HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS?
DECEMBER 6TH 2015 - SKINTY ON BOARD FOR NEW THOMAS REVIEW SHOW
A new Thomas & Friends review show is on the way! But this isn't any ordinary review show as SteamTeam explains: "I was thinking of a show we could do in Calico's absence. I was intially going to revive SteamTeam Quizzes with someone else in Calico's place, but after making enquiries on Twitter, people weren't too keen on the idea and I don't blame them. I wasn't either. So, then I thought 'what's popular and how can I do it different' and the answer I came up with was a Thomas review show."
This isn't any ordinary review show though and the person reviewing the Thomas episodes is Skinty - SteamTeam's friend who played a big part in Series 3 of Ronnie the Mole. Skinty is in no way a Thomasfan and has little to no knowledge of the series. "So often us Thomasfans look at episodes with rose-tinted glasses," explains SteamTeam, "so I thought bringing in an outsider to review episodes would be a completely different way of doing things. He may see things in episodes that we can't."
Three episodes of 'Skinty's Two Pennies Worth' have already been recorded. "I was very nervous. I didn't want viewers to think Skinty is a replacement for Calico. I didn't know if it would work. He's never done it before. Humour is a big part of any show I do and I didn't know if he could be funny behind a microphone, but I needn't have worried!" SteamTeam describes Skinty as being very much like Calico, but edgier and a bit more restrained. "He's so much like Calico, but at the same time, so different!"
Ten episode for the first series are going to be made and each episode will feature Thomas & Friends episodes picked by someone in the community including Sam W., Chris Tomson, Louie Sparkes, TheSodorSteamworks and many more!
A release date for the series is still being discussed, but it is likely to be in Spring 2016.
In other news, the Top Dog pilot episode may have to be delayed due to bad weather. "I just can't film it. The weather here is terrible! I know winter is not the best time to film outdoors, but I thought there may be a gap in the bad weather long enough for me to go and film one episode!" If filming cannot be started before about the 15th of Decemeber, Top Dog will be pushed back to the new year. It is quite likely that the pilot episode of 'Skinty's Two Pennies Worth' will be released in its place if Top Dog cannot be filmed in time.
OCTOBER 16TH 2015 - Ronnie's deparature paves the way for sam spin-off show
The series finale of Series 3 of Ronnie the Mole, saw Ronnie depart from the garden to go travelling. Is this the end or merely a new beginning for the garden friends? A new spin-off show has been developed which focuses on events that take place after the series finale of Ronnie the Mole as SteamTeam explains: "In the finale episode we learn that Ronnie is leaving and Sam is to take over as chairman of the garden association. The spin-off picks up where the finale episode left off."
The spin-off show will be titled "Top Dog" and will follow Sam as he adjusts to his new role as chairman. Of course, he won't be alone as all the characters from Ronnie the Mole, excluding the blind mole himself, will be making an appearance - including Ollie the troublesome owl who made several cameo appearances in Series 3 of Ronnie and will act as the main antagonist, wanting the chairman posistion himself.
There will be twelve episodes that run at about five minutes each. These twelve episodes will then be paired together with a storytime segment featuring Grandad in the middle to leave six ten-minute episodes.
"I left the writing of the series and everything that comes before filming in the capable hands of Sam W. who is the co-creator and producer of this spin-off show," explains SteamTeam. "It was nice to take a back seat for a change, but it was really the only way we would make deadlines as I was still being kept very busy by Series 3 of Ronnie. I've written two episodes for the spin-off and I will also be writing the framework around all the "Grandad Storytime" segments. I know Sam W. has recruited quite a few writers for this series as well as contributing the occasional episode himself. I don't know much about the writing stage, but I know Sam W. has written the script for the pilot episode and Jamie Parker has written the Grandad story. I'm looking forward to being sent the scripts for filming and looking to see who Sam has gotten on board as writers." Sam W. is very optimistic about the series and says "With Ronnie off on holiday after the events of the last series of Ronnie the Mole, Sam has been put in charge of the Garden Association and chaos ensues! It's an interesting dynamic not having Ronnie around. But the show isn't just 'Ronnie without Ronnie,' it's a whole new adventure! In a strange way, new possibilities are presented when a character is removed. It presents new problems and I think we've solved those in a creative way!"
