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Bob the Builder

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This article is about the original series. For the reboot series, see Bob the Builder (2015 TV series). For the title character, see Bob the Builder (character).

Bob the Builder
Also known asBob the Builder: Project: Build It (series 10–16)
Bob the Builder: Ready, Steady, Build! (series 17–18)
GenreChildren's animation
Created byKeith Chapman
Directed bySarah Ball
Liz Whitaker
Brian Little
Nick Herbert
Gilly Fogg
Andy Burns
Geoff Walker
Voices ofNeil Morrissey
Rob Rackstraw
Kate Harbour
Rupert Degas
Colin McFarlane
Maria Darling
Emma Tate
Richard Briers
June Whitfield[1]
Greg Proops
Theme music composerPaul K. Joyce
Opening theme"Can We Fix It?" by Neil Morrissey
Ending theme"Can We Fix It?" (instrumental)
ComposerKeith Hopwood
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series18
No. of episodes250 (+10 specials) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersKate Fawkes
Theresa Plummer-Andrews
Peter Curtis
ProducerJackie Cockle
EditorsZyggy Markiewicz
Bruce Marshall
Adam Taylor
Camera setupSingle camera (1999–2004)
Multi-camera (2005–2009)
Production companyHIT Entertainment
Original release
NetworkCBeebies
Release12 April 1999 (1999-04-12) –
31 December 2011 (2011-12-31)

Bob the Builder is a British animated children's television series created by Keith Chapman for HIT Entertainment, and ran from 12 April 1999 (1999-04-12) to 31 December 2011 (2011-12-31) in the United Kingdom through the CBBC strand and later CBeebies. The series centres on the adventures and escapades of a general contractor named Bob who owns a team of anthropomorphised construction vehicles that go about their day helping out the residents of Bobsville; later featuring Sunflower Valley and Fixham Harbour in later seasons. They are also joined by work colleague Wendy, alongside their neighbours and friends.

The series used stop-motion animation for the original series as well as Project: Build It, provided by Hot Animation in Manchester. The series changed to CGI animation in 2010 for its final two seasons; titled Ready, Steady, Build!, of which SD Entertainment handled animation production.

Following the series' conclusion, HIT Entertainment was purchased by US toy company Mattel for $680 million.[2] In October 2014, the company announced a new series that would feature changes in the setting, casting and character designs. The revival aired on Channel 5's Milkshake! for three series from 2015–2018, and was severely criticised by fans of the original version.[3][4] An animated theatrical movie adaptation of the series was announced in January 2024; which will be produced by Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions and star Anthony Ramos as the voice of Bob.[5]

About

In each episode, Bob and his group help with renovations, construction, and repairs and with other projects as needed. The show emphasises conflict resolution, co-operation, socialisation, and various learning skills. Bob's catchphrase is "Can we fix it?", to which the other characters respond with "Yes we can!" This phrase is also the title of the show's theme song, which was a million-selling number one hit in the UK.

