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Comment by david-given | Hacker News Reader

Go look up some old British children's television. It was made in an era when... um... let's just say that it wasn't focus grouped.

Chorlton and the Wheelies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6Ng7VMqet0

Noggin the Nog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bKAYH3Sl8s

The Trapdoor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eEXyg1lsZc

Bod: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfFoj-gFP2M

Bagpuss: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9beAp3TG2E

...and, of course, the Clangers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Golf34zPQ

(There's a new series of the Clangers being made. Haven't watched any, I'm too scared it won't be up to the standards of the original...)

Oh! And I nearly forgot the Magic Roundabout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3DcChXNyYQ

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Bagpuss really is genius. Probably the finest children's TV show ever made in Britain. Certainly in a different league to the rest of this list!

We got all of these in Australia when I was a kid, including Australia's own effort at anarchistic kids telly, Aunty Jack: https://youtu.be/vIqqiK4ncfs

I love Bagpus.

There's also Mister Ben (not sure this stands the test of time) and Ivor the Engine.

(And I have fond memories of Danger Mouse, but I'm not sure that's any good either).

Well, you can't go wrong with Oliver Postgate, who I now notice made nearly half of the programs in my (completely randomly selected) list...

Also I appear to have remembered a fairly small selection of the 'children's television on drugs' genre. See also: Banamaman, Jamie and the Magic Torch, Roobarb and Custard, Captain Pugwash...

While talking about children's television: it's not British, and it's slightly later, but any person of any age who doesn't like Fraggle Rock has no soul.

I have no idea if it was British, but Ludwig (the cartoon about a musical mechanical egg) was great.

You've given me a nostalgia-trip.

In return I give you: The Wombles!

I used to think the theme tune went 'The wombles of Wimbledon: common are we' but actually it's 'The Wombles of _Wimbledon Common_ are we'. I had never heard of Wimbledon Common, although it's only 4 miles from where I was born.

I find that strangely adorable, thanks for sharing.

Fraggle Rock actually is British, kind of.

It was co-produced by a British television company (TVS), and had specifically filmed inserts that replaced the Inventor with a Lighthouse owner (the sequences were arguably better too, certainly less rambling and more focused).

But even if you ignore the inserts (others were filmed worldwide) it's still partially British

Charlie Brooker's tribute to Oliver Postgate

https://youtu.be/uAftt3UnzoI

My children were the right age about 5 years ago, and everything on your list (and by another comment, Fraggle Rock) held up well for them, and also the watching parents. Sure Mister Ben was a little clunky, but in a fairly timeless way. And Postgate and Henson just had the "storytelling" touch.

And there's the Storyreller, also by Henson too.

Stone soup...

What's Danger Mouse?

Is it a translated version of Donnie Murdo? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-5hII715_s

my kids love the old dangermouse, the new one is _rubbish_.

Also try Old Bear And Friends, a favourite from my own childhood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l683Fyr2RZc - lots of sweet little stories told in an endearing way.

Also we British think that Watership Down was a suitable cartoon for kids remember ;-)

> It was made in an era when... um... let's just say that it was focus grouped.

If you're implying drugs were involved I think it's a tad insulting to the creativity and artistry of the people behind these wonderful shows.

If you are implying that those using drugs to stimulate their creativity are somehow inferior to those who are not that would be a tad insulting to many creative individuals who use drugs. Just saying ;)

Actually, I meant to say that it wasn't focus grouped, but tyoped.

Original post edited --- ta.

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