Best Short Animated Film. The potential recipients were Ian Frampton and John Walker.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329829/awards | title=Awards for "Fireman Sam" (1987) | accessdate=4 January 2011}}</ref>

===2005 series===
In 2005, a new ''Fireman Sam'' series was produced by [[Siriol Animation|Siriol Productions]] (now known as Calon TV), comprising twenty-six episodes, each ten minutes in length. These episodes used more modern techniques of stop-motion animation including mouths that move with the dialogue. This series featured all the original characters, but also introduced some new faces, such as '''Tom Thomas''', the Australian pilot of the rescue helicopter '''Wallaby One''' and the Mountain Rescue 4×4 Jeep, an unnamed photographer/news reporter, and the '''Flood''' family; consisting of Mike the plumber, his wife Helen the nurse, and their daughter Mandy. The updated Jupiter has six wheels, loosely based on a Bedford 6×4 {{citation needed|date=July 2016}}, and Venus is loosely based on a heavily modified 4x4 Mini Cooper. The characters in this series were voiced by [[John Sparkes]], Joanna Ruiz and Sarah Hadland. The series also premiered on CBeebies in 2005 and repeats were shown until 2008.

The show's production companies were Hit Entertainment and Siriol Productions (2005–present), and its distributors were S4C and the BBC.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329829/companycredits | title=Company credits for "Fireman Sam" (1987) | accessdate=4 January 2011}}</ref>

===2008–present series===
The series was revamped in 2008 which saw the show convert to [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]. Pontypandy is now a seaside fishing village instead of a village set deep in the hills as in the early series, though most of the locations have retained their appearances. Another change in this series is that the twins' parents appear for the first time; their new-age mother '''Bronwyn''', and fisherman father '''Charlie''', Sam's brother, who run a café/fish-and-chip shop called 'Whole Fish Café'. The series is produced by Hibbert Ralph Animation in association with HIT Entertainment.

Jupiter was updated again, now loosely based on a [[Volvo FL]]6. A yellow stripe as well as a grille were added to the front of the fire engine. Minor changes were made to Venus which included a water nozzle added to the top of its roof. Trevor's bus was updated to a more modern look with angled headlights. New vehicles introduced included Mike Flood's Van in the sixth season onwards, as well as '''Mercury''', '''Saturn''', '''Pontypandy Flyer''', and '''Bessie''' which were introduced from the eighth season onwards.

The outfits were updated throughout the series (except for Norman Price). This included an update to the firefighter's outfits which added reflective stripes and extra badges to their tunics. Dilys Price received a large makeover which saw her getting makeup, glasses, black hair, a necklace and an updated outfit. The rest of the characters also received minor updates to their clothing.

Many characters also had aspects of their personalities made more apparent. Norman Price is far more mischievous and inconsiderate than in the 2005 series where his pranks were often planned out and his accidents were due to badly planned ideas rather than outrageous schemes. For example, in the episode "Pontypandy Extreme", Norman gets trapped down a [[wishing well]] after attempting to climb down in order to retrieve the coins from the bottom. Other examples are Station Officer Steele's strictness and maturity and Elvis's decrease in general competence. For example, in one episode where a first aid training exercise is taking place, Elvis is told off by Steele for dancing with the dummy that is being used. At the same time, Steele is not afraid to unleash the child within him, showing an interest in kite flying and paper planes. He also occasionally causes emergencies himself, and always seems to gasp when an emergency comes in. Also Station Officer Steele's name has changed to '''Station Officer Norris Steele'''.

Other changes include the removal of Bella, although her café can still be seen opposite Dilys' shop, now a [[7-Eleven]]-esque convenience store called the "Cut Price Supermarket". It seems the Whole Fish Café and Bronwyn and Charlie have replaced them. Bella made her first appearance in CGI in the tenth season, where the reason behind her absence was revealed as her moving to Newtown. Penny also now has another string to her bow, as she is a trained lifeguard and the helmsman of Neptune (the village's lifeboat). Also Rosa and Dusty have been replaced by Lion, Nipper, and Radar.

Since 2012, additional characters were introduced: a firefighter named '''Chief Fire Officer Boyce''', one animal called '''Norris''' the Guinea Pig, five new villagers named '''Derek Price''', '''Moose Roberts''', '''Gareth Griffiths''', '''Lily''', and '''Mrs Chen''', and two new objects were the ukulele named '''Marjorie''', AKA '''Marjorie Stays With Me''', and a thermal heating tracking device named '''Saturn'''.

