I’ll admit that I was a huge fan of this at the time (being bang in the target audience), so I bought the DVD box set when it came out. I’ve recently been showing it to my nieces (10 and 8 years old) and got them hooked too! 😁
Yes, some of the episodes do play with national stereotypes, in a way that was far more acceptable in the time it was made than it is now, but in the show’s defence, they did it just as much to the British as to everyone else. The characters and script are what carry it, not cheap gags at other people’s expense. It’s been fun rewatching this over the spring and summer, and seeing it through current youngsters’ eyes.
It was at that time when you were a ‘BBC family’ or an ‘ITV family’. We mostly watched the Beeb, but kids tv was the exception - me and my brother would happily swap between the two depending on what was on after school. Dangermouse and Count Duckula were ITV must-sees for us, along with some of the school holiday morning programmes (he loved Timmy Mallett, I didn’t, but he had ok cartoons)
I had never seen Count Duckula so I've been checking out a couple of clips on YouTube. It sounds like a hoot! Thanks for your thorough exploration - I enjoyed it.
Nothing to do with Duckula except for the obvious, but did you ever see "Duckman" Jon? I really liked that! 😄
The show hit Canadian TV just around the time it debuted in Britain- I know because I saw it there.
I loved Count Duckula and his subversive, rebellious vegetarianism! Thank you for sharing :)
"I can see you're going to have to have a chat with Mr. Manners!"
-Nanny
Absolutely brilliant show!
What a line. It was such a great show, thanks for commenting 🤩
I had almost completely forgotten this little gem of a show until you reminded me! Thank you for the nostalgia bomb!
Great write-up Jon. I had forgotten all about this fellow until reading your article.
Thanks Matthew. It was a great research project.
I’ll admit that I was a huge fan of this at the time (being bang in the target audience), so I bought the DVD box set when it came out. I’ve recently been showing it to my nieces (10 and 8 years old) and got them hooked too! 😁
Yes, some of the episodes do play with national stereotypes, in a way that was far more acceptable in the time it was made than it is now, but in the show’s defence, they did it just as much to the British as to everyone else. The characters and script are what carry it, not cheap gags at other people’s expense. It’s been fun rewatching this over the spring and summer, and seeing it through current youngsters’ eyes.
What a great comment. That is such a good idea, getting the younger generation hooked on brilliant animation. 🥳
Cod grove Hall made so many classics.
Thank you so much, a much under rated classic
I would have been a child when this aired but I never caught it at the time. I loved Cosgrove Hall's Wind In The Willows though.
It was at that time when you were a ‘BBC family’ or an ‘ITV family’. We mostly watched the Beeb, but kids tv was the exception - me and my brother would happily swap between the two depending on what was on after school. Dangermouse and Count Duckula were ITV must-sees for us, along with some of the school holiday morning programmes (he loved Timmy Mallett, I didn’t, but he had ok cartoons)
Wow! I almost forgot all about this show and how unique it was! Great piece!
It is just so good. Thanks for commenting and reading.
I had never seen Count Duckula so I've been checking out a couple of clips on YouTube. It sounds like a hoot! Thanks for your thorough exploration - I enjoyed it.
Nothing to do with Duckula except for the obvious, but did you ever see "Duckman" Jon? I really liked that! 😄
Thanks Jules. Never seen Duckman, to my shame. Have made a note to watch, thank you so much.
If we get a "Duckman" article from "Animated" I'll know you liked it! 😁