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The Riddlers
GenrePuppet show
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons9
No. of episodes224
Production
Running time15 minutes
Original release
NetworkITV
Release2 November 1989 (1989-11-02) –
27 August 1998 (1998-08-27)

The Riddlers is a British children's programme produced by Yorkshire Television for ITV between 2 November 1989 and 27 August 1998.

Synopsis

The series centred on Marjorie Dawe and the two Riddlers (small humanoid creatures, portrayed by puppets, whose main aim in life was to "riddle things out") named Mossop (voiced by Richard Robinson) and Tiddler (female, but voiced by Mike Gallant), who inhabited her garden at Riddleton End. It would later be revealed that Tiddler was an orphan and had no other next of kin, so Mossop adopted Tiddler as an infant. Tiddler was not the latter's real name, but a title given to young apprentice Riddlers: once they achieved full Riddler status there would be a special (graduation type) ceremony, at which they would be given their 'real' name. Tiddler's training included being told twelve stories by a Riddlestone, usually one of 'Eesup's Foibles' (Yorkshire dialect for Aesop's Fables) – she would then have to 'riddle out' the moral of the story.

When Tiddler had achieved full Riddler status (by getting the morals of twelve stories correctly) she chose to be called Tiddlup at the ceremony. Marjorie wanted to go to the ceremony but was told by Mossop that only Riddlers and Tiddlers could go as it was a Riddler law. In order to go, she became a Riddler and started to study as a Riddler.

Other characters featured in the show included Marjorie's neighbour, Mr. Montgomery Grimley (a gardener and odd-job man), and several other Riddler characters – including another Tiddler known as Middler, Mossop's brother Glossop, and Eesup, a story-teller. Marjorie's sister Monica was also featured as a recurring character. Many of the plots featured in the series revolved around the male characters making mistakes which would then be solved by the female ones.

Series cast

Production

Total of episodes were produced and broadcast during the series' nine-year run. For much of its run, The Riddlers was produced by Ian Fell and directed by Chris Ryder (later a series producer).[1] Later series were directed by Ann Ayoub. The executive producer was Chris Jelley.

All episodes were written by Rick Vanes (whose previous work for YTV included Puddle Lane and Mooncat). Eesup's Foibles stories were written by Shirley Isherwood. Neil Innes provided the music and songs featured. Puppeteer for Middler and Mossop, Richard Robinson, created the puppets and provided illustrations for the Eesup's Foibles stories. David Baker was assistant puppeteer series 1 through 6 and Garry Rutter for the show's last three years. Garry Rutter would later work on MacDonalds Farm puppeteering Baa Baa and The Fimbles Doing animatronic work.

Many of the programmes were recorded in Yorkshire Television's studios on Kirkstall Road, Leeds, although some later episodes were filmed on location. Five VHS releases were issued by Video Collection International, two DVDs were issued by Kids Club (VCI) and several tie-in books were published.

An episode from the fifth series was broadcast on the CITV channel on 6 January 2013, as part of a weekend of archive programmes to celebrate CITV's 30th anniversary.

Transmission guide

Series 1 (1989-1990)

