Muddle Earth        (2010-2011)
 
   producers: CBBC / BBC
   animation: 2D animation
     episodes: 26 x 11mins

 
    "Come to a world of great wonder and merriment,
     Borne out of magic, its' name Muddle Earth ..."
 

    You'll find monsters and mayhem and more in this animated series based
    upon Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell's bestselling fantasy book. Muddle Earth is
    a twisted version of Tolkein's Middle Earth, from "Lord of the Rings", and it's
    inhabited by a host of daft wizards, trolls, faeries, dragons and characters
    that have become a staple of the High Fantasy genre. Thus we have Randalf
    the defuddled Wizard and his young asistant Newt, Horned Baron Smink and
    his Head Gardener-turned-Manservant Benson, a friendly troll-being known as
    Not-Very-Big Norbert (who really is quite big), and so on. Ruling over this
    daft domain is the evil blue teddy bear that is - gulp - Dr. Cuddles.

    The original book featured one singular story told in three parts, in keeping
    with its Tolkeinesque parody. It tells of an ordinary boy called Joe, who is
    summoned to Muddle Earth to become a warrior-hero, whereupon his
    adventures bring him into contact with the denizens of this magical realm.
    But this animated series dismisses Joe and his quest, and instead
    tells singular, standalone, Muddle Earth stories, usually with Randalf the
    Wizard, Newt and Norbert at the heart of them.

    Tim Harper and Vincent James (Philbert Frog ) were drafted in to direct,
    with Phil Chalk producing. And topping the voice cast is that old animation
    stalwart David Jason (DangerMouse, Toad, etc.), who plays Randalf. He's
    got a soft-spot for wizards, having also played Rincewind in the live-action
    adaptation of  Terry Pratchett's "The Colour of Magic".

    New earth

    The series broke new ground with the BBC, being the company's very first
    in-house long-form animation series. In addition, the musical score was
    performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - which was another BBC
    first...

    

 

    Muddlenory

    The BBC have meddled with "Muddle Earth" before. In November 2006 they
    aired a 3x15mins telling for their relaunched "Jackanory" series. The production
    featured a mixture of live-action and CG animation, with John Sessions on
    storytelling duties...

 

     In the news

     Muddle Earth launches on BBC1...