鲍鱼tv

CBeebies new series Messy Goes to OKIDO starts on Monday at 4:20pm. We had a chat to the creators of the character and show to find out what little ones can expect from this fun new series that isn't afraid to ask the big questions in life - like why do sandwiches fall down and not up...

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role in Messy Goes to OKIDO...

Sarah: I’m Sarah the Programme Executive for CBeebies. That means I work closely with the production company through every stage of making the show, from designs, storylines and scripting, through to the finished show.

Liz: I'm Liz the director of Okido. That means that I get to tell everyone what to do. Joking! (Not really joking)

Jules: I'm Jules the Series producer which means I have a lot of meetings and make sure Liz tells everyone what to do.

Sophie: I'm Sophie and I'm the editor of OKIDO magazine, on which the show's based.

Rachel: And I'm Rachel - creator of Messy and co-creator of the OKIDO magazine.

Hi guys! Can you tell us about each of the characters and who (or what) inspired them? 

Sarah: The show revolves around Messy – an inquisitive, friendly and boisterous monster who loves to eat odd socks he finds lying under the bed! Messy is played by Adam Buxton, the comedian, writer and actor, who does a brilliant job in capturing Messy’s energy and excitement. Messy has a few catchphrases: “Let’s skidoodle, Okidoodle!” when calling for his car (called Okidoodle!) and “Balabalaboomboom!” which is an expression of delight when Messy is particularly excited.

In each episode, Messy comes across a conundrum and visits his friends in the wonderful world of OKIDO to find the answer. There’s Zoe and Felix, a brother and sister who embroil Messy on their adventures. And there’s Zim, Zam and Zoom, a trio of wonderfully eccentric scientists who live in a futuristic tower and fly in a craft called the Cloudship. Not to mention a wild and wonderful supporting cast of robots, animals, giants, and inhabitants of OKIDO!

How did you decide on the questions for Messy and his friends to explore in each episode? And how did you go about breaking down some HUGE questions in a way that very young children will ‘get’?

Sarah: This was challenging! We wanted to cover as many topics as possible, from physics, nature, the environment, biology and technology. Each topic starts from a very broad question that a child might ask, for example, “why do things fall down and not up?” and although the answer to that question is potentially very complicated, we try to keep the answer broad and wrap it up in an action-based adventure.

Sophie: But some questions don't really work - "why is the sky blue?" is really hard to answer! But some questions are much easier to explain to our audience, like "why do birds sing?"

What will children get from watching Messy Goes to OKIDO?

Sarah: We hope that children will love Messy as a character, and learn to be as curious about the world around them as he is. 

Liz: They will learn lots of interesting facts without even realising it, as Messy brings the joy of science to your screen.

Sarah: Science starts from wanting to know how things work, and children are natural scientists in that they ask a lot of questions. And that’s a good thing! 

Liz: It may answer annoying questions that your children ask you. They may become know-it-alls - our line producer's daughter is going around the place pointing out everything that is made of atoms (i.e. everything).

What will grown-ups enjoy about the show and are there any influences they should look out for? 

Sarah: There are plenty of things that grown-ups will appreciate about the show, not least the eye-poppingly beautiful animation. There are playful nods to retro computer games in some of the graphic sequences, and other subtle pop culture references from film and music too. 

Jules: There are also lots of jokes for the adults, particularly in the form of the mayor of OKIDO who should be recognisable to any adult who has ever gone into a council office.

Sarah: We’re hoping the broad introduction to topics will encourage little ones to ask more questions afterwards, so parents can explore the topics with their children and adults may even learn things - we certainly did while making the show!

Do you have any personal favourite moments from the filming, or favourite things in the show?

Sarah: I really admire the attention to detail that the animators go to. In one episode, we get to see inside the mayor’s house and there’s a beautifully-crafted portrait of the mayor’s mother on the wall. It’s little details like that which show how well-crafted it is, and how much love and care has gone into making it.  

Liz: Any time Messy presses a button, particularly in the comet episode when messy goes into hyperspace. And the voice records are always fun, particularly when the actors play two characters having a conversation with themselves! 

Rachel: Every time we finish an episode we do a "show and tell" where the whole crew comes together to watch it, with lots of cheering and laughing. And we love it when they dance.