Havakazoo
A pre-school series with songs, stories, and activities.
Havakazoo is a British pre-school television series that aired on Channel 5's Milkshake strand. It was the first original children's program to air when the strand launched in 1997.
Quick Facts
- Runtime
- 25 minutes
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Creator
- Rosalind Farrimond
- Voices
- Marcus Clarke; Helena Smee
- Channel
- Channel Five (Milkshake!)
- First aired
- 31 March 1997
- Last aired
- 2002
Facts from the source article.
Set up
Havakazoo began as the first original programme for Channel 5’s Milkshake! block when the channel launched in 1997. Folk musician Vo Fletcher, who had already found success with his children’s album Spaceman Sid, was asked to write songs for the series. At that point, the show had no title. One of Fletcher’s album tracks was called “Havakazoo,” so the producers adopted that name, shortening and reworking the song to fit the programme. The central character was Messy, a robot-style clothes dryer. Each episode was hosted by Gabrielle Bradshaw and Jason Maverick, following a broad theme built around songs, stories, and studio activities. A short clip from the outside world appeared in every show, and the presenters often encouraged young viewers to join in by showing them how to make something. Episodes ended with both hosts saying “Havakazoo” as a sign-off. The series ran on weekday mornings. A separate half-hour weekend edition featured Messy as a mascot, introducing other Milkshake! shows, telling jokes, answering questions, and displaying viewer drawings of Havakazoo or other characters, while Vo played guitar in the background. This weekend format was dropped in series two when the sister show Tickle, Patch and Friends launched in 1999. From the second series onward, the programme shifted focus to a puppet dog named Watch Dog. Messy returned, and the overall format stayed largely the same. A new segment introduced Nosey, a cartoon-style camcorder that showed clips from the real world explaining how things worked (like a steam train or washing machine), how items were made (such as pre-packaged sandwiches or bread), or children doing activities like making junk puppets or taking a riverboat trip. Nosey later became its own separate show.
Characters
Messy (voiced by Joe Grecco) was a robot-like spin dryer made out of unused things. Watchdog, a dog who would often keep an eye on the time and a look out from the window, first appeared in the second series. Tick and Tock were two fleas who lived inside Watchdog's fur and told jokes; they were first seen from the third series onwards. Vo Fletcher played himself, an artist who performed songs. Gabrielle and Jason were presenters in series one and two. Plum, Watchdog's niece, was a young female dog who delivers bread baked in the windmill; she first appears in the third series. Patrica (played by Naomi Wilkinson) works at the windmill and acts as a presenter, first appearing in the third series. Patrick (played by Andy Ford) works at the windmill as a baker and acts as a presenter, first appearing in the third series.
Episodes
One known episode is titled 'Creepy Crawlies'. Several other episodes have documented plots but unknown titles. In one, everything turns yellow. Another involves Watchdog playing a weather tune. Messy collects things that come in pairs, including two bears. Some unusually large footprints are found in Havakazoo. Messy wants to be invisible. Jason gets in the way. The gang play snap. Jason wants to be an inventor. Plum finds out about opticians when Patricia explains what they do. Patricia makes skittles, while Tick and Tock use a crumb as a bowling ball. Plum doesn't realise the sound of bells ringing is coming from an ice-cream van. Patricia makes a camera and Plum has her photo taken. The bakery is short of milk. Plum delivers a delicious cake to the school football team. Patrick performs a magic show in the bakery and Patricia sings a song.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Havakazoo?
Havakazoo was created by Rosalind Farrimond.
Which network aired Havakazoo?
Havakazoo aired on Channel Five (Milkshake!).
When did Havakazoo first air?
Havakazoo first aired on 31 March 1997.
When did Havakazoo end?
Havakazoo last aired in 2002.
More in Breakfast Television in the United Kingdom
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