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BOING! LOOK WHO’S OUT OF BED

Sunday October 14,2007

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THE Magic Roundabout, the cult show that sent millions of children up to bed in the Sixties and Seventies, is back.

A new version, using the latest computer-generated imagery, will premiere on the digital channel Nick Jr later this month.

A spokeswoman for the channel said: “The charming original series has been lovingly updated for today’s toddlers and their parents to enjoy. It will still portray the spirit, imagination and values of the original.

“The hotch-potch of characters remains – Florence the kind and thoughtful little girl, Dougal the grumpy dog, Ermintrude the opera-singing cow, Dylan the sleepy rabbit and Brian the stuffy snail.”

The famous catchphrase “Time for bed” has been preserved, even though the show will be going out at 8am rather than in the evening. And the line will now go to Dylan rather than Zebedee.

The original classic, called Le Manege Enchante (The Enchanted Merry-go-round), was created in 1963 by French author Serge Danot who made more than 500 episodes.

It was shown on BBC TV till 1977 after the job of translating it was given to Play School presenter Eric Thompson – father of actress Emma.

But instead of sticking to the French scripts, he made up stories to fit the pictures as he went along.

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BOING!

15.10.07, 3:14am

Yay! Not before time - Eric Thompson created this so I hope the new characters are close to Eric's. My hero has always been Brian who is pithy not stuffy

• Posted by: FredFrapples • Report Comment