"Me Too!" - a poor man's Balamory? - TV Programmes

Elsie Tanner · 14-09-2006, 08:52

It may just be me, but is anyone else slightly disturbed by this new offering from CBeebies?

It follows more or less the exact same format as the popular Balamory, yet to me it appears to be nothing but embarrassing for the viewer and the cast.

The strangest thing is a woman who must only be in her early forties (at the most) being cast into the role of "Granny Murray". This lady constantly refers to her young viewers as "Honey Pie"

Also in similarity with Balamory, there is a bumbling school-teacher (who is bordering on being little more than camp) straight from the same mould as PC Plum.

The format and the ordering of the programme is very much the same as Balamory too. The programme will begin with some children arriving at Granny Murray's (who we assume is the local child-minder) and then another of the "adult" characters goes on some adventure or other before returning to see Granny and their story being recounted. Very much the "So what's the story in Balamory?"

The computer generated opening and closing titles are even Balamory-esque, although as the programme is set in "the city" the decision has (for some reason) been made to create a mêlée of many other UK cities and their landmarks. (the gherkin, the Tyne Bridges, Edinburgh Castle, Manchester's Tramway)

It may just be me but I think that this programme is, quite simply, ridiculous!

R.Baltrock · 14-09-2006, 09:20

Is Miss Hoolie in it?

Hamlet77 · 14-09-2006, 09:34

Probably after long years of research and many many attempts. Very very old tv programme makers (wel they are compared to the target audience) have sussed out what preschool kids want and in their wisdom they have decided that what it boils down too is very much what Balamory or many other very similar programmes provide.

They possibly take the attitude 'The kids are only 3 years old, what can they want apart from a friendly voice, bright colours, the odd story and song and that's it.'

Letham · 14-09-2006, 09:44

Is the guy who wears the scarf suppossed to be gay?

Steven Oliver · 14-09-2006, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsie Tanner

It may just be me, but is anyone else slightly disturbed by this new offering from CBeebies?

It follows more or less the exact same format as the popular Balamory, yet to me it appears to be nothing but embarrassing for the viewer and the cast.

The strangest thing is a woman who must only be in her early forties (at the most) being cast into the role of "Granny Murray". This lady constantly refers to her young viewers as "Honey Pie"

Also in similarity with Balamory, there is a bumbling school-teacher (who is bordering on being little more than camp) straight from the same mould as PC Plum.

The format and the ordering of the programme is very much the same as Balamory too. The programme will begin with some children arriving at Granny Murray's (who we assume is the local child-minder) and then another of the "adult" characters goes on some adventure or other before returning to see Granny and their story being recounted. Very much the "So what's the story in Balamory?"

The computer generated opening and closing titles are even Balamory-esque, although as the programme is set in "the city" the decision has (for some reason) been made to create a mêlée of many other UK cities and their landmarks. (the gherkin, the Tyne Bridges, Edinburgh Castle, Manchester's Tramway)

It may just be me but I think that this programme is, quite simply, ridiculous!

Keep a look out for the bus that appears in the series - Lothian Buses supplied it for the filming and it carries their livery with Riversea Buses fleetnames placed over the Lothian ones. It features in scenes in Edinburgh and Newcastle IIRC.

swampwizard · 14-09-2006, 10:02

This is made by the same production team so would have similar themes. Remember children enjoy watching things over and over again. Although this is brand new it is using the same successful format that was used on balamory. This is a proven format that works.

I'm just waiting for the affair with the policman who has an affair with archie. The lesbians in the shop. A spinster driving a bus (ah right theres one driving a taxi).

Tabbythecat · 14-09-2006, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampwizard

This is made by the same production team so would have similar themes. Remember children enjoy watching things over and over again. Although this is brand new it is using the same successful format that was used on balamory. This is a proven format that works.

I'm just waiting for the affair with the policman who has an affair with archie. The lesbians in the shop. A spinster driving a bus (ah right theres one driving a taxi).