Episodes

Main article: List of Bob the Builder episodes
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
Original series
11312 April 1999 (1999-04-12)2 August 1999 (1999-08-02)UK: CBBC (1999 (1999))
US: Nick Jr. (starting 2001 (2001)[6])
21311 October 1999 (1999-10-11)28 December 1999 (1999-12-28)UK: CBBC (1999)
US: Nick Jr. (2001)
3131 September 2000 (2000-09-01)19 September 2000 (2000-09-19)UK: CBBC (2000)
US: Nick Jr. (2001)
4131 February 2001 (2001-02-01)19 February 2001 (2001-02-19)UK: CBBC (2001)
US: Nick Jr. (2001)
5131 April 2002 (2002-04-01)13 April 2002 (2002-04-13)UK: CBeebies (2002)
US: Nick Jr. (2001–02)
6132 September 2002 (2002-09-02)14 September 2002 (2002-09-14)UK: CBeebies (2002)
US: Nick Jr. (2002)
7133 February 2003 (2003-02-03)20 February 2003 (2003-02-20)UK: CBeebies (2003)
US:
VHS/DVD (2003–04)
PBS Kids (2005)
8131 September 2003 (2003-09-01)24 November 2003 (2003-11-24)UK: CBeebies (2003)
US:
VHS/DVD (2004)
PBS Kids (2005)
9133 April 2004 (2004-04-03)20 December 2004 (2004-12-20)UK: CBeebies (2004)
US: PBS Kids (2005)
Project: Build It
10152 May 2005 (2005-05-02)20 May 2005 (2005-05-20)UK: CBeebies (2005)
US: PBS Kids (2005)
11121 August 2005 (2005-08-01)16 August 2005 (2005-08-16)UK: CBeebies (2005)
US: PBS Kids (2005)
121431 July 2006 (2006-07-31)17 August 2006 (2006-08-17)UK: CBeebies (2006)
US: PBS Kids (2006)
131218 August 2006 (2006-08-18)4 September 2006 (2006-09-04)UK: CBeebies (2006)
US: PBS Kids (2006)
14123 September 2007 (2007-09-03)18 September 2007 (2007-09-18)UK: CBeebies (2007)
US: PBS Kids (2007)
151519 September 2007 (2007-09-19)9 October 2007 (2007-10-09)UK: CBeebies (2007)
US: PBS Kids (2008)
16135 August 2008 (2008-08-05)26 August 2008 (2008-08-26)UK: CBeebies (2008)
US: PBS Kids (2008–09)
Ready, Steady, Build!
172012 April 2010 (2010-04-12)28 May 2010 (2010-05-28)UK: CBeebies (2010)
US: PBS Kids (2010)
Mini Series 1: The Legend of the Golden Hammer625 October 2010 (2010-10-25)UK: DVD (2010)
US: PBS Kids (2011)
18826 September 2011 (2011-09-26)5 October 2011 (2011-10-05)UK: CBeebies (2011)
US: PBS Kids (2011)
Mini Series 2: The Big Dino Dig631 December 2011 (2011-12-31)UK: DVD (2011)
US: PBS Kids (2011)


Characters and voice actors

Bob the Builder, the titular character, in his design used for the original series
Main article: List of Bob the Builder characters

Voice actors who have contributed to the original British version include Neil Morrissey, Rob Rackstraw, Kate Harbour, Rupert Degas, Colin McFarlane, Maria Darling, Emma Tate, Richard Briers, and June Whitfield.

Celebrities who have provided voices for the series (usually for one-off specials) include John Motson, Sue Barker, Kerry Fox, Ulrika Jonsson, Alison Steadman, Stephen Tompkinson, Elton John, Noddy Holder, and Chris Evans (Bobsville's resident rock star Lennie Lazenby).

International broadcasts

Bob the Builder is shown in more than thirty countries, and versions are available in English, French, Spanish, Serbian, Swedish, Slovenian, German, Italian, Dutch, Hebrew, Hindi, and Croatian, among other languages. It was shown on CBeebies on BBC television in the UK. It has also aired on Nick Jr. in the UK.[7]

The North American version of the show uses the original British footage and script, but replaces the voices with American accents and verbiage; for example, "wrench" is used instead of "spanner", owing to the former's use in North America. The original North American voice of Bob (and Farmer Pickles/Mr. Beasley/Mr. Sabatini) was William Dufris; he was replaced with comedian Greg Proops. More recently, Bob's US voice has been provided by Marc Silk, an English voice actor from Birmingham.[8][9] In the United States, the series first aired during the Nick Jr. block (from 2001 to 2004) before moving to PBS Kids for a long run, from January 1, 2005[10] through November 6, 2015, after which it was replaced with the 2015 reboot.[11] Qubo also started airing the show from 7 October 2020 through 28 February 2021 due to the channel's closure, but with the original British English dub.

