Fimbles, Get the Fimbling Feeling [VHS]

When The Fimbles arrived on kids TV in 2002, it unfairly drew comparison with The Teletubbies. Beyond the furry man-sized suits, there's actually a lot more going for the show. It's the perfect successor in many ways, featuring just a few more characters and situations to appeal to children beginning to form and follow words.

Within each episode, something is found by one of the three Fimbles (Fimbo, Florrie or baby Pom) who populate the Purple Meadow. Near the Tinkling Tree, they experience the excitement (Fimbling Feeling) of discovering something new and eagerly share it with their friends. This allows for the soothing tones of Roly Mo to relax everyone with a story tailored to the found object.

More often than not, the group is joined by the fluffy Mummy and egg family of Bessie and Ribble, whose wise observations always lead to a safety warning or two. The show's real star is left to last: the irrepressible Rockit the frog bounces all over the place causing chaos and hilarity simultaneously.

As a format, Fimbles is familiar enough for the kids to know what favourite bit to look forward to. It's also significantly different enough to distance itself from any previous show. --Paul Tonks