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Here's Humphrey

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Here's Humphrey
GenrePreschool
Created byRex Heading
StarringHumphrey B. Bear
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons40
No. of episodes
Production
Executive producerRosemary Blackwell (1995–2003)
Production locationAdelaide
Running time30 minutes
Production companyBanksia Productions
Original release
NetworkNine Network
Release24 May 1965 (1965-05-24) –
29 February 2008 (2008-02-29)

Here's Humphrey was an Australian children's television series produced by Banksia Productions for the Nine Network, which first aired on 24 May 1965 and last went to air in 2008.

It features an anthropomorphic brown bear character (a person in a costume) known as Humphrey B. Bear, and was produced in Adelaide, South Australia. In September 2013, community station, West TV, began airing repeats of Here's Humphrey in Perth.[3] The character still exists, owned by Ozpix Entertainment as of 2020.

Here's Humphrey became one of the most successful programs for preschoolers in Australia, was sold internationally, and is one of the longest-running children's television programs in the world. The program received multiple Logie Television Awards.

Format

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The series features anthropomorphic brown bear character known as Humphrey B. Bear, who is mute.[4] Set in a magical forest, Humphrey is paired with a human presenter, who narrates their adventures.[5] The series takes place in Humphrey's tree house, where he partakes in magical adventures.[6]

One of the central ideas presented in the show is the importance of taking part and not always being successful at everything.[7]

Cast

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Presenters

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Presenter Tenure Ref.
Ian Fairweather 1967 [4][8]
Patsy Biscoe 1970–1972 [4][8]
Sue Cardwell 1970s [9]
Malcolm Harslett 1972–1984 [10]
Martin Portus [1]
Robin Roenfeldt[a][b] 1979–1988
Joanna Moore[a] 1980–1989
Michael Pope 1984 [11]
Glynn Nicholas 1987-1991 [12]
Heidi Greig 1988–1992 [13]
David Sadler 1988–1992 [13]
Terry Webb 1988–1992 [14]
Ann Carter 1988–1992
Narelle Higson 1989–1993 [15]
Ambrae Jamae 1992–1994
Albert Colbert 1993–1996 [15]
Anthony O'Donohue[c] 1993–2008
Joni Combe[d][e] 1995–2000 [16]
Carolyn Ferrie[f] 1997–1999
Tess Masters[g] 1998 [17]
Diane Dixon 1999–2000
Iyari Limon[h] 1999-2001
Amber Brown 2007–2008 [18]

Humphrey B. Bear

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Several performers portrayed the role of Humphrey.

  • Edwin Duryea (1965)[7]
  • Ross Hutchinson[7]
  • John Maclean[7]
  • Tom Fairlie
  • Aaron Dubois (1992-1994)
  • Tony Balzan (1985–2008)
  • Bec Schembri (2002-2007)

Production

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Here's Humphrey was originally aired exclusively in Adelaide on NWS-9,[19] premiering on 24 May 1965,[5][6] before airing nationally two years later.[4] Filmed in Adelaide and produced by Banskia Productions, the character of Humphrey was initially known as "Bear Bear" until he was renamed as a result of a competition.[4][8] The program was created as a result of Humphrey's previous popularity on the afternoon program The Channel Niners.[20]Here's Humphrey was granted a P classification, deeming it specifically designed to meet the needs and interests of pre-schoolers and allowing it to be broadcast on the Nine Network with a 30-minute runtime commercial-free.[21] Classification deals allowed the Nine Network to repeat each episode three times.[22]

The Nine Network almost cancelled the series in 2000, which led to protests and comments from the Prime Minister.[4][19] The network responded to popular public demand and allowed its continuation.[4][19] The series was commissioned for 180 new episodes in May 2000.[21] New episodes aired until 2003.[5]

In February 2007, Nine commissioned a new series of Here's Humphrey, filming episodes for the first time since 2003.[5][6][22] This followed negotiations with the network, after speculation they would not renew the series approaching the end of its contract.[6][22][19] The episodes started airing in December 2007 and concluded in 2009 when Banksia Entertainment was wound up.[23]

In September 2019, it was revealed OZPIX were planning to revive Here's Humphrey with a pitch to broadcasters at MIPCOM in France. The production company expressed interest in integrating live action characters with virtual technology. The production team for the project was led by Julie Greene, former executive producer of Hi-5, and included Catherine Martin and Helen Martin, early childhood specialists who also worked on the program.[24]

As of 2020, Ozpix Entertainment owns the character, whose "home" is at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast, Queensland.[23]

Episodes

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More than 3,000 episodes of Here's Humphrey have been produced.[1] It has also been stated that only 1,776 episodes were filmed.[2]

