Giggle and Hoot is a TV "wrapper" programme which airs on the Australian children's channel ABC Kids. It also aired on ABC1 in 2009-2011, but was later discontinued on that channel. It began in 2009 and depicts the adventures of Jimmy Giggle (James Rees), and his best friend Hoot the owl (played by Nicholas Richard). Later on they are joined by a second owl called Hootabelle (played by Naomi Young).
Jimmy Giggle and Hoot the Owl
Jimmy Giggle and Hoot are best friends. They love playing and singing together, and pretty much just hanging out - they also love dressing up; they play anything from kings, astronauts and pirates, to shopkeepers and magicians.
Jimmy Giggle loves to fix things, although he has a problematic magic button that never works. He is great at making things out of everyday objects - a bath is fashioned into a bed and the walls of Jimmy Giggle's house are literally sewn and buttoned together. Jimmy's favourite toy is a dinosaur called Giggleosaurus. Jimmy Giggle is also talented at playing musical instruments, including the ukulele, double bass, baritone sax, piano and guitar.
Hoot has a love of many things including bird snacks, the colour blue, owl naps, hootball and his favourite toy Mini-Hoot. He finds the daytime very exciting, which is why although he is a nighttime bird, he loves to stay up to make sure he's part of all the action; the consequence of this is that he is prone to falling asleep quite easily. He lives in a chest of drawers that he has fashioned as his own personal apartment. Hoot also loves playing the harmonica and triangle.
Every night Hoot takes flight across the land of Giggle and Hoot to watch over everyone and make sure that they are tucked up in bed. His best owl pal, Hootabelle helps him by lighting up the stars with her Star Twinkler, so he can see his way in the Nighty Night sky. Hoot and Hootabelle often meet up after The Night Watch and go flying and playing all around the land of Giggle and Hoot.
Hoot's best owl pal is Hootabelle, a cheeky purple owl. She lives in a Purple Button Tree in the land of Giggle and Hoot, and has a toy cat called Gigglepaws (much to the horror of Hoot, who is terrified of cats - but Hootabelle assures him that Gigglepaws is a "friendly" cat). She often comes over to the Giggle and Hoot house for an Owl Pal Play Date. She loves the colour purple, butterflies, owl snacks, worm-flavoured milkshakes and singing.
Giggleosaurus, Mini-Hoot and Gigglepaws
Jimmy Giggle, Hoot and Hootabelle each have a favourite toy. Giggleosaurus is Jimmy Giggle's favourite, a dinosaur; Mini-Hoot belongs to Hoot; and Hootabelle has a toy cat called Gigglepaws.
Giggleosaurus, Mini-Hoot and Gigglepaws are treated and spoken to as real characters by Jimmy Giggle and the owls, and are often used in play. They are also brought to life in animated form through various songs in the show, such as 'Go Giggleosaurus', 'On A Mini-Adventure' and 'Hoot! Hoot! It's A Lovely Day'.
A number of other additional puppet characters have appeared on the show including.
Hootoclaus: An owl version of Santa Claus.Cosmo Carrot, Bessie Broccoli, and Tommy Tomato: The singing vegetables of the Gigglearium.Pirate Hootbeard: A legendary owl pirate captain who sails the Giggle Seas and lives on Button Island with his treasured toy, Pirate Mini-Hootbeard. Whenever he gets upset he loses his mighty "Yarr!"Giggle Fangs: A friendly bat. He lives at the edge of the Giggle Forest in the Batty Lair with his favourite toy, Giggle Bug. He has Super Sonic Bat Hearing and loves bat naps in his upside down bed.The Day Time Block is between 8-9am and 1:30-2:30pm, and there are a number of music video clips shown in this time, including:
Giggle Fangs An animated videoclip about Giggle Fangs and his sidekick Giggle Bug. Animation by Yukfoo The song was composed in collaboration with the ABC by indie Australian artist Dave McCormack and Sonar Music.Hootball Hootball is an animated clip following Hoot and Hootabelle's awesome ball game up in the 'cloudosphere', with the toys cheering on. Hootball was created with the ABC by Sydney-based animation company, Robot Tuesday. The song was composed in collaboration with the ABC by Bridget Turner Cloud Bouncing Cloud Bouncing is a live action and GFX videoclip where Hoot and Hootabelle bounce around the clouds together. There are cameo appearances in the clip in the background by their favourite toys, Giggleosaurus, Giggle Paws and Mini-Hoot. The song was composed by Sean Peter, Clare Gerber and Bryson Hall.The Giggle Galaxy The Giggle Galaxy is an animated clip which follows Astro Jimmy Giggle, Astro