From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Johnson and Friends is an Australian children's programme, first broadcast in 1991^[1]. It was shown in the UK in the mid 1990s on CBBC, and then on the rather obscure TV Channel known as "Tiny Living" ^[2], a cable channel for the under 5's, in the early morning. It is shown in Australia by the ABC Kids Channel^[3].

Johnson and his friends are toys that belong to Michael, unseen except for asleep in his bed. They reside in his bedroom, and they come to life as soon as he has left or asleep. Each episode involves a story about the toys, and it will usually have a little message to convey to the children, about sharing, cheating, or similar. The programme was narrated by Paul Bertram.

Contents 1 Characters 2 Themes 3 References 4 External Links

• Johnson (voiced by Jonathan Hendry) is the "leader" of the toys. A furry pink elephant, Johnson is the wisest of the group, although he tends towards impatience sometimes.

• McDuff (voiced by Dra McKay) is a concertina and although she is a little silly, is a kind and loyal friend, especially towards the misunderstood Diesel.

• Diesel (voiced by Matthew Chamberlain) is a toy truck that spends most of his time going "bruuum, bruuum" around the floor. He speaks with a very pronounced Australian accent. Although brusque, he means well and is obviously fond of his friends.

• Alfred (voiced by Peter Browne) is the hot water bottle, which is technically not a toy. He lives under the bed, and is a real "fusspot". He is neurotic and anxious, and complains constantly. His face wears an aggrieved expression, but it is Alfred that supplies a lot of the humour.

• Squeaky (voiced by Sarah Boddy) is a robot, who really doesn't seem to do or say much at all. She is often being shoved into the toy cupboard by the other toys.

• Victoria (voiced by Elizabeth Easther) is a slow- moving dinosaur that actually belongs to Michael's sister, Mellisa; Victoria will appear at the door with some bad news she has just heard ie "they're going on holiday and they can't take any toys with them!"

The series is aimed at the under 5's, there is a fascination amongst all children that their toys come to life when they are gone, and this is exploited. However, the stories often have a deeper message, and sometimes they are very poignant. Often the toys live in terror that new toys will replace them (a major theme in Toy Story). Small children are encouraged to look after old toys.

On one occasion McDuff was taken out into the real world. She rejected her friends because it was so wonderful, but eventually she regained her senses. One episode deals with the issue of having a TV in your child's room; the toys become completely addicted and Alfred watches it even when nothing is on.

All the episodes convey gentle moral messages to young children whilst at the same time providing the colour and fun that young children want.

1. ^ Johnson and Friends at the Internet Movie Database IMDB
2. ^ Tiny Living Information on DigiGuide.com - Lists Johnson and Friends
3. ^ ABCKids

• Johnson and Friends at the Internet Movie Database
• ABC Kids Page (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
• RetroJunk
• Sausagenet.com