In 2014, other characters were introduced: a lifeguard named '''Ben Hooper''', a mechanic named '''Joe Sparkes''' with his wife '''Lizzie Sparkes''', and their daughter '''Hannah Sparkes'''. Also, new vehicles were introduced: a jet ski named '''Juno''' and a fire boat named '''Titan'''. Also in "Ultimate Heroes" or "Heroes of the Storm" There is '''Ellie Phillips''' and '''Arnold McKinley''', new firefighter members. There is '''Hydrus''' (later '''Catfish''' or '''Wildcat''') the 6-wheeled vehicle boat, and an unnamed Mobile Command Unit too.

The characters in this series were voiced by [[Steven Kynman]], Tegwen Tucker, David Carling, and Su Douglas. Also in 2012, [[John Hasler]], Ifan Huw Dafydd and [[Nigel Whitmey]] joined the cast. [[Alex Lowe]] and [[Jo Wyatt]] joined the cast in 2014.

CBeebies last aired Fireman Sam in early 2008, before Turner Broadcasting and [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] started airing it from mid-2008.

==Episodes==
{{main article|List of Fireman Sam episodes}}


==Spin-offs==
==Spin-offs==
In 1996, a stage production was turned into a feature, ''Fireman Sam In Action'', and released on BBC Video.
In 1996, there was a stage show that was later released on video, titled ''[[Fireman Sam in Action]]''. It was interspersed with scenes of children learning about fire safety with Gary Lewis, the actor playing Fireman Sam in the stage show.


In 2009, Fireman Sam appeared with other animated children's television characters in a Children In Need single. The single was put together by Peter Kay.
In 2009, ''Fireman Sam'' appeared with other animated children's TV characters in the ''[[Children in Need]]'' single ''[[The Official BBC Children in Need Medley]]''. The single was put together by [[Peter Kay]].


''Fireman Sam'' was adapted into a live musical theatre show, which began touring the UK in June 2011.
The show saw its first feature-length movie, The Great Fire of Pontypandy, released to DVD and iTunes in 2009, and was shown in select cinemas.


In 2014, [[Amazon Prime]] redubbed ''Fireman Sam'' using American voices instead of British voices for children in the United States. However, the characters of [[Tom Thomas (Fireman Sam)|Tom Thomas]], [[Moose Roberts]] and [[Bella Lasagne]] have their regular, respective Australian, Canadian and Italian voices (instead of being dubbed with a US voice actor), due to their characters' accents. This cast includes the voices of Andrew Hodwitz, Jonah Ain, Chris D'Silva, Margaret Brock, Lily Cassano, Dave Pender Crichton, Jacob James, Scott Lancastle, Ashley Magwood, Michael Pongracz, Becky E. Shrimpton, Sarah Lynn Strange, Carter Treneer, Mark Ricci, Joe Marth (later replaced by Dave MacRae), Adam Turgeon and Christa Clahane.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
Fireman Sam was adapted into a live musical theatre show, which began touring the UK in June 2011.


==Reception==
In 2014, [[Amazon Prime]] released Fireman Sam using American voices instead of British voices for children in the US. However, Tom Thomas, Moose Roberts and Bella Lasagna have their regular Australian, Canadian and Italian voices instead of dubbing them with a US voice actor due to their accents.
The [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] website said of the series, "All the characters blend together into an appealing mixture of fun and entertainment for children everywhere".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/abckids/shows/prog64.htm | title=Fireman Sam at ABC | website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | access-date=4 January 2011}}</ref>


[[Common Sense Media]] recommended the 2005 series for ages three and up, praising it for showing how to "stay calm in a crisis" and rely on a team to solve problems. The American website found that the "distinctly Welsh characters, community, accents, and expressions may pose some minor comprehension problems for kids on this side of the pond", but considered it a useful example of life in another part of the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/Fireman-Sam.html | title=Fireman Sam at commonsensemedia | date=16 October 2006 | access-date=4 January 2011}}</ref>
In 2015, the show's second feature-length movie "Heroes of the Storm" (also known as "Ultimate Heroes" in the USA) was due to be released September 2015; however, it was released for US audiences in December 2014.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}.