No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Moving In"UnknownUnknown2 November 1989 (1989-11-02)
Marjorie has just moved in to Riddleton End a small cottage in the countryside. To her delight she discovers that two Riddlers living in the garden, the magical little folk who find human ways very confusing.
2"A Present for Marjorie"UnknownUnknown9 November 1989 (1989-11-09)
The Riddlers want to give Marjorie a present, but they have some odd ideas about what it should be.
3"The Wedding Hat"UnknownUnknown16 November 1989 (1989-11-16)
Lampshades can look like hats and Mossop needs a hat for a wedding he's been invited to attend.
4"The House-Warming Party"UnknownUnknown23 November 1989 (1989-11-23)
Thanks to Mr Grimley there's insufficient food to go round at Marjorie's house warming party.
5"The Riddling Tree"UnknownUnknown30 November 1989 (1989-11-30)
Filbert the squirrel will get a new home if Tiddler can work out the answer to the secrets of the Riddling Tree.
6"The Potted Plants"UnknownUnknown7 December 1989 (1989-12-07)
Mossop can't tell the difference between a pedal bin and a plant pot.
7"Sleepy Heads"UnknownUnknown14 December 1989 (1989-12-14)
The Riddlers have trouble with a hammock especially as Mossop wants to sleep in it at the bottom of the well.
8"Riddling Boots"UnknownUnknown21 December 1989 (1989-12-21)
A Riddler's proudest possession is his Riddling Boots and Tiddler can hardly wait for the day she gets hers. In the meantime, she borrows Mossop's but unfortunately things go wrong.
9"Fishing"UnknownUnknown11 January 1990 (1990-01-11)
Mossop and Tiddler are fishing in the well but don't want to catch a fish. Marjorie is confused!
10"The Fairy"UnknownUnknown18 January 1990 (1990-01-18)
One of the most magical things in the garden is the fairy but you can only see her if you believe in her.
11"Decisions, Decisions"UnknownUnknown25 January 1990 (1990-01-25)
Have the Riddlers got a batter way than humans when it comes to making decisions?
12"Missing the Bus"UnknownUnknown1 February 1990 (1990-02-01)
Mossop and Tiddler help Marjorie because she has such a lot to do before going to the theatre and she could miss her bus.
13"Gone Camping"UnknownUnknown8 February 1990 (1990-02-08)
An unusual object in the garden found when they return from holiday puzzles Tiddler but Mossop is confident he knows what it is.
14"Mossop the Strongman"UnknownUnknown15 February 1990 (1990-02-15)
A strange large box has been delivered to the house. What secret does it contain?
15"The Flittering"UnknownUnknown22 February 1990 (1990-02-22)
Tiddler tells a ghost story but Mr Grimley isn't afraid of anything or so he says!
16"Bothersome Birds"UnknownUnknown1 March 1990 (1990-03-01)
Mossop has plans to frighten away the birds because they have been pecking holes in Marjorie's milk bottle tops.
17"Grimley's Tuba"UnknownUnknown8 March 1990 (1990-03-08)
Mossop and Tiddler find Mr Grimley's tuba but can't work out what it is.
18"In Search of the Lost Nuts"UnknownUnknown15 March 1990 (1990-03-15)
Mr Grimley strikes lucky in a surprising way when Filbert loses his hoard of nuts as he awakens from his winter sleep.
19"Tiddler's Beads"UnknownUnknown22 March 1990 (1990-03-22)
Marjorie helps Tiddler to thread some colourful beads on to a string. But when Mossop comes along, things begin to go wrong.
20"Postie the Prisoner"UnknownUnknown29 March 1990 (1990-03-29)
Mossop, Tiddler and Marjorie look everywhere for the postman, but he's nowhere to be seen.
21"Robins Nest"UnknownUnknown5 April 1990 (1990-04-05)
Mr Grimley is proud of his discovery but the others have their doubts.
22"House-Hunting"UnknownUnknown12 April 1990 (1990-04-12)
Mossop tries to find a new home for himself and Tiddler then has an unfortunate accident.
23"Mossop Shows the Way"UnknownUnknown19 April 1990 (1990-04-19)
Things go wrong when Mossop and Tiddler wearing blindfold play follow my leader. When Marjorie suggests an alternate game, things get worse.
24"Peace and Quiet"UnknownUnknown26 April 1990 (1990-04-26)
Mossop and Tiddler find a new way of lighting the well.
25"That's Torn It"UnknownUnknown3 May 1990 (1990-05-03)
Mossop's trousers are torn and Marjorie lends a hand.
26"Tiddler's Time Magic"UnknownUnknown10 May 1990 (1990-05-10)
Mossop suggests that Tiddler should use a magic spell to allow Marjorie and Mr Grimley to see the Dawn Fairy.

Series 2 (1990-1991)

