Something Special (TV series)

Something Special
Genre Children's television series
Written by Allan Johnston, Phillip Hawthorn
Directed by Allan Johnston, Michael Towner, Luke Howard
Presented by Justin Fletcher
Composer(s) Archie Brown
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 11
No. of episodes 196
Production
Executive producer(s) Sue Nott (season 1), Clare Elstow
Producer(s) Allan Johnston
Editor(s) Gareth Heal, Stephen Young
Running time 15 minutes (series 1) 20 minutes (series 2-9)
Release
Original network CBeebies
Original release 9 August 2003 (2003-08-09) – 14 March 2014 (2014-03-14)
External links
Website

Something Special is a children's television programme presented by Justin Fletcher (Tweenies). It was created and produced for 10 years by Allan Johnston. It is broadcast by the BBC. It is designed to introduce children to Makaton signing, and is specifically aimed at children with delayed learning and communication difficulties. It is aired on the CBeebies channel and in the past was also broadcast as part of the CBeebies programme strand on BBC One and BBC Two.

The name of the programme derives from the idea that all children, irrespective of their position on the learning spectrum, are special.

Their format of the show has evolved considerably since the original series. In 2012, a new series, "Something Special - We're All Friends" started, introducing some minor changes to the "Out and About" format. This format change has also included a change in location, and introduced the Tumble Tap, a personalised iPad showing the "special things" to look for.

Contents

It is presented by Justin Fletcher ("Justin") and features various other characters (also played by Fletcher) and clips of children with disabilities. Justin speaks as well as signing, and a spoken narrative is provided over the clips of children.

The other characters played by Fletcher are the Tumble Family: Mr Tumble, an adult who himself displays delayed learning and communication difficulties, Grandad Tumble, Barry Tumble and Baby Tumble. Other members of the Tumble family to have made appearances include two Aunts - Polly and Suki (as in the popular nursery rhyme "Polly Put the Kettle On"), Lord Tumble and King Tumble.

In series 2, Justin meets a friend named Guy H Pickle, they dance around a mulberry bush.

The creator and producer is Allan Johnston, who worked as a teacher of children with special needs before joining the BBC in 1989, with an important role in the show.

Format

Series 1 & 2 (2003)
Each episode has a duration of approximately 15 minutes.
Series 3 "Out and About" (2006)
Series 3, again presented by Justin Fletcher, was produced in 2006. 'Guests' included Mr Tumble, Granddad Tumble, Aunt Polly, Aunt Sukey and Cliff Tumble (a parody of Cliff Richard, with whom Justin has a link through his father Guy Fletcher). This series was made at various locations across the UK, including Wales, Northern Ireland and England. Each episode has a duration of approximately 20 minutes and features a "Doors" Style (Dropped in Seasons 4, 5 & 6).
Mr Tumble shorts (2007)
From 2007, CBeebies occasionally showed short programmes consisting of the Mr Tumble sections from the various episodes, without the sections featuring Justin. It appears that the BBC may view these programmes as series 3 of Something Special, as the full series which followed is referred to as series 4.
Series 4, 5 and 6 Out and About (2008-2010)
Series 4 of the show followed the Out and About format of series 3, in a "new, daily, week-day, year-round slot designed to provide continuity for its loyal audience" and introduced a new character, Lord Tumble.[1] The series has Mr Tumble and the other Tumble characters primarily based in "Tumble House", a large detached house located in extensive grounds close to the sea. Justin Fletcher revealed this to be located in Porlock, Somerset.[2] The house and grounds are populated with large coloured spots, balloons and similar circular/spherical items in keeping with the spots on Mr Tumble's costume. The episodes typically feature Mr Tumble sending photographs of items he is interested in finding out about to Justin using his "Spotty Bag". Justin, with the assistance of the children with him, locates these items or activities and in return sends associated items back to Mr Tumble. There is typically a link in the theme between the actions of Mr Tumble and the other Tumble characters, and the activities Justin and the children participate in.
Series 7 (Something Special - We're All Friends) (2011-2012)
In 2011, a new series, "Something Special - We're All Friends" started,[3] introducing some minor changes to the Out and About format. This format change has also included a change in location, and introduced the "Tumble Tap", a tablet computer and game (the game is available on the Cbeebies website.
The Tale of Mr Tumble (2013)
In July 2013, a theatrical production starring Justin Fletcher as Mr Tumble and Ronni Ancona as The Unsmiling Principle featuring Mr Tumble was performed,[4] which sees the Mr Tumble character as a baby and as a young boy, and follows him throughout his early life.
Series 8 - 9 (Something Special - We're All Friends) (2012 - 2014)