In 2014, Dean Burnett wrote in ''[[The Guardian]]'' calling Fireman Sam the "worst children's programme ever" due to its lack of realism.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burnett |first=Dean |date=2014-02-07 |title=Fireman Sam: the worst children's programme ever? |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/feb/07/fireman-sam-the-worst-childrens-programme-ever |access-date=2023-12-13 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
==Critical response==
The [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] website said of the series, "All the characters blend together into an appealing mixture of fun and entertainment for children everywhere."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/abckids/shows/prog64.htm | title=Fireman Sam at ABC | accessdate=4 January 2011}}</ref>


==Controversies==
[[Common Sense Media]] recommended the 2004 series for ages 3 and up, praising it for showing how to "stay calm in a crisis" and rely on a team to solve problems. The American website found that the "distinctly Welsh characters, community, accents, and expressions may pose some minor comprehension problems for kids on this side of the pond", but considered it a useful example of life in another part of the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/Fireman-Sam.html | title=Fireman Sam at commonsensemedia | accessdate=4 January 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Fireman Sam Quran.jpg|thumb|A page from the [[Quran]] appearing in ''Fireman Sam''.]]
In July 2016, it emerged that in Series 9, Episode 6 called "Troubled Waters" – in which Elvis slips on a piece of paper and falls into a stack of sheets of paper, causing them to fly everywhere – one of the flying pages that briefly came into view was identified as a page from the [[Quran]]: "Surah [[Al-Mulk|Mulk]] (67), verses 13–26".<ref name="Quran">{{cite web|last1=Evans|first1=Patrick|title=Fireman Sam episode pulled amid Quran row|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36900310|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 July 2016|date=27 July 2016}}</ref> The production company Mattel apologised for this accident, removed the episode from broadcast, and ceased work with Xing Xing, the animation company responsible for the error. Mattel stated: "Someone from the production company thought they were just putting in random text.<ref name="Quran"/> We have no reason to believe it was done maliciously." It was at first thought that this episode would have to be removed from broadcast circulation, but instead was censored by having the scene edited to show Elvis just slipping on a blank piece of paper, so the television networks were still able to broadcast it.<ref name="Quran"/> The BBC received more than 1,000 complaints and forwarded them to [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] as the BBC has not aired ''Fireman Sam'' since 2008.<ref name="Quran"/> Ofcom decided not to investigate the episode stating that even at the highest resolution it was impossible to tell if the text was from the Quran or not.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news |date=12 September 2016 |title=Fireman Sam 'Koran' scene cleared by Ofcom|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37338265 |work=BBC News |location= |access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>


{{Clear}}
==Controversy==
[[File:Fireman Sam Quran.jpg|thumb|240px| A page from the Quran appearing in Fireman Sam]]
In July 2016 it emerged that a Series 9, Episode 7 shows Elvis slipping on a piece of paper and falling into a pile of papers causing them to fly everywhere. One of the flying pages that briefly came into view was later identified as a page from the [[Quran]] "Surah Mulk (67), verses 13–26".<ref name="Quran">{{cite web|last1=Evans|first1=Patrick|title=Fireman Sam episode pulled amid Quran row|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36900310|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=30 July 2016|date=27 July 2016}}</ref> The production company Mattel apologised for this accident, removed the episode from broadcast, and ceased work with Xing Xing, the animation company responsible for the error. Mattel stated "Someone from the production company thought they were just putting in random text.<ref name="Quran"/> We have no reason to believe it was done maliciously."<ref name="Quran"/> The BBC received more than 1,000 complaints and forwarded them to [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] as the BBC has not aired Fireman Sam since 2008.<ref name="Quran"/> In the aftermath it was revealed many newspapers misrepresented the facts by stating that Elvis trod on the Quran when in fact on closer inspection the paper he stepped on was blank.

