Bananas in Pyjamas

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Bananas in Pyjamas
Format Children's Television
Written by Simon Hopkinson
Bob La Castra
Debra Oswald
Richard Tulloch
Kris Wyld
Tracy Moody (script supervisor)
Directed by Michael Ailwood
Ian Munro
Starring Ken Radley
Nicholas Opolski
Mary-Ann Henshaw
Taylor Owynns
Jeremy Scrivener
Shane McNamara
Narrated by Karina Kelly
Theme music composer Carey Blyton
Opening theme Bananas In Pyjamas performed by Monica Trapaga
Ending theme Bananas in Pyjamas instrumental version
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of series 7
No. of episodes 356
Production
Executive producer(s) Mark Barnard
Producer(s) Helena Harris
Virginia Lumsden(1992–2001)
Location(s) Australia
Running time 5 minutes (1992–2001)
12 minutes (2011)
Production company(s) Southern Star Group
Broadcast
Original channel ABC (1992–2001)
ABC2 (2011)
ITV (original series)
Nick Jr. UK (original series)
Channel 5 (revived series)
Cartoonito (revived series)
Picture format 4:3 (PAL) (1992-2001)
576i (SDTV) (2011)
Audio format Stereo
Original run 20 July 1992 – 14 December 2001 (original run)
2 May 2011–22 June 2011
External links
Website

Bananas in Pyjamas is an Australian children's television show that premiered on 20 July 1992 on ABC. It has since become syndicated in many different countries, and dubbed into other languages. In the United States, the "Pyjamas" in the title was modified to reflect the American spelling pajamas. This aired in syndication from 1995 to 1997 as a half-hour series, then became a 15-minute show paired with a short-lived 15-minute series The Crayon Box, under a 30-minute block produced by Sachs Family Entertainment titled Bananas in Pajamas & The Crayon Box. Additionally, the characters and a scene from the show were featured in the Kids for Character sequel titled Kids for Character: Choices Count. The pilot episode was Pink Mug.

The concept was inspired by the success of the song Bananas in Pyjamas, written by Carey Blyton in 1967, on Play School.[1][2] This song, which had become a regular item on Play School, became the theme of the new series.

In 1997, Bumping & A Jumping, an album based on the show, was released.[3] The series was revamped in May 2011 as a CGI series created by Southern Star Entertainment.

Contents

Summary [edit]

The main characters are two anthropomorphic bananas named B1 and B2. Other characters include three teddy bears named Amy, Lulu and Morgan, and Rat in a Hat. The bananas, the teddies and Rat in a Hat all live in the same neighbourhood, a cul-de-sac called "Cuddles Avenue". The bananas live next to the beach and serve as beach patrol. The teddies live next to and look after the park. Rat In A Hat works and lives at the community store. The characters enjoy eating "munchy honeycakes" and "yellow jelly".

Production [edit]

Inspiration [edit]

The characters were inspired by a 1967 song written for children by British composer Carey Blyton (nephew of renowned children's author Enid Blyton). The jaunty song describes (an unspecified number of) bananas in pyjamas chasing teddy bears, with a slight twist at the end where a musical sting emphasises that the bananas like to "catch them unawares". The song was shown on the Australian version of Play School for many years accompanied by an animation depicting pairs of bananas in blue-and-white striped pyjamas. This led to a "banana" plush toy being created as part of the "toy cast", which formed the basis of the physical appearance of B1 and B2.

Filming [edit]

The show was performed using human actors in elaborate costumes, in the style of the British Teletubbies or Tweenies. In the show's early days, the voices of the bananas were provided by the same actors as were inside the costume, but the original actors eventually gave up that aspect of the show and substitutes manned the hot, stuffy costumes. The show aired new episodes from its 1992 debut to its eventual run in syndication in 2002. The show aired approximately three hundred episodes as well as four specials. Its debut in the United States was in 1995. It made videos and other media from 1995 to 1999. A toy line, developed by TOMY, debuted in 1996.

