Bananas in Pyjamas is an Australian children's television show which premiered in July 1992 on the ABC, Ireland's RTE Two and Carlton Television. It has since become syndicated in many different countries, and dubbed into the native languages. In the United States, the "Pyjamas" in the title was modified to reflect the American spelling pajamas. The pilot episode was Pink Mug. The concept was inspired by the success of the song Bananas in Pyjamas, written by Carey Blyton in 1967, on Play School.[6][7] This song, which had become a regular item on Play School, became the theme of the new series.
The main characters are two bananas named B1 and B2. Other characters include three teddy bears
named Amy, Lulu and Morgan, and Rat in a Hat. The bananas, the teddies
and Rat in a Hat all live in the same neighbourhood, a cul-de-sac
called "Cuddles Avenue".
The bananas are noted for their common catchphrase, often said when the duo get an idea: "Are you thinking what I'm thinking, B1?" "I think I am, B2!".
Rat in a Hat also has two catchphrases, "Oh, cheese and whiskers!",
usually stated when he has not succeeded at a task; and "I'm a rat, I'm
a rat, I'm a clever clever rat", which he sings when he thinks of a
good idea.
The characters were inspired by a 1967 song written for children by British composer Carey Blyton (nephew of renowned children's author Enid Blyton).
The jaunty song describes (an unspecified number of) bananas in pyjamas
chasing teddy bears, with a slight twist at the end where a musical
sting emphasises that the bananas like to "catch them unawares". The
lyrics for the song seem to be inspired by the 1932 Jimmy Kennedy lyrics to "Teddy Bears' Picnic."[8][9]
The song was shown on the Australian version of Play School for many years accompanied by an animation depicting pairs of bananas in blue-and-white striped pyjamas. This led to a 'banana' plush toy being created as part of the 'toy cast', which formed the basis of the physical appearance of B1 and B2.
Given the age of the target audience, chasing teddy bears is not
usually a plotline for the show itself, and when it is depicted, it is
usually in a playful manner. More often, the bananas engage in
activities in singing, dancing, and playing with the other characters,
and bantering with each other.
The show was performed using human actors in elaborate costumes, in the style of the British Teletubbies or Tweenies.
In the show's early days, the voices of the bananas were provided by
the same actors as were inside the costume, but the original actors
eventually gave up that aspect of the show and substitutes manned the
hot, stuffy costumes. The show aired new episodes from its 1992 debut
to its eventual run in syndication in 2000. The show aired appoximately
three hundred episodes as well as four specials. Its debut in the
United States was in 1995. It made videos and other media from 1995 to
1999. A toy line, developed by TOMY, debuted in 1996. The comic book is called Bananas in Pyjamas and list item in List of items from Bananas in Pyjamas.
Characters
Main characters
B1
B2
Amy
- Sandie Lillingston (1992–1993)
- Mary-Anne Henshaw (1993–2000)
Lulu
Morgan
Narrator
Recurring characters
Emma de Vries
- Maggie the Magpie (1994–2000)
- Tolstoy the Tortoise (1994–2000)
- Farm Animals (2000)
Mal Heap
- Kevin the Butterfly (1992–93)
- Farm Animals (2000)
Farm Animals
- Camembert the Cow (Taylor Sweeney)
- Pedro the Pig (Jacob Matta)
- Gregory the Chicken (Matthew Hudak)
- Peck the Chicken (Aaron Oberst-Horner)