Watched it today but the jury is still out on this one

ilovedanny · 14-09-2006, 12:06

just put it on, and theres some strange scottish bloke walking round singing.

goughmixture · 14-09-2006, 12:19

had to watch it on holiday with 2 underthrees. it truly is bad and full of it's own adgendas. All the characters seem to belong in same sex relationships jet all are single parent families and when they drop of their child at Granny's they hug them goodbye - no kisses. they all seem to have rubbish jobs but can afford top notch child care. the one area they are missing is that no child in a wheel chair is welcome as those steps are a bugger. granny herself is obviously a bit of a freak - how small are here eyes. and to cap it all the children do the same everyday according to her end song.

Steve_Whelan · 18-09-2006, 09:36

What is it with the random shots of Newcastle. The bulk of the outside shots are shot in scotland, then for no apparant reason someone will walk around a corner be in newcastle a moment later back in Scotland.

stafs · 18-09-2006, 12:02

Well, I hate to be one the break it to you, but none of you are young enough to truly appreciate it. I've not really seen it but sometimes it's on when I get home and my three year greets me by pointing at the screen and saying "Me Too" happily. At the point, I know it doesn't matter a jot whether I like it or not.

Mrs Big · 18-09-2006, 12:16

Whilst taking on board the points about 'Granny' Murray's age, the accesibility of and repetiveness of her childcare, I like Me Too! - and more importantly my 4 year old son does!

I've only seen a few episodes but feel the basic premise - ie what do mum and dad do when they leave me at the childminders? - is a good one. I also like the way it shows that it's OK for mum/dad to miss the child, but still can have a good day.

Children love repetiveness, so that explains the recap at the end.

I don't like the computer graphics at the beginning and end (horrendous - just like Underground Ernie) and agree that 'merging' the cities is a little confusing - son is convinced that 'Granny' Murray lives in Manchester now.

Have you tried the game on CBeebies website - SimCity for toddlers!

Pacha67 · 18-09-2006, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by goughmixture

...granny herself is obviously a bit of a freak - how small are here eyes. ....

It's the same actress as the one who plays Isa in Still Game, so at least she's been allowed to shed a few years for this part.

mellomas1234 · 19-09-2006, 11:16

I think kids are the most important thing. If they enjoy it and it makes them smile that is the main thing for me.

jen0607 · 19-09-2006, 12:17

little'un likes this one....

and if it reminds you of Balamory its because the dude who was PC Plum in Balamory is one of the producers of it.

I can't see the similiarities myself, apart from the fact they are both set in Scotland.

RedImp · 19-09-2006, 13:24

Has anyone noticed the guy with the market stall rarely looks at the camera, if ever. Looks like he's talking/singing to imaginary people. Very strange.

But, the target audience seem to like it so all is good.

Or is it?

2Legit2Quit · 19-09-2006, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedImp

Has anyone noticed the guy with the market stall rarely looks at the camera, if ever. Looks like he's talking/singing to imaginary people. Very strange.

He's blind!

ikr2 · 21-09-2006, 08:55

I think that the market stall character is partially sighted. He uses a stick sometimes but seems to get by in other scenes.

Me Too has grown on me. Our 2 1/2 year-old loves the songs and the general setting.

Balamory was cancelled, probably because some of the actors wanted to move on. Certainly the actress who played Miss Hoolie did:

"...it seems unlikely that further episodes will be made. Although no one is willing to explicitly confirm this, Wilson Nimmo is clear that she is finished with the show. She finds the schedule gruelling. Since 2002 they have filmed 253 episodes, and as the pivotal character she works Monday to Friday with no time to rehearse. Her “serious high maintenance” Hoolie hairdo, which looks as if it is recoiling in terror from her shoulders, takes over an hour each day, and – frankly – she is fed up smiling all day."
http://www.sundayherald.com/print46733 19/12/04

I guess BBC Scotland did their research and came up with Me Too, similar but with some tweaks.

Anyway we are wondering where it is filmed. Edinburgh and Newcastle yes. Anywhere else?

WillowFae · 21-09-2006, 12:30

My toddler likes it. Can't say I do.

Watching it today and I got so frustrated by the words of one of the songs.

"I'm on me way, to work today"

MY, the word is MY, not ME

Kaceydell · 21-09-2006, 13:39

You know i was just thinking earlier on what a strange programme it is. My 3 year old hasn't taken to it at all which is unusual for him!!. I just cannot see how any of the characters can be appealing to children, none of them can sing a note either.