No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Mossop Needs a Haircut"UnknownUnknown15 November 1990 (1990-11-15)
Tiddler sends Mossop for a haircut.
2"Rat in the Garden"UnknownUnknown22 November 1990 (1990-11-22)
A cat called Simon and a rat called Bella are found in the garden by Mossop and Tiddler. But is Bella nasty or nice?
3"Middler"UnknownUnknown29 November 1990 (1990-11-29)
There's a shock for Marjorie who thought that Mossop and Tiddler were the only Riddlers living in her garden.
4"A Present from Middler"UnknownUnknown6 December 1990 (1990-12-06)
Middler's present to Mossop is quite surprising.
5"Tiddler at Bedtime"UnknownUnknown13 December 1990 (1990-12-13)
Tiddler protests because she always has to go to bed first.
6"The Siege of Riddleton End"UnknownUnknown20 December 1990 (1990-12-20)
Mossop and Tiddler prepare to defend their garden.
7"In the Soup"UnknownUnknown10 January 1991 (1991-01-10)
Mossop and Mr Grimley make some soup with a difference when Marjorie tells them she isn't very well.
8"Tiddletricks Day"UnknownUnknown17 January 1991 (1991-01-17)
Tiddletricks Day is the special day that the Riddlers play tricks on people, so Marjorie had better be on her guard.
9"The Singing Tree"UnknownUnknown24 January 1991 (1991-01-24)
Middler is trying to convince the Riddlers that the riddling tree is a singing tree.
10"Grooming Grimley"UnknownUnknown31 January 1991 (1991-01-31)
The Riddlers help to smarten up Mr Grimley for a new job.
11"Daft as Brushes"UnknownUnknown7 February 1991 (1991-02-07)
12"Mossop Builds a Car"UnknownUnknown14 February 1991 (1991-02-14)
Marjorie learns to ride a bike and Mossop goes for a spin.
13"Cat on the Run"UnknownUnknown21 February 1991 (1991-02-21)
Tiddler is not happy when Mossop tells Marjorie a fib.
14"Wet Paint"UnknownUnknown28 February 1991 (1991-02-28)
Mossop talks Tiddler into helping him to surprise Marjorie.
15"Spring Time for Middler"UnknownUnknown7 March 1991 (1991-03-07)
16"A Question of Balance"UnknownUnknown14 March 1991 (1991-03-14)
17"Mossop the Artist"UnknownUnknown21 March 1991 (1991-03-21)
18"Middler the Invisible"UnknownUnknown28 March 1991 (1991-03-28)
19"The Mystery of the Shrinking Tiddler"UnknownUnknown4 April 1991 (1991-04-04)
20"Mossop Loses His Voice"UnknownUnknown11 April 1991 (1991-04-11)
21"The Flood"UnknownUnknown18 April 1991 (1991-04-18)
22"Red Herring"UnknownUnknown25 April 1991 (1991-04-25)
23"Stop, Look and Listen"UnknownUnknown2 May 1991 (1991-05-02)
Marjorie comes up with some original ways to learn how to cross the road.
24"The Lighting Machines"UnknownUnknown9 May 1991 (1991-05-09)
25"Holiday Plans"UnknownUnknown16 May 1991 (1991-05-16)
Mossop decides that a flying holiday would make a nice change but can Riddlers fly?
26"Tiddler's Test"UnknownUnknown23 May 1991 (1991-05-23)

Series 3 (1991-1993)

  1. Stones from the Sky – 12 December 1991
  2. Lights Out – 19 December 1991
  3. Treasure of Riddleton End – 9 January 1992
  4. Mossop the Hero – 16 January 1992
  5. Mossop and Grimley – Builders – 23 January 1992
  6. Middler's Invisible Horse – 30 January 1992
  7. A Brush With Mossop – 6 February 1992
  8. The Riddlestone Necklace – 13 February 1992
  9. The Search for a Riddling Tree – 20 February 1992
  10. Top Hat and Tails – 27 February 1992
  11. The Honorary Riddler – 5 March 1992
  12. A Riddler at Last – 12 March 1992
  13. Mossop's Magic Cleaner – 19 March 1992
  14. Tiddlup Doesn't Live Here Anymore – 26 March 1992
  15. Mossop the Thinker – 2 April 1992
  16. Learning to Teach – 9 April 1992
  17. Counting on Mossop – 16 April 1992
  18. Skate Expectations – 23 April 1992
  19. The Speeding Detective – 30 April 1992
  20. The Magnificent Handcart – 7 May 1992
  21. Spider, Spider – 14 May 1992
  22. Heavy Reading – 21 May 1992
  23. Cold Comfort Cottage – 28 May 1992
  24. That's Hen-Tertainment – 4 June 1992

Series 4 (1993)

