Hello Mumsnetters (signs "hello"!)
Can I just say that I'm really thrilled to be at MN Towers and bowled over by all your comments about Something Special and the other programmes.
A lot of people are involved with the making of Something Special and it's very close to all our hearts. And it's the comments like yours, and from other people who write in about how their children have communicated or done things for the first time, that make it absolutely worthwhile for all of us.
I hope I'm going to be able to answer as many questions for you as I can today and I'm going to make sure that all your feedback (good and bad!) about the shows goes back to CBeebies.
Clarissimo: DS2 has a question for you: if you have one tip for someone who wants to be a children's entertainer on TV, what would it be? (I think he's currently juggling around children's entertainer, next Dr Who, author and RSPCA worker- or apparently all four!)
JustinFletcher: Hi Clarissimo and DS2. I was taught how to present by a man called Iain Lauchlan and he taught me the ?three Cs? of presenting - clarity, contact and commitment which I?ve always tried to have in the back of my mind. If DS2 is really serious about being a children?s presenter my advice would be that he should practice as much as he can doing pieces to camera with a video camera.
Picante: Do you have any plans to do a Gigglebiz tour?
JustinFletcher: Hi Picante and others who've asked - there are no plans for a Gigglebiz tour at the moment but I am in early discussions about doing a live show next year.
LoveBeingAMummy: My question is why isn't the hello and goodbye song signed anymore? DD adored this and it has certainly confused her.
JustinFletcher: To LoveBeingAMummy and Bigcar. This is a really good point and it's something we're all very aware of. Basically because Something Special has gone Out and About we no longer record the signed hello and goodbye songs in the studio. And because of the way CBeebies repeats programmes children often have to switch between the old studio-based episodes and the new location episodes which I know can be confusing. We know children benefit from routine so we've made our new out-and-about episodes very repetitive (in a good way!) with lots of clear signposts. My producer has told me that we may have the opportunity in the future to go back into the studio and if so we'll look at re-introducing the songs. I hope that helps a bit.
bran: Not a question, but a bit of rude constructive criticism, please drop Nana Knickerbocker from Gigglebiz, it's just not as funny as the rest of the sketches. My question is a bit personal, I saw you being interviewed on The One Show and you weren't at all as I thought you would be. Were you putting on an adult persona for adult TV or are you naturally softly spoken with minimal gesticulation? If so, what drew you to the clown/children's TV industry?
JustinFletcher: Hi Bran - I'm sorry you don't like Nana Knickerbocker. I think you must have seen me on Breakfast News not The One Show. Obviously I have a different persona when I'm presenting to children but doing an interview on adult tv is a very environment. I was drawn to children's tv because I used to watch Philip Schofield reading the birthday cards in the broom cupboard and I thought ?I?d like to have a go at that?. Philip was a good inspiration to me.
Valpollicella: Have you learnt Makaton as you've filmed the shows, or have you undertaken any 'formal' courses? PS love Gigglebiz. It's like The Fast Show but for children.
JustinFletcher: I?m glad you love Gigglebiz Valpollicella. Due to the time restraints we have with filming it hasn?t been possible for me to do long courses but I have training before filming starts when obviously we concentrate on the key signs. But I'd really love to do a proper course and extend my Makaton vocabulary.
Booboobedoo: My question is (just out of nosiness curiosity): did you have a specific interest in SN programming from the beginning, or was it a happy accident? You clearly have an affinity and sympathy with the children, which makes me wonder if you have had any personal experience with SN kids.
JustinFletcher: To Booboobedoo, Ellie G, WahWah, Silverfrog, MumofMonsters and others ? When I was filming Tikkabilla the producer Allan Johnston had the idea for a new series (Something Special) and he asked me if I would be interested in learning sign language for children with learning difficulties. And I just jumped at it - there was no question of me not doing it! But, no, I hadn't worked previously with children with learning difficulties.
Iklboo: What's Shaun the Sheep like to work with?
JustinFletcher: Hello Iklboo - it's a joy to work on Shaun the Sheep and I'm very proud to provide his baas! The quality of Aardman's animation is just quite amazing.