Characters [edit]

Main characters [edit]

B1

B2

Amy

Lulu

Morgan

Rat-in-a-Hat

Narrator

Recurring cast [edit]

Emma De Vries
  • Maggie the Magpie (1994–2002)
  • Tolstoy the Tortoise (1994–2002)
Mal Heap
  • Puppeteer - Farm Animals (2001)
  • Kevin the Butterfly (1992–1993; uncredited)

David Collins

  • Puppeteer - Farm Animals (2001)
*Tomasina (1999)

Farm animals [edit]

  • Camembert the Cow (Taylor Sweeney)
  • Pedro the Pig (Michael Phillips)
  • Gregory the Chicken (Matthew Hudak)
  • Peck the Duck (Aaron Oberst-Horner)
  • Dolly the Sheep (Maura McGinley)
  • Flash the Fish (Jacob Matta)

Episode List [edit]

Series 1 (1992) [edit]

  1. Pink Mug (20 July 1992)
  2. Picnic Thieves (21 July 1992)
  3. Moon Rocket (22 July 1992)
  4. Night Fright (23 July 1992)
  5. Lost Shoe (24 July 1992)
  6. Hide and Seek (27 July 1992)
  7. Music Box (28 July 1992)
  8. See Saw (29 July 1992)
  9. Buried Treasures (30 July 1992)
  10. Grumpy Wumpy (31 July 1992)
  11. Paper Chase (3 August 1992)
  12. The Storm (4 August 1992)
  13. Quick Grow (5 August 1992)
  14. The Parcel (6 August 1992)
  15. Wet Paint (7 August 1992)
  16. The Robot (10 August 1992)
  17. Happy Holiday (11 August 1992)
  18. Decorating (12 August 1992)
  19. It's Raining (13 August 1992)
  20. Doctor Bananas (14 August 1992)
  21. Banana's Birthday Monday (17 August 1992)
  22. Banana's Birthday Tuesday (18 August 1992)
  23. Banana's Birthday Wednesday (19 August 1992)
  24. Banana's Birthday Thursday (20 August 1992)
  25. Banana's Birthday Friday (21 August 1992)
  26. The Spider (24 August 1992)
  27. Amy's Castle (25 August 1992)
  28. Show Business (26 August 1992)
  29. Getting Rhythm (27 August 1992)
  30. Musical Stairs (28 August 1992)
  31. Swamp Lake (31 August 1992)
  32. Take One (1 September 1992)
  33. Video Clip (2 September 1992)
  34. Cuddles Avenue (3 September 1992)
  35. Fancy Dress (4 September 1992)
  36. Chasing Rainbows (7 September 1992)
  37. Something Fishy (8 September 1992)
  38. Lulu's Magic (9 September 1992)
  39. Obstacle Race (10 September 1992)
  40. Ready, Steady, Go! (11 September 1992)

Series 2 (1992) [edit]

  1. Wibbly Wobbly (14 September 1992)
  2. Atchoo! (15 September 1992)
  3. Ratmobile (16 September 1992)
  4. Cafe Rat (17 September 1992)
  5. Boo! (18 September 1992)
  6. Fair Game (21 September 1992)
  7. Magic Carpet (22 September 1992)
  8. Stone Soup (23 September 1992)
  9. Housesitter (24 September 1992)
  10. Morgan's Cubby (25 September 1992)
  11. Monster Bananas (28 September 1992)
  12. Strictly Bananas (29 September 1992)
  13. Goldilocks Bananas (30 September 1992)
  14. Banana Magic (1 October 1992)
  15. Slipper Fairy (2 October 1992)
  16. Painted Bananas (5 October 1992)
  17. Banana Shop (6 October 1992)
  18. Sun Hats (7 October 1992)
  19. Wash Day (8 October 1992)
  20. Banana Hiccups (9 October 1992)
  21. Dream Time (12 October 1992)
  22. Wishing Pool (13 October 1992)
  23. Bananasaurus (14 October 1992)
  24. Bed Time (15 October 1992)
  25. Forbidden Fruit (16 October 1992)
  26. Shadow Painting (19 October 1992)
  27. Chasing Tuesdays (20 October 1992)
  28. Shop Shut (21 October 1992)
  29. Mirror Mirror (22 October 1992)