Episodes

Series 1 & 2
Episode First broadcast Title Details
1 9 August 2003 Pets
2 10 August 2003 Weather
3 11 August 2003 Moving
4 12 August 2003 Garden
5 13 August 2003 Farm
6 16 August 2003 Toys
7 17 August 2003 Clothes
8 18 August 2003 School
9 19 August 2003 Food
10 20 August 2003 Family
11 23 August 2003 Transport
12 24 August 2003 Colours
13 25 August 2003 All About Me
14 26 August 2003 Food Part 2
15 27 August 2003 Under the Sea
16 30 August 2003 Jungle Animals
17 31 August 2003 Where I Live
18 1 September 2003 Shops
19 2 September 2003 What I Like
20 3 September 2003 Music
21 6 September 2003 Birds
22 7 September 2003 Meals
23 8 September 2003 Toys 2
24 9 September 2003 Animals
25 10 September 2003 Nursery Rhymes and Songs 1
26 13 September 2003 Mini Beasts
27 14 September 2003 Birthday
28 15 September 2003 Under, On and In
29 16 September 2003 Holiday
30 17 September 2003 Nursery Rhymes and Songs 2
31 20 September 2003 Vegetables
32 21 September 2003 Seasons
34 22 September 2003 Shapes
34 23 September 2003 Clothes
35 24 September 2003 Nursery Rhymes and Songs 3
36 27 September 2003 Baby
37 28 September 2003 Doctor
38 29 September 2003 Art
39 30 September 2003 Opposites
40 1 October 2004 Nursery Rhymes and Songs 4
41 4 October 2004 How Do I Feel?
42 5 October 2004 Baby Animals
43 6 October 2005 People Who Help Us
44 7 October 2005 The Park
45 8 October 2005 Nursery Rhymes and Songs 5
Series 3
Episode First broadcast Title Details
01/15 11 September 2006 Farm Justin is on a farm.
02/15 16 September 2006 Wood Justin is off to explore a wood.
03/15 Harbour
04/15 17 September 2006 Theme Park Justin travels to a theme park.
05/15 18 September 2006 Stables Justin visits stables in Northern Ireland.
06/15 23 September 2006 Mountain Justin is walking up a Mountain.
07/15 24 September 2006 Vet Justin is at the vet
08/15 25 September 2006 High Street Justin is in Enniskillen in Northern Ireland.
09/15 30 September 2006 Beach It is a sunny day and Justin is at the beach.
10/15 2 October 2006 School Justin goes to school.
11/15 7 October 2006 Railway Justin arrives at a railway station.
12/15 9 October 2006 Market Justin visits a market in Belfast.
13/15 15 October 2006 Football Justin visits Craven Cottage.
14/15 21 October 2006 Camping Justin is at a campsite in the New Forest.
15/15 28 October 2006 Castle Justin has come to visit Carrickfergus, an old castle in Northern Ireland.
Series 4[5]
Episode First broadcast Title Details
01/36 10 March 2008 Airport Mr Tumble tries to fly, with some help from Granddad Tumble.
02/3 11 March 2008 City Mr Tumble has to put on the right shoes and coat before he can catch his bus. He misses the bus, but Aunt Polly gives him a ride to the city on her bike.
03/36 12 March 2008 Garden Centre Mr Tumble looks for a hole to put his flower into. Lord Tumble is first introduced in this episode, playing golf.
04/36 13 March 2008 By the Sea Mr Tumble is a pirate looking for his treasure with some help from Granddad Tumble and Aunt Polly.
05/36 14 March 2008 Hospital Mr Tumble visits Grandad Tumble in hospital, bringing some presents with him.
06/36 17 March 2008 Houseboat Mr Tumble tries to find a good place to put up his tent, but gets in the way of Aunt Polly and Grandad Tumble.
07/36 18 March 2008 Leisure Centre Mr Tumble takes part in a Sports day, competing with Aunt Polly for a throwing competition, Aunt Sukie for a bouncing competition and Grandpa Tumble for the egg and spoon race, with Lord Tumble acting as a judge. Mr Tumble fails to win a trophy, losing at all these events, but is given an egg cup for taking part.
08/36 19 March 2008 Animal Park Mr Tumble look for his animal - he finds Aunt Sookie's duck and Lord Tumble's rabbit, and discovers that Granddad Tumble has his animal (a tiger).
09/36 20 March 2008 Playdate Mr Tumble's cousin, Cool Tumble comes to visit and they play musical bumps, build dens and play Hide-and-seek.
10/36 21 March 2008 Animal Rescue Mr Tumble looks after Aunt Sookie's dog.
11/36 24 March 2008 Bike Ride Mr Tumble is pretending to be a postman, so he uses a bicycle to deliver parcels to Lord Tumble, Aunt Polly and Grandad Tumble.
12/36 25 March 2008 Creative Walk Mr Tumble paints a picture.
13/36 26 March 2008 Supermarket Mr Tumble brings his shopping home with help from Lord Tumble - but Lord Tumble puts things in the wrong places. At the start of the programme, Mr Tumble is seen in Frogmore, Devon.
14/36 27 March 2008 Butterfly Mr Tumble tries to film a butterfly with his new video camera, but it keeps flying away - thanks to Grandad Tumble's tricks!
15/36 28 March 2008 Drive Mr Tumble cleans his car - using bubbles from Grandad Tumble's bath!
Series 5
1/21 3 Nov 2008 Nature Trail Mr Tumble goes fishing with Big Teddy.
2/21 4 Nov 2008 Play Mr Tumble is playing some games of his own with Grandad Tumble and Lord Tumble.
3/21 5 Nov 2008 Sport Aunt Polly, Lord Tumble and Grandad Tumble show Mr Tumble how to do his exercises.
4/21 6 Nov 2008 Island Mr Tumble is visiting his friend Fisherman Tumble and helping him get ready to go out on his fishing boat.
5/21 7 Nov 2008 Festival Grandad Tumble puts on a concert for Mr Tumble and the toys!
6/21 10 Nov 2008 London Mr Tumble has lots of fun at home with his London Book.
7/21 11 Nov 2008 Art Mr Tumble paints a surprise for Grandad Tumble.
8/21 12 Nov 2008 Baby Mr Tumble gets ready for a very special baby visitor of his own.
9/21 13 Nov 2008 Village Fete Mr Tumble holds his own Village Fete for the toys!
10/21 14 Nov 2008 Big Animals Mr Tumble has a very special job - cleaning out Harry the Hamster's cage. But who is looking after Harry?
11/21 17 Nov 2008 Music Mr Tumble wants to be a pop star after watching his favourite singer Cliff Tumble on the TV.
12/21 18 Nov 2008 Strawberry Picking Mr Tumble is very hungry and goes looking for fruit in the garden.
13/21 19 Nov 2008 Cooking Mr Tumble is making something very special too - Grandad Tumbles lunch.
14/21 20 Nov 2008 Sleepover Mr Tumble is having a sleepover of his own in his garden.
15/21 21 Nov 2008 Routines Mr Tumble shows us what he does before he goes to bed.
16/21 24 Nov 2008 Birthday Party Back at the Tumble house there's a party going on too - a surprise party for Lord Tumble.
17/21 25 Nov 2008 Shopping Mr Tumble is doing his washing and needs to find some spare clothes to wear while it is drying.
18/21 26 Nov 2008 Cafe Mr Tumble opens his new Cafe and we are introduced to the all new Chef Tumble!
19/21 27 Nov 2008 Forest Art Mr Tumble is in his forest looking for animals from inside his den!
20/21 28 Nov 2008 Park Mr Tumble is trying to find a boat of his own to go on a sea adventure, but who will help him find one?
21/21 24 Dec 2008 A Christmas Special It's Christmas and Mr Tumble, Lord Tumble and Grandad Tumble are decorating the Tumble house