Hoot and Astro Hootabelle as they catch the Giggle Rocket in to Giggle Space, then fly around the button planets with their awesome Giggle Space Boots. The animation is played both in the morning and evening blocks. The Giggle Galaxy was created with the ABC by Sydney-based animation company, Robot Tuesday. The song was composed in collaboration with the ABC by Australian artist Terry Mann.Hoot! Hoot! It's a Lovely Day is an animated clip which follows Hoot and Hootabelle as they fly around the land of Giggle and Hoot together. They play 'Hoot and Seek' together with Gigglepaws in the Giggle Garden, go down an enormous water slide, go flying through a field of giant dandelions, draw pictures in the clouds, and fly through a button rainbow. The clip was created with the ABC by Sydney-based animation company, Zspace. The song was composed in collaboration with the ABC by Australian indie band, Achoo! Bless You (Ashleigh Steel and Ross James Tipper).On A Mini-Adventure On A Mini-Adventure is an animated clip which follows the exciting adventures of Mini-Hoot and Giggleosaurus (which are Hoot and Jimmy Giggle's toys respectively). Together the toys travel on a bicycle that transforms in to a magic flying hot-air balloon picnic, then into a paper plane that zips around and finally transforms in to a submarine. They take a photo of themselves which ends on a scrapbook image. The clip was created with the ABC by Sydney-based animation company, Robot Tuesday. The song was composed in collaboration with the ABC by Australian artists Paul Kingston and Cain Horton.The Funky Owl Hoot's favourite funky bird song. To do the "Funky Owl" all you have to do is flap your wings up and down. In the clip Jimmy Giggle plays an over-sized bass guitar. They both perform the song on an animated stage with a pair of dancing speakers. Composed by Sean Peter and the ABC.Go Giggleosaurus! 'Go Giggleosaurus!' is an animated video clip which follows Jimmy Giggle's favourite toy dinosaur as he leaps and bounds around an animated world doing lots of awesome things from sliding down a keyboard mountain, rollerskating up a volcano to riding a button board. Most of all, Giggleosaurus loves to roar. The animation was created with the ABC by Zspace. Song produced and sung by Tim Derricourt with Clare Gerber.The Gigglemobile Jimmy Giggle and Hoot fly and zoom around the land of Giggle and Hoot in the Gigglemobile. The Gigglemobile is a cardboard automobile stitched and buttoned together that has the ability to go on land, underwater, and fly. "It's the coolest car that you've ever seen!". Composed by Darren Lane and Wade Jackson and the ABC.My Best Friend This live action series celebrates friends and always centres around a pair or a group of children who are best friends. They dance to the song and say why they're best friends. They are shown doing some of their favourite things around the playground. Song by Kyls Burtland and Clare Gerber.Super Giggle and Super Hoot This segment is about celebrating everything - "every little thing can be a super thing!". Jimmy Giggle and Hoot are faced with a little problem that is solved and overcome when they turn into super heroes. Composed by Sean Peter and the ABC.Giggle Art Song This live-action series is an extension of the Giggle Gallery, with groups of children from preschools coming together to create art. Each segment focuses on one thing that they create, with the idea of "make it!". Song by Fergus Brown with Clare Gerber.When Jimmy Giggle, Hoot and Hootabelle press a button on the side of their veggie box it magically transforms into The Gigglearium - a musical theatre where three vegetables — Tommy Tomato (Hamish Fletcher/ Nicholas Richard), Bessie Broccoli (Naomi Young) and Cosmo Carrot (James Rees) — come to life and sing songs. Songs composed with the ABC by Sean Peter. Currently, the vegetables sing seven songs:
"The Gigglearium Slow Song" - Tommy Tomato"The Gigglearium Solo Song" - Bessie Broccoli"The Gigglearium Country Song" - Cosmo Carrot"The Gigglearium Opera Song" - Bessie Broccoli"The Gigglearium Loud Song" - Cosmo Carrot"The Gigglearium Rhyme Song" - All"The Gigglearium Disco Song" - AllWithin Giggle and Hoot is a very popular daily segment called 'The Giggle Gallery'. The segment celebrates art that has been created and sent in to the ABC from preschoolers around Australia. The pictures are hung as though they are in an art gallery. Jimmy Giggle and Hoot go through and talk about the wonderful things that make up each artwork. Hoot can't contain himself when there are bits of blue in the mix, as it's his favourite colour.
