Bob the Builder

About

Bob the Builder is a British animated children’s series known for its distinct stop motion animation, wide range of characters, toys and merchandise. It is one of the most popular children’s media franchises of all time.

History

The original series was created by television writer Keith Chapman in 1998, and ran for fourteen years, with its finale premiering on 12 June 2012. Bob appeared as a building contractor specializing in masonry in a stop motion animated programme with his colleague Wendy, various neighbours and friends, and their gang of anthropomorphised work-vehicles and equipment (all made of clay).

The show is broadcast in many countries, but originates from the United Kingdom where Bob is voiced by English actor Neil Morrissey. The show was later created using CGI animation starting with the spin-off series Ready, Steady, Build!^[1]

Bob’s catchphrase is “Can we fix it?”, to which the other characters respond with “Yes we can!” This phrase is also the title of the show’s theme song, which was a million-selling number one hit in the UK.

Reception

Bob the Builder was nominated in the BAFTA“Pre-school animation” category from 1999 to 2009, and won the “Children’s Animation” category in 2003 for the special episode “A Christmas to Remember”^[2]

Director Sarah Ball was interviewed on Gurgle.com about the show’s success in 2010:

“I think diggers and dumpers fascinate kids in the same way that they are drawn to dinosaurs. They both have a timeless appeal. The technique of stop motion is very tangible – the characters look like you can just pick them up and play with them. It’s a safe, lovely, bright, colourful world, which is very appealing. Curtis Jobling did a fantastic job designing the show – it’s very simple and stylized but has such charm.”

--Interview with Sarah Ball, Gurgle.com

Makeover

Overview

In October 2014, Bob the Builder was revamped by Mattel for a new series to be aired on Channel 5’s Milkshake! in 2015. Amongst the changes were a complete overhaul of the cast, with actor Lee Ingleby replacing Neil Morrissey as the voice of Bob, and Joanne Froggatt also confirmed to play as Wendy.

“Viewers will see a big difference on screen as the characters will be computer-generated for the new series rather than created using stop-motion animation.”^[3]

A spokesman for the new series said it would retain “the emotional warmth that has always given Bob the Builder a firm place in the hearts of young viewers”.^[4]

Bob’s original character designer ;Curtis Jobling was asked about how he felt about the remake. He had this to say:
"I was surprised to see the new design.
“My original designs captured children all over the world.”
But he added: “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”^[5]