Rosie and Jim

Infobox Television
show_name = Rosie and Jim


format = Children's television series
runtime = 11/15 minutes
creator = John Cunliffe
developer = Ragdoll Productions
starring = Rebecca Nagan
Robin Stevens
John Cunliffe Pat Hutchins
Neil Brewer | country = UK
language = English
network = CITV
first_aired = 1990
last_aired = 2003
num_episodes = 175
website = http://www.rosieandjim.tv

"Rosie and Jim" (sometimes written as "Rosie & Jim") is a British children's television programme which has appeared, on and off, on CITV (the ITV Children's Programming Section) since the early 1990s. The programme was the creation of John Cunliffe, the well-known creator of both Rosie and Jim and Postman Pat. The series was authored by Robin Stevens who also played the character Jim. It is produced by Ragdoll Productions who produced "Tots TV", "Pob's Programme" and "Teletubbies".

The programme features two ragdolls, Rosie and Jim, who 'live' on a narrowboat called the Ragdoll. In this boat they would travel along the waterways of Central England with their friend Duck and the Ragdoll's owner. The owner is convinced that Rosie and Jim are just ordinary ragdolls, however, each time the boat is docked and the owner visits the town or village, Duck gives the signal by quacking and Rosie and Jim magically come to life and secretly follow the owner, often causing mishaps and hijinks that leave the boat owner and the person or people he/she visits quite bemused.

The programme's popularity with children resides in the amiable joviality of the boat owner and the humour derived from Rosie and Jim's antics. Parents find the programme appealing as it allows children to see parts of Britain that they might not have a chance to in real life, thus educating, informing and entertaining the young audience demographic.

Boat owners

eries 1 & 2

Postman Pat creator John Cunliffe (nicknamed "Fizzgog" by the ragdolls) was the first owner of the narrowboat, and also authored the scripts of these two series. In each episode John would finish by writing a short story following inspiration from the places he visited, imagining what Rosie and Jim would have done "if only they could come to life", unaware that they have in fact done so. These stories would be narrated by John and shown as animated cartoon stories at the end of each episode. However, he retired at the end of the second series, and it was decided that instead of cancelling the series, a new owner would be introduced. John was the only owner to talk to the audience.

eries 3, 4 and 5

Pat Hutchins (nicknamed "Loopy Lobes"), a notable British illustrator, took the helm for the following three series. Pat was always inspired to paint a picture or do some form of complex drawing at the end of each episode, which the Ragdolls would admire.

eries 6, 7 & 8

Neil Brewer (nicknamed "Tootle") was the boat owner for the most recent series. Neil wrote a short song (typically consisting of a verse and two choruses) inspired by his travels in the episode and typically performed this at the end of each episode, with Rosie and Jim (unbeknown to Neil) enjoying the music and dancing behind him.

Characters

Rosie

A joyful doll who loves Jim and Duck. She is very sure of herself and tends to take the initiative. However, Rosie is never seen without her collecting bag which she keeps around her neck, as it contains items that come in useful during her adventures with Jim. Her trademark word is 'Noggin' (occasionally 'gobbin'), meaning "idiot" and often playfully applied as a nickname for Jim. Rosie was played by Rebecca Nagan.

Jim

A curious doll who always questions things around him, constantly asking Rosie "Why?" something is. Jim tends to follow Rosie's lead on their adventures. He always appears happy and relaxed, and is content with taking his time. He is gentle and affectionate, and loves Rosie and Duck. Jim enjoys drawing and is always seen with three crayons in his pocket.

Jim was played by Puppeteer Robin Stevens.

Duck

A carved wooden boat decoration that cannot leave the narrowboat unaided. He is a faithful companion to Rosie and Jim, and a conspirator to their mischief by quacking when the coast is clear or as a warning that the owner is coming back. He also quacks at the beginning of each episode to 'wake up' Rosie and Jim before they begin their adventures. Robin Stevens also played Duck in the series. The character of Duck was based on Richard 'Richy' Watts.