AppleTreeWick : DH and I have cynically exploited their devotion to you by convincing them that you are actually Ray Mears brother. This means that we can actually watch some grown up telly whilst they are around. The girls are ever hopeful that one day you might pop out of the jungle for a cup of tea with Ray. So my question is: Have you ever considered creating a programme in collaboration with Ray Mears? We would definitely buy the box set.
JustinFletcher: To AppleTreeWick and everybody else who's interested in the Ray Mears collaboration! I haven't thought about working with Ray Mears but wildlife is a big interest of mine and I would love to come up with a wildlife show for young children. So I would be all ears if someone like Ray Mears got in touch. Or perhaps Rapids Johnson from Gigglebiz and Ray could get together in some way!
EllieG : I was just wondering what his background is re children and SN children in particular? He comes across as being so natural and comfortable I was wondering if he had either personal or work experience in this field?
DD is only two so has no questions, but loves Justin almost more than she loves me. I can't really blame her tbh, he spends an awful lot more time teaching her things than I do. She's a bit too young for Gigglebiz, but loves Something Special and has learnt lots of signs which have actually helped her language come on nicely. Oh, and we have now seen all of them I think, so when is there another new series coming out
JustinFletcher: EllieG and Bexxaa ? I thnk I?ve already answered EllieG?s first question in a previous post but there?s a new series of Something Special currently on air at the moment and we start filming another new series in April which I think should be on screen later in the year. And of course there are repeats on CBeebies week daily for at least a year.
EVye: What is your favourite CBeebies programme (not your own) and why?
JustinFletcher: Hi EVye - that's a really good one and it?s got me! Actually I'm going to go with Charlie and Lola, that's a great programme.
sunchild77: I?m just wondering how on earth you manage to have a personal life?
JustinFletcher: Hi Sunchild77. I'm very lucky to have been extremely busy for the last 15 years and I each year I always think it's going to get quieter and it never does. I absolutely love what I do but it does make it very difficult to have personal life.
scrappydappydoo: Why are the 'something special' DVDs sooo expensive?? We record/v+ episodes but £18 for a kids DVD??!!! Even Disney aren't that expensive.
coppertop: My question is about the Something Special DVDs on sale from the BBC. Many parents who have children with SN would like to buy them but are unable to because they are so much more expensive than the DVDs of other CBeebies programmes. Other CBeebies DVDs are generally under £10 but the Something Special ones are £18+. Now that you have your MBE and BAFTA, are you able to tell off the BBC have any influence over the way your programme is marketed and sold?
JustinFletcher: ToScrappydappydoo,Coppertop Stillenacht,Sidge and everybody else who has posted about the DVDs. I do take your point about the price of the SS DVDs but the good news is that there is (as NewShoesonMonday points out) a new DVD coming out soon which is produced by BBC Worldwide and which I think IS cheaper.
ruddynorah: Are you generally mobbed when you go out? It occurs to me that you are a very recognisable huge celeb to millions of kids, though anyone without children wouldn't really know who you are. So what do you do? Avoid play gyms and stick to sophisticated champagne bars??
JustinFletcher: Hello Ruddynorah. Funnily enough a lot of adults do recognise me - especially students! And quite a lot of my mail comes from adults saying that they watch Gigglebiz - so it's not just adults with children. I'm very lucky as most of the feedback is positive so it's not a problem at all.
TotalChaos: How did Something Special come about?
JustinFletcher: To TotalChaos. Something Special was the brainchild of producer Allan Johnston who before he worked in television was a teacher in mainstream education, then special needs education and in a school for children with severe learning difficulties. A few years later at CBeebies he was asked to make a series about communication and it took him back to when he was teaching and he thought it was a great opportunity to make a series about Makaton ? and the rest is history. I?m very happy to ask him if he?d like to come on and do a web chat if you?d like!
FattipuffsandThinnifers: Which character do you enjoy playing most - must be Nana knickerbocker surely? And pleeeeease, would you consider doing children's parties?? You could retire at 40 if you did, I reckon. Keep up the sterling work, you're fab.
