Feature - Top 10 Children's TV Intros

This feature was inspired by Chris over at movies and songs 365 and his quality post on the top children's TV intros. Never one to look a list horse in the mouth, here's my top 10. (To see Doccortex's favourites visit our sister site.)


10. Pipkins 
This programme aired at dinnertimes and was notable for Inspector Pig of Trotters Yard. I can't see this kind of thing being allowed nowadays. I love the intro for the comedy noise that Hartley Hare makes when the last piece comes down in from of him. It makes me laugh every time.

9. Cloppa Castle

I never realised until I watched this again that Emerson, Lake and Palmer did a theme tune for a children's TV programme.

8. Star Fleet

You can see how liking Star Fleet led to my love of giant robots and all things anime. Sadly Brian May also liked Star Fleet and did a terrible cover of the theme tune. Avoid at all costs. (Barry Hercules - cool name.)

7. Chorlton and the Wheelies

There is definitely no way in a million years that this would get made now. All of the villains are total stereotypes: Fenella the witch was Welsh, the talking book, Claptrap Von Spilldebeans, was German and the Toadies spoke in Japanese. Funny, but may have caused offence to German talking books.

 

6. Yoho Ahoy

Possibly just in there because I love the programme. The intro is short and sweet and hints at the piratey goodness to come. The best moments are when Bilge, the captain, says 'Yoho' - or if he fancies, 'Ahoy' - in an aggressive tone and then laughs at someone who has had an unfortunate mishap. BBC, I know you're completely useless but I would change my tune forever if you release this on DVD.

5. Rainbow

It had to be in there somewhere. My childhood dinnertimes revolved around Rainbow (and Heinz tomato soup with cheese and half a loaf of bread). Four questions spring to mind: Is George male or female? How camp is Bungle? What the hell is Zippy? And what kind of a sick pervert is Geoffrey for living with the three of them? As for Rod, Jane and Freddie... the mind boggles. Top theme tune though.

4. Battle of the Planets

Again, you can see where my love of anime comes from. I can remember making a Phoenix out of Lego with all of the different ships and bikes that fitted together. (Lego used to be way better. You had to be creative rather than being handed it all on a plate. Interestingly, I also made a working crossbow from Lego. I was probably sat on the toilet too, when I made it. My childhood was great.) 

3. Thunderbirds

I still watch Thunderbirds now and am amazed at how great it still is. One of my most hated things is Thunderbirds spoofs. People walking around pretending to be puppets. Scum of the earth. (Plus, if anyone wants to debate which is the coolest Thunderbird, don't bother, it's Thunderbird 2.)

2. Batman: The Animated Series

Best children's TV programme ever? Quite possibly. Easily my favourite screen version of Batman. Great theme tune by Danny Elfman too.

1. Mr Rossi

Not the best children's programme ever, but what a cracking theme tune. All together now: Viva viva happiness! (Or maybe not.)

There is one theme tune I couldn't include because, basically, I can't remember what it's called. It starred a strange black and white space bird that had the power of splitting itself into multiple copies of itself, amongst others. If anyone knows what it is, please leave me a comment. I would be very eternally grateful.

evlkeith