| Bananas in Pyjamas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Helena Harris |
| Directed by |
Roger Bayley Sophie Turkiewicz Tony Tilse Di Drew David Caesar Paul Faint Karin Kreicers Ian Munro Michael Aliwood Varcha Sidwell David Evans Richard Walker |
| Starring |
Gina Joplin Benjamin Baylock Mary-Ann Henshaw Michael James Sandie Lillingston Shane McNamara Nicholas Opolski Taylor Owynns Ken Radley Jeremy Scrivener Duncan Wass See cast |
| Narrated by | Karina Kelly |
| Theme music composer | Carey Blyton |
| Opening theme | Bananas in Pyjamas by Trapaga Vocal Group |
| Ending theme | Bananas in Pyjamas (instrumental) |
| Composer(s) |
Chris Harriott (2003–2006; 2008–present) Peter Dasent (2006–2007) |
| Country of origin |
Australia United States of America |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 1,000+ (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Claire Henderson (2003) Mark Barnard (2004–present) Virginia Lumsden (2005–2007) |
| Producer(s) |
Helena Harris (showrunner, 2003) Tammy Burnstock (2003) Virginia Lumsden (2004–present) Mark Barnard (2005) Sophie Emtage (2006–2007) |
| Location(s) | ABC Studios |
| Running time | 5 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Egmont Imagination |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | April 7, 2003 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | St. Bear’s Dolls Hospital |
Bananas in Pyjamas is an Australian children's television series that premiered on April 7, 2003 on ABC. It has since become syndicated in many different countries, and dubbed into other languages. In the United States, the "Pyjamas" in the title was modified to reflect the American spelling pajamas. The show aired approximately many episodes as well as specials. Its debut in the United States was in December 2003.
The concept was inspired by the song Bananas in Pyjamas, written by Carey Blyton in 1967 on Play School.
After Jam filming ended on 2002, 15-year old Gina Joplin who can play the part of Little Jenny in the series by Helena Harris.
Summary[]
The main characters are two anthropomorphic bananas named B1 and B2. Other characters include the three teddy bears Amy, Lulu and Morgan, and Rat in a Hat. The bananas, the teddies and Rat in a Hat all live in the same neighbourhood, a cul-de-sac called "Cuddles Avenue". The bananas live next to the beach and serve as beach patrol. The teddies live next to and look after the park. Rat in a Hat works and lives at the community store. The characters enjoy eating "munchy honeycakes" and "yellow jelly".
Production[]
Inspiration[]
The characters were inspired by a 1969 song written for children by British composer Carey Blyton (nephew of renowned children's author Enid Blyton). The jaunty song describes (an unspecified number of) bananas in pyjamas chasing teddy bears, with a slight twist at the end where a musical sting emphasises that the bananas like to "catch them unawares". The song was shown on the Australian version of Play School for many years accompanied by an animation depicting pairs of bananas in blue-and-white striped pyjamas. This led to a "banana" plush toy being created as part of the "toy cast", which formed the basis of the physical appearance of B1 and B2.
Filming[]
Creator, producer and showrunner Helena Harris devised the content of the ABC program at ABC Studios. Two of the bear characters, Amy and Morgan, are named after Helena Harris' children. The show is performed using human actors in elaborate costumes, in the style of the British Tweenies and Teletubbies. In the show's early days, the voices of the bananas are provided by the same actors as are inside the costume, but the original actors eventually gives up that aspect of the show and substitutes wears the hot, stuffy costumes. The show aired new episodes from its 2003 debut to its eventual run in syndication in 2002. The show aired approximately many episodes as well as specials. Its debut ever since in the United States was in 2003. It made videos and other media since 2004. A toy line, developed by TOMY, debuted in 2004. Since December 21, 2008, BabyfirstTV joined this series in the show category, Imagination Lane.