  1. Water Music - 26 November 1992
  2. Belt and Braces - 3 December 1992
  3. Worrying Developments - 10 December 1992
  4. Edgar Saves the Day - 17 December 1992
  5. Water, Water Anywhere? - 7 January 1993
  6. Not Wanted on Voyage - 14 January 1993
  7. Camp Sights - 21 January 1993
  8. Beside the Seaside - 28 January 1993
  9. Tickets To Ride - 4 February 1993
  10. A Head for Heights - 11 February 1993
  11. Fish & Ships - 18 February 1993
  12. A Room for the Knight - 25 February 1993
  13. A Ticklish Problem - 4 March 1993
  14. Getting in Shape - 11 March 1993
  15. Return To Lender - 18 March 1993
  16. The Riddler Christmas - 25 March 1993
  17. Mossop on His Metal - 1 April 1993
  18. Mossop the Genius - 8 April 1993
  19. Too Big for His Boots - 15 April 1993
  20. A Few Hiccups - 22 April 1993
  21. The New Mossy Boots - 29 April 1993
  22. Special Delivery - 6 May 1993
  23. Doing Things Day - 13 May 1993

Series 5 (1993-1994)

  1. Relatively Speaking – 7 September 1993
  2. Squeamish - 9 September 1993
  3. A Miner Problem - 14 September 1993
  4. The Tooth Will Out – 16 September 1993
  5. Back To School - 21 September 1993
  6. Legend of the Vampire Hedgehog - 23 September 1993
  7. Lucks and Ducks – 28 September 1993
  8. A Whale of a Time – 30 September 1993
  9. A Shady Character - 5 October 1993
  10. A Complete Washout - 7 October 1993
  11. The Wrong Lines - 12 October 1993
  12. Not So Smart - 14 October 1993
  13. A Hat For Middler - 19 October 1993
  14. All the Fun of the Festival - 21 October 1993
  15. Middler the Plotter - 26 October 1993
  16. Daring in the Diary - 28 October 1993
  17. Feeding Time - 2 November 1993
  18. The Stowaway - 4 November 1993
  19. The Isle Of Riddlers - 9 November 1983
  20. The Rocket - 11 November 1993
  21. The Missing Tickets - 16 November 1993
  22. Vikings And Black Dogs - 18 November 1993
  23. Three Legs, Four Horns, Seven Kingdoms - 23 November 1993
  24. Fairies and Tales - 25 November 1993
  25. Who’s Been Sleeping In My Cellar - 2 December 1993
  26. Oh Brother - 7 December 1993
  27. A Job at the Circus - 9 December 1993
  28. Roll Up, Fall Down - 14 December 1993
  29. Glossop Moves In - 16 December 1993
  30. The Unwelcome Guest - 4 January 1994

Series 6 (1994-1995)

  1. All Fall Down - 8 September 1994
  2. Home and Wahey! - 15 September 1994
  3. In Branches Everywhere - 22 September 1994
  4. Trouble In Store - 29 September 1994
  5. The Super Well - 6 October 1994
  6. A Caravan For Middler - 13 October 1994
  7. Flight To Holy Island - 20 October 1994
  8. On Hadrian’s Wall - 27 October 1994
  9. Dipping And Tripping - 3 November 1994
  10. Tiddlup At The Wicket - 10 November 1994
  11. A Face From The Past - 17 November 1994
  12. Job Hunting - 24 November 1994
  13. Last With The News - 1 December 1994
  14. The Riddleton Circus - 8 December 1994
  15. Punch And Judy - 15 December 1994
  16. Oh, Baby! - 12 January 1995
  17. Hush A Bye Mossop - 19 January 1995
  18. Mossop Steps Out - 26 January 1995
  19. A Tiddler At Play School - 2 February 1995
  20. Mossop Returns - 9 February 1995

Series 7 (1995-1996)

  1. Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow - 7 September 1995
  2. Just for Kicks - 14 September 1995
  3. A Test for Middler - 21 September 1995
  4. Trick Cycling - 28 September 1995
  5. Where on Earth? - 5 October 1995
  6. French Lessons - 12 October 1995
  7. Bon Appetit - 19 October 1995
  8. Alarms and Excursions - 26 October 1995
  9. Eesup - 2 November 1995
  10. Let Loose in the Library - 9 November 1995
  11. A Tiddler’s Best Friend - 16 November 1995
  12. It’s a Dog Life - 23 November 1995
  13. Dog Tired - 30 November 1995
  14. The Phantom Piper - 7 December 1995
  15. Loch Ness Mess - 14 December 1995
  16. Cabers and Kilts - 4 January 1996
  17. Highland Fun and Games - 11 January 1996
  18. A Little Bit Of Dirt - 18 January 1996
  19. At the Hospital - 25 January 1996
  20. Mossop the Invalid - 1 February 1996
  21. Thanks a Lot - 8 February 1996
  22. Flea Market - 15 February 1996
  23. Mossop the Conkeror - 22 February 1996
  24. Grimley the Golfer - 29 February 1996
  25. Listen To The Band - 7 March 1996