When being exported to Japan, it was reported that characters of Bob the Builder would be doctored to have five fingers instead of the original four. This was because of a practice among the Japanese organized crime gangs, the yakuza, where members would "cut off their little fingers as a sign they can be trusted and have strength of character, and will stay through."[12]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
UK
[13] 		AUS
[14] 		IRE
[15] 		NZ
[16]
Bob the Builder: The Album
  • Release date: 3 October 2001
  • Label: BBC
  • Formats: CD
 4 1 59 32
Never Mind the Breeze Blocks 87 — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Year Title Peak chart
positions 		Certifications
(sales threshold) 		Album
UK
[13] 		AUS
[19] 		IRE
[15]
2000 "Can We Fix It?" 1 1 3 Bob the Builder: The Album
2001 "Mambo No. 5" 1 2 4
2008 "Big Fish Little Fish" 81 — — Never Mind the Breeze Blocks
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Impact

Bob the Builder was nominated in the BAFTA "Pre-school animation" category from 1999 to 2009,[failed verification] and won the "Children's Animation" category in 2003 for the special episode "A Christmas to Remember".[21] Of the show's success, Sarah Ball said:

I think diggers and dumpers fascinate kids in the same way that they are drawn to dinosaurs. They both have a timeless appeal. The technique of stop motion is very tangible - the characters look like you can just pick them up and play with them. It’s a safe, lovely, bright, colourful world, which is very appealing. Curtis Jobling did a fantastic job designing the show - it’s very simple and stylized but has such charm.

— Interview with Sarah Ball, Gurgle.com[22]

Bob the Builder has been parodied by Robot Chicken in the episode "More Blood, More Chocolate", and by Comedy Inc. as Bodgy Builder.

Bob has also been parodied on Cartoon Network's MAD on several occasions. In the episode "S'UP / Mouse M.D.", Bob is seen with a smashed thumb and asks "Can we fix it?" In another episode, Bob encounters the title character of Handy Manny, whom he tells to "Stop copying my show!"

A New Yorker cartoon shows a parent in a toy store asking for toys depicting Alex the Architect, supposedly a white-collar equivalent to Bob the Builder.

Some have complained about technical errors and lack of proper safety practices in the programme, especially the absence of protective eyewear.[23] However, in later episodes, Bob is seen using safety glasses.

Project: Build It

For a more comprehensive list, see List of Bob the Builder episodes § Project: Build It (2005–2008).

In May 2005, a sort of spin-off series was released titled Bob the Builder: Project: Build It. Bob hears of a contest to build a new community in a remote area called Sunflower Valley, outside of Bobsville. He moves from Bobsville (supposedly temporarily) with Wendy and the machines and builds a new Yard there. Bob convinces his father, Robert, to come out of retirement and take over the Bobsville building business. It is unknown whether Bob returned to Bobsville in the stop-motion series or not after this spin-off series was finished.

For the US version of the Project: Build It series, different actors were found to do the voices for many of the human characters, including casting Greg Proops as the new voice of Bob, and Rob Rackstraw, who played the original voices of Scoop, Muck and Travis, to be the voices of Spud the Scarecrow and Mr. Bentley for both the UK and the US. The show also added recycling and being environmentally friendly to its lessons, emphasising the phrase "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."

This series premiered on 2 May 2005 in the United Kingdom and 3 September of the same year in the United States, and was the first series made in HD 1080p.

Ready, Steady, Build!

The third spin-off was titled Bob the Builder: Ready, Steady, Build! It was created by Keith Chapman and Mallory Lewis. The group, now joined by newcomer Scratch are now residing in the town of Fixham Harbour (which is very similar to Bobsville, and is even implied to be Bobsville in several episodes), deal with construction and other building tasks around the area. Unlike the previous series, Ready, Steady, Build! is animated in full CGI animation, which allows for larger and more elaborate construction projects that would be too large or expensive for the model sets of the stop-motion series, though it still retains the theme song.[24]

Merchandise

Various companies manufacture licensed Bob the Builder merchandise (e.g.: Brio, Lego Duplo, Hasbro, Learning Curve, etc.) since about 1999 to present. Sometimes some fans make fan-made merchandise for the television show, such as racing games that are not related to the show.

Lego Duplo/Explore

Lego began manufacturing licensed Duplo Bob the Builder sets in 2001. Lego Explorer also made the sets using the same bricks that Duplo used (e.g. Naughty Spud, Wallpaper Wendy, etc.). The sets were aimed at younger children, two and up. Duplo manufactured the sets (e.g. Scoop at Bobland Bay, Muck Can Do It, etc.) until 2009 when Lego's contract expired.

Hasbro

Hasbro created licensed Bob the Builder characters. They included talking characters and others to go with the Bob the Builder line. The Hasbro line was discontinued in 2005 when Learning Curve took over.

