The Hoobs

Jim Henson's The Hoobs
The Hoobs: Hubba Hubba (Blue), Roma (Orange), Tula (Pink), Iver (Purple) and Groove (Green)
Starring See below
Music by Ed Welch
Philip Pope
Kim Goody
Country of origin United Kingdom
United States
Canada
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 250
Production
Running time 25 minutes
Production company(s) The Jim Henson Company
Decode Entertainment
Channel 4
Distributor HIT Entertainment (DVD and VHS releases)
Release
Original network Channel 4
Picture format 16:9
Original release 15 January 2001 – 13 June 2003

The Hoobs is a children's television programme created and produced by The Jim Henson Company and Decode Entertainment.

Production

In the United Kingdom, it is a regular feature in early morning schedules. The show was produced in the UK, as many other Jim Henson Company productions have been. It was commissioned for Channel 4, and was shown at around the times of 6:00am to 7:00am, when the show started. It has also been shown for other countries, including North America (repeats formerly airing on Universal Kids) and Australia (airing on both ABC and ABC2 from 4 February 2002 to 2 July 2011). The show has won BAFTA awards.[1] In Poland it aired on MiniMini+. In Sweden, it was on SVT Barnkanalen. And in Hungary on Minimax (TV channel)

Plot

It stars five creatures called Hoobs (Hubba Hubba, Iver, Groove, Tula, and Roma) from the fictional Hoobland, and their interactions with Earth and the human race. In each episode, they try to find the answer to a question to be put in the great Hoobopaedia created by Hubba Hubba, back in Hoobland, in hopes of learning all there is to know. Hubba Hubba remains in Hoobland to await the report from the other Hoobs; Iver, Groove, and Tula live in the Hoobmobile; and Roma travels to all parts of the world. The five creatures are puppets, but the show also includes some animated sequences as well as live motion of human children who explain concepts to the Hoobs.

Characters

  • Iver: The leading figure of the threesome. He is very punctual and business-like, but likes to have fun too. Iver is a great doer, but sometimes he tends to be a bit of a worrier.
  • Groove: Always "cool" and relaxed, and a little slower than the others. He is also a little shy and a bit more hesitant to leave the Hoobmobile. He has a talent for making music, and he enjoys collecting things.
  • Tula: The girl on board. She is sympathetic, caring and enthusiastic, though she's sometimes a little tiring to have around. Tula is very creative and loves crafts.
  • Roma: An explorer Hoob who travels around the world, gathering information for the Hoobopaedia by talking to the "Tiddlypeeps" (children). Roma does not live in the Hoobmobile, but she frequently reports all her discoveries to Iver, Groove and Tula through video messages and sometimes she visits the Hoobmobile to help them with their questions. Roma rides a motorcyle called a "Hooby Picki Picki," which is also powered by the Motorettes. In "Change" Roma talks to the "Tiddlypeeps" (children).
  • Hubba Hubba: The leader of the Hoobs. From his home base in Hoobland, he updates the Hoobopaedia with all the info that Iver, Groove and Tula collect during their stay in our world.
  • The Motorettes: Three robots. Their names are Tootle, Timp and Twang. The Motorettes operate the engine of the Hoobmobile by singing and making music. They also power Roma's motorcyle "Hooby Picki Picki."

Episodes

Series 1 (2001)

