The Lingo Show
A bug host teaches preschoolers new languages.
The Lingo Show is a British children's television series that blends animation with live-action footage, created by Nicole Seymour for the BBC's CBeebies channel. It was designed to introduce preschool children to new languages through a cast of bug characters. The programme originally began as an interactive minisite on the CBeebies website before airing from 2012 to 2013, with repeats continuing until 2017.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Children's; Animated
- Runtime
- 20 minutes
- Creator
- Nicole Seymour
- Executive producers
- Adam Redfern
- Director
- Charlotte Bushell & Lee Kitchen
- Composer
- Barrie Bignold
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The series follows Lingo, a show bug host, and his family of bugs, each specializing in a different language. At children's request, Lingo travels to their location so one performer can stage a Big Bug Show. The chosen performer, with audience help, searches two locations for two props, introducing three objects in their language, then magically returns to Lingo. After both props are found, they perform the show for the children.
Characters
The characters were designed by Kate Sullivan. Lingo, voiced by Marc Silk, is the ringmaster of the Big Bug Show, half ladybird and half butterfly. Wèi, voiced by Lin Lin, is a small male ant from China who speaks Mandarin, wears roller skates and a crash helmet, and is often mistaken for female due to his high-pitched voice. Jargonaise, voiced by Aurelie Harp, is a pink female housefly from France who speaks French and is kind and pretty. Queso, voiced by Fran Canals, is a male moth from Spain who speaks Spanish and carries a flamenco guitar. Lieb, voiced by Britta Gartner, is an athletic female tick from Germany who speaks German and joined in the second season. Blodwen, voiced by Elen Rhys, is a fuzzy green female caterpillar from Wales who speaks Welsh in an operatic tone. Jaadoo, voiced by Bhasker Patel, is a male white green striped tick from Pakistan who speaks Urdu, rides a yellow unicycle, and has magic powers. Kikli, voiced by Anita Rani, is a yellow female damselfly from India who speaks Punjabi, carries a magic wand, and giggles often. Dyzio, voiced by Marcel McCalla, is a sleepy brown male stick insect from Poland who speaks Polish. Subah, voiced by Somali Rose, is a sassy green female woodlouse in a purple polka-dotted shell from Somalia who speaks Somali. Bloozles are small green aphids that help Lingo prepare for the show, and Floozles are silent fireflies that also assist. A blue spider with eight arms, unnamed in the show, plays several instruments including a washboard, bass drum, trumpet, piano, violin, xylophone, music player, and a little drum on his head.
Production
The Lingo Show began as a CBeebies website minisite, built by producer Nicole Seymour and launched in February 2011. Its activities taught children words in different languages, and the site was regularly updated. Because it was popular, a TV version was made that same February, animated by Dinamo Productions. The first season had fifteen episodes covering Mandarin, French, and Spanish, starting 12 March 2012. A second season of fifteen episodes, teaching German, Welsh, and Urdu, began 20 May 2013. In 2013, five audio-only episodes for the second season’s languages were released on CBeebies Radio.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of The Lingo Show are there?
The Lingo Show has 30 episodes.
When did The Lingo Show end?
The Lingo Show last aired on 7 June 2013.
More in British Television Series with Live Action and Animation
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