Episode guide

175 episodes

*Series 1 25x15m with John Cunliffe "Fizzgog"

*Series 2 25x15m with John Cunliffe "Fizzgog"

*Series 3 25x11m with Pat Hutchins "Loopy Lobes"

*Series 4 20x11m with Pat Hutchins "Loopy Lobes"

*Series 5 20x11m with Pat Hutchins "Loopy Lobes"

*Series 6 20x11m with Neil Brewer "Tootle"

*Series 7 20x11m with Neil Brewer "Tootle"

*Series 8 20x11m with Neil Brewer "Tootle"

Video and DVD releases

Video

*My Little Rosie And Jim
*Rosie And Jim - Music Party
*Rosie And Jim - Quackin Duck Boogie
*Rosie And Jim - Sticky Honey
*Rosie And Jim - Flashing Fire Engine
*Rosie And Jim - Up And Away
*Rosie And Jim - Summer Fun And Other Stories
*Rosie And Jim - Fish Face And Other Animal Stories

DVD

*Rosie And Jim - Sticky Honey And Other Stories

Trivia

*British Waterways use Rosie & Jim and the Ragdoll to convey their 'Safety near Water' message round the canal network.Fact|date=February 2007
*Rosie & Jim was awarded the international TV Ontario Award in 1992.
*Rosie & Jim have been shown in nine different countries.
*Jim is taller than Rosie

Credits

1990

*With Thanks to: Worcester Post and Soatfing Office
*Graphics: Roger Berry
*Animation: Peter Lang and Alan Rogers
*Boatman: Geoff Loadler
*Facilities: Optical Image Broadcast
*Lighting Cameraman: Derek Gruszeckyj
*Camera Assistant: Nigel P. Harris
*Second Camera Assistant: Paul Lewis
*Sound: Kim Harding
*Runner: Adrian Small
*Dubbing: Paul Luxford
*Editor: Rob Olleman
*Continuity: Lyn Robinson
*Production Manager: Susan James
*Assistant Production Coordinator: Grant Williams
*Design Assistant: Penny Lane
*Educational Advisors: Christine Pascal, Anthony Bertram, Joan Conway
*Associate Producer: Robin Stevens
*Music: Andrew McCrorie-Shand
*Devised by: Anne Wood and Robin Stevens
*Designer: Bob Berk
*Producer: Anne Wood
*Director: Simon Fone
*A Ragdoll Production for Central
*© Central Independent Television MCMXC

1991

*Written by: John Cunliffe and Robin Stevens
*With Thanks to: Timyford Country Centre Eveston
*Graphics: Roger Berry
*Animation: Peter Lang and Alan Rogers
*Boatman: Geoff Loadler
*Lighting Cameraman: Derek Gruszeckyj
*Sound Engineer: Colin Vinton
*Unit Manager: Nigel Harris
*Editors: Nick Hayward-Young and Jonathan Bravo
*Dubbing Mixer: Harry Jacobs
*Researcher: Paul Mattew
*Production Assistant: Sue Pettybridge
*Production Manager: Susan James
*Design Assistant: Penny Lane
*Educational Advisor: Joan Conway
*Music: Andrew McCrorie-Shand
*Designer: Bob Berk
*Devised and Produced by: Anne Wood and Robin Stevens
*Director: Vivienne Cozens
*A Ragdoll Production for Central
*© Central Independent Television MCMXCI

1993, 1995

*Jim's Puppeteer: Robin Stevens
*Rosie's Puppeteer: Rebecca Nagan
*Illustrator: Pat Hutchins
*With Thanks to: Wilson & Stafford
*Written by: Robin Stevens
*Educational Advisors: Joan Conway, Jack Ousbey
*Lighting Cameraman: Derek Gruszeckyj
*Camera Assistant: Tim Jones
*Sound Engineer: Paul Hellard
*Technical Assistant: Frances Duncan
*Electrician: Robin Johnson
*Researcher: Andrew Cooke
*Unit Manager: Nigel P. Harris
*Continuity/PA: Annette Cunningham
*Design Assistants: Wanda Szajna-Hopgood, Holly Berk
*Editors: Peter Tottle, Lee Phillips
*Dubbing Mixer: Patrick Morris
*Production Manager: Susan James
*Line Producer: Penny Lane
*Music: Andrew McCrorie-Shand
*Production Designer: Bob Berk
*Director: Rob Ollerton
*Executive Producer: Lewis Rudd
*Devised and Produced by: Anne Wood
*© Ragdoll Productions (UK) Ltd MCMXCIV

External links

* [http://www.rosieandjim.tv/newhome.html Rosie and Jim website]
* [http://www.ragdoll.co.uk/ Ragdoll Productions website]