JustinFletcher: To FattifpuffsandThinnfers, LemonMelon and SethStarkaddersMum - that's a really good question! I obviously love Mr Tumble because I?m a big fan of slapstick but my favourite character in Gigglebiz is probably Arthur Sleep, but then I do love Rapids Johnson and Captain Adorable is great fun too?
FioFio: I cannot help wondering though whether you take great pleasure dressing up as a woman?
JustinFletcher: I love a challenge and when I dress up as Dina Lady or Nana Knickerbocker or Ann Teak it is certainly a challenge. But it's great fun to play all sorts of characters be they male or female!
treacletart: I am desperate to know the backstory behind that stunning house! Who owns it? Is it Lord Tumble's family seat and does he let his extended family live there too? Or, did the whole family, as my six-year-old DS reckons, sell each of their houses to buy the big house and live together as a commune. Dh would also like to know where it is in real life - he thinks it might be in the west country somewhere...
JustinFletcher: Hi treacletart. DH is right ? it is in the West country ? in Devon. We thought it would be funny to have a place where all the Tumble family would be contained in one place and this was an ideal spot.
PfftTheMagicDragon: How many different BAAs did you have to record for Timmy?
JustinFletcher: When I'm recording Shaun I can do up to four hours worth of various baas. And on Timmy Time I voice Paxton the Pig, Kid the Goat, Finley the Fox and Osbourne the Owl - so I'm something of an expert now in animal noises!
charlieandlola: What is Mr Tumble's favourite biscuit ?
JustinFletcher: Hi Charlieandlola. Mr Tumble is a fan of custard creams!
Besom: I've noticed, I think, nods to some well known comedians in some of the characters you play. So I was wondering which performers you have been most inspired by?
JustinFletcher: Hi Besom. The comedians that have inspired me are Rik Mayall, Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Jim Carrey.
Wigeon: DD (21 months), being our Precious First Born, doesn't watch much TV, but after only three episodes of Gigglebiz started requesting the theme tune as her bedtime song ("Na na! Sing more Na na"!). Every single night. (Sometimes we sneak in Twinkle Twinkle for a bit of variety, without her noticing). So I have sung the song more times than you probably have.
My question is: can you suggest some more verses? I am a bit fed up of
Na na na na na na Gigglebiz Na na na na ho ho ho Na na na na na na Gigglebiz Na na na na it's time to go Gigglebiz gigglebiz, we've had a lovely time Gigglebiz gigglebiz ho ho ho Gigglebiz gigglebiz we've had a lot of fun Gigglebiz gigglebiz ho ho ho
(although we do sometimes attempt to improvise...)
I assume you are standing for Parliament like all our other webchat guests?! I think you would get a lot of votes!
JustinFletcher: Hi Wigeon ? I?m sorry you?re a bit fed up with the theme tune but we did consciously try to keep it very simple because we wanted children to be able to sing along with it!
shanks313: My question is are there any plans for more Something Special...Gigglebiz merchandise? I know it would go down well in our house.
JustinFletcher: To Shanks313, mama2moo and JarethTheGoblinKing. There aren't currently any plans for books, merchandise or an SS tour at the moment but we do have interest from time to time from publishers and merchandisers so watch this space! We?ve always thought that signing books or a Mr Tumble sensory doll would be a good idea but we wouldn't want to produce merchandise for merchandise sake - it would have to stay true to what Something Special is all about. There is going to be a Something Special magazine out though in a couple of weeks so watch out for that.
mama2moo: Dd loves books and would love a Something Special book - Any thoughts on releasing a line of books?
(See above)
SethStarkaddersMum: Which is your favourite Gigglebiz character? Mine is Rapids Johnson.
(See above)
JarethTheGoblinKing: mama2 beat me to it - are there any plans for a Something Special signs book? We have a couple of Makaton ones, but something with Mr Tumble in would go down a treat. Also what copper said regarding the price of the DVDs.
(See above)
mumofmonsters: How an why did you get involved with SN and makaton specifically?
(See above)
bexxaa:Will you be making more episodes of Something Special?
(see above)
MegBusset: I want to ask where that garden centre is, if it's anywhere within reach of London I'm sure DS1 would love to go there!