Series 3 (1994) [edit]

  1. Pyjama Party (26 September 1994)
  2. Pink Spots (27 September 1994)
  3. Snow Storm (28 September 1994)
  4. Scarecrow (29 September 1994)
  5. Treasure Hunt (30 September 1994)
  6. Broken Truck (3 October 1994)
  7. Say Cheese (4 October 1994)
  8. Car Polish (5 October 1994)
  9. King Rat (6 October 1994)
  10. Dancing Shoes (7 October 1994)
  11. Circus Time (10 October 1994)
  12. Shiny Things (11 October 1994)
  13. Rat Wash (12 October 1992)
  14. Fire! Fire! (13 October 1994)
  15. Super Bananas (14 October 1994)
  16. Special Delivery (17 October 1994)
  17. Model Bananas (18 October 1994)
  18. Big Parade (19 October 1994)
  19. Rat Post (20 October 1994)
  20. Whale Snail (21 October 1994)
  21. Spring Clean (24 October 1994)
  22. Play Time (25 October 1994)
  23. Pony Ride (26 October 1994)
  24. Gallery Rat (27 October 1994)
  25. Salon Rat (28 October 1994)
  26. Sand Palace (31 October 1994)
  27. Magic Lamp (1 November 1994)
  28. Rat's Hat (2 November 1994)
  29. Surf's Up (3 November 1994)
  30. Help! Help! (4 November 1994)

Series 4 (1996) [edit]

  1. Banana News (5 August 1996)
  2. Tuesday Disquise (6 August 1996)
  3. Amy's Trombone (7 August 1996)
  4. Holiday Time (8 August 1996)
  5. Knitting Bananas (9 August 1996)
  6. Topsy Turvey (12 August 1996)
  7. Lucky Day (13 August 1996)
  8. Weather Rat (14 August 1996)
  9. Moving Bananas (15 August 1996)
  10. Where's Lulu? (16 August 1996)
  11. Magic Sack (19 August 1996)
  12. Rat's Zoo (20 August 1996)
  13. New Tent (21 August 1996)
  14. Sleeping Teddy (22 August 1996)
  15. Oops! (23 August 1996)
  16. Busker Bananas (26 August 1996)
  17. Special Treasures (27 August 1996)
  18. Surprise Disguise (28 August 1996)
  19. Rat Clean (29 August 1996)
  20. Banana Rescue (30 August 1996)
  21. Singing Bananas (2 September 1996)
  22. Dirty Rat (3 September 1996)
  23. Puppy Love (4 September 1996)
  24. Crab Catchers (5 September 1996)
  25. Joy Flight (6 September 1996)
  26. Seeing Double (9 September 1996)
  27. Talking Trees (10 September 1996)
  28. Sniffles (11 September 1996)
  29. Space Bananas (12 September 1996)
  30. Golden Eggs (13 September 1996)
  31. Banana Day (16 September 1996)
  32. Dinner Party (17 September 1996)
  33. Washing Line (18 September 1996)
  34. Vanishing Vegetables (19 September 1996)
  35. Ship Ahoy! (20 September 1996)