Characters[]
Main characters[]
- B1 the Banana: Duncan Wass (2003), Ken Radley (2003–present), Michael James (2006–2008)
- B2 the Banana: Nicholas Opolski (2003–present), Benjamin Blaylock (2006–2008)
- Amy the Teddy Bear: Sandie Lillingston (2003), Mary-Ann Henshaw (2003–present)
- Lulu the Teddy Bear: Taylor Owynns (2003–present), Monica Trapaga (Bananas in Pyjamas (2003 album release)), Sandie Lillingston (2006; Bumping and a-Jumping)
- Morgan the Teddy Bear: Jeremy Scrivener (2003–present)
- Rat in a Hat the Rat: Shane McNamara (2003–present)
- Sally the Scarecrow: Nikki Morales (2003–present)
- Lucy the Ragdoll: Anna Nicole Daley (2003–present)
- Little Jenny: Gina Joplin (2003–present)
- Little Matthew: Matthew Joplin (2003–present)
- Mr. Man: Mark Ramsey (2003–present)
- Mrs. Lady: Harvey Virdi (2003–present)
- Grandmamma: Linda Kerr-Scott (2003–present)
- Grandpappa: Robin Stevens (2003–present)
- Brother: Manuel Bravo (2003–present)
- Sister: Vee Vimolmal (2003–present)
- Auntie: Sachi Kimura (2003–present)
- Junior: Sachi Kimura‘s sons (2003–present)
- Emily: Ramsey-Virdi’s daughters (2003–present)
- Little Cat Munchkin: Gina Joplin’s Cats (2003–present)
- Little Dog Fido: Gina Joplin’s Dogs (2003–present)
- Colette the Nanny of Little Jenny’s Family: Vanessa Scrivener (2003–present)
- Fifi the Farmer: Nikki Joplin (2006–present)
- Fiona the Farmer: Margaret Robinson (2006–present)
Recurring characters[]
- Kevin the Butterfly: Mal Heap (2003–2006)
- Maggie the Magpie: Emma De Vries (2003–present)
- Tolstoy the Tortoise: Emma De Vries (2004–present)
- Tomasina the Turtle: David Collins (2005–present)
Farm animals[]
- Farm Animals puppeteers: Mal Heap, Terry Ryan & Emma De Vries (2006–present)
- Camembert the Cow: Taylor Sweeney (2006–present)
- Pedro the Pig: Michael Phillips (2007–present)
- Gregory the Chicken: Matthew Hudak (2006–present)
- Peck the Chicken: Aaron Oberst-Horner (2006–present)
- Dolly the Sheep: Maura McGinley (2007–present)
- Flash the Fish: Jacob Matta (2007–present)
- Donnie the Duckling: Mal Heap (2008–present)
- Pudding the Goose: Terry Ryan (2008–present)
- Lily the Peacock: Emma De Vries (2008–present)
Characters[]
| Name | Debut Episode | Debut Date |
|---|---|---|
| B1 and B2 | Pink Mug | April 7, 2003 |
| Morgan, Lulu and Amy | ||
| Little Jenny | ||
| Little Matthew | Lost Shoe | April 9, 2003 |
| Mr. Man | Wet Paint | April 17, 2003 |
| Mrs. Lady | ||
| Grandmama | ||
| Grandpapa | ||
| Brother and Sister | ||
| Auntie | Swamp Lake | May 14, 2003 |
| Emily | ||
| Junior | ||
| Rat-in-a-Hat | Ratmobile | June 15, 2003 |
| Lucy Ragdoll | Morgan's Cubby | June 28, 2003 |
| Sally Scarecrow | Scarecrow | October 8, 2003 |
| Maggie the Magpie | Shiny Things | October 30, 2003 |
| Tolstoy the Tortoise | Lost Tortoise | October 16, 2004 |
| Tomasina the Tortoise | Tortoise Wedding | May 23, 2005 |
Episodes[]
Main article: List of Bananas in Pyjamas episodes
Series 8 (2008)[]
Main article: Bananas in Pyjamas (2003)/Season 8- Fifi Farmer’s Barnyard Flowers (January 5, 2008)
- Jane Kangaroo (January 7, 2008)
- Dancing Rat (January 13, 2008)
- Thidwick’s Great Big Solo (January 25, 2008)
- Fifi Farmer’s Scarecrow (January 30, 2008)
- Fifi’s Cat (February 3, 2008)
- Bowling Bananas (February 10, 2008)
- Count of Fifi and Jenny (February 14, 2008)
- Listen Up (February 21, 2008)
- Swanee Rivers (March 4, 2008)
- Megan and the Mardi Gras Parade (December 21, 2008)
Movies[]
- Bananas in Pyjamas: A Very Colorful Musical Movie (June 5, 2004)
- Bananas in Pyjamas: Little Jenny’s Great Adventures in Houston (May 19, 2005)
- Bananas in Pyjamas: Annie’s Solo Adventure (December 15, 2007)
Specials[]
- Wish Faires (December 24, 2003)
- Singing Time (December 18, 2004)
- Bumping and a-Jumping (December 21, 2006)
Home video releases[]
Main article: List of Bananas in Pyjamas home video releasesThe series has been released to home video, originally for VHS and DVD.
