Gordon the Gopher
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| Gordon the Gopher | |
|---|---|
| Portrayed by | Paul Smith[1] |
| Information | |
| Species | Gopher |
| Gender | Male |
Gordon the Gopher, also known as Gordon T. Gopher, an English puppet gopher who first appeared on Children's BBC (CBBC) between 1985 and 1987, presenting television shows with Phillip Schofield on the interstitial or in-vision continuity programme The Broom Cupboard.[2] His main puppeteer was Paul Smith, who would later go on to a career as a BBC executive.[3]
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[edit] Personal
In the early 2000s, Schofield stated in interviews that since his television work of the 1980s/1990s, Gordon has had a tragic (fictitious) life. In an interview on Channel 4's Zippy and George's Puppet Legends (2005), he revealed that Gordon is now an alcoholic. In an interview with Heat magazine (27 May – 2 June 2006 issue), Schofield revealed that Gordon had died in a ramraiding accident. This claim, however, was belied by Gordon's later television appearances.
On 9 June 2008, Schofield commented on his television show This Morning that Gordon was back in rehab.
[edit] Career
[edit] Early work
Gordon's first appearances were on CBBC between 1985 and 1987, presenting television shows with Phillip Schofield on the interstitial programme The Broom Cupboard.[2]
In 1987, Gordon and Schofield, with Sarah Greene, went on to present the Saturday morning show Going Live! On one occasion, Gordon was famously attacked by a puppy that had been brought on to the show. In 1988, Gordon and Schofield were replaced on The Broom Cupboard by Edd the Duck and Andy Crane.
In 1989, Gordon had a series named after himself which was shown on CBBC, appearing with his friend and colleague Phillip Schofield.
In 1990, he appeared on a children's programme called Scrooge – A Christmas Sarah.
[edit] Later work
During his 2005 Room 101 appearance, Schofield made an attempt to place Gordon in Room 101 (i.e., consign him to the past), but in an audience vote Gordon was spared.
On 26 February 2006, Gordon briefly appeared at the end of Channel 4's The 100 Greatest Funny Moments.
In December 2006, he returned to the screen in the Going Live! segment of the BBC special It Started With... Swap Shop.
Gordon also made a brief appearance with Schofield during a 1980s-themed edition of Dancing on Ice in February 2009.
Gordon appeared on This Morning on 13 September 2010 to celebrate Phillip Schofield's 25th anniversary of first presenting CBBC. Schofield said "I miss him".[4][5]
[edit] Recent Work
In March 2011 Gordon has resurfaced back into the public domain by appearing in various videos on the popular video website. These are a selection of short videos compiled under the group title "The Adventures of Gordon The Gopher"[6] The current episodes are:
1. Gordon the Gopher Comeback[7]
A Video explaining what happened to Gordon since his disapperance in the 1990s. According to the video Gordon has spent a period of time in rehab, when getting out he went on a heavy night drinking with Spit the Dog and Edd the Duck. He got into a fight with sooty and sweep and exposed himself to the Queen, which meant he was locked up in Edinburgh Castle. In the present day he is found by Phoenix Explorer Scout Unit from Doncaster and is broken free.
2. Gordon the Gopher interviews Clare[8]
Gordon interviews one of the explorers about her trip to Edinburgh.
3. Gordon the Gopher learns to fly[9]
Gordon attempts to fly by being fired out of a cannon from Edinburgh Castle all the way to the Royal Yacht Britannia.
4. Gordon the Gopher talks about Youth Hostels[10]
Still in Edinburgh, Gordon talks about his stay in a youth Hostel.
5. Gordon the Gopher on a train[11]
Gordon stuck on a train, getting into trouble.
6. Gordon the Gopher still on a train[12]
Gordon still on a train, haves a go a filming people instead of they filming him for a change.
7. Gordon the Gopher sings The Beatles[13]
Gordon has a go a singing a Hard Days Night.
8. Gordon the Gopher gets travel sick[14]
On his travels again, Gordon doesn't feel too well.
9. Gordon the Gopher sings the Proclaimers[15]
Gordon and the Procrastinators sing the Proclaimers I'm gonna be (500 miles). Gordon on singing, Gordon on backing singing, Gordon on guitar and Slightly Strange Dave on the spoons and drums.
10. Gordon the Gopher goes on a Canal boat[16]
Gordon decides to go on a Canal boat holiday, including a quick tour, sunbathing and a Titantic spoof.
11. Gordon the Gopher learns about the Romans[17]
Gordon gives a quick lesson about the Romans while touring a Roman Bath.
12. Gordon the Gopher becomes a Lifeguard[18]
Gordon decides to get a job as a lifeguard and learns about swimming, water, whistles, high chairs, even higher chairs, sharks, falling asleep, drowing and pretending to be on baywatch.
13. Gordon the Gopher plays pub games[19]
Gordon takes a break from his busy schedule to play a few pub games including Pool, Darts and Table Tennis/ Ping Pong against Ross.
Gordon has also appearing on the same YouTube channel in the Slightly Strange Dave Show.[20] Episode 1,[21] Gordon stars in a silent film in which he drives a tractor and attempts to drive over Slightly Strange Dave. Also Episode 2,[22] Gordon has a small part in a film Parody of the Great Escape called "The Not So Great Escape".
[edit] Puppeteers
Gordon was operated by several people in The Broom Cupboard, but the person who did it longest was BBC TV executive Paul Smith who also operated Gordon for the whole run of Going Live!.
[edit] Influence
Gordon's famous leather jacket was a gift from Adam Ant, who made and decorated the jacket himself. Ant had befriended Gordon while being interviewed on Going Live! in February 1990 to promote his new single, and described Gordon as "one of the most interesting people" he'd met.
Gordon was parodied by comedian Brian Conley as "Larry the Loafer," puppet sidekick of sarcastic children's TV presenter Nick Frisbee. The skit is one of Conley's most widely remembered, along with its catchphrase "It's a puppet!"
In 2006, Gordon was mentioned on Little Britain Abroad in the first Lou and Andy sketch. Lou tells Andy that he's planning to take Andy to Disney World. When Lou asks Andy who he's looking forward to meeting, Andy replies "Gordon the Gopher."
[edit] Honors and Awards
The mixed hockey team for the medical school at Southampton University Medical School has had Gordon as its unofficial mascot since 1996.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ Khan, Urmee (17 November 2009). "Gordon the Gopher is BBC’s head of compliance on £110k a year". Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6591623/Gordon-the-Gopher-is-BBCs-head-of-compliance-on-110k-a-year.html. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
- ^ a b "The CBBC Broom Cupboard". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/broom_cupboard/. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
- ^ Thomas, Liz (18 November 2009). "Gordon the Gopher puppeteer paid £110,000 a year in new executive role at BBC". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1229019/Gordon-Gopher-puppeteer-paid-110-000-year-new-executive-role-BBC.html#ixzz1P6HpLXfZ. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
- ^ "Schofield reunited with Gordon the Gopher". UTV. http://www.u.tv/entertainment/Schofield-reunited-with-Gordon-the-Gopher/b57bda55-0e58-4b59-a156-5a24b8d5e416. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
- ^ "Gordon The Gopher surprises Schof". Belfast Telegraph. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/gordon-the-gopher-surprises-schof-14947832.html. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
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