  • 101. Finding Out: The Hoobs set out to learn some new things about Peeps and Tiddlypeeps.
  • 102. Monkeys: The gang wants to give a monkey something to make him happy, but cannot decide what will do the trick.
  • 103. Hello: How Tiddlypeeps say hello to their friends.
  • 104. Laughing: The Hoobs try to figure out what causes laughter.
  • 105. Stars: Iver searches for a bright, shining star to hang up in the Hoobmobile.
  • 106. Pets: Groove decides he would like some company while out collecting and thinks a pet would fit the bill.
  • 107. Whistles: Tula tries to get Groove and Iver's attention, but they are too busy playing a game to notice.
  • 109. Dog: The pals investigate why a dog keeps barking outside the Hoobmobile.
  • 110. Running: The pals investigate why a dog keeps barking outside the Hoobmobile.
  • 111. Getting Better: Iver suffers hot and cold flushes, and his nose starts making a strange sound - so he looks to the Tiddlypeeps for an explanation.
  • 112. Frogs: The friends marvel at how high frogs can jump, and wonder if it is because they eat flies.
  • 113. Losing Things: Iver searches high and low for his Hoobtoobe, but it appears to have vanished.
  • 114. Flags: The friends discover how Peeps use Hoobyhideys.
  • 115. Seasons: Groove notices his tree has shed its leaves and wonders whether they will grow back.
  • 116. Bees: The gang runs out of Hoobygoop, but discover the Peeps have a suitable substitute.
  • 117. Fix It: The pals call on their DIY skills to fix the Hoobytug.
  • 118. Homes: The friends discover which animals live in homes similar to theirs.
  • 119. Presents: The furry pals watch children giving each other gifts. (YouTube)
  • 120. Hair: Tula tries to brighten up the day by restyling her Hoobyfur.
  • 121. Clapping: Iver, Groove, Tula and Roma discover how Tiddlypeeps clap their hands.
  • 122. Smells: Iver, Groove, Tula and Roma investigate the sense of smell.
  • 123. Combs: The pals use the Peeps' combs to store their Hoobycookies, until they discover what they are really meant for.
  • 124. Keeping Warm: Iver, Groove, Tula and Roma find a way to keep warm while Hooblegazing.
  • 125. Rain: The gang discovers how and why it rains.
  • 126. Wobble: Groove seeks a wobbly item to complete his collection of things that move.
  • 127. Owning Pool: When Groove's best painting is ruined, the others try to restore it before he finds out.
  • 128. Sand: The gang learns about sand and what it is used for.
  • 129. Hooting: A mysterious hooting sound keeps the Hoobs awake at night.
  • 130. Soft Round Flat Things: The gang searches the Peep planet for soft, round, flat things to play with.
  • 131. Fish: Iver, Groove, Tula and Roma learn about creatures that like getting wet.
  • 132. Keys: The pals discover how keys are used to open things.
  • 133. Waiting: The gang discovers things to do while waiting for their Hooboblubbers to set.
  • 134. Shoes: Groove causes a spillage and a headache for the rest of the gang - who worry about keeping their paws dry.
  • 135. Flying: Groove goes looking for flying items he can add to his collection.
  • 136. Times: The gang finds out about the best time to visit the Tiddlypeeps.
  • 137. Getting To Sleep: The friends get a new blanket: but Groove ruins it, turning it into a lot of fluffy string.
  • 138. Potatoes: Groove shows off his potato plant, but finds there's just one problem - it doesn't have any potatoes on it.
  • 139. Mice: A hungry mouse tries to make a meal of the Hoobmobile.
  • 140. Teeth: Groove makes an interesting discovery - a tooth stuck in a piece of wood.
  • 141. Cheese: Groove and Tula wants to buy some cheese from the butchers, but they can't share the cheese.

Series 2 (2002)

  • 201. Puppets: Iver, Groove, Tula and Roma seek a Tiddlypeep souvenir for the Hoobmobile.
  • 202. Angry: Groove does something to annoy his friend Tula.
  • 203. Holidays: Groove needs a break, but cannot decide what kind of holiday would suit him best.
  • 204. Boys And Girls: Tula thinks boys and girls like different things, but Groove is not so certain.
  • 205. Wind: Iver watches a feather blowing in the wind and decides it would make a good addition to the Hoobmobile.
  • 206. Getting Bigger: Groove wishes he were tall enough to reach the tools he needs from the top shelf.
  • 207. Rubbish: Tula and the gang learns about how rubbish is recycled.
  • 208. Eggs: Groove finds a painted egg and wonders what it is for.
  • 209. Planes: The pals take to the air for a bird's-eye view of Earth.
  • 210. Mermaid: Groove dances underwater with a mermaid - even though he is nowhere near the sea.
  • 211. Spots: A box of black sticky spots arrives for Tula from her aunt Hattie Hoob.
  • 212. Shopping: Iver, Groove, Tula and Roma decide to learn about shopping, in case the Hoobnet doesn't have what they need.
  • 213. Borrowing: Groove learns about borrowing when he loses his Hoobysandwich hammer.
  • 214. Fancy Dress: The pals are invited to a fancy dress party but cannot decide what to wear.
  • 215. Crying: The pals investigate what makes people cry.
  • 216. Bells: The gang decide to get a bell for Groove so they can keep track of his whereabouts.
  • 217. Sharing: The Hoobynut in the roof garden is ready to eat, giving the pals the perfect opportunity to learn about sharing.
  • 218. Up And Down: The gang learns about things that go up and down.
  • 219. Dancing: The gang tries to learn a new Peep dance.
  • 220. Dirty: Groove makes the most of being covered in dirt.
  • 221. Juiciest Fruit: Groove ruins Tula's fruit display and sets out to make up for it by finding a big, juicy replacement.
  • 222. High Up: The pals enjoy the view from the roof garden of the Hoobmobile and wonder what it would be like to be much higher up.
  • 223. Cows: The gang reveals their favourite things about cows and Groove makes cheese.
  • 224. Shy: Iver and Tula help Groove calm his nerves before a musical performance.
  • 225. The Band: The friends want to play their favourite Tiddlypeep music, but first have to work out what all the instruments are.

