Kipper (TV series)

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Kipper
Kipper logo.svg
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 (+3 films)
Production
ProducerGinger Gibbons
Running time10 minutes per episode (approx.)
78 minutes (films)
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

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.

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 a beagle. Kipper has many exciting encounters while his friends are occupied.
  • 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 west highland white terrier.
  • Jake (voiced by Chris Lang) – A friendly old English 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".
  • 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, Tiny Pop and Nick Jr. in the United Kingdom and also 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.

Main article: List of Kipper episodes
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 September 1999 (1999-09-23) 16 December 1999 (1999-12-16)
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 Stories VHS 1998
  • The Visitor
  • The Umbrella
  • The Seaside
  • Nothing Ever Happens
  • The Rainbow Puddle
Pig's Present and Other Stories VHS 1998
  • Pig's Present
  • The Conker Tree
  • The Bleepers
  • Pig's Cousin
  • Tiger's Torch
The Little Ghost and Other Stories VHS 1998
  • The Little Ghost
  • The Goldfish
  • Sleepless Night
  • The Camping Trip
  • The Conker Tree
Snowy Day and Other Stories VHS 1999
  • Snowy Day
  • Hiccups
  • Space Invaders
  • Kipper Is Unwell
  • The Igloo
Kipper's Circus and Other Stories VHS 1999
  • Kipper's Circus
  • The Nest
  • The Butterfly
  • The Gismo
  • The Lost Mug
The Treasure Hunt and Other Stories VHS 1999
  • The Treasure Hunt
  • The Paddling Pool
  • The Magnifying Glass
  • The Rescue
  • The Picnic
Christmas Eve and Other Stories VHS 1999
  • Christmas Eve
  • The Dinosaur
  • Tiger's Sledge
  • The Magic Act
  • The Magic Lamp
  • Arnold's Balloon Trip
Looking after Arnold and Other Stories VHS 2000
  • Looking After Arnold
  • The Swimming Pool
  • Cakes and Tails
  • The Long Walk
  • The Surprise Party
  • The Ball
The Big Freeze and Other Stories VHS 2000
  • Echo Echo
  • The Big Freeze
  • Jake's Friend
  • The Fair
  • Big Owl's Bath
  • Jake's Bird
Crazy Golf and Other Stories VHS 2000
  • Pirates
  • Tiger's Cold
  • The Mouse
  • Clouds
  • Crazy Golf
Hide and Seek and Other Stories VHS 2001
  • Tiger's Rocket
  • Water Water Everywhere
  • Pig's Shop
  • Hide and Seek
  • The Jumble Sale
The Flying Machine and Other Stories VHS 2001
  • The Flying Machine
  • Arnold's Drum
  • Skates
  • The Key
  • Cousins
The Robot and Other Stories VHS 2001
  • The Holiday
  • The Big Race
  • Arnold on Wheels
  • Pig's Sweater
  • The Robot
The Magic Carpet and Other Stories VHS 2002
  • The Magic Carpet
  • Tiger's Joke Box
  • Buried Treasure
  • Clay Time
  • The Missing Tape Mystery
Classic Collection VHS and DVD 2004
  • 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 Tales DVD 2009
  • 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, Artisan Entertainment and briefly Lyrick Studios, and later on, VHS tapes and DVDs were released by HIT themselves.

Video name Format Release date Episodes
The Visitor and Other Stories VHS July 14, 1999
  • The Visitor
  • The Umbrella
  • The Seaside
  • Nothing Ever Happens
Pig's Present and Other Stories VHS February 1, 2000
  • Pig's Present
  • The Rainbow Puddle
  • The Butterfly
  • The Bleepers
Snowy Day and Other Stories VHS August 15, 2000
  • Snowy Day
  • Pig's Cousin
  • The Paddling Pool
  • Tiger's Torch
Pools, Parks and Picnics VHS/DVD June 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 Tales VHS/DVD June 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) VHS June 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 That VHS/DVD January 15, 2002 (VHS)/March 23, 2004 (DVD)
  • Kipper's Circus
  • Pirates
  • The Magic Act
  • The Magic Lamp
  • The Costume Party
  • Arnold's Balloon Trip
  • The Fair
Cuddly Critters VHS/DVD March 5, 2002 (VHS)/January 28, 2003 (DVD)
  • The Nest
  • Jake's Bird
  • Echo Echo
  • The Goldfish
  • The Mouse
  • Hide and Seek
  • Hedgehog Watch
Amazing Discoveries VHS/DVD June 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 Snow VHS/DVD October 22, 2002 (VHS)/September 30, 2003 (DVD)
  • Christmas Eve
  • The Igloo
  • Tiger's Sled
  • The Big Freeze
  • Snowy Day
Playtime VHS/DVD January 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 Sun VHS/DVD June 3, 2003
  • The Rescue
  • Clouds
  • Crazy Golf
  • Water Water Everywhere
  • The Big Race
  • Arnold on Wheels
  • The Farm
Friendship Tails VHS/DVD January 27, 2004
  • Sleepless Night
  • Hiccups
  • Kipper is Unwell
  • The Conker Tree
  • Tiger's Cold
  • The Jumble Sale
Water Play VHS/DVD March 23, 2004
  • The Umbrella
  • The Seaside
  • The Rainbow Puddle
  • The Paddling Pool
  • Big Owl's Bath
Kipper Helps Out VHS/DVD August 10, 2004
  • The Visitor
  • Pig's Present
  • The Butterfly
  • The Bleepers
  • Pig's Cousin
  • The Little Ghost
Puppy Love VHS/DVD January 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 Adventure 2013
  • The Goldfish
  • The Gismo
  • The Nest
  • The Seaside
  • The Big Freeze
  • The Swimming Pool
The Visitor & Other Stories 2013
  • 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 (28 September 2006). "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.

External links[]

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