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The CHAOSociety Presents... |
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Check out this exclusive interview with Guy Hallifax, the writer and genius of Orm and Cheep. I say interview, but I just emailed him some questions and he replyed turning out to be the witty bloke we always thought he was. So here is this reply, copy and pasted direct from hotmail. The questions I asked are in bold and his replies are underneath, anyway enough of this patronising dibble its time to let the master speak. Quiet down at the back! Now...does anyone know Richard Briers' email address... |
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From: "Guy Hallifax"
I know, I know. It was a catchy tune. You should have heard the one I wrote
for the pilot which Rod, Jane and Freddy recorded for me - 'Funny Sort of
Friends'. Far better. Ah well.
1) Orm and Cheep was fantastic and enjoyed by kids, parents and students
alike. What do you believe was the key to its success?
The writing.
2) Orm and Cheep do live together, yet birds eat worms. Was this
actually an
oversight or a message to the children that harmony can easily
exist between
those who society says should not get along?
Yes. And Orms are not the same as worms. Far less tasty.
3) The only piece of official Orm and Cheep merchandise (apart from the
video) we could find sadly was a little 15cm ruler. When you look
to all the
products made from licences for modern programmes such as Pokemon, the
Tweenies and Teletubbies, it seems there was a missed opportunity
for loads
more Orm and Cheep merchandise or was there infact many other
fabulous O&C
products that we should make sure we acquire as devoted fans of
the series?
There were dozens of items around in small, isolated pockets. Not mine, but
I am sure there were some. There were the 4 verse books, the 2 text books
and the Purnell 'Orm & Cheep Annual'. There were games, jigsaws, stickers,
puffa-stickers, erasers, posters, simple fold-out books, Dickie Briers did
loads of Storytapes, etc. You seem to have appreciated this erstwhile
classic too late. It is surely all remaindered and gone from the shelves.
You could always ask the rightsholders if there is any merchandise left.
They are Link Licensing, 7, Barons Gate, 33/5, Rothschild Rd, London W4 5HT.
They probably have a website as they are still active in merchandising. So
the answer is that was loads of stuff licensed and produced, but not enough
promotion to make it go huge. Also there were only 26 episodes. You really
need more to be taken seriously.
4) Unlike some modern 'childrens' programmes, Orm and Cheep seems
to contain
no drug or sexual references. However, over-protective parents can find
damaging aspects in any television programme (perhaps the inaccurate
portrayal of woodland food chains?). Did you ever receive any notable
complaints about Orm and Cheep?
None reached me of any type, note or not. And what are these 'drug and
sexual references' of which you speak? And where can I get some?
5) Why did Orm and Cheep leave our screens, breaking the hearts
of millions
of children across the country?
Politics. What else? The Commissioner, Lewis Rudd got a job with another
production company, so he dropped all shows which didn't go through his new
company. At least that's what I was told. As a ratings-topper, you would
have thought it worth running with. Did you know on its best week it was
seen by 7.15m viewers and ranked above even Blue Peter as the Number One
kids TV show. (yes, we do know. Stop boasting)
6)Also, has there ever been talk of
bringing
it back?
Not by anyone in a position to do anything about it.
Catch some new characters of mine on the BBC schools programme 'Numbertime'
in September. 'Addem and the Ants' should have a long life, and hopefully
not just in educational TV.
Best to you all,
Guy Hallifax (yes, the detail is in the double l)
Writer, Orm and Cheep
For more Orm and Cheep nonsense and pictures, go to the CHAOS menu.
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© 2001 Unofficial Orm and Cheep Enterprises 1987.
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