Learning Curve

Learning Curve among countless others held a license to make the toys, but discontinued them. They first merchandised their Bob the Builder products in 2005 after the Hasbro range was discontinued. Learning Curve also created the Thomas & Friends characters, while the company still makes the sets (e.g. Scoop, Muck, Lofty, Dizzy, Andy's trailer etc.) and then sold them to stores. They discontinued them in 2010 and it is unknown if they could ever return to making them. The toys are currently available in the United Kingdom by Character Options.

Character World

In 2012, Character World announced that they had signed a license to manufacture official Bob the Builder bedding and bedroom textiles. A duvet cover is said to be available in the UK in late 2012.

Video games

Various video game publishers released Bob the Builder video games throughout the 2000s:

  • Fix It Fun! (Game Boy Color, NTSC/PAL) - 2000
  • Can We Fix It? (PC, PS1, NTSC/PAL) - 2001
  • Bob Builds a Park (PC, NTSC/PAL) - 2002
  • Bob's Castle Adventure (PC, NTSC/PAL) - 2003
  • Project: Build It (PS2, PAL only) - 2005
  • Bob the Builder: Festival of Fun (PS2, Wii, Nintendo DS, PAL only) - 2007
  • Bob the Builder: Can-Do-Zoo (PC, NTSC/PAL) - 2008

In the United States, Bob the Builder: Can We Fix It?'s computer version sold 350,000 copies and earned $6.1 million by August 2006, after its release in August 2001. It was the country's 50th best-selling computer game between January 2000 and August 2006. Combined sales of all Bob the Builder computer games released between January 2000 and August 2006 had reached 520,000 units in the United States by the latter date.[25]

Kiddie rides

Bob the Builder video-optioned Scoop kiddie ride

Jolly Roger (Amusement Rides) Ltd. released two kiddie rides based on the series, a Scoop in January 2000, and a Roley in March 2003. In March 2003, Scoop was re-released with a new dashboard and a Stamar soundboard. Then, in 2004, versions of both rides were released with video screens.

References

  1. ^ "Bob the Builder – Cast and Crew". TV.com. 28 November 1998. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  2. ^ BBC Radio Four commentary by Gerald Scarfe 8 March 2013; https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b01r12ln
  3. ^ "Why some people are very angry about the new Bob the Builder". The Independent. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Bob The Builder's Makeover Angers Fans". The Huffington Post UK. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  5. ^ "'Bob The Builder' Animated Film In Works From Anthony Ramos, Jennifer Lopez, Mattel Films & ShadowMachine; Ramos Voicing Title Character". Deadline. 25 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Nickelodeon Commercials - Early 2001". YouTube. 10 April 2022.
  7. ^ Fielding, James (16 May 2010). "Bob the Builder becomes children's role model in China". Express. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Silk TV". Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  9. ^ "Marc Silk". Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  10. ^ Everhart, Karen (1 November 2004). "PBS, producers, Comcast wed to create digital kids' channel". Current. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Watch Bob the Builder KLRU TV Schedule KLRU-TV, Austin PBS". www.klru.org. 4 November 2015. Archived from the original on 4 November 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Bob the Builder fixed for Japan". BBC News. 20 April 2000. Retrieved 11 August 2006.
  13. ^ a b "Chart Log UK: Darren B - David Byrne". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  14. ^ "australian-charts.com: Australian charts portal". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  15. ^ a b "irishcharts - Discography Bob the Builder". Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  16. ^ "charts.nz - New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  17. ^ a b c "BPI search results". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 1 September 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  18. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  19. ^ "australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  20. ^ a b "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2001 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 5 February 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  21. ^ "Awards Database". Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  22. ^ "Interview with Sarah Ball, Bob the builder & Chuggington writer and director". Gurgle.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  23. ^ "FLUID POWER SAFETY INSTITUTE - Toy Safety - ATTENTION PARENTS! - Bob the Builder Alert!". Archived from the original on 5 November 2002.Archived from the original on 11 October 2009.
  24. ^ "Bob the Builder: Ready, Steady, Build!". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  25. ^ Edge Staff (25 August 2006). "The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century". Edge. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012.
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