Kipper (TV series)

Kipper is a British animated children's television series based on the characters from Mick Inkpen's Kipper the Dog picture book series.[1] Some episodes are based on particular stories by Mick Inkpen. 78 episodes were produced.[2] The videos have won awards including a BAFTA award for best children's animation. The show was released on VHS and DVD by HIT Entertainment PLC.

Kipper
GenreChildren's television show
Created byMick Inkpen
Based onKipper the Dog books by Mick Inkpen
Directed byMike Stuart
Voices ofMartin Clunes
Chris Lang
Julia Sawalha
Music byBob Heatlie
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes78 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time10 minutes per episode (approx.)
Production companiesGrand Slamm Children's Films
HIT Entertainment
DistributorHIT Entertainment PLC
Release
Original networkITV
Picture format4:3
Original release5 September 1997 (1997-09-05) 
21 December 2000 (2000-12-21)
External links
Website

Summary

The series follows Kipper the Dog as he goes on many fun and exciting adventures with his friends, Tiger, Pig, Arnold, and Jake.

Characters and voice cast

  • Kipper (voiced by Martin Clunes) – A warm-hearted and curious dog with a soft voice who is the title character in the series. Kipper is not at all selfish, though he is known to be a hoarder. Kipper is likely portrayed after beagle, beagle mix or Jack Russell terrier breed.
  • Tiger (voiced by Chris Lang) – Kipper's best friend. He is more practical and wise than Kipper. Sometimes Tiger can be very smug and naughty, though he really is a kind dog at heart. He is a Scottish terrier.
  • Jake (voiced by Chris Lang) – A friendly dog who is one of Kipper's best friends. He is a minor character in the first season and joins the main characters in the second season, he, Kipper, and Tiger have had many adventures together.
  • Pig (voiced by Chris Lang) – Kipper's second best friend. Pig likes to eat chocolate cakes and cookies.
  • Arnold (voiced by Chris Lang) – Pig's toddler cousin who is more aware than Pig. Arnold normally doesn't say anything, but at times he says easy words such as "duck," "kitten" and "igloo". Arnold has many exciting encounters while the older ones are occupied.
  • Mouse (voiced by Julia Sawalha) – A young female mouse who lives with Kipper at his house. She speaks in an English accent and is a minor character.
  • The Bleeper People (voiced by Chris Lang) – Two space aliens who live on the moon.
  • Ghost (voiced by Chris Lang) – A friendly ghost who visits Kipper's house. Kipper wanted to help him to make him be scary.
  • Mr. Frog (voiced by Chris Lang) – A magic frog who runs into Kipper at times.

Broadcast

The series aired on CITV in the United Kingdom and on Nick Jr. and CBS in the United States. It also aired in Canada on YTV around the late 1990s as a part of its YTV Jr. lineup.

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 13 5 September 1997 (1997-09-05) 28 November 1997 (1997-11-28)
2 13 24 September 1998 (1998-09-24) 17 December 1998 (1998-12-17)
3 13 21 January 1999 (1999-01-21) 15 April 1999 (1999-04-15)
4 13 23 January 2000 (2000-01-23) 16 April 2000 (2000-04-16)
5 13 20 January 2000 (2000-01-20) 13 April 2000 (2000-04-13)
6 13 28 September 2000 (2000-09-28) 21 December 2000 (2000-12-21)

Reception

Common Sense Media gives Kipper four out of five stars, and it says the show's characters are positive role models, except Tiger, "but he always learns his lessons"; all the characters "do lots of exploring and learn lessons about friendship, kindness, and the difference between right and wrong".[3] A list published by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute names Kipper as the top television show for two- and three-year-old children because of its focus on "developing social and emotional intelligence" through interactions among its characters.[4]

Home media

UK releases

In the United Kingdom, Hit Video and Hit Entertainment PLC both released various VHS tapes and DVD releases of the television series.