2Legit2Quit · 21-09-2006, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikr2

Since 2002 they have filmed 253 episodes

I don't think they made that many, more like 53 episodes but definitely not 253 as they keep showing the same 20 on CBeebies.

carolinelise · 22-09-2006, 08:41

My 18 month old loves Me too.
Not with the same frenzy as Balamory though.
I agree the Honey Pie makes me want to vomit.
I'm also not sure that showing children going to child minders all day is the correct thing. My 9 year old now asks when i'm going to get a proper job so Granny Murray can look after her and her brother. Maybe being a stay at home mum just isn't the in thing these days.
Mind you i'm not sure how many child minders dog sit as well !!

UpsonPainter NN · 22-09-2006, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampwizard

This is made by the same production team so would have similar themes. Remember children enjoy watching things over and over again. Although this is brand new it is using the same successful format that was used on balamory. This is a proven format that works.

I'm just waiting for the affair with the policman who has an affair with archie. The lesbians in the shop. A spinster driving a bus (ah right theres one driving a taxi).

LOL!!!

My sister thought of similar:

The Policeman has a personality disorder.
Archie in the castle is gay, and the village is homophobic.
The woman that jumps around is a drug dealer
The painter is doing the community service.
Those women in the shop, are the biggest two faced people in the whole village and love the gossip.
The bus-driver is a right trollpe, in the evenings. Goes to the nearest town with a nightclub, and picks up men in her bus to have sex with.
Miss Hoolie is a battered wife.

Letham · 29-09-2006, 09:19

Anyone else find "Granny" Murray very creepy?

Not sure i'd leave my kids with her.

2Legit2Quit · 29-09-2006, 12:30

I chuffing hate the whole "honey pie" thing and when she dances into the living room at the start of every programme.

14-09-2006, 08:52	#1
Elsie Tanner Banned User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Portugal Posts: 5,025	"Me Too!" - a poor man's Balamory? It may just be me, but is anyone else slightly disturbed by this new offering from CBeebies? It follows more or less the exact same format as the popular Balamory, yet to me it appears to be nothing but embarrassing for the viewer and the cast. The strangest thing is a woman who must only be in her early forties (at the most) being cast into the role of "Granny Murray". This lady constantly refers to her young viewers as "Honey Pie" Also in similarity with Balamory, there is a bumbling school-teacher (who is bordering on being little more than camp) straight from the same mould as PC Plum. The format and the ordering of the programme is very much the same as Balamory too. The programme will begin with some children arriving at Granny Murray's (who we assume is the local child-minder) and then another of the "adult" characters goes on some adventure or other before returning to see Granny and their story being recounted. Very much the "So what's the story in Balamory?" The computer generated opening and closing titles are even Balamory-esque, although as the programme is set in "the city" the decision has (for some reason) been made to create a mêlée of many other UK cities and their landmarks. (the gherkin, the Tyne Bridges, Edinburgh Castle, Manchester's Tramway) It may just be me but I think that this programme is, quite simply, ridiculous!

14-09-2006, 09:20	#2
R.Baltrock Banned User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dreary Scotland Services: AOL, Freeview Posts: 5	Is Miss Hoolie in it?

14-09-2006, 09:34	#3
Hamlet77 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Liverpool. Champions of Europe Services: BT EIGHT MEG nose bleed fast, btmobile, Celebdaq = Vilnius Posts: 12,429	Probably after long years of research and many many attempts. Very very old tv programme makers (wel they are compared to the target audience) have sussed out what preschool kids want and in their wisdom they have decided that what it boils down too is very much what Balamory or many other very similar programmes provide. They possibly take the attitude 'The kids are only 3 years old, what can they want apart from a friendly voice, bright colours, the odd story and song and that's it.'

14-09-2006, 09:44	#4
Letham Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 197	Is the guy who wears the scarf suppossed to be gay?

14-09-2006, 10:02	#6
swampwizard Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 281	This is made by the same production team so would have similar themes. Remember children enjoy watching things over and over again. Although this is brand new it is using the same successful format that was used on balamory. This is a proven format that works. I'm just waiting for the affair with the policman who has an affair with archie. The lesbians in the shop. A spinster driving a bus (ah right theres one driving a taxi).

14-09-2006, 12:06	#8
ilovedanny Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Doncaster Posts: 968	just put it on, and theres some strange scottish bloke walking round singing.

