Emu (puppet)
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Emu is a puppet emu given to Rod Hull in the 1960s while he was presenting a children's breakfast television programme in Australia. Hull adopted the mute puppet for his cabaret act, and took it with him to the United Kingdom when he returned in 1970.[1] While on stage, the character had a mischievous persona and often attacked the celebrity guests for comic effect. Rod and Emu appeared on several episodes of The Hudson Brothers' comedy show in the United States.[citation needed]
[edit] Emu's new series
Hull's son Toby Hull returned Emu to television on CITV in October 2007.[1] Unlike before, Emu now makes noises so viewers can get a good idea of what he is thinking, and whenever Toby needs to move around, an unseen puppeteer controls Emu. The new series had 26 episodes, and is set in a modern apartment block where no pets are allowed. so Emu has to beware of his next door neighbour, Sophie.[2]
Toby's and Emu's other neighbours are two young kids named Charlie and Dani who are cousins. In addition to helping Toby keep Emu a secret, they also help Emu outfox Sophie, who is obsessed with using Emu in different ways as a quick way to make money. While Toby is oblivious to Sophie's scheming ways, Charlie, Dani, and Emu know her true colours. Toby also has to keep Emu a secret from Ken Cole, a grumpy security guard with a dislike for all animals, especially birds.
In June 2009, it was announced that CITV had ordered a second series of the revived Emu show. Toby Hull would remain as Emu's sidekick, but now they would be running a craft cafe[3] and again Emu had to avoid being found out, this time by health inspector Leo. The first 2 episodes in series 2 were broadcast on September 13th on ITV1.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Emu set for television comeback". BBC News. 2006-06-08. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5059196.stm. Retrieved 2006-06-08.
- ^ "The beak is back: Emu returns to CITV". The Stage. http://blogs.thestage.co.uk/mt/mt-search.cgi?blog_id=3&tag=Emu&limit=20&IncludeBlogs=3. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- ^ Parker, Robin. "CITV orders more Emu | News | Broadcast". Broadcastnow.co.uk. http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/commissioning/citv-orders-more-emu/5002039.article. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
