Morph set for a return to TV screens
Morph to return to television on CBBC in June
'The New Adventures of Morph' are set to burst on to our television screens on CBBC.
by Bryce Gibson (article) and Parasshuram Shalgar (video)
For many current adults who look back on their childhood in the 1970s and '80s with fondness, the Plasticine figure called 'Morph' may bring back some pleasant memories from a seemingly bygone age. A new generation of young fans may be about to be developed soon, with the news that the flexible hero is to burst back on to Television screens next month.
Morph's return
The clay figure is set to return in The New Adventures of Morph to be shown on CBBC, resurrecting a career that was first established in the 1970s. His debut was on the Children's Art show Take Hart in 1977, which was presented by the wonderfully creative Tony Hart who sadly died in 2009.
The two became something of a surreal double-act, with Hart working the animated figure into the show at regular intervals to add amusing interludes. Hart's skills were rewarded with two BAFTAs, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.
True to the original format
The resurrection of the character of Morph is expected to be not too dissimilar to that from the '70s. That consistency of format is to be ensured by utilising clay and stop-frame animation as with the original, which is in stark contrast to previous children's programmes that have been brought back recently such as the new Thunderbirds' reincarnation. Whereas they have looked to develop a more modern look and feel through CGI (computer-generated imagery), Morph is to retain his home in Bristol at Aardman studios.
Their work has been popular on other projects, including the video for Peter Gabriel's smash hit "Sledgehammer" and also for the popular Wallace and Gromit.
Morph himself will no doubt utilise the flexibility of his form to good effect in the new show. Being able to change shape at will he is perfect for linking sections together within a programme.
In Take Hart he was commonly featured in one minute bursts of action, changing into a sphere to move around or imitating other objects.
Funding raised through a campaign
Bringing the character back to TV screens was made possible through a popular campaign on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter. As a result, 15 new episodes have been financed thanks to the funding that was raised, amounting to around £110,000.
Ageless character
Of course, the beauty of an animated character is that he / she basically never ages and can theoretically come back whenever television tastes determine. Peter Lord is the co-creator and was clearly excited when asked to comment on the news, quipping that Morph was "as lively and full of fun as ever."
Bryce Gibson
Occasional contributor to Blasting News. .
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