Fat Cat and Friends
Encyclopedia
Fat Cat and Friends was an Australia
n childrens television show starring Fat Cat (full name: Frederick Alphonso Tubsy Cat), an orange anthropomorphic cat who wears red braces, a blue bow tie
and a green bowler hat
. The show was similar in concept to Here's Humphrey
featuring Humphrey B. Bear
. It was produced in the studios of Channel 10
Adelaide and it survived the 1987 frequency switch of channels 10 & 7 in Adelaide.
Fat Cat and Friends was written, directed and produced by Murray George for 13 years. It was then produced by Channel 10.
The show ran on the 0-10 Network (as it was then known) from 1972 until 1987, then on the Seven Network
until it was cancelled in 1992 after the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal claimed that the program was not educational enough and was "not clearly defined and might confuse the young". There was also a question of gender—namely, that Fat Cat did not appear to have one. The character being mute was also a clear issue despite the precedent of Humphrey B. Bear
.
Despite cancellation, Fat Cat still appears on Perth
television screens as the mascot
of Seven Perth's highly successful Telethon fundraising organisation. He also says goodnight to children on television at 7.30 each night.
Fat Cat was played by Ralf Hadzic, who currently operates wine tours in Adelaide with an organisation called "Life is a Cabernet". Fat Cat was then played by Melanie George (1980–1985) who is now a freelance choreographer. The character was later played off screen by a male friend of the show's musician, singer Patsy Biscoe
.
Initially slated for release as a sidekick to Fat Cat, the character of 'Stringbean' was originally played in the first month of screening by veteran comedic actor 'Nudge McGee'.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n childrens television show starring Fat Cat (full name: Frederick Alphonso Tubsy Cat), an orange anthropomorphic cat who wears red braces, a blue bow tie
Bow tie
The bow tie is a type of men's necktie. It consists of a ribbon of fabric tied around the collar in a symmetrical manner such that the two opposite ends form loops. Ready-tied bow ties are available, in which the distinctive bow is sewn into shape and the band around the neck incorporates a clip....
and a green bowler hat
Bowler hat
The bowler hat, also known as a coke hat, derby , billycock or bombin, is a hard felt hat with a rounded crown originally created in 1849 for the English soldier and politician Edward Coke, the younger brother of the 2nd Earl of Leicester...
. The show was similar in concept to Here's Humphrey
Here's Humphrey
Here's Humphrey is an Australian children's television series first aired on Monday 24 May 1965. It featured a character known as Humphrey B. Bear. In the early days Humphrey was known as Bear Bear and was named Humphrey B. Bear as the result of an on-air competition...
featuring Humphrey B. Bear
Humphrey B. Bear
Humphrey B. Bear is an Australian children's television series and its fictional character namesake is an icon of Australian children's television. Humphrey B Bear was first broadcast on Adelaide's NWS-9 on Monday, 24 May 1965. The show became one of the most successful programs for pre-schoolers...
. It was produced in the studios of Channel 10
Adelaide and it survived the 1987 frequency switch of channels 10 & 7 in Adelaide.
Fat Cat and Friends was written, directed and produced by Murray George for 13 years. It was then produced by Channel 10.
The show ran on the 0-10 Network (as it was then known) from 1972 until 1987, then on the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
until it was cancelled in 1992 after the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal claimed that the program was not educational enough and was "not clearly defined and might confuse the young". There was also a question of gender—namely, that Fat Cat did not appear to have one. The character being mute was also a clear issue despite the precedent of Humphrey B. Bear
Humphrey B. Bear
Humphrey B. Bear is an Australian children's television series and its fictional character namesake is an icon of Australian children's television. Humphrey B Bear was first broadcast on Adelaide's NWS-9 on Monday, 24 May 1965. The show became one of the most successful programs for pre-schoolers...
.
Despite cancellation, Fat Cat still appears on Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
television screens as the mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of Seven Perth's highly successful Telethon fundraising organisation. He also says goodnight to children on television at 7.30 each night.
Fat Cat was played by Ralf Hadzic, who currently operates wine tours in Adelaide with an organisation called "Life is a Cabernet". Fat Cat was then played by Melanie George (1980–1985) who is now a freelance choreographer. The character was later played off screen by a male friend of the show's musician, singer Patsy Biscoe
Patsy Biscoe
Patsy Biscoe is an Australian singer, notable for her television appearances on children's television shows, Here's Humphrey and Fat Cat and Friends...
.
Initially slated for release as a sidekick to Fat Cat, the character of 'Stringbean' was originally played in the first month of screening by veteran comedic actor 'Nudge McGee'.