  36. Tall Morgan (23 September 1996)
  37. Springtime Party (24 September 1996)
  38. Gobbledy Gook (25 September 1996)
  39. Wrong Side (26 September 1996)
  40. Pretty Maggie (27 September 1996)
  41. Mermaid Teardrops (30 September 1996)
  42. Street Fixers (1 October 1996)
  43. Tangly Trick (2 October 1996)
  44. Walkie Talkie (3 October 1996)
  45. Statues (4 October 1996)
  46. Banana Cart (7 October 1996)
  47. Lulu's Tutu (8 October 1996)
  48. Rain Dance (9 October 1996)
  49. Work Shed (10 October 1996)
  50. Invisible Bananas (11 October 1996)
  51. Teddy Chase (14 October 1996)
  52. Stripes (15 October 1996)
  53. Magic Pumpkin (16 October 1996)
  54. Banana Plumbers (17 October 1996)
  55. Home Delivery (18 October 1996)
  56. Sea Surprise (21 October 1996)
  57. Taxi Rat (22 October 1996)
  58. Billy Cart (23 October 1996)
  59. Lost Recipe (24 October 1996)
  60. Rat Suits (25 October 1996)
  61. Odd Jobs (28 October 1996)
  62. Self Serve (29 October 1996)
  63. Ribbon Hunt (30 October 1996)
  64. Lost Tortoise (31 October 1996)
  65. Rescue Practive (1 November 1996)
  66. Rat Race (4 November 1996)
  67. Tall Story (5 November 1996)
  68. Purple Pencil (6 November 1996)
  69. Strange Signs (7 November 1996)
  70. Car Sale (8 November 1996)
  71. Sand Festival (11 November 1996)
  72. Switcheroo (12 November 1996)
  73. Noisy Night (13 November 1996)
  74. B3 (14 November 1996)
  75. Rat's Tale (15 November 1996)
  76. Morgan's Story (18 November 1996)
  77. Magic Hat (19 November 1996)
  78. Beauty Rat (20 November 1996)
  79. Mixed Up Time (21 November 1996)
  80. Cinder Rat (22 November 1996)
  81. Farmer Rat (25 November 1996)
  82. Butterflies (26 November 1996)
  83. Do-it-Yourself (27 November 1996)
  84. Lullaby (28 November 1996)
  85. Twinkle Twinkle (29 November 1996)
  86. Jingly Jangly (2 December 1996)
  87. Adventure Amy (3 December 1996)
  88. Paw Prints (4 December 1996)
  89. Cuckoo Clock (5 December 1996)
  90. Green Paws (6 December 1996)
  91. House Guests (9 December 1996)
  92. Surprise Birthday (10 December 1996)
  93. Juggling Bananas (11 December 1996)
  94. Shoe Shine (12 December 1996)
  95. Teddy Puppets (13 December 1996)
  96. Yee Hah! (16 December 1996)
  97. Silly Strawberry (17 December 1996)
  98. Odd Socks (18 December 1996)
  99. Lollipop Rat (19 December 1996)
  100. Imaginary Holiday (20 December 1996)