Release name Format Release year Episodes
The Visitor and Other StoriesVHS1998
  • The Visitor
  • The Umbrella
  • The Seaside
  • Nothing Ever Happens
  • The Rainbow Puddle
Pig's Present and Other StoriesVHS1998
  • Pig's Present
  • The Conker Tree
  • The Bleepers
  • Pig's Cousin
  • Tiger's Torch
The Little Ghost and Other StoriesVHS1999
  • The Little Ghost
  • The Goldfish
  • Sleepless Night
  • The Camping Trip
  • The Conker Tree
Snowy Day and Other StoriesVHS1999
  • Snowy Day
  • Hiccups
  • Space Invaders
  • Kipper is Unwell
  • The Igloo
Kipper's Circus and Other StoriesVHS1999
  • Kipper's Circus
  • The Nest
  • The Butterfly
  • The Gismo
  • The Lost Mug
The Treasure Hunt and Other StoriesVHS1999
  • The Treasure Hunt
  • The Paddling Pool
  • The Magnifying Glass
  • The Rescue
  • The Picnic
Christmas Eve and Other StoriesVHS1999
  • Christmas Eve
  • The Dinosaur
  • Tiger's Sled
  • The Magic Act
  • The Magic Lamp
  • Arnold's Balloon Trip
Looking After Arnold and Other StoriesVHS2000
  • Looking After Arnold
  • The Swimming Pool
  • Cakes and Tails
  • The Long Walk
  • The Surprise Party
The Big Freeze and Other StoriesVHS2000
  • Echo Echo
  • The Big Freeze
  • Jake's Friend
  • The Fair
  • Big Owl's Bath
  • Jake's Bird
Crazy Golf and Other StoriesVHS2000
  • Pirates
  • Tiger's Cold
  • The Mouse
  • Clouds
  • Crazy Golf
Hide and Seek and Other StoriesVHS2001
  • Tiger's Rocket
  • Water Water Everywhere
  • Pig's Shop
  • Hide and Seek
  • The Jumble Sale
The Flying Machine and Other StoriesVHS2001
  • The Flying Machine
  • Arnold's Drum
  • Skates
  • The Key
  • Cousins
The Robot and Other StoriesVHS2001
  • The Holiday
  • The Big Race
  • Arnold on Wheels
  • Pig's Sweater
  • The Robot
The Magic Carpet and Other StoriesVHS2002
  • The Magic Carpet
  • Tiger's Joke Box
  • Buried Treasure
  • Clay Time
  • The Missing Tape Mystery
Classic CollectionVHS and DVD2004
  • The Visitor
  • The Umbrella
  • The Seaside
  • Nothing Ever Happens
  • Pig's Present
  • The Rainbow Puddle
  • The Butterfly
  • The Bleepers
  • Snowy Day
  • Pig's Cousin
Treasured TalesDVD2009
  • The Paddling Pool
  • The Magnifying Glass
  • The Rescue
  • The Picnic
  • The Treasure Hunt

US releases

In the United States, VHS tapes of the show were originally released by Hallmark Home Entertainment through Family Home Entertainment and Artisan Entertainment, and later on, VHS tapes and DVDs were released by HIT themselves.

