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Thursday, August 27, 1998 Published at 15:32 GMT 16:32 UK


Entertainment

Noddy set for US debut

Noddy: Crossing the Atlantic

Noddy, loved by generations of British children, makes his American debut this weekend in a £4m bid for international stardom.

United States television companies have grabbed the chance to show a series based on Enid Blyton's creation which has been specially tailored for the American market.

In a cross-cultural twist, the new Noddy who now has a Canadian accent and real-life child friends, could even be re-exported back to Britain.

It is hoped the boy with the bell on his hat could make millions for the right owners - the Enid Blyton Company and the BBC.


[ image: Wallace and Gromit: Cracking animation]
Wallace and Gromit: Cracking animation
They believe that like the Teletubbies and Wallace and Gromit, Noddy could become a global brand with merchandising and publishing spin-offs, and America is the first and biggest market to crack.

The 40-part series includes the same 10 minute animations of Noddy and Big Ears in Toyland that are shown on BBC television.

They have been re-dubbed using Canadian voices which also replace some apparently impenetrable British phrases like: "I say!"

Each half-hour episode is set in an old-fashioned American curiosity shop and features specially created puppet characters like Rusty The Tin Clown, Sherman the Tank Turtle, Bonita Flamingo, Johnny Crawfish and Gator Gerty.

They interact with a cast of real-life children aged between seven and 12 in instructive stories about their lives.


[ image: Eh oh!]
Eh oh!
Noddy will be shown for the first time on American television network PBS on Sunday, and BBC Worldwide said about 200 of PBS's affiliated local stations or 70% of the total have opted to take the weekly show.

"It is expected the series will have a British transmission, giving BBC audiences the opportunity of experiencing the adventures of Noddy in a completely new and innovative way," a BBC Worldwide spokeswoman said.

Executive producer Rick Siggelkow also made Shining Time Station which gave Thomas The Tank Engine an award-winning new existence in North America.

The Canadian-made Noddy will also be sold around the world as Noddy In Toyland.





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