Series 5 (1999) [edit]

  1. Story Time (22 November 1999)
  2. Rat Hotel (23 November 1999)
  3. Rock-a-Bye Bananas (24 November 1999)
  4. Shipwrecked Bananas (25 November 1999)
  5. Cock-a-Doodle (26 November 1999)
  6. Radio Bananas (29 November 1999)
  7. Bananas Without Pyjamas (30 November 1999)
  8. The Flag (1 December 1999)
  9. Hat Trouble (2 December 1999)
  10. Home Time Rat (3 December 1999)
  11. Magic Tolstoy (6 December 1999)
  12. Tortoise Wedding (7 December 1999)
  13. Banana Breakfast (8 December 1999)
  14. Sneezing Time (9 December 1999)
  15. Stepping on Cracks (10 December 1999)
  16. Stuck Inside (13 December 1999)
  17. Bedtime Bunyip (14 December 1999)
  18. Speedy Bananas (15 December 1999)
  19. Home Video (16 December 1999)
  20. Lulu's Yo-Yo (17 December 1999)

Series 6 (2001) [edit]

  1. All Aboard! (27 August 2001)
  2. Morgan's Photo (28 August 2001)
  3. Perfect Fit (29 August 2001)
  4. Lost Key (30 August 2001)
  5. Copycat Bananas (31 August 2001)
  6. Footprints (3 September 2001)
  7. Star Bananas (4 September 2001)
  8. Hide and Sleep (5 September 2001)
  9. Lost and Found (6 September 2001)
  10. Busy Day (7 September 2001)
  11. Fool's Gold (10 September 2001)
  12. Waiter Bananas (11 September 2001)
  13. Big Cheese (12 September 2001)
  14. Teddy Friends (13 September 2001)
  15. Atchoo Birds (14 September 2001)
  16. 3-Legged Bananas (17 September 2001)
  17. Morgan's Mail (18 September 2001)
  18. Fixit Rat (19 September 2001)
  19. Giant Opera (20 September 2001)
  20. Yippy Chippy (21 September 2001)
  21. Desert Island (24 September 2001)
  22. News Flash (25 September 2001)
  23. Crowded House (26 September 2001)
  24. Super Sale (27 September 2001)
  25. Happy Camper (28 September 2001)
  26. Wonderful Cake (1 October 2001)
  27. Rat World (2 October 2001)
  28. Lulu's Doovers (3 October 2001)
  29. Amy's News (4 October 2001)
  30. Full Load (5 October 2001)
  31. Garden Gnomes (8 October 2001)
  32. Street Stalls (9 October 2001)
  33. Drip Splosh (10 October 2001)
  34. Perfect Present (11 October 2001)
  35. Ticklish Problem (12 October 2001)
  36. Guessing Game (15 October 2001)
  37. Beat Box (16 October 2001)
  38. Horse and Cart (17 October 2001)
  39. Night Visitors (18 October 2001)
  40. Backstage Bananas (19 October 2001)
  41. Next, Please (22 October 2001)
  42. Princess Lulu (23 October 2001)
  43. Rescue Rumba (24 October 2001)
  44. Flash the Fish (25 October 2001)
  45. Walk the Fish (26 October 2001)
  46. Too Many Tomatoes (29 October 2001)
  47. Quiz Show (30 October 2001)
  48. Pump Pumpkin (31 October 2001)
  49. Picnic Friends (1 November 2001)
  50. Ring, Ring (2 November 2001)
  51. Cold Sheep (5 November 2001)
  52. Winged Heels (6 November 2001)
  53. Egg Collector (7 November 2001)
  54. Scaresheep (8 November 2001)
  55. Farm Fresh (9 November 2001)
  56. No Speaking Day (12 November 2001)
  57. Animal Hospital (13 November 2001)
  58. Barnyard Choir (14 November 2001)
  59. Farm Show (15 November 2001)
  60. Pig's Company (16 November 2001)
  61. Jungle Amy (19 November 2001)
  62. Cold Comfort (20 November 2001)
  63. Everybody Welcome! (21 November 2001)
  64. Nighty Day (22 November 2001)
  65. Rat's Farm (23 November 2001)
  66. Cheese Trees (26 November 2001)
  67. Farm Adventure (27 November 2001)
  68. Hungry Harvest (28 November 2001)
  69. Cut-Out Bananas (29 November 2001)
  70. Mooving Cow (30 November 2001)
  71. Tortoise Trek (3 December 2001)
  72. Bed Rest (4 December 2001)
  73. Handy Bananas (5 December 2001)
  74. Mayor Rat (6 December 2001)
  75. Sheepdog Bananas (7 December 2001)
  76. Sir Knight Rat (10 December 2001)
  77. Dancing Daze (11 December 2001)
  78. Noisy Cow (12 December 2001)
  79. Big Clean Up (13 December 2001)
  80. 2-Wheeler Bananas (14 December 2001)

Specials [edit]

  1. Wish Fairies (11 December 1995)
  2. Singing Time (23 December 1996)
  3. Bumping-and-a-Jumping (18 December 1997)
  4. Surprise Party (20 December 1999)

Series 7 (2011) [edit]