In October 2017 the [[London Fire Commissioner]] [[Dany Cotton]] highlighted Fireman Sam in a campaign fighting sexism and promoting the gender neutral term firefighter. She proposed that Fireman Sam should be renamed Firefighter Sam.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why We Are Campaigning To Shake Off The Outdated Term 'Firemen'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/dany-cotton/firefighter-dany-cotton_b_18293684.html|website=HuffPost UK}}</ref> Cotton said that research showed that women are put off a career in the fire service because it is seen as a job for men, and that as Fireman Sam is seen by children from an early age he reinforces this stereotype.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*[http://www.firemansamonline.com/uk Official Fireman Sam website]
* {{BBC programme}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0329829|title=Fireman Sam}}
* [http://www.firemansam.com/en-gb Official Fireman Sam website]

* {{IMDb title|id=0329829|title=Fireman Sam}}
{{Portal|Wales|United Kingdom|United States|Animation|Television}}
{{Media in Cardiff}}
{{Fireman Sam}}{{Media in Cardiff}}
{{Mattel}}
{{Portal bar|Wales|United Kingdom|Animation|Television}}


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Latest revision as of 11:23, 7 January 2025

Fireman Sam
Created by
  • Dave Gingell
  • Dave Jones
  • Rob Lee
Written byLaura Beaumont
Paul Larson (2012-present)
Directed byJerry Hibbert
Gary Andrews
Cam Lizotte
Greg Richardson
Katrina Hadley
Jennifer Guglielmucci
Oskar Nilsson
William Gordon
Connor Ferguson
Voices of
Narrated byJohn Alderton (1987–1994)
Music by
  • Ben Heneghan (from 1987 to 2005)
  • Ian Lawson (from 1987 to 2005)
  • David Pickvance (from 2008 to 2019)
  • Blain Morris (from 2020 onwards)
  • Mike Shields (from 2021 onwards)
  • Amanda Cawley (from 2021 onwards)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languages
  • Welsh (series 1–4)
  • English
No. of series15
No. of episodes304 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducerVarious
Running time
  • 10 minutes (series)
  • 20 minutes ("Snow Business" only)
Production companies
Original release
Network
Release17 November 1987 (1987-11-17) –
17 November 1994 (1994-11-17)
Release4 April (2005-04-04) –
26 December 2005 (2005-12-26)
Release24 November 2008 (2008-11-24) –
present (present)

Fireman Sam (Welsh: Sam Tân) is a British animated children's television series about a fireman named Sam, his fellow firefighters, and other residents in the fictional Welsh rural village of Pontypandy (a portmanteau of two real towns, Pontypridd and Tonypandy). It was broadcast for the first time in November 1987 on Welsh TV channel S4C and is shown in more than 155 countries across the world.[1][2]

History

[edit]

Fireman Sam first appeared on S4C on 1 November 1987,[3] and a few weeks later on BBC1 on 17 November. The original series finished in 1994, and a new series that expanded the character cast commenced in 2003. The series was also shown as Sam Smalaidh in Scottish Gaelic in Scotland. The series was sold to over 40 countries and has been used across the United Kingdom to promote fire safety.

The theme song was performed by Mal Pope in a classic rock style from 1987 to 1994, then by a different singer, Cameron Stewart, in a 2000s alternative rock style since the 2003 new episode broadcasts.

Development

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The original idea came about from two ex-firemen from London, England – Dave Gingell and David Jones after purchasing a stop motion animation book by artist Anthony Miller. They approached Mike Young, creator of SuperTed, in Barry, Wales, and asked him to further develop their concept. The idea was then brought to S4C's Director of Animation, Chris Grace, who had previously commissioned SuperTed, saw potential in the idea and commissioned the series. The characters and the storylines were created by Rob Lee, an illustrator from Cardiff, and the programme was made using stop motion. It could take up to four days to produce one minute of this form of puppet animation. Fireman Sam has to this day been translated into over 25 different languages including Mandarin.[4]

In the original series, all the character voices were performed by John Alderton. The later series used several actors' voices.

In 2021, Mike Young said that shows like Fireman Sam and SuperTed would not be able to exist without government subsidies to S4C.[5]

Episodes

[edit]
Main article: List of Fireman Sam episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1817 November 1987 (1987-11-17)10 December 1987 (1987-12-10)
281 September 1988 (1988-09-01)22 December 1988 (1988-12-22)
3915 October 1990 (1990-10-15)10 December 1990 (1990-12-10)
4821 October 1994 (1994-10-21)17 November 1994 (1994-11-17)
5264 April 2005 (2005-04-04)25 December 2005 (2005-12-25)
62624 November 2008 (2008-11-24)27 February 2009 (2009-02-27)
7264 May 2009 (2009-05-04)19 July 2009 (2009-07-19)
8263 March 2012 (2012-03-03)10 November 2012 (2012-11-10)
9257 April 2014 (2014-04-07)3 September 2014 (2014-09-03)
102515 February 2016 (2016-02-15)26 August 2016 (2016-08-26)
111318 November 2017 (2017-11-18)9 May 2018 (2018-05-09)
121326 October 2020 (2020-10-26)17 February 2021 (2021-02-17)
13264 October 2021 (2021-10-04)7 October 2022 (2022-10-07)
14261 November 2022 (2022-11-01)7 July 2023 (2023-07-07)
152621 October 2023 (2023-10-21)TBA

