Jellabies
The Jellabies (also known as Jellikins in some parts of Europe and in the USA) is a television animation series that aired on the Australian television network ABC Kids. It was also shown in Germany, USA (Fox Family), The Netherlands (Kindernet), UK (GMTV) and many other territories. Its target audience is children in the age of 2–6 years old.
Format
The program was created using computer-generated imagery animation. The show was narrated by Rik Mayall. The Jellabies are jelly made people that live in the Jolly Jelly World, (made of jelly) which is the magical land at the end of the rainbow, where their main job is to make rainbows. (for which they have a machine called the Jellyscope, a computer / teleporter / rainbow generator which is constantly monitoring weather conditions around the world) Although each Jellabie has its own vehicle to drive around in, their main use of travelling long distances around Jolly Jelly World is on the "Jelly train", a train that only consists of a cab (no actual locomotive) and one passenger car. The show debuted in 1998 and ended in 2003.
For children Mayall explained a lot of things from everyday life, either the objects, (like what is a trampoline meant for) as well as basic culture, (like what do you give as a birthday present).
Jellabies is also known as Jellikins in parts of the world. This version is exactly the same as the jellabies in every way except the characters heads were changed to look like gummy bears. Duffy the dragon remained the same. It aired on GMTV (UK) and on Fox Family (USA) but has not been aired since the end of 1999.
History
Brothers Jonny and Mikel Lewis of Malvern, UK designed and created the world using 3D Studio Max software. It was loosely based on Jelly Babies sweets. Originating from humble beginnings in a dusty basement in Malvern and made on a home PC, it was signed up by a small editing house, Optical Image nr Birmingham, UK, commissioned by GMTV and then in many other countries around the world. It was the first British fully 3D computer animated series to make it on to television.
With Optical Image sealing sponsorship from a confectionery company, Jonny Lewis directed a group of animators to make the series, with Mikel Lewis focusing on design. Other animators who made considerable input were Meena Kamurai Pai, Andrew Lindsay, Richard, Andy Day, Ian Friend, Harjit Birdi, making each episode between them in a matter of days to meet a tight schedule. Editing was done by Ralph Tittley (also a Director), Paul Perrins and Jason Bills. During the production of the many episodes, Jonny Lewis (the original designer/director of animation) left due to conflicting aims between him and the management. The company finished the production but did not then go on to successfully produce another show that made it to TV, in spite of several more attempts. Songs written and composed by Vo Fletcher. A 60-minute film "Jellytastic Halloween Movie" was planned to be released at October 30, 2003 but was Cancelled when the show ended.
Characters
Each of the 6 jellabies represent the colours of the rainbow. Strum (aged 8), who lives at the train station, is purple, and is the musical Jellaby that plays the saxophone; Bouncey (aged 3), who lives in a bumper car, is yellow, Denny (aged 5), who lives in a boat on the jelly-lake, is blue, Pepper (aged 9), who lives in a tree house, is red, the twins Amber (aged 6) and Coral (aged 6) (which they are orange & pink respectively). Amber lives in a hot air balloon and Coral lives in a house made out of building blocks and toys which she can modify her house has she pleases, and finally Duffy the green Dragon, the only non-Jellaby character, lives in the Jelly Caves.
Episodes
Season 1
1. Caterpillar
2. Circus
3. Pepper's Den
4. Hide and Seek
5. Apple
6. Seeds
7. Burst Balloon
8. Snow
9. Music
10. Drum
11. Drumsticks
12. The Jolly Jelly World Fair
13. Waiting
14. Birthday
15. Echoes
16. Sky
17. Egg
18. Monster
19. Sheep
20. Train Trouble
21. Balloon
22. Jack in the Box
23. Lost Voice
24. Sneezes
25. Invisible
26. Runaway Train
27. Rescue
28. Seal
29. Super Jelly
30. Bridge
31. Race
32. Jellybeard
33. Shadow
34. Sun
35. Jelly Day
36. Animals
37. Jelly Lake
38. Jellyphone
39. Strum's Concert
40. Shipwreck
41. Cave In!
42. Bouncy Ball
43. Camping
44. Tobbogan
45. Jelly Dance
46. Fancy Dress
47. Obstacles
48. Football
49. Sounds
50. Caves
51. House
52. Twins
53. Night
54. Poor Denny
55. Bouncing
56. Cloud
57. Butterfly
58. Parrot
59. Spring
60. Magic
61. Where's Pepper?
62. Hot
63. Robot
64. Wheels
65. Chums
66. Baa!
67. Found
68. Autumn
69. Nature
70. Zebra
71. BIG
72. Rubbish
73. Silly Sax
74. Small
75. High
76. Tower
77. Footprints
78. Yuk
79. Jelly Disco
80. Mountain
81. Party
82. Christmas
83. Paint
Season 2
1. Safari
2. Beach
3. Rainy Day
4. Spider Webs
5. Flying
6. Castle
7. Jellyvision
8. Dinosaurs
9. The Joly Jelly Band
10. Jungle
11. Kangaroo
12. Coral's Pet
Theme song
The theme song Jellytastic written by David Lowe and Vo Fletcher was performed by Rik Mayall and Sherrie Ashton with children from The Wyche C.E. Primary School, Malvern.[1]
Music Releases
In 1999 a CD was released that was called Jellikins: Songs from the TV series which featured songs performed by Mayall.
Ride
Since 2000 there has been a Jellikins roller coaster at UK theme park Fantasy Island.
References
- ↑ Children' Favourite TV themes 'All Together Now' (2001) at umtv CD sleeve notes