Video name Format Release date Episodes
The Visitor and Other StoriesVHSJuly 14, 1999
  • The Visitor
  • The Umbrella
  • The Seaside
  • Nothing Ever Happens
Pig's Present and Other StoriesVHSFebruary 1, 2000
  • Pig's Present
  • The Rainbow Puddle
  • The Butterfly
  • The Bleepers
Snowy Day and Other StoriesVHSAugust 15, 2000
  • Snowy Day
  • Pig's Cousin
  • The Paddling Pool
  • Tiger's Torch
Pools, Parks and PicnicsVHS/DVDJune 5, 2001 (VHS), July 1, 2003 (DVD)
  • The Long Walk
  • The Swimming Pool
  • The Picnic
  • Cakes and Tails
  • The Gismo
  • The Lost Mug
  • The Magnifying Glass
Tiger TalesVHS/DVDJune 5, 2001 (VHS)/January 25, 2005 (DVD)
  • The Camping Trip
  • Tiger's Rocket
  • Skates
  • Arnold's Drum
  • The Holiday
  • Buried Treasure
  • The River Trip
Playtime in the Park (Blockbuster Exclusive)VHSJune 5, 2001
  • The Long Walk
  • The Swimming Pool
  • The Picnic
  • Cakes and Tails
  • The Gismo
  • The Lost Mug
  • The Magnifying Glass
  • The Camping Trip
  • Tiger's Rocket
  • Skates
  • Arnold's Drum
  • The Holiday
  • Buried Treasure
  • The River Trip
Imagine ThatVHS/DVDJanuary 15, 2002 (VHS)/March 24, 2004 (DVD)
  • Kipper's Circus
  • Pirates
  • The Magic Act
  • The Magic Lamp
  • The Costume Party
  • Arnold's Balloon Trip
  • The Fair
Cuddly CrittersVHS/DVDMarch 5, 2002 (VHS)/January 28, 2003 (DVD)
  • The Nest
  • Jake's Bird
  • Echo Echo
  • The Goldfish
  • The Mouse
  • Hide and Seek
  • Hedgehog Watch
Amazing DiscoveriesVHS/DVDJune 4, 2002 (VHS)/May 3, 2005 (DVD)
  • The Purple Park Monster
  • The Robot
  • The Dinosaur
  • Jake's Friend
  • The Ball
  • The Flying Machine
  • Space Invaders
Let It SnowVHS/DVDOctober 22, 2002 (VHS)/September 30, 2003 (DVD)
  • Christmas Eve
  • The Igloo
  • Tiger's Sled
  • The Big Freeze
  • Snowy Day
PlaytimeVHS/DVDJanuary 28, 2003
  • The Treasure Hunt
  • Looking After Arnold
  • Tiger's Joke Box
  • Pig's Sweater
  • Clay Time
  • The Magic Carpet
  • Kipper the Hero
Fun in the SunVHS/DVDJune 3, 2003
  • The Rescue
  • Clouds
  • Crazy Golf
  • Water Water Everywhere
  • The Big Race
  • Arnold on Wheels
  • The Farm
Friendship TailsVHS/DVDJanuary 27, 2004
  • Sleepless Night
  • Hiccups
  • Kipper is Unwell
  • The Conker Tree
  • Tiger's Cold
  • The Jumble Sale
Water PlayVHS/DVDMarch 23, 2004
  • The Umbrella
  • The Seaside
  • The Rainbow Puddle
  • The Paddling Pool
  • Big Owl's Bath
Kipper Helps OutVHS/DVDAugust 10, 2004
  • The Visitor
  • Pig's Present
  • The Butterfly
  • The Bleepers
  • Pig's Cousin
  • The Little Ghost
Puppy LoveVHS/DVDJanuary 25, 2005
  • Nothing Ever Happens
  • Tiger's Torch
  • Pig's Shop
  • Cousins
  • The Key
  • The Missing Tape Mystery

Digital download releases

This list is for videos that were never released on physical media and are only available on Digital Download in the US. There are currently only two. One is called “Tales of Adventure” featuring episodes already on other releases. The other is an alternate version of “The Visitor & Other Stories” in which the episodes are in reverse order as to how they are on the US VHS release.

Release name Release year Episodes
Tales of Adventure2013
  • The Goldfish
  • The Gismo
  • The Nest
  • The Seaside
  • The Big Freeze
  • The Swimming Pool
The Visitor & Other Stories2013
  • Nothing Ever Happens
  • The Seaside
  • The Umbrella
  • The Visitor

References

  1. Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 482. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  2. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 54. ISBN 9781476672939.
  3. Shapiro, Audrey. "Kipper". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  4. Tatz, P. (11 March 2013). "The 10 best television shows for young children". Thomas B. Fordham Institute. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
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