Stig of the Dump

It's been a while since I posted anything, but this time of year is always extremely busy! This time I give you the classic Stig of the Dump from 1981!

Barney is a young boy staying with his grandparents on the chalk Downs of southern England. When he falls over the edge of an old chalk pit close to Barney's grandparents' house he tumbles down through the roof of Stig's den. When he looks round, there's Stig- apparently a 'caveman', with shaggy, black hair and bright black eyes. The chalk pit is disused and full of people's dumped rubbish.
Barney and Stig get on rather well together. They have to manage without language, as Stig speaks no English, but that doesn't seem to stop them. Stig's den is a place built out of discarded rubbish, that Barney enjoys.
Stig is Barney's secret friend, not because Barney doesn't tell anyone, but because no-one believes that Stig is real. They have a great time, improving Stig's den, collecting firewood, going hunting, and having all manner of adventures!

Sonic the Hedgehog

Not to be confused with another Sonic cartoon featured on the BCC site, this is the much less comical version of Sonic the Hedgehog!

The show takes place on a planet called Mobius. A warlord and former scientist named Dr. Robotnik, and his assistant/nephew Snively, invaded and conquered Mobotropolis, the capital city of Mobius, with an army of robot soldiers called SWATbots.

The show's backstory explains that Robotnik had once been leader of the Mobotropolis War Ministry, and that his creation and use of SWATbots led the country's victory in "The Great War". In the war's aftermath, he was to be appointed Minister of Science by the King of Mobius, who had decided to close the War Ministry and dismantle the SWATbots following the War. However, Robotnik overthrew the kingdom and declared himself to be the new King. King Acorn was never seen or heard from again.

Robotnik captures most of the citizens, including an intelligent old hedgehog named Sir Charles Hedgehog (Sonic's uncle) and his crowning invention, the Roboticizer. This invention, created with the intention to prolong life, changes living creatures into robots, but had the unintended effect of robbing the individual of their free will. Robotnik uses this technology to enslave the population.

Some citizens managed to escape the coup, and fled to Knothole Village in the Great Forest to hide from Robotnik's army. Under Princess Sally, they formed a group called the Freedom Fighters to restore Mobius and end Robotnik's rule.

Record of Lodoss War

Today is my birthday. Hoorays!!! In celebration of the day I am going to change the rules a bit and post up one of my favourite anime series ever. With an epic quest featuring elves, dwarves, magic and dragons, what more could you ask for? I give you the Record of Lodoss War!!

Created from the aftermath of the last great battle of the gods, Lodoss and its kingdoms have been plagued by war for thousands of years. As a quiet peace and unity finally become foreseeable over the land, an unknown evil begins to stir. An ancient witch has awakened, bent on preserving the island of Lodoss by creating political unbalance throughout the many kingdoms and keeping any one from maintaining central control. Only a mixed-race party of six young champions, led by the young warrior Parn, stand between this new threat and Lodoss' descent back into the darkness of war and destruction.

Legends of Treasure Island

Action, adventure magic and suspense  now in a tale of loot, piracy and betrayal in The Legends of Treasure Island!

The series was loosely based on Robert Louis Stevenson's original story "Treasure Island". Featuring a mysterious and dark storyline, it incorporates magic and many new characters. Unlike the book and most adaptations Long John Silver is not an anti-hero with dubious morality but rather a straight villain.

In "The Quest Begins" young Jim Hawkins is a pup at home in Olde England. Forced to flee for his life with his father's many-riddled treasure map Jim falls in with a sea-dog called Captain Smollett. They are joined by another pooch - Dr Livesey - and Squire Trelawney, a clucking pigeon. They set sail in search of Flint's treasure, although they've yet to fathom the riddle of the island's location. The map says it can be found in "Poseidon's Swirling Eye". But it doesn't matter anyway because they are overrun by a mutinous crew, lead by that old fox Long John Silver. Jim escapes and befriends a vixen called Jane who was kidnapped by Silver as a child (apparently her wealthy parents refused to pay the ransom because she was so spoilt). But the duo are recaptured and in a wild storm our heroes are collectively forced to walk the plank. Fortunately, Jim spies the answer to the map's first riddle in the form of a frothing maelstrom starboard . The five jump into its spiraling heart and emerge on the shores of Flint's secret, mysterious island...

Tickle on the Tum

Specially requested by a fan of the BCC, we have the wonderfully titled Tickle on the Tum!

The series was set in a shop in the fictional village of Tickle-on-the-Tum (the humorous double-meaning of the title was explained obliquely in the theme song). The original presenters were folk-singer Ralph McTell and Danuschia Harwood. From about the middle of the second series, Harwood was replaced by Jacqueline Reddin. In the final series, Reddin became the show's lead presenter and sang the theme song, after McTell returned to his recording career.

Ralph and Danni (or Jacqui depending which series you were in) would be working in the shop when a local resident would come in and recount at length an incident in their week. A song, written and sung with guitar by McTell, would follow based around either the week's story or simply the visiting character. Pet-shop proprietor Bunny was played by Nerys Hughes, while favourite characters amongst children was bumbling odd-job man Barney Bodger, 'Jack The Lad' Mike The Milkman and filthy G.P, Dr Dimple (played by [{Bill Oddie]]), who famously sang the song; Don't mind my hands, they're just a bit cold.