Melvin and Maureen's Music-a-Grams
Melvin and Maureen's Music-a-Grams | |
---|---|
Genre | Children |
Starring | Sophie Aldred Matthew Devitt |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 26 |
Production | |
Production location | UK |
Running time | 15 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | BBC |
Release | 9 January 1992 1 April 1993 | –
Melvin and Maureen's Music-a-Grams is an educational CBBC show about music which ran from 1992 to 1993 (with repeat transmissions continuing until 1997), starring Sophie Aldred and Matthew Devitt.[1] The show was rerun on CBeebies in 2007.[2]
Melvin and Maureen ran a music shop which sold "Music-A-Grams"- a recording of music for a certain purpose. Sometimes customers came asking for a particular music-a-gram. Melvin and Maureen also sang songs, and told stories to illustrate how musical instruments could be used to create different effects, or on a particular theme. There was also a trio of stuffed toys, who resided in an odds-and-ends cupboard, and were on a constant quest for musical stardom. They appeared in every episode, but only their leader, Groovy Ted, spoke.
Apart from a few one-off characters, like the evil landlady in the third episode, and a spoof superhero character in a later episode, Matthew Dewitt and Sophie Aldred were the only actors in the show. When Melvin or Maureen spoke to a customer on the phone, the customer was always played by the other actor. In the final episode, Matthew Dewitt appeared as a talent scout, and a recording studio manager, and Sophie Aldred appeared in three roles- a bored receptionist at a recording studio, the receptionist at a record factory, and as a Top of The Pops presenter.
Episodes
[edit]- Pilot: Funniest Instrument: Melvin and Maureen are set a riddle by entertainer Mr. Baggage; what is the funniest instrument in the world?
- The Wriggle: The gang try different types of dancing, then invent a style of their own, for dance workshop manager Tristram,
- Dastardly Landlady: Melvin and Maureen use their music-a-grams to outwit their evil landlady. This episode contained almost no educational content, apart from a brief speech by Maureen about how music can invoke feelings. The episode featured three songs, and several slapstick sequences involving the landlady.
- Repercussions: Melvin learns that a pair of his bongo drums may be priceless. Whilst he turns the music shop upside-down looking for them, he and Maureen also showcase the vast range of percussion instruments.
- The Horrors- Another more light-hearted episode. Melvin and Maureen are conned into babysitting a friend's two bratty children, and try to use their music-a-grams to keep them entertained. The only educational content is a short film about traditional playground games involving singing.
- Orchestra-ra-ra: Melvin and Maureen are asked to talk about the orchestra, but argue over who knows most
- Celebration: Maureen awaits the results of a music exam
- Guitar- Melvin & Maureen receive a request for a guitar music-a-gram from none other than her Majesty, the Queen. Unfortunately, neither of them can play the guitar. Can the window cleaner help?
- Au Naturel: Maureen grows a musical tree. Meanwhile, Melvin prepares musical games for a children's party.
- Supa Dupa Man: A superhero flies into the shop. He is bored of his jingle, and wants Melvin and Maureen to find him a new one. This episode showcases the use of music and sound effects in TV and radio plays.
- Goldfish Cabaret: Melvin and Maureen compose a goldfish song and comedy routine. This episode was mostly light-hearted, though it featured a segment on setting words to music, featuring a team of musicians including former Playschool presenter Joanathan Cohen.
- The Toys Make It Big; The series finale. A more light-hearted episode with little educational content- though it did show viewers what happens in a recording studio, and how vinyl records are made. Groovy Ted overhears Melvin and Maureen talking about a customer who requested a musical hat. He thinks they said "musical act", and falls into daydreams, resulting in a fantasy sequence showing the toys recording their song, and eventually appearing on Top of The Pops. They are woken by Melvin and Maureen at the end of the episode.
Reception
[edit]Evening Standard television critic Victor Lewis-Smith praised the programme, writing "this series gives me hope, thanks to a terrific cast, Simon Davies's quixotic script, Alison Stewart's fearless production, and music by Will Hill and the legendary Jonathan Cohen (a stalwart of BBC children's music programmes)."[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "New Series". The Stage and Television Today. 9 January 1992. ProQuest 962510015.
- ^ "The Den of Geek interview: Sophie Aldred". The Den of Geek. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ Lewis-Smith, Victor (5 January 1996). "Melvyn and Maureen's music for sore eyes". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 8 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
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