So, the show will feature more writers than usual, but what about the cast? "The cast will stay the same for the most part. I'm still voicing Sam and Richard as well as playing Grandad. A-Jay and C.J.R. will also reprise their roles as Barbara and Eunice respectively. As for Calico who is currently away from the company, we're not really sure yet. I am currently 'in talks' with him to reprise his role as Billy. I know I am taking over the voice of Billy in the pilot episode as it was too short notice to ask Calico to return, but I'm not too keen to do the role permanently. Calico brings the character of Billy alive with the voice he gives him and his ad-libbing is the key to why the character of Billy is so funny. Aside from which, I don't think my throat would approve of voicing him over a long period! So, fingers crossed for Calico's return."
There will also be two new additions to the cast. Alex Skerratt who is one of the writers for CITV's Sooty will join the cast as a regular and SteamTeam's longtime collaborator Sam W. will also make regular appearances. "I am very excited about Alex Skerratt joining the cast. I was in regular contact with him due to my work on the Sooty Wikia and after a while he became a very good friend and an invaluable source of support for me through hard times. I wanted him to voice in the series after hearing his voices in his YouTube series "The Trimmings" but didn't have the courage to ask him, but thankfully I found the courage from somewhere and was delighted when he said "yes"! I'm also very pleased to have Sam W. voicing in the series. I know he's been wanting to do voices for a while now, but we never really had an opportunity to use him - until now! He makes a very good villian!" Alex said of his new voice-over role: "I am chuffed to be joining SteamTeam and the gang in the new show Top Dog! My friends all think that I am simply a writer / animator / social media / PR person, so no doubt this news will cause a maelstrom of confusion - and I can't wait! It's going to be a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to getting started!"
Alex Skerratt will reprise his role as Dan from Series 3 of Ronnie the Mole as well as take over the voice of Mabel from Calico. "It was initially agreed with Calico that if he did return, he would only be voicing Billy so that left me with a problem - who could possibly voice Mabel? I couldn't do it because my voice became too deep and I had to give up voicing her after the first series. I then heard Alex doing a rather convincing female voice in his new YouTube comedy series and had, at this point, already asked him to voice Dan so I asked him and once again he said, much to my surprise, he'd do it. I haven't heard his Mabel voice yet, but I'm sure it'll be fantastic and fairly similar to the voice Calico gave her." Sam W. will voice the series antagonist Ollie the Owl.
"The spin-off will be great," continues SteamTeam. "As you can probably tell, although Sam will take centre-stage for the most part, the other characters will also feature quite heavily. We have a strong cast and I'm sure the writing will be up to Sam W.'s very high standards so there shouldn't be any problems there. Although we haven't finalised any plans for the filming stage yet, it looks likely that I will be directing as well as being the main puppeteer. I dare say Skinty, who was a great asset to the show in Series 3 will also be on-hand to help too."
And what about Ronnie? Will we see the lovable old mole again? "I always said I would be happy to do three series of Ronnie the Mole and end there, so I don't know at the moment. Ronnie will be part of the spin-off show because even though he never appears, he's frequently mentioned. His friends won't be forgetting about him in a hurry! As for a fourth series of Ronnie the Mole, I'll never say never, but it will largely depend on how people respond to Series 3 and Top Dog. I'm open to doing more with the characters whether it be a fourth series of Ronnie or a second series of Top Dog, but at the same time, I feel it may be time to move on. We'll just have to wait and see. I'm open to doing more with them."
The pilot episode of "Top Dog" will be released over the Christmas period with a full series following in Spring 2016.
OCTOBER 29TH 2015 - RONNIE THE MOLE COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Today, a competition to celebrate the third series of Ronnie the Mole was announced. In all five remaining episodes, Ollie the mischievious owl has hidden himself. For a chance to win, all you have to do is email his location in each episode to calicotv123@gmail.com (or use the contact form on the "Contact Us" tab) and at the end of the series, if you've spotted him in each episode, you could be in with a chance to win a collection of scripts, an official mug and some other bits and pieces used during filming.