  1. The Magic Trick (2 May 2011)
  2. Moving (3 May 2011)
  3. The Little Fish (4 May 2011)
  4. Glue (5 May 2011)
  5. Prince Rat (6 May 2011)
  6. Fluffy Bunny (7 May 2011)
  7. The Billy Cart Race (8 May 2011)
  8. Bird Song (9 May 2011)
  9. The Nursing Bananas (10 May 2011)
  10. The Collection (11 May 2011)
  11. Gold Rush (12 May 2011)
  12. The Very Special Jelly (13 May 2011)
  13. The Bushwalk (14 May 2011)
  14. The Genie Bananas (15 May 2011)
  15. The New Bike (16 May 2011)
  16. The Gardening Bananas (17 May 2011)
  17. Pink Pyjamas (18 May 2011)
  18. The Camera (19 May 2011)
  19. Rat's Superstore (20 May 2011)
  20. The Bernard Mystery (21 May 2011)
  21. Talent Quest (22 May 2011)
  22. Mystery Noise (23 May 2011)
  23. Treasure Hunt (24 May 2011)
  24. Rat's Retreat (25 May 2011)
  25. The Flowers (26 May 2011)
  26. The Fix-it Bananas (27 May 2011)
  27. A Wonderful Day (28 May 2011)
  28. The Sleepy Snitcher (29 May 2011)
  29. The Delivery Bananas (30 May 2011)
  30. Morgan's Cloud (31 May 2011)
  31. Old Porridge (1 June 2011)
  32. Bernard's Party (2 June 2011)
  33. Morgan's Smelly Sneakers (3 June 2011)
  34. The Trickisaurus (4 June 2011)
  35. The Little Birds (5 June 2011)
  36. The Holiday (6 June 2011)
  37. The Art Show (7 June 2011)
  38. The Ducklings (8 June 2011)
  39. Go Robot (9 June 2011)
  40. The Pie (10 June 2011)
  41. The Dragon (11 June 2011)
  42. The Surprise (12 June 2011)
  43. Amy's Package (13 June 2011)
  44. Bubbles (14 June 2011)
  45. Morgan's Cafe (15 June 2011)
  46. Rat the Banana (16 June 2011)
  47. Shoo! Scram! (17 June 2011)
  48. The Birthdays (18 June 2011)
  49. The Perfect Spot (19 June 2011)
  50. Banana Phones (20 June 2011)
  51. The Banana Truck (21 June 2011)
  52. Cuddlestown Records (22 June 2011)

Awards [edit]

Logie Awards [edit]

Year Nominated artist and works Award Result Lost to
1996 Bananas in Pyjamas Most Popular Children's Program Nominated Agro's Cartoon Connection

ARIA Music Awards [edit]

Year Nominated artist and works Award Result Lost to
1994 Bananas in Pyjamas Best Children's Album Nominated Mic Conway - Whoopee
1996 It's Singing Time Nominated The Wiggles - Wake up Jeff
1999 Best Original Cast/Show Recording "It's Showtime" Nominated Judi Connelli and Suzanne Johnston - "Perfect Strangers"
2005 Best Children's Album Sing And Be Happy Nominated The Wiggles - Live Hot Potato

Revival [edit]

On 2 May 2011, a new version of Bananas in Pyjamas, produced by Southern Star Entertainment in full CGI, was premiered on ABC2 in Australia; it was shown in other countries soon after that date. It contains new songs, stories, and characters, including Topsy the cheeky kangaroo, Charlie the inventive monkey and Bernard the wise old dog. Development of the new series commenced in 2009, and production started in early 2010. The new series contains 104 12-minute episodes.[4][5]

Catchphrases [edit]

The bananas are noted for their common catchphrase, often said when the duo get an idea: "Are you thinking what I'm thinking, B1?" "I think I am, B2!". Rat in a Hat also has two catchphrases, "Oh, cheese and whiskers!", usually stated when he has not succeeded at a task; and "I'm a rat, I'm a rat, I'm a clever clever rat", which he sings when he thinks of a good idea. Given the age of the target audience, chasing teddy bears is not usually a plotline for the show itself, and when it is depicted, it is usually in a playful manner. More often, the bananas engage in activities in singing, dancing, and playing with the other characters, and bantering with each other.

Sydney Olympics [edit]

The Bananas in Pyjamas were featured among other famous Australians during the parade of the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics.[6]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Plus Licens: Bananas in Pyjamas". Pluslicens.se. Retrieved 2010-05-08. 
  2. ^ "Bananas in Pyjamas - About". Abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 19 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-08. 
  3. ^ "Bumping & A Jumping". Allmusic. Retrieved 8 February 2013. 
  4. ^ "Bananas in Pyjamas- ABC for Kids". ABC Television. Retrieved 29 April 2011. 
  5. ^ "Southern Star and ABC Australia to launch Bananas in Pyjamas in May 2011". AnimationXpress Asia Pacific. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2011. 
  6. ^ BANANAS IN PYJAMAS:

External links [edit]

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bananas_in_Pyjamas&oldid=555605485"