Funnybones
Encyclopedia
Funnybones was a Welsh children's television series that was first aired in Welsh on S4C
and in English on the BBC
in 1992. It was based on the eponymous series of books by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
which were illustrated by Andre Amstutz and focused on the adventures of a gang of skeletons. There was a Big Skeleton (whose catchphrase was "Good idea!"), a Little Skeleton, who was the brains of the outfit, and a Dog Skeleton. Each episode was 5 minutes in length. The voices were provided by popular comedian Griff Rhys Jones
who also sang the theme tune.
A BBC video entitled "Funnybones - Bumps in the Night" (BBCV 4871) which contained all 12 episodes was released soon after the series ended
1 and RTÉ
2, in 1993.
S4C
S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fifth oldest British television channel .The channel - initially broadcast on...
and in English on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in 1992. It was based on the eponymous series of books by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Janet and Allan Ahlberg are the creators of many popular children's books, which regularly appear at the top of the 'most popular' lists for public libraries. Husband and wife, they worked together for 20 years until Janet died of cancer on 13 November 1994, aged 50. Allan wrote the books, and...
which were illustrated by Andre Amstutz and focused on the adventures of a gang of skeletons. There was a Big Skeleton (whose catchphrase was "Good idea!"), a Little Skeleton, who was the brains of the outfit, and a Dog Skeleton. Each episode was 5 minutes in length. The voices were provided by popular comedian Griff Rhys Jones
Griff Rhys Jones
Griffith "Griff" Rhys Jones is a Welsh comedian, writer, actor, television presenter and personality. Jones came to national attention in the early 1980s for his work in the BBC television comedy sketch shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Mel Smith...
who also sang the theme tune.
Episode guide
| Title of Episode | Air Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Pet Shop | 29th September 1992 | Big and Little decide to swap Dog for another pet, because all he does is bark and dig holes. |
| 2. Bumps in the Night | 6th October 1992 | It is a particularly dark, dark night tonight, and Big and Little keep bumping into each other. |
| 3. Give the Dog a Bone | October 13, 1992 | Dog is having his favourite dream - the one about a big, juicy bone! |
| 4. Dinosaurs | 20th October 1992 | Dog gets left behind when Big and Little decide to visit the dark, dark dinosaur museum. |
| 5. Ghost Train | 27th October 1992 | Big, Little and Dog are invited to take a trip on the ghost train. |
| 6. Skeleton Crew | 3rd November 1992 | The skeletons are on a boat holiday on a dark, dark sea. What could possibly go wrong? |
| 7. Mystery Tour | 10th November 1992 | The skeletons receive invitations to a party at the end of the Mystery Tour. |
| 8. Wishbone | 17th November 1992 | The skeletons find a huge wishbone, and try to decide which one of them has the best idea for a wish to wish for. |
| 9. Shake, Rattle and Roll | 24th November 1992 | The skeletons decide to put on a show. |
| 10. Cat Chase | 1st December 1992 | What happens when a white, white dog disappears in the white, white snow? |
| 11. City Nights | 8th December 1992 | Little is bored with the quiet life on the dark, dark hill. |
| 12. Night Fright | 15th December 1992 | The skeletons decide to go out and frighten anything they come across. |
A BBC video entitled "Funnybones - Bumps in the Night" (BBCV 4871) which contained all 12 episodes was released soon after the series ended
Credits
- Based on a series of books by: Janet & Allan Ahlberg
- Illustrated by: Andre Amstutz
- Published by: William Heinemann Ltd
- Script: Jocelyn Stevenson
- Voices: Griff Rhys Jones
- Storyboard: Clive Dawson
- Layout: Neil Graham
- Animation: Graham Griffiths, Chris Webster, Steve Hayne, Reg Lodge, Sue Rowe, Bill Tapp, Robert Brown, Susannah Light, Michael Price, Steve John, Ken Hayes, Richard Wasilewski, Peter Arthy, Clive Dawson
- Trace and Paint and Backgrounds by: The Ink 'n' Paint Co.
- Production Coordinator: Ceri Griffin
- Filmed by: Rostrum Camera Ltd, Pineville Films
- Editor: Robert Francis
- Assistant Editors: William Oswald, Jane Murrell
- Sound: Taran
- Music: Ernie Wood
- Director: Gary Hurst
- Producer: Naomi Jones
- Executive Producers: Theresa Plummer-Andrews, Christopher Grace
- Made in Wales by Cartwn Cymru for S4C in association with William Heinemann Ltd and BBC Enterprises
- © S4C/William Heinemann Ltd/BBC Enterprises Ltd MCMXCII
Miscellaneous
This was one of several cartoons dubbed by the young Irish post-production company Telegael to demonstrate children's-programming possibilities for a proposed Irish-language television station. The resulting series, "Smior agus Smiortán" was broadcast on Ireland's national television station, RTÉRTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
1 and RTÉ
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
2, in 1993.