The Cool Stuff Collective
Encyclopedia
The Cool Stuff Collective is a British children's television programme, which airs as part of ITV
's children's strand CITV
. The show is presented by Vicky Letch and The Blowfish (previously Sy Thomas
in the first two series) and features reviews of the latest and forthcoming video games, film release
s, gadget
s, etc. The show premiered on 13 September 2010. The third and latest series launched on 15 October 2011.
Each episode has running jokes, sketches and extra characters, Monkey, Cave Girl, Donkey, Elvis, Angry Neighbour as well as Geek Ian, and the Pop Crash Grannies all make additional appearances to the show.
Each episode also includes Monkey's golden box in which he is very protective of it.
's rules on product placement
. Ofcom stated that many of the items featured on the show ended with "overt encouragements" to consider purchase of the product.
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's children's strand CITV
CITV
CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
. The show is presented by Vicky Letch and The Blowfish (previously Sy Thomas
Sy Thomas
Sy Thomas is a British TV presenter, stand-up comedian and actor.-Early years and career:Thomas attended Aberystwyth University, Wales, where he studied drama from 1998 to 2001 and received a BA upper second....
in the first two series) and features reviews of the latest and forthcoming video games, film release
Film release
A film release is the stage at which a completed film is legally authorized by its owner for public distribution.The process includes locating a distributor to handle the film...
s, gadget
Gadget
A gadget is a small technological object that has a particular function, but is often thought of as a novelty. Gadgets are invariably considered to be more unusually or cleverly designed than normal technological objects at the time of their invention...
s, etc. The show premiered on 13 September 2010. The third and latest series launched on 15 October 2011.
Features
The programme features the following:- Future Technology/Ian's world — Resident technical geek Ian Hughes shows Sy Thomas some apparently futuristic gadget that is very real (e.g., Episode 1 introduced 3d printing3D printing3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable, and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies. However, the term 3D printing is...
, Episode 2 haptic feedback controllers). The intro music is Muse Uprising.
- Movie Monkey review, in which regular character Monkey provides a grunted review and banana score on a mainstream film release.
- Sy Sy's It Up — This is where Sy Thomas provides a personal in-depth review of some latest console games.
- Destruction Den — A gadget is tested in unusual ways to determine its indestructible claims.
- Cool Stuff Committee — A panel of children from different schools are able to test and present their findings on a set of gadgets.
- Retro — A gadget toy from the past is relaunched with celebration and partying.
- Cool News — Sy Thomas plays a comedy news reader introducing snippets of gadget news interspersed with a camera shake and the catch phrase "Cooool News!"
- Toy heaven — Sy Thomas plays a character of Father Cool and presents a eulogy to a previous popular toy which is then removed from the set.
- Can Mum Work it? — A mum is challenged to operate a current gadget in a 60-second challenge.
- Star in a Radio Controlled Car — Celebrities are asked to compete setting a time on an obstacle course with a remote control car. In the 2011 series the car has been replaced with a helicopter with which they have to fly through a series of hoops, it is now called The Chopper Challenge.
Each episode has running jokes, sketches and extra characters, Monkey, Cave Girl, Donkey, Elvis, Angry Neighbour as well as Geek Ian, and the Pop Crash Grannies all make additional appearances to the show.
Each episode also includes Monkey's golden box in which he is very protective of it.
Controversy
In 2011, the programme was found to have breached OfcomOfcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
's rules on product placement
Product placement
Product placement, or embedded marketing, is a form of advertisement, where branded goods or services are placed in a context usually devoid of ads, such as movies, music videos, the story line of television shows, or news programs. The product placement is often not disclosed at the time that the...
. Ofcom stated that many of the items featured on the show ended with "overt encouragements" to consider purchase of the product.
Series guide
| Series | Premiere | Last in series | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 September 2010 | 13 December 2010 | 14 |
| 2 | 29 January 2011 | 30 April 2011 | 14 |
| 3 | 15 October 2011 | ? | ? |