Boomerang UK Continuity and Adverts - November 2001

A Letter To Dreamworks About Noddy: Toyland Detective

A Letter To Dreamworks About Noddy

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to formally express my disappointment with Noddy: Toyland Detective and the direction taken with the Noddy franchise since its transition to full CGI beginning with Noddy in Toyland in 2009.

As a long-time admirer of Noddy and Enid Blyton’s original creation, I found the 2009 CGI series deeply frustrating. The shift to full CGI resulted in the characters losing much of their charm, warmth, and individuality. Their personalities felt flattened and exaggerated into broad parodies of themselves, rather than the gentle, character-driven figures they once were. At times, the tone and execution even reminded me of some of the less well-received Cosgrove Hall–produced Postman Pat episodes, where familiar characters felt oddly altered and out of place.

Since DreamWorks, alongside Brown Bag Films, acquired Noddy, the series has become fast-paced, overstimulating, and formulaic. Noddy himself has been reduced to a one-note “mystery solver” who does little else. This narrow focus strips away the everyday curiosity, kindness, and whimsical Toyland adventures that defined the original source material. As a result, Noddy: Toyland Detective feels fundamentally disconnected from what Noddy was always meant to be.

I strongly believe Noddy works best as a gentle, imaginative series, not as an American-styled, high-energy CGI production. In my view, this approach has permanently damaged the spirit of Noddy and his world. I sincerely wish the BBC would one day produce a new Noddy series, created entirely in stop-motion, with no CGI at all, returning to the tactile, storybook feel that suits the character so well.

More broadly, I feel that fast-paced CGI has harmed several classic children’s programmes. I would welcome seeing Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, and Thomas & Friends returned to their original hand-crafted or hand-drawn roots, where storytelling, atmosphere, and character came first.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope you will consider the concerns of long-time fans who value the heritage, tone, and artistry of these beloved characters.

Penelope's Pain

Penelope's Pain

I am a newborn baby in this story.
I am very soft.
I love my mummy, Lady Penelope, more than anything.

Mummy heads off into the baby care shop.
Everything smells like clean cotton and baby soap.
There are tiny socks.
There are rattles that whisper when you shake them.

Mummy looks at dresses.
She lifts a soft pink one.
It is gentle as a cloud.
She smiles, but her smile is careful.

Snickers’ mum is there.
She is kind.
She talks slowly.
She tells mummy what it can be like when a baby is coming.

She says there can be cramps.
Not scary ones.
Just strong, surprising ones.
Like a tummy saying hello too loudly.

Mummy goes quiet after that.
Very quiet.
The car ride home feels long and hushed.

Now I will tell you a secret.
I am inside mummy’s tummy.
It is warm.
It is round.
It feels like a safe room.

But little worries sneak in.
They look like tiny bat shapes made of fear.
They are not real monsters.
They are just worries with wings.

They flap.
They bump the walls.
They make the tummy feel sore.

Outside, mummy pauses.
She puts a hand on her belly.
Her face goes pale.

“Parker,” she says softly.
“I need help, please.”

Parker is calm.
Parker always is.
He finds her a soft place to sit.
A place that feels safe.

He brings her pregnancy cramp pills.
They are small.
They are kind.

Mummy takes them slowly.
She breathes.
She touches her tummy.

Inside, something gentle happens.
The bat-shaped worries squeal.
Not in pain.
Just in surprise.

They fade.
They vanish.
The tummy walls feel peaceful again.

Mummy strokes her belly.
Her voice is warm velvet.

“My darling,” she whispers.
“No cramps will come and hurt us.”
“Mummy is doing the right thing.”

I curl up inside her.
I feel safe.
I feel loved.

Things That Make Me Happy - Part 13

1. Anything Can Happen Audio Annual
2. Thunderbirds Vs The Hood audiobook
3. Getting lots of people coming to my blog
4. The original designs for the 2023 Thunderbirds calendar
5. Bluey Christmas Compliments
6. Using Gemini to find worlds inside everything
7. The early designs for extra old Bandit and Chilli
8. Fanart of Chilli and Bandit reading with their grandkids
9. Maisy Goes To Hospital (book)
10. Maisy Goes Camping (book)

FAB Live: Thunderbirds Day 2022

FAB Live: Gerry Anderson Day 2022

Father Unwin's Guide To Being Called

Hello, Father Unwin here. As you may have noticed in episode 3 of my show, I have been 'called'. But it's actually me going on a mission. In my mind, God's been calling me to save my appetite for when the job is done. For who needs a telephone in Heaven when you've got spirits voicing your thoughts in your head? Here are six tips on how to know when you've been 'called'.

1. Understand your instincts. Just when you thought you would have a boiled egg and some toast soldiers after a nice night's sleep, someone from Heaven calls to you, and says you have a destiny to follow. If you have that kind of destiny, follow it - if you're a painter, do some art. If you're a dreamer, think up some new ideas.
2. Notice some sensations in your body. Everyone knows human bodies can't talk, only human mouths. But if you notice some tingling sensations in certain parts of your body, it means they're trying to tell you something. If you did your foot in over Christmas for instance, then you might know the holiday season is a time to relax. If you feel that emotional nostalgic feeling in your chest, it may mean you're missing something from your childhood so much.
3. Notice some signs in your life that may tell you something. Even when you watch your favourite TV show or movie, notice that everything around you is a warning for you to get out and do something that'll change your life forever. For example, if you pick up a stone in the supermarket car park and imagine it's a brand new universe, then you'll be into doodling new worlds inside everyday things. That's what colouring books are for - to inspire you in every way.
4. Learn from everyday experiences and unannounced life changes. When my life changed the moment I inherited Professor Humbert's shrinking machine, I knew that I would bring a certain peaceful aura to everyone around me - including every single dastardly enemy agent I've faced around me. If something happens unannounced in your life, like the death of a beloved family member or moving to a new home, it means that there's a new chapter in the novel that's called your life, and you're ready to live it, no matter what you face. Go out and live it.
5. Pray every night asking for advice. When prayers are said for my friend Slomo when he was blasted out of the air vent of a spaceship one time, I was the one who lead everyone in releasing their hopes and dreams for Slomo. Tonight, before you go to bed, pray to our lord and saviour for some advice on what to do with your life next if you're stuck with an incredible dilemma you can't face alone. It's not just people you have to turn to, it's those you may think exist but are only in your head.
6. Don't be afraid to face new challenges. Whether it's a brand new shopping outlet or a new activity you haven't done since you were a wee lad, never be afraid to jump right in or get your hands dirty with paint or chocolate mess. And if you want to write a story, dive right in - it doesn't matter how perfect you want it to be, it's not just for publishing, it's for fun and excitement only.

Speaking of which, I met Lauren Faust and she told me that advice about having fun while creating worlds or writing stories, which is what she did while doing related content about those cute little colourful magical pony beings. So, I believe in you - when you get called, it's about time you answered your destiny. Without a destiny, you can never achieve your dreams.

If you can find it, I think you can handle it with ease.

As Big Ears Said To Noddy Yesterday...

Ways To Become An Ideation Specialist

Penelope's Pain

While preparing for the birth of her little one, Lady Penelope receives unpleasant stomach cramps that cause her to want plenty of rest. Inside her tummy, there are mutated bat-like creatures who emerge from my unborn self's mouth and attack the walls of the inside of her pregnant belly, which cause my mummy's painful cramps.

Maisy's Surprise Birthday Party