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Post by stuart7 on Feb 26, 2006 13:54:59 GMT
A few interesting notes on Postman Pat. Today's episode Postman Pat Goes Under Cover saw the return of his post bus from the classic 1991 special episode. It was repainted yellow and black to become the school minibus. Also, in a few weeks there's an episode coming up called Postman Pat And The Magic Lamp in which "The children make a wish they regret". Sounds better than the Thomas episode of a similar name already ;D How is the new series of 'Postman Pat' in any case, Chris? Is it as bad as Thomas has become, or has it retained its standard. Stuart
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Cranky Conner
Passenger Engine
Who put glue in my shampoo?
Posts: 762
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Post by Cranky Conner on Feb 26, 2006 15:29:06 GMT
I saw an episode of the new Postman Pat series once. Pat wasn't at his job of being a postman, as hinted at in one newspaper report in which a line read "but will Pat still be at his job" (well something along those lines). Instead, it was this story about Pat and some other guys who had transport having a race around Greendale with the kids asking them various questions about driving. As much as I don't mind the educational factor, I have complaints. As alluded to above, Pat wasn't being a postman. In the old series, no matter what was going on, he'd still be at his job, be it receiving loads of brithday cards even though his brithday's meant to be a surprise, or taking a tractor ride because he needs to deliver a registered letter (I read that in a book once called Postman Pat's Tractor Ride).
Second of all, I dislike the addition of the Baines family to the cast, whom are only there as tokens due to the politically correct climate of the world. They're the equivalent of the Flood family from Fireman Sam! Don't get me wrong, I'm Asian myself, but I simply don't like the fact they're there!
So to answer your question Stuart, in my opinion Pstman Pat has gone the same way as Thomas, being bred to be less mature and more educational, while sacrificing its old charm, being cursed by political correctness, and having storylines where children are the focus. as that synopsis Chris gave (about those kids and a magic lamp) alluded to.
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Post by Chris on Feb 26, 2006 15:54:35 GMT
That certainly is one way to look at it.
I feel that the new episodes of Postman Pat have all the charm of the old series. The episode crankyconnor mentioned was one of the poorer episodes from Series 3, where the new production team was just finding their. There were quite a few poor stories in that series that I'm not keen on - mainly the ones that rely heavily on the children.
The recent fourth series is a different matter, however. I've enjoyed all but one of the 18 episodes screened so far. They've managed to get a good team of writers together inlcluding Thomas veterans Jan Page, George Tarry and Polly Churchill, and produced some thoroughly entertaining stories. As for the thing about Pat not doing his job, this seemed to have been corrected in these recent episodes. There'll always be some onscreen explanation as to why he's not delivering any post - "Just one more letter, then we're done for the day Jess". A good many of the new episode do actually follow Pat on his rounds, just like the classics did: "Tricky Transport Day" sees Pat using lots of different vehicles to finish his round when his van breaks so down.
Anyway, enough of my rambling, but I would recommend the new episodes to folks who haven't seen them - they're well worth a look to see how a children's classic can be continued for a new generation. They're showing Series 4 episodes every day at 9.25am on BBC2 from tomorrow.
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Post by stuart7 on Feb 26, 2006 17:01:17 GMT
So whoever's in charge of 'Postman Pat' is trying to keep it at least half-decent, yes?
On the subject of Kids TV, I'm not impressed either at what HIT have done to Fireman Sam. I used to love the old series.
Stuart
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Post by OJ on Feb 26, 2006 17:32:24 GMT
I think Postman Pat hasn't jumped the shark yet. Its great that Ken Barrie is still the narrator. I feel Ajay's family are alot like Emily. Like him or not, he plays a big part of the Postman Pat universe now (same with Emily with Thomas). Wish John Alderton was still with Fireman Sam. The new series would have been better. Norman dominates most of the new series and Dilys is just not funny as Alderton made her. Does she even yell out Norman in the new series? I know she's dates Trevor in one episode.
I've seen some later classic episodes of Ninja Turtles. Anyone remember Vernon who works with April? He sounds alot like Top Hat. Shredder and his gang leave the series and are replaced by an alien called Lord Dregg and the turtles get a new ally, an arrogant teen called Carter (He's practically the 5th Turtle) who transforms into a mutent when the turtles are in trouble. Dregg is not a patch on Shredder.
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Post by jak1138 on Feb 26, 2006 19:24:16 GMT
I know a tv show that aired between 1994-1996. It was the North American version of Mega Man. It was my favorite show of all time, including Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad.
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Richard
Passenger Engine
Posts: 697
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Post by Richard on Feb 26, 2006 20:15:50 GMT
Does anyone watch 'The Munsters'?
That show is awesome!