The Goodnight Hour is about winding down in the evening and helping the bed time routine of preschoolers. The Goodnight Hour screens from 6-7pm, and has a number of songs, including:
My Batty Lair A live action videoclip, swing style, about Giggle Fangs and his deep love of the Batty Lair. Composed by Sean Peter in collaboration with the ABC.5 Steps to Bed Jimmy Giggle, Hoot and Hootabelle go through the very important 5 Steps To Bed, big band style. From brushing your teeth, getting your PJs on, a story or a sleepy time song, cuddling your favourite toy and saying hello to the night, getting ready for bed has never been so awesome. Composed by Jeff Debnam and the ABC; Arranged by Sean Peter.The Giggle Galaxy The Giggle Galaxy is an animated clip which follows Astro Jimmy Giggle, Astro Hoot and Astro Hootabelle as they catch the Giggle Rocket in to Giggle Space, then fly around the button planets with their awesome Giggle Space Boots. The animation is played both in the morning and evening blocks. The Giggle Galaxy was created with the ABC by Sydney-based animation company, Robot Tuesday. The song was composed in collaboration with the ABC by Australian artist Terry Mann.Hey Hootabelle An animated clip which follows Hoot and Hootabelle as they meet at her purple button tree and then go flying around the land of Giggle and Hoot together. The song was composed and recorded by indie Australian artist, Lior. The video clip was animated in collaboration with the ABC by Sydney-based post-production house, ZspaceThe Birdbath Boogie Hoot sings while he has bath time in preparation for The Night Watch, backed up by Jimmy Giggle on the chest of drawers piano. Composed by Sean Peter and the ABC.On the Night Watch Hoot gets so excited about the Night Watch that he has to sing a song about it with Jimmy Giggle. The song is in the crooners style. Jimmy and Hoot are dressed in formal attire. Music by Sean Peter and Bryson Hall.Sweet Dreams An animated clip where Jimmy Giggle and Hoot fly around the skies of Giggle and Hoot together. It is introduced as being a dream that Jimmy Giggle has had, and he often retells it at Hoot's request. The video clip was animated in collaboration with the ABC by Sydney-based post-production house, Zspace. Sweet Dreams was written and recorded in collaboration with the ABC by Australian artists Paul Kingston and Cain Horton.Twinklify Every night Hootabelle lights up the stars in the land of Giggle and Hoot with her twinklifying wand. Music by Sean Peter and ABC.Hoot's Lullaby An animated clip that always ends the Night Time Block. It follows Hoot as he commences flight on The Night Watch, and ends with the phrase "See you in the morning! Hoot! Hoot!". The song was written by indie Australian artist, Lior The video clip was animated in collaboration with the ABC by Sydney-based post-production house, ZspaceThe show is produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation at the Ultimo Sydney studios for ABC2. It was announced along with the launch of ABC3. The show is aimed at 2-6 year olds, and premiered in early 2010. The executive producer of Giggle and Hoot is Jan Stradling, while the series producer is Natalie Robinson-Hurst. Karin Fitzhardinge is director and producer, and Clare Gerber and Bryson Hall are both writers and producers of the show.
James Rees as Jimmy GiggleNicholas Richard as Hoot the OwlNaomi Young as HootabelleHoot Hoot Go! is a spin-off show of Giggle and Hoot which features characters Hoot, Hootabelle, Pirate Hootbeard, Giggle Fangs, Hootaluna and Giggle Bot, as well as new character Hootly, a best friend of Hoot and Hootabelle. The series contains 26 episodes, each five minutes long.
2010 - PromaxBDA World Gold Design Awards - Giggle and Hoot Set - Best Set Design – Nominated2010 - PromaxBDA World Gold Design Awards - Hoot's Lullaby - Best Interstitial – Won2010 - PromaxBDA ANZ - Hoot's Lullaby - Best Interstitial – Won2011 - PromaxBDA World Gold Design Awards - Sweet Dreams - Best Music Video/Short Subject – Won2011 - APRA Awards - Sweet Dreams - Best Original Song Composed for the Screen - Nominated2011 - APRA Awards - The Giggle and Hoot Christmas Special - Best Music for Children's Television - Nominated2012 - APRA Screen Music Awards - Hey Hootabelle - Best Original Song Composed for the Screen – Won2012 - APRA Screen Music Awards - Hey Hootabelle - Best Music for Children's Television – Nominated2012 - International Kidscreen Awards - James Rees and Hamish Fletcher – Best On-Air Host or Hosting Team – Won2013 - Australian Toy Association - Talking Hootabelle Interactive Plush - Best Pre-school Licensed Product of the Year – Won2013 - PromaxBDA Global Excellence Awards - The Gigglearium Set - Best Set Design – Silver2013 - PromaxBDA ANZ - Go Giggleosaurus! - Best CG Animation – Silver2013 - ARIA Awards - Claw Tapping Tunes - Best Children's Album – Nominated2013 - APRA/AMCOS Screen Music Awards - The Gigglearium Special – Best Music for Children's Television – Nominated2013 - APRA/AMCOS Screen Music Awards - On a Mini Adventure – Best Original Song Composed for the Screen – Nominated2013 - AEAF Awards - Hoot Hoot It's a Lovely Day – Best Music Video – Nominated2014 - PromaxBDA Global Excellence Awards - The Giggle Galaxy – Best Art Direction and Design – Nominated2014 - IP Awareness ATOM Awards - The Legend of Pirate Hootbeard – Best Children's Television Program – Nominated2014 - APRA/AMCOS Screen Music Awards - The Giggle Galaxy - Best Original Song Composed for the Screen – Nominated2015 - AEAF Awards - Go Giggleosaurus – Best Music Video – Nominated2015 - APRA/AMCOS Screen Music Awards - Flying Giggle Ship - Best Original Song Composed for the Screen – Nominated2015 - APRA/AMCOS Screen Music Awards - The Legend of Pirate Hootbeard - Best Music for Children's Television – Nominated2015 - ARIA Awards - Hootastic Tunes - Best Children's Album – Nominated