UK-based production company Ragdoll have spent 24 years perfecting the art of preschool TV.  From Pob’s Programme and Rosie & Jim through to The Teletubbies they’ve captured the imaginations of millions of children around the world time and again with their thorough understanding of young children’s minds.  While many people complained about Pob or Tinky-Winky’s dumbed-down baby speak, Ragdoll understood that by removing characters’ words they became friends to an audience who were still learning to speak.  It also makes it a lot easier to sell to the international market too, of course.

Ragdoll’s latest hit is In The Night Garden which launched on the BBC last year.  Any parent of a preschool child in the UK will be familiar with the tales of Iggle Piggle, Makka Pakka, Upsy Daisy and friends.  My girlfriend’s nephew is only 18 months old and is already a huge fan.  So much so that he’s taken a early love of merchandising tie-ins and has worked out that if you chew the Makka Pakka toy in the shop, Daddy has to buy it for you!

Like most Ragdoll productions, In The Night Garden makes perfect sense to young children but can seem to adults like just a load of people in weird costumes dancing about in private woodland.  There is, however, huge thought put into every single scene of each of the 100 episodes.  In order to explain that, the programme’s website has an exhaustive analysis of an episode with video commentary from the show’s creators.

If you have even a passing interest in the way TV is put together it’s well worth watching.  It’s written in such great detail that even renowned media Semiotician, Roland Barthes, would have enjoyed it.  So, head over to their site and have a watch.  If you need persuading, here’s the craziness they’re explaining…

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