Terms and conditions:
1. You can enter with all the locations at the end of the series or submit each episode location individually.
2. This competition is NOT open to Calico TV staff who were present during filming. Other staff such as writers, voice actors etc. are eligible for entry.
3. There will only be one winner.
4. Calico TV is not repsonsible for prizes lost or damaged in the post. Please allow six weeks for international postage.
5. The closing date for this competition is January 2nd, 2016.
6. Calico TV retains the right to change the prize if unforseen circumstances arise.
7. The scripts included in the prize are copyright of Calico TV and cannot be reproduced.
GOOD LUCK!
July 15th 2015 - Series 3 of ronnie the mole and calico's departure
A new series of “Ronnie the Mole” is scheduled to return in Autumn 2015 with a brand new series consisting of six episodes ten minute episodes. Speaking about the series return, creator SteamTeam said: “This series is definitely looking to be like the best one yet, but the sad news is that it may be our last. Whether or not there is a call for a fourth series will greatly depend on the viewers. We are also thinking of letting viewers donate to fund a possible fourth series so that it will be entirely their decision. The third series is costing more than the first two put together with hiring of an animation company, new puppeteers and the purchase of a new camera which will give us a more professional look.”
There will be one significant new character that SteamTeam will play called ‘Granddad’ who will feature heavily in the third run of episodes. Unlike the majority of the cast, Granddad will be a human character. SteamTeam said of his latest character, “Granddad was someone who I wanted to be in the show from the very beginning, but couldn’t for many reasons. It’s the first time I will show my head on camera, although, thankfully, I’ll be heavily made-up! The introduction of the Granddad character will give us more possibilities and allows me to continue operating the puppets without having to get down on the floor which is proving increasingly difficult with my condition which has deteriorated in recent months. As far as children’s shows are concerned, Matthew Corbett from Sooty is my idol and I love how he operates a puppet whilst still presenting the show, which is what I have always done and will be doing again in Series 3, although Granddad won’t actually be a presenter. The format of the show isn’t changing”.
During Series 3, Ronnie will join a band, open a café and start a newspaper with his friends. Scripts will be provided by SteamTeam, Sam W. and Joshua Hood with the addition of newcomer Chris Tomson. Script editor and writer Sam W. said about the new series: "The third series of Ronnie the Mole is set to be the best yet! We've gone above and beyond the past two series! We're really pushing the envelope with this one! And I look forward to a surprise ending that may have larger consequences in the future!" The end of the quote relates to a proposed spin-off show which, if feasible, is likely to be released in spring 2016.
In other news, Calico will soon be leaving the company for an extended period of time due to personal issues. Whilst Calico will still be providing voices for Series 3 of Ronnie the Mole, he will not be able to continue roles in other people’s videos. If the proposed spin-off for Ronnie the Mole goes ahead, Calico is unlikely to reprise his roles and his parts will be given to a sound-alike (possibly SteamTeam). If a fourth series of Ronnie the Mole goes ahead, Calico is likely to return for it. Calico TV will be run solely by SteamTeam in Calico’s absence. “We will still make videos, but not as often and Calico will probably not be a part of it. As to what these videos will be, I have no idea at the moment. I am currently thinking of some different things that might be fun to do. It is highly unlikely that a new series of SteamTeam Quizzes will be made any time soon and same goes for Recent Purchases, although I am looking at doing a couple of one-off episodes for the latter without Calico. We are also looking into the possibility of bringing someone else in to take over “Calico’s Corner” which won’t be easy. I have someone in mind, but it won’t be the same without Calico I fear. There’s also good chance I will just stick to doing things on my own channel.” Calico will officially leave Calico TV for an extended “break” starting in August.
Both SteamTeam and Calico would like to thank you for your continued support and are looking forward to the future, both with Calico TV and away from it.
If you would like to get in touch, the email address is (as always) calicotv123@gmail.com
Thank you and have a nice summer!