British Kids TV Shows That Time Forgot

While writing a quick post about the Chuckle Brothers’ 20 years on television, I was reminded about some other British kids TV shows that I used to love. Some overstayed their welcome and became bland, others just died out and faded away, but they all deserve their place on British TV history.Knightmare
Knightmare Logo Knightmare was game show that used state-of-the-art (at the time) computer graphics and “blue-screen” techniques to create a fantasy world that was then explored by a Dungeoneer (a kid with a helmet on) and guided by 3 advisors. Running for eight series from 1987-1994, the programme won awards for its innovative design, but I loved it for the pure fact that as a 10 year old, just getting into computer games, it was amazing. “Where am I?” became the catchprase of the show as the blinkered adventurer stumbled from (blue) room to (blue) room, collecting spells and food to replenish his lifeforce. It finally bowed out after technology (and computer games) overtook the show, but it will always be remembered fondly.

Chock-A-Block
Another big favourite of mine, and one that possibly explains why I was into computers from such an early age. The Chockabloke or Chockagirl (depending on which presenter was on the show) would arrive in a yellow cart, check in and then operate Chock-A-Block, a kind of computer mainframe (this was 1981 after all). They would use the computer to sing songs and show video clips. The thing that really sticks in my mind is the catchy theme tune!

Kappatoo
Not many people remember Kappatoo. It was originally shown in 1991 (with the sequel, Kappatoo Two, shown in 1993) and was about Kappatoo, a boy from the 23rd century who swaps his life with his counterpart from the 20th century (with hilarious consequences). I’m probably not selling it too well, but it was really good. Slightly bizarrely it starred the often forgotten comedian/presenter/magician Andrew O’Connor, who has since gone on to form a production company, Objective Productions, and has been Executive Producer on “TV Heaven, Telly Hell”, various Derren Brown programmes, and the Mitchell and Webb movie, Magicians.

The Flumps
The Flumps were a family of strange round creatures, filmed using that great 70s stop-motion technique that really defines its age. Apparently there were only ever thirteen 13+ minute episodes made. What really sticks in my mind is the theme tune, a jolly trombone-led tune that suggests the shape and style of the Flumps. I have no idea why they decided to use it for this clip from The X-Factor?!? (I don’t know why the layout of this post goes screwy after the YouTube link! I’m looking into it.)