Characters

[edit]
Main article: List of Fireman Sam characters

Spin-offs

[edit]

In 1996, there was a stage show that was later released on video, titled Fireman Sam in Action. It was interspersed with scenes of children learning about fire safety with Gary Lewis, the actor playing Fireman Sam in the stage show.

In 2009, Fireman Sam appeared with other animated children's TV characters in the Children in Need single The Official BBC Children in Need Medley. The single was put together by Peter Kay.

Fireman Sam was adapted into a live musical theatre show, which began touring the UK in June 2011.

In 2014, Amazon Prime redubbed Fireman Sam using American voices instead of British voices for children in the United States. However, the characters of Tom Thomas, Moose Roberts and Bella Lasagne have their regular, respective Australian, Canadian and Italian voices (instead of being dubbed with a US voice actor), due to their characters' accents. This cast includes the voices of Andrew Hodwitz, Jonah Ain, Chris D'Silva, Margaret Brock, Lily Cassano, Dave Pender Crichton, Jacob James, Scott Lancastle, Ashley Magwood, Michael Pongracz, Becky E. Shrimpton, Sarah Lynn Strange, Carter Treneer, Mark Ricci, Joe Marth (later replaced by Dave MacRae), Adam Turgeon and Christa Clahane.[citation needed]

Reception

[edit]

The ABC website said of the series, "All the characters blend together into an appealing mixture of fun and entertainment for children everywhere".[6]

Common Sense Media recommended the 2005 series for ages three and up, praising it for showing how to "stay calm in a crisis" and rely on a team to solve problems. The American website found that the "distinctly Welsh characters, community, accents, and expressions may pose some minor comprehension problems for kids on this side of the pond", but considered it a useful example of life in another part of the world.[7]

In 2014, Dean Burnett wrote in The Guardian calling Fireman Sam the "worst children's programme ever" due to its lack of realism.[8]

Controversies

[edit]
A page from the Quran appearing in Fireman Sam.

In July 2016, it emerged that in Series 9, Episode 6 called "Troubled Waters" – in which Elvis slips on a piece of paper and falls into a stack of sheets of paper, causing them to fly everywhere – one of the flying pages that briefly came into view was identified as a page from the Quran: "Surah Mulk (67), verses 13–26".[9] The production company Mattel apologised for this accident, removed the episode from broadcast, and ceased work with Xing Xing, the animation company responsible for the error. Mattel stated: "Someone from the production company thought they were just putting in random text.[9] We have no reason to believe it was done maliciously." It was at first thought that this episode would have to be removed from broadcast circulation, but instead was censored by having the scene edited to show Elvis just slipping on a blank piece of paper, so the television networks were still able to broadcast it.[9] The BBC received more than 1,000 complaints and forwarded them to Channel 5 as the BBC has not aired Fireman Sam since 2008.[9] Ofcom decided not to investigate the episode stating that even at the highest resolution it was impossible to tell if the text was from the Quran or not.[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "'No stereotype problem' in Fireman Sam". BBC News. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  2. ^ Shuttleworth, Peter (17 November 2017). "Happy 30th birthday Fireman Sam". BBC News.
  3. ^ Regional Television Variations. Date: Saturday, Oct. 31, 1987 Publication: The Times (London, England) Sunday: 1st 7.20. Sam Tân
  4. ^ "About Sam". Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  5. ^ "TV: Fireman Sam and SuperTed 'wouldn't exist' without subsidies". BBC News. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Fireman Sam at ABC". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  7. ^ "Fireman Sam at commonsensemedia". 16 October 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  8. ^ Burnett, Dean (7 February 2014). "Fireman Sam: the worst children's programme ever?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d Evans, Patrick (27 July 2016). "Fireman Sam episode pulled amid Quran row". BBC. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Fireman Sam 'Koran' scene cleared by Ofcom". BBC News. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
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