Playtime, All The Time

Sunday, January 5, 2020

House Show Bedtime Story musings

The Bedtime Story WebTV series was presented by CBeebies' Claire Kinsey and featured Cerrie Burnell, and Holly Driscoll of Dolly and Daydreams Blog. The live WebTV show, which was filmed in the dock10 MediaCity UK studio and used a unique virtual backdrop, was streamed simultaneously across targeted websites and acted as a platform for the guests to discuss the issues surrounding bedtime reading – including the barriers, benefits and best ways to do so.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

In a World without CBeebies

In a world without CBeebies, there is a glumness, persistent as it follows all of us through every aspect of our lives.

In this world, there is no such show called "In the Night Garden...". Nor is there a clown called Mr. Tumble.

In this world, yellow bugs make you think of Bees and Clouded Yellows.

In this world, the likes of Andy Day, Sidney Sloane, and Cerrie Burnell find success elsewhere on television and film, though not fulfilled in their craft.

In this world, parents gab about Tiny Pop on Twitter a lot. Which is fine, I like Tiny Pop, but something about it left us wanting.

In this world, Cartoon Network would be the BAFTA Children's channel of the year in 2014.

In this world, children's TV was only made to sell toys.

In this world, celebrities who want to read a bedtime story on TV have to go on Disney Junior to do so.

In this world, people in the 2010s forgot to submit their children's birthday cards onto the TV.

In this world "Duggee" would only be the name of your dog.

In this world, Alton Towers refuses to close "Old MacDonald's Farmyard".

In this world, children face the cold, dark images of themselves on the TV.

In this world, everyone hates reading, math, and science.

In this world, everyone born after 2002 is selfish, cares only about themselves. They do not know the sides of a triangle, let alone the alphabet. Anyone who does not look like you, think like you, love like you is a threat. Diversity is scary. Thinking outside the box, unnecessary.

In a world with CBeebies, we are made better. We learn about Reading, friendship, world cultures, and diversity. In a world with CBeebies, we are given all the tools we need to be better people in school, compassionate humans as soon as we’re able to walk, and it’s still there for us a generation later. It makes the world both wonderful and bright.

Who would want to live in a world without it? I'll give you a hint; NO ONE!!!

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

10 years of Cerrie and Alex

Ten years ago, the world was introduced to Alex Winters and Cerrie Burnell - CBeebies' then-newest instructors.

My, ten years. Before we get started talking about that, can I just point out how old I feel knowing that Alex Winters and Cerrie Burnell have been in our lives for a whole decade??? It’s one thing to think about the fact that I’ve been hanging out with Igglepiggle, Miss Hoolie, Sarah and Duck, and the Teletubbies for my entire life, but I met Alex and Cerrie since I become a CBeebies fan when I was 10 1/2. So what does that make me now? Some sort of super-tween? Old????

Although we’ve got ten years’ worth of Alex/Cerrie episodes of Discover + Do and/or the Bedtime Hour to discuss and dissect, I’m gonna start at the beginning. Alex Winters and Cerrie Burnell started on CBeebies on 26 January 2009.

They debuted on the Discover + Do zone that day

So, to recap: Alex and Cerrie got the nod of approval from Sid and Andy. They gave us a re-introduction to the CBeebies channel without unnecessary fanfare. And they did it all while singing and dancing, and no eye-rolling or talking-down. It’s an ideal intro to new neighbours who we should’ve known would stay in our lives for years after meeting them for the first time.

Cerrie and Alex brought us around full circle, and have successfully continued an important legacy for ten years and counting. Well done, you both! And thanks for being our neighbors for a whole decade!

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

CBeebies Needle Drop - Merry Christmas!

It’s Christmas time! Hey, did you know lots of singers have released Christmas albums. Elvis, Idina Menzel, Gwen Stefani, Andy Williams, and I’m pretty sure one or two others. They’ve all recorded their takes on the holiday classics. Oh, and Rod Stewart. He's done one too.

But why would you listen to any of those can't-sing fools when there’s a actually very nice CD from 2006 with the jolly amazing title My CBeebies Christmas Album? So, right now, grab a jar of some figgy pudding (I think it comes in jars) and join me!

This album is basically the same tracks from its regular counterpart, My CBeebies Album. And so is the Bonus DVD ..... both albums are pretty nice, I say!

Now for the bonus Christmas DVD.

Tweenies - Jingle Bells

It's a very familiar song, sung by some very familiar friends! Also, Doodles' the reindeer!

Fimbles - 12 Days of Christmas

What do you do on the 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve? Well c'mon folks, everybody knows what this song is!

Balamory - Dreaming of a Balamory Christmas

Rare song. I couldn't find a photo or a video of it.

Tweenies - Magical Night

Well people, there the Tweenies go again! This is a beautiful song. Thanks for the heads up, Max!!!

Me Too - Panto

Tina is putting on the annual Christmas Pantomime, a tradition that's hundreds of years old!

Tweenies - I believe in Christmas

It's yet another wonderful song! Sorry, this is from the episode where Jake gets sick on Christmas!

All Around the World

This is yet 'nother clever ditty from those 4 preschool pop stars, you guessed it - the Tweenies!

So that’s a great album for CBeebies fans to include in their holiday traditions, especially given its connections to My CBeebies Album. And I didn’t even spill any hot chocolate!

Okay, I only spilled a little hot chocolate.

Season's Greetings!