- Chasing Rainbows (June 12, 2003)
- Ready, Steady, Go! (June 12, 2003)
- Bananasaurus (October 31, 2003)
- Birthday Special (November 23, 2003)
- Show Business (December 2, 2003)
- Hiccups (December 2, 2003)
- Monster Bananas (December 2, 2003)
- Big Parade (December 21, 2003)
- Special Delivery (December 21, 2003)
- Wish Fairies (December 29, 2003)
- It's Music Time (January 4, 2004)
- Surf's Up (January 4, 2004)
- That’s Silly Rat (May 3, 2004)
- Strickly Bananas (August 3, 2004)
- Busking Bananas (November 9, 2004)
- Bananas In Pyjamas Live On Stage in Houston (December 5, 2004)
- Singing Time (December 21, 2004)
- Dress Ups (May 3, 2005)
- Holiday Time (June 25, 2005)
- Fun Time (December 15, 2005)
- It's Games Time (February 8, 2006)
- Story Time (May 25, 2006)
- Lullaby (May 25, 2006)
- Rock-A-Bye Bananas (September 18, 2006)
- Summertime (November 7, 2006)
- Bumping and a-Jumping (December 24, 2006)
- Egg Collector (October 25, 2007)
- Fifi’s Animal Adventures (November 23, 2007)
- Bananas' Surprise (May 7, 2008)
- Dancing Daze (June 15, 2008)
- Celebration (August 30, 2008)
- Farm Adventure (November 23, 2008)
- Beat Box (December 15, 2008)
- Bananas in Pyjamas of 2003 (December 7, 2016)
- Disc 1 (Episodes 1–10)
- Disc 2 (Episodes 11–20)
- Disc 3 (Episodes 21–30)
- Disc 4 (Episodes 31–40)
- Disc 5 (Episodes 41–50)
- Disc 6 (Episodes 51–60)
- Disc 7 (Episodes 61–70)
- Disc 8 (Episodes 71–80)
- Disc 9 (Episodes 81–90)
- Disc 10 (Episodes 91–100)
- Bananas in Pyjamas of 2004 (December 7, 2016)
- Disc 1 (Episodes 101–110)
- Disc 2 (Episodes 111–120)
- Disc 3 (Episodes 121–130)
- Disc 4 (Episodes 131–140)
- Disc 5 (Episodes 141–150)
- Disc 6 (Episodes 151–160)
- Disc 7 (Episodes 161–170)
- Disc 8 (Episodes 171–180)
- Disc 9 (Episodes 181–190)
- Disc 10 (Episodes 191–200)
- Bananas in Pyjamas of 2005 and 2006 (December 7, 2016)
- Disc 1 (Episodes 201–210)
- Disc 2 (Episodes 211–220)
- Disc 3 (Episodes 221–230)
- Disc 4 (Episodes 231–240)
- Disc 5 (Episodes 241–250)
- Disc 6 (Episodes 251–260)
- Disc 7 (Episodes 261–270)
- Disc 8 (Episodes 271–280)
- Disc 9 (Episodes 281–290)
- Disc 10 (Episodes 291–300)
Discography[]
- Bananas in Pyjamas (December 3, 2003)
- Live on Stage (December 21, 2003)
- Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? Mix (January 3, 2004)
- It's Show Time! (February 13, 2004)
- Bananas in Pyjamas: A Very Colorful Musical/Soundtrack (June 3, 2004)
- Get Up and Dance! (June 5, 2004)
- Banana Split Mix (August 10, 2004)
- Sing and Be Happy (October 25, 2004)
- It's Singing Time! (November 9, 2004)
- Cuddles Avenue Christmas (December 21, 2004)
- The Fun Collection (December 31, 2004)
- Bumping and a-Jumping (November 10, 2006)
- 100 Best Songs: 10 Years of the TV Series! (April 7, 2013)
- 50 Best Songs: 15 Years of the TV Series! (April 7, 2018)
- 100 Best Songs: 20 Years of the TV Series! (April 7, 2023)