I have been watching an unhealthy amount of children's television recently as Bethany has developed more of an interest in CBeebies and I have been struck by the number of performers I grew watching in various programmes in the 80s. Whether it is as a voice artist such as Derek Jacobi for "In the Night Garden", Su Pollard on "Little Robots" or Lenny Henry also in "Little Robots" as well as every second programme or an actual appearance like James Bolam in "Grandpa in my Pocket" and Linda Baron in "Come Outside" I feel as though I am reliving two periods from my youth in one go. The latter programme I noticed was nearly twenty years old which explains my initial reaction on first seeing it that Linda Baron was ageing particularly well.
   Many of the shows have a worthy message, whether it is educational, environmental, practical or health based with varying degrees of success. If the programme goes all out and embraces the subject in hand and simply tries to have fun with it then that comes through e.g. Nina and the Neurons where Katrina Bryan convinces enthusiastically as the presenter despite not having a science background. Saying that "Mighty Mites" is too enthusiastic for my liking (and I know it's not aimed at me) as Sarah Jane Honeywell tries to get children more active but feels hollow and there is a sadness in her eyes, almost as if she's thinking she should be getting some serious acting jobs by now.
   Shows that are purely fun based can be a mixed bag also but the true star is Justin Fletcher from "Something Special" and "Gigglebiz". In the former, what initially seems very worthy as he takes special needs children out to varying locations and he teaches sign language to the audience is actually warm hearted and Bethany love the sketches with Mr Tumble that are interspersed throughout. The latter programme lets him get full rein on all manner of slapstick and pun based gags which again transfixes Bethany as he dresses in all manner of outfits and lets rip with the "dad jokes".
   Speaking of stars, the true star of "In the Night Garden" is Makka Pakka who goes around cleaning the faces of the other characters without much in the way of thanks. Igglepiggle does not do enough to get top billing, Upsy Daisy is too kooky, the Tombliboos are brats and the Pontipines and Wottingers come across as rather Puritan and whose large families are frankly irresponsible in these over populated times. Mr Pontipine does have a magnificent moustache though.