JustinFletcher: MegBusset ? I?m really sorry but I've shot in so many different garden centres I'm not sure which one you mean!
2shoes: Would you ever consider doing something aimed at older kids with SN?
JustinFletcher: Hi 2Shoes - Yes absolutely - I'm always open to new ideas.
stanausauruswrecks: What would you like to do when Gigglebiz/Something Special run their course? Do you plan to move into mainstream TV work (was going to phrase it as "Adult" TV but thought better of it - Could you imagine the headlines in the Daily Mail...) and do you worry that you may be pigeonholed as a childrens tv actor forever more? Oh and one more. What is your favourite biscuit?
JustinFletcher: To Stanausauruswrecks, Indie37 and Todoornottodolist - I don't think I'm ever going to move away from children's television because I love it so much. I'm absolutely happy where I am. If someone offered me a adult acting role I'd look at it. But to be honest there's a great challenge doing something like Gigglebiz ? with twenty different characters - probably more of a challenge than I'd ever get on an adult programme.
geordieminx: Any chance of more Higgledy House? Ds loved it but it hasn?t been on for ages!!! Justin for PM!!!
JustinFletcher: Hi Geordieminx (and others who asked this): Sarah-Jane and I are in touch - she's a great friend of mine and we would love to work together again in the future. But there aren't any current plans to bring back Higgledy House
SawneyBeane: Can you tell us what's happened to Sarah-Jane and do you have any plans to work with her in the future?
JustinFletcher: SawneyBeane - Sarah-Jane is going to be doing a great new show on Cbeebies later in the year called Mighty Mites about encouraging children to try out different activities. And we would love to work with each other again but there?s nothing on the cards at the moment.
aloevera: Justin, we need to know if you are the voice of Handy Andy?
DS has been looking for you under it and was very concerned you might be trapped in it. Pleeeeeeeeease tell us!
JustinFletcher: Hello aloevera - I'm really sorry but I?m not sure what Handy Andy is so I don't think I am the voice!
BitOfFun: Can I ask if my daughter (9) would enjoy your programme? I have been moved reading accounts of how children have responded to it, but warn you that she is low-functioning autistic with severe learning disabilities, and has never shown much interest in telly, beyond being soothed by music channels. She has laughed like a drain at Takeshi's castle though. May I ask if Justin would contemplate jumping into muddy water somewhat clumsily from a great height? It may just hook her in...
JustinFletcher: Hello BitOfFun - I think your daughter may well like Mr Tumble if she likes clumsiness. Do let me know what she thinks of it. I have already jumped off many things as I do all my own stunts!
Arabica: Do you ever run workshops on communicating with children with learning disabilities? I do use Makaton but of course, that is not the whole story. Would be useful for health professionals too...
JustinFletcher: Hi Arabica - I don't do workshops but when I do live shows I quite often sing and sign at the same time.
NewShoesonMonday: In response to the posters about the price of Something Special original DVD's, I agree they're a fair whack but imagine it's due to the publishers or something. Was therefore chuffed to see that 'Hello Mr Tumble' Something Special Out & About on DVD is out in May isn't it, £8.99. Can't wait.
A question - gosh, so many I can think of - well firstly, please please can you do a tour of Something Special; secondly maybe you could put some signed photos for sale on Mumsnet... to raise money for your chosen charity - or we could order them? I'm sure there are lots of us who'd like to buy a poster or signed DVD or something? And some clothing too please, before our toddler is too old to wear it. tshirts etc..??? Please
JustinFletcher: Hi NewShoesonMonday - I've brought some signed postcards in with me today which I'll leave with Mumsnet. And the Tumble house is in Devon.
ToDoOrNotToDoList: Do you ever feel typecast into nice signing bloke (who's also funny and can play football and dance and sing)...and do you have plans to escape to an adult audience one day?
See above
LemonMelon: I second a previous posters question, which character in Gigglebiz do you most enjoy playing and why?
Walks off whistling "Tyra's arms have got no bones..."
See above
indie37: Have you always done children's TV and have you any plans to do a comedy for the grown ups? I think Gigglebiz is hilarious.
See above