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Post by OJ on Feb 26, 2006 20:41:03 GMT
I love the Munsters. You should read my independent series. There's some Munsters reference. There's a movie being planned. Hope it does't flop.
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SRapi
Main Line Engine
Pronounced: Ess-Are-Ay-Pie.
Posts: 1,543
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Post by SRapi on Feb 27, 2006 0:29:09 GMT
There's a movie being planned. Hope it does't flop. Probably will. Do you know that the pilot episode was shot in color? And a different actor played Eddy, too.
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Post by OJ on Mar 3, 2006 18:55:17 GMT
I've seen a few new episodes of Postman Pat. It isn't much different from the last series apart from Bonnie the dog appears alot but it's still good.
Does anyone know why John Alderton wasn't in the new Fireman Sam series?
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Crscottjr
Goods Engine
Still here...just dealing w/some C&D!
Posts: 277
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Post by Crscottjr on Mar 4, 2006 2:14:49 GMT
I've seen some later classic episodes of Ninja Turtles. Anyone remember Vernon who works with April? He sounds alot like Top Hat. Shredder and his gang leave the series and are replaced by an alien called Lord Dregg and the turtles get a new ally, an arrogant teen called Carter (He's practically the 5th Turtle) who transforms into a mutent when the turtles are in trouble. Dregg is not a patch on Shredder. I love the original Ninja Turtles series. "Shredder & Splintered" is an awesome episode and still is fun to watch. (esp. because Toei Animation animated this and all the previous 4 episodes of the first season only). I hated the 'Red Sky' series, and Lord Dregg(Smeg IMO) couldn't match up to the great Shredder, the Rat King, Leatherhead, and Krang. It is worth noting that many, if not all of the season 8-9 episodes were written by one of the many writters of Muppet Babies (another classic forgotten by many).
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Post by Captain Punjab on Mar 4, 2006 2:24:40 GMT
Yeah, Jeffrey Scott, right? I have a book written by him called "How to Write for Animation", which refers to his work on both Muppet Babies and TMNT extensively. He even follows the story/script development of one of the episodes from the final season, which is interesting. Personally, I thought the book had lots of interesting info about writing for animation, but at the same time there were many inaccuracies and mistakes. Also, Jeffrey Scott seems to be quite a hack. He seems to be extremely formulaic in his story writing, and even explains this in the book (but considers it a plus).
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Post by stuart7 on Mar 5, 2006 0:10:54 GMT
Anyone remember the show 'Charlie Chalk' at all? I don't remember much of it, just one episode. I could've sworn the theme tune was sung by Ken Barrie of Postman Pat fame
Stuart
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Post by Chris on Mar 5, 2006 0:17:27 GMT
It was! He provided Charlie's singing voice whenever he broke into song during the episodes, too. Seeing as Charlie's original voice actor died a few years back, I reckon Ken would be a good candidate to play the normal voice of Charlie if they ever remade the series. (Let's hope not though )
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Post by stuart7 on Mar 5, 2006 12:33:14 GMT
I can remember Ryan and Christopher basing a song about the Norramby Engines off one about Charlie Chalk back on the old forum. I'm sure though, if Entertainment Rights bought Charlie Chalk, they could do a better job than old HIT Entertainment. At least they were willing to try with Postman Pat.
Stuart
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Post by henryjamesfan on Mar 6, 2006 16:27:00 GMT
Rainbow will be on Nick Jr tonight at 8pm
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Post by OJ on Mar 6, 2006 20:20:32 GMT
It was! He provided Charlie's singing voice whenever he broke into song during the episodes, too. Seeing as Charlie's original voice actor died a few years back, I reckon Ken would be a good candidate to play the normal voice of Charlie if they ever remade the series. (Let's hope not though ) If Charlie Chalk was in the hands of the same guys behind the new postman pat series, would it be good? If that ever happend, there a few changes I can think of. One would be that their mouths moved (like in the new Postman Par series) and they would definetly need new voice actors. Ken Barrie could do a good job and Carol Boyd would be excellent for Captain Mildred.If they tracked down the guy who voiced Warrior, he could voice Edward. I don't see the need for new characters How about a Bertha series remade? It's PC friendly and yes there is need for new voice actors as Roy Kinnear has sadly died.
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Post by bocodiseasel on Mar 6, 2006 20:53:01 GMT
Anyone remember..................Supergran??
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Post by dragonfox on Mar 11, 2006 17:55:30 GMT
I bring great news...
'Portland Bill' is coming to DVD on the 20th of this month! Huzzah! *sees a tumbleweed fly across the floor*
...
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Post by stepneydude on Mar 11, 2006 19:11:07 GMT
...hooray Wasn't that from the creators of Postman Pat?
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