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
2000180[21]2000 (2000)[21]2003 (2003)[5]
20076010 December 2007 (2007-12-10)29 February 2008 (2008-02-29)

Reception

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In 2019, TV Week listed Here's Humphrey at #96 in its list of the 101 greatest Australian television shows of all time, which appeared in its monthly TV Week Close Up publication.[25] The magazine said young viewers loved watching Humphrey leave his tree house for adventures in the magic forest.[25]

It has been stated that Here's Humphrey is one of the most successful programs for preschoolers of all time.[6] It is one of the longest running children's programs in the world.[7]

Awards and nominations

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The program received multiple Logie Television Awards, and the character won a special "Citizen of the Year" Award at the 1994 Australia Day celebrations.[3][7]

Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
1969 Logie Award Best Children's TV Series Here's Humphrey Won [citation needed]
1970 Won [26][20]
1975 Parents Without Partners Distinguished Service to Children Award Humphrey B. Bear Won [20]
1978 Festival of Light Won [20]
1978 Logie Award Favourite Children's Personality Won [citation needed]
1979 Television Society of Australia Individual Achievement Won [citation needed]
1982 Penguin Award for Best Children's Personality Won [20]
Logie Award Best Children's TV Series Here's Humphrey Won [26][20]
1994 Australia Day Citizen of the Year Humphrey B. Bear Won [citation needed]
2003 Heritage Listed and National Trust Icon Won [citation needed]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Also known as a host of Channel Niners and C'mon Kids
  2. ^ Also producer and writer in the 1990s.
  3. ^ Also producer, writer and editor in the final season
  4. ^ Daughter of singer-songwriter Peter Combe
  5. ^ Also known as the original/vintage portrayer of Rhapsody from The Fairies
  6. ^ Also known as the voice of Dorothy the Dinosaur for many years
  7. ^ Presented a special American version of the show for the 1998 public television series Someday School
  8. ^ Presented a Spanish-language version of the show, titled simply Humphrey, which was broadcast in Latin America and the United States on Galavisión

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Humphrey B Bear gives to National Museum" (Press release). National Museum of Australia. 21 January 2003. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Humphrey B. Bear goes up for auction". Herald Sun. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b Knox, David (25 September 2013). "Humphrey B. Bear on West TV". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Moran, Albert; Keating, Chris (4 August 2009). The A to Z of Australian Radio and Television. Scarecrow Press. p. 205. ISBN 978-0810870222.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Here's Humphrey". Nostalgia Central. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e Knox, David (16 February 2007). "Humphrey barely survives the bone". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Knox, David (24 May 2015). "Humphrey B. Bear turns 50". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  8. ^ a b c "Films for the week". The Canberra Times. Vol. 45, no. 12, 702. 21 September 1970. p. 13. Retrieved 12 March 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ Knox, David (27 October 2019). "Vale: Roger Cardwell". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  10. ^ Knox, David (2 November 2009). "Humphrey closer to license sale". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Television on Air". Michael Pope. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Television - Glynn Nicholas". Glynn Nicholas. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  13. ^ a b MrSimpleSimon (10 August 2022). Here's Humphrey- 1992- Episode (Television recording) – via YouTube.
  14. ^ MrSimpleSimon (30 November 2022). Here's Humphrey- 1990- Episode (Television episode) – via YouTube.
  15. ^ a b MrSimpleSimon (27 July 2022). Here's Humphrey- 1993- Episode (Television episode) – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "Joni". Theatre Bugs. 1 September 2018. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Presenter". Tess Masters. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  18. ^ MrSimpleSimon (13 July 2022). Here's Humphrey- 2007- Episode (Television recording) – via YouTube.
  19. ^ a b c d Hawthorne, Mark (13 February 2007). "Humphrey, beware: Nine may bone you". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Heading, Rex (1996). Miracle on Tynte Street: The Channel Nine Story. Wakefield Press. p. 78. ISBN 1862543909.
  21. ^ a b c d "C and P programs 1998–2004" (PDF). Australian Communications and Media Authority. September 2005. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  22. ^ a b c "Humphrey Bear lives on". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 February 2007. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  23. ^ a b Boisvert, Eugene (5 January 2020). "Here's Humphrey! Looking back at the heyday of children's television in Adelaide". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  24. ^ Knox, David (26 September 2019). "Virtual plan to revive Here's Humphrey". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  25. ^ a b Burfitt, John; et al. (July 2019). "101 Greatest Aussie TV Shows of All Time". TV Week Close Up. Bauer Media Group.
  26. ^ a b "Urban Exploring: Channel 9 Studios North Adelaide". Awesome Adelaide. 30 October 2018. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
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