Series 8 (1996-1997)

  1. Vote for Mossop - 12 September 1996
  2. The Chief Riddler - 19 September 1996
  3. Statue There? - 26 September 1996
  4. Your Place Or Mine - 3 October 1996
  5. Well Dressed Wells - 10 October 1996
  6. Light Fantastic - 17 October 1996
  7. Middler’s Mansion - 24 October 1996
  8. The Tiddlers' Holiday Camp - 31 October 1996
  9. Tickling Trout - 7 November 1996
  10. Daylight Snobbery - 14 November 1996
  11. Rootin' Tootin' Cowboys - 21 November 1996
  12. Under The Greenwood Tree - 28 November 1996
  13. A-Hunting We Will Go - 5 December 1996
  14. Eesup Junior - 12 December 1996
  15. Not A Leg To Stand On - 19 December 1996
  16. Chairs And Stairs - 9 January 1997
  17. Mossop Calling - 16 January 1997
  18. Middler’s Taxi Service - 23 January 1997
  19. Lollipop Middler - 30 January 1997
  20. Clothes For Your Nose - 6 February 1997
  21. Highly Alarming - 13 February 1997
  22. A Word In The Hand... - 20 February 1997
  23. Leisure Hunt - 27 February 1997
  24. Stereo-oh! - 6 March 1997
  25. Playing Chopsticks - 13 March 1997

Series 9 (1997-1998)

  1. Ideal Home - 9 September 1997
  2. Dumb Waiter - 16 September 1997
  3. That Sinking Feeling - 23 September 1997
  4. All Stuck Up - 30 September 1997
  5. All at Sea - 7 October 1997
  6. Castaways - 14 October 1997
  7. On the Line - 21 October 1997
  8. Cycling Proficiency - 28 October 1997
  9. Middler's Cafe - 4 November 1997
  10. Metal Detector - 11 November 1997
  11. The Time Machine - 18 November 1997
  12. Mystery in History - 25 November 1997
  13. Back to the Stone Age - 2 December 1997
  14. Blow Up - 16 December 1997
  15. Spooks Of Riddleton End - 18 June 1998
  16. Mossop’s Art Gallery - 25 June 1998
  17. Good Sports - 2 July 1998
  18. Hoe, Hoe, Hoe - 9 July 1998
  19. Riddler Scouts - 16 July 1998
  20. Tall and Small and Basketball - 23 July 1998
  21. Creepy Crawlies - 30 July 1998
  22. Fashion Victims - 6 August 1998
  23. Little Red Riding Hood - 13 August 1998
  24. That’s Rich - 20 August 1998
  25. Good Morning, Mr. Magpie - 27 August 1998

UK VHS releases

VHS Title Release Date Episodes
The Riddlers: Mossop Needs A Haircut And Other Stories (YTVE 17) 1991 Mossop Needs A Haircut, Siege of Riddlers End, Daft As A Brush, Holiday Plans
The Riddlers: Mossop The Hero And Other Stories (VC1264) 5 October 1992 Stones From the Sky, Lights Out, The Treasure of Riddleton End, Mossop the Hero
The Riddlers: The Riddlestone Necklace And Other Stories (VC1278) 8 February 1993 Mossop and Grimley Builders, Middler's Invisible Horse, A Brush with Mossop, The Riddlestone Necklace
The Riddlers: A Riddler at Last and Other Stories (VC1309) 5 July 1993 The Search For a Riddling Tree, Top Hat and Tails, The Honorary Riddler, A Riddler at Last
The Riddlers: Mossop The Thinker and Other Stories (KC1513) 9 March 1998 Mossop's Magic Cleaner, Tiddlup Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Mossop The Thinker, Learning To Teach

References

  1. ^ Heartbeat and Beyond: Memoirs of 50 Years of Yorkshire Television. Ed. John Fairley, Graham Ironside. Pen and Sword, 2017.
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