Awards

Royal Television Society Educational Television Awards 2004
Awarded Best Early Years Programme (for the episode Garden)[6]
BAFTA Children's Awards 2005
Awarded Best Pre-school Live Action Series[7]
BAFTA Children's Awards 2007
Nominated for Best Presenter (Justin Fletcher)[8]
BAFTA Children's Awards 2008
Awarded Best Presenter (Justin Fletcher)[9]

Commercial release

Video
  • 'Something Special - Favourite Things' comprising the episodes Toys, Music, Colours, Food and What I Like (BBC Active, 2005, ISBN 0-563-51646-1)
DVD
  • 'Something Special - Pets and Other Animals' comprising the episodes Pets, A Farm, Gardens, Under the Sea and Jungle Animals (BBC Active, 2006, ISBN 978-0-563-51647-7)
  • 'Something Special - Where I Live' comprising the episodes Where I Live, All About Me, Food, Moving and Family (BBC Active, 2006, ISBN 978-0-563-51641-5)
  • 'Something Special - Hello Mr Tumble' (also titled 'Something Special - Out and About - Hello Mr Tumble) comprising the episodes Airport, Garden Centre, By the Sea, Hospital, Houseboat, Bike Ride and Drive (BBC Worldwide, 2011)
  • 'Something Special - Bumper Boxset' (BBC, 2 Entertain, 2013, ASIN B00EQ30D4A)

References

  1. ↑ "Network TV BBC Week 10: Monday 10 March 2008". BBC. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  2. ↑ "The sign of someone who cares". The Sun (United Kingdom). Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  3. ↑ "BBC Media Centre - Programme Information - Something Special - We're all Friends". BBC. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "The Tale of Mr Tumble". Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "OVGuide".
  6. ↑ "Royal Television Society - Educational Television Awards 2004". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  7. ↑ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2005". BAFTA. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  8. ↑ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2007". BAFTA. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  9. ↑ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2008". BAFTA. Retrieved 17 March 2010.

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