Series 3 (2003)

  • 301. Circus: The friends help Iver decide which circus job would suit him best.
  • 302. Upside Down: Tula paints a mysterious picture, and the others can't decide what it is.
  • 303. Rings: Iver, Groove, Tula and Roma celebrate a special day, but realise they have left something important behind in Hoobland.
  • 304. Cakes: Tula and Iver take turns at baking cakes for the gang.
  • 305. Boats: The friends visit the seaside, where they learn all about boats.
  • 306. Freezing: The pals are disappointed to find their Hoobofizz frozen, which means they cannot drink it.
  • 307. Fresh: Tula learns how to keep her Hoobypuffs fresh.
  • 308. Waking Up: The pals wonder how they can wake up before the sun rises.
  • 309. Exploring: The pals go exploring, but cannot decide what to take with them and where to put it all.
  • 310. Exercise: The pals keep fit by doing a few Peep exercises.
  • 311. Pairs: Iver is mystified to see a Tiddlypeep in two places at once.
  • 312. Funny Faces: Iver, Groove and Tula try out ways of making themselves look different.
  • 313. Cool: The sun makes the friends feel so hot they cannot answer any questions.
  • 314. Tidying Up: The pals get out all their favourite collections and have a good look at them.
  • 315. Friends: Tula makes gifts for everyone except Hubba Hubba, who feels disappointed at being left out.
  • 316. Messages: The computer breaks down, prompting the gang to look for other ways of sending messages.
  • 317. Names: Tula decides she would rather have a Peep name, but is not sure which one would suit her best.
  • 318. Colours: The friends learn about co-ordinating the colours of their clothes.
  • 319. Stuffing: Tula wants to sit Humpty Dumpty on the wall, but first the floppy fellow needs stuffing.
  • 320. Fly Away: Iver makes friends with a little bird that visits him in the roof garden every day.

Series 4 (2003)

Format

A typical episode format involves:

  • A preamble during which a question (to be answered) is stumbled upon.
  • Hubba Hubba formalizes the task.
  • Roma is e-mailed the question in order for her to provide a report.
  • A line of dialogue with a question and/or statement ending "who", "what", "when", "where", "why" or "how" causes a cutaway to a Motorettes' performance of that word.
  • There may be a song from the Hoobs or Motorettes, with familiar lyrics, or a familiar tune (operas and musicals are a favorite), or neither.
  • The Hoobs visit the "Tiddlypeeps" (children) twice, as "they're smart, they're fun, they know".
  • One Hoob drives (left hand drive), one visits and turns the key and the third may participate in the B story.
  • An animated story is aired, relating to the question.
  • A report on a related subject appears on HoobNet, listed on the Hoobapeadia
  • Various inappropriate solutions are rejected for an answer, just in time
  • Hoob News at the end summarizes the adventure.

Puppeteers

  • Don Austen - Iver
  • Wim Booth - Timp Motorette
  • John Eccleston - Groove (Seasons 1–2)
  • Brian Herring - Hubba Hubba (Season 4)
  • Mark Jefferis - Hubba Hubba (Season 1–3), Groove (Seasons 3–4), Twang Motorette
  • Rebecca Nagan - Tootle Motorette
  • Gillie Robic - Roma
  • Julie Westwood - Tula

United States VHS and DVD

United Kingdom VHS and DVD

Australia VHS and DVD

Video game

A video game based on the show was released for the PlayStation in 2002, developed by Runecraft and published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

References

  1. ↑ "BAFTA Children's Awards". Bafta.org. 2017-11-26. Retrieved 2018-02-22.
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