14-09-2006, 12:19	#9
goughmixture Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 225	had to watch it on holiday with 2 underthrees. it truly is bad and full of it's own adgendas. All the characters seem to belong in same sex relationships jet all are single parent families and when they drop of their child at Granny's they hug them goodbye - no kisses. they all seem to have rubbish jobs but can afford top notch child care. the one area they are missing is that no child in a wheel chair is welcome as those steps are a bugger. granny herself is obviously a bit of a freak - how small are here eyes. and to cap it all the children do the same everyday according to her end song.

18-09-2006, 09:36	#10
Steve_Whelan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 215	What is it with the random shots of Newcastle. The bulk of the outside shots are shot in scotland, then for no apparant reason someone will walk around a corner be in newcastle a moment later back in Scotland.

18-09-2006, 12:02	#11
stafs Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Gender: Male Location: Kingston Upon Thames Services: BT, Nildram and Freeview at present but Virgin (TV and broadband) soon Posts: 1,147	Well, I hate to be one the break it to you, but none of you are young enough to truly appreciate it. I've not really seen it but sometimes it's on when I get home and my three year greets me by pointing at the screen and saying "Me Too" happily. At the point, I know it doesn't matter a jot whether I like it or not.

18-09-2006, 12:16	#12
Mrs Big Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Manchester Posts: 106	Whilst taking on board the points about 'Granny' Murray's age, the accesibility of and repetiveness of her childcare, I like Me Too! - and more importantly my 4 year old son does! I've only seen a few episodes but feel the basic premise - ie what do mum and dad do when they leave me at the childminders? - is a good one. I also like the way it shows that it's OK for mum/dad to miss the child, but still can have a good day. Children love repetiveness, so that explains the recap at the end. I don't like the computer graphics at the beginning and end (horrendous - just like Underground Ernie) and agree that 'merging' the cities is a little confusing - son is convinced that 'Granny' Murray lives in Manchester now. Have you tried the game on CBeebies website - SimCity for toddlers!

19-09-2006, 11:16	#14
mellomas1234 Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 265	I think kids are the most important thing. If they enjoy it and it makes them smile that is the main thing for me.

19-09-2006, 12:17	#15
jen0607 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,196	little'un likes this one.... and if it reminds you of Balamory its because the dude who was PC Plum in Balamory is one of the producers of it. I can't see the similiarities myself, apart from the fact they are both set in Scotland.

19-09-2006, 13:24	#16
RedImp Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Lincolnshire la la la Services: Sky+, AOL Posts: 84	Has anyone noticed the guy with the market stall rarely looks at the camera, if ever. Looks like he's talking/singing to imaginary people. Very strange. But, the target audience seem to like it so all is good. Or is it?

21-09-2006, 08:55	#18
ikr2 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2	I think that the market stall character is partially sighted. He uses a stick sometimes but seems to get by in other scenes. Me Too has grown on me. Our 2 1/2 year-old loves the songs and the general setting. Balamory was cancelled, probably because some of the actors wanted to move on. Certainly the actress who played Miss Hoolie did: "...it seems unlikely that further episodes will be made. Although no one is willing to explicitly confirm this, Wilson Nimmo is clear that she is finished with the show. She finds the schedule gruelling. Since 2002 they have filmed 253 episodes, and as the pivotal character she works Monday to Friday with no time to rehearse. Her “serious high maintenance” Hoolie hairdo, which looks as if it is recoiling in terror from her shoulders, takes over an hour each day, and – frankly – she is fed up smiling all day." http://www.sundayherald.com/print46733 19/12/04 I guess BBC Scotland did their research and came up with Me Too, similar but with some tweaks. Anyway we are wondering where it is filmed. Edinburgh and Newcastle yes. Anywhere else?

21-09-2006, 12:30	#19
WillowFae Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Services: Sky+ HD Posts: 4,674 Blog Entries: 1	My toddler likes it. Can't say I do. Watching it today and I got so frustrated by the words of one of the songs. "I'm on me way, to work today" MY, the word is MY, not ME

21-09-2006, 13:39	#20
Kaceydell Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,641	You know i was just thinking earlier on what a strange programme it is. My 3 year old hasn't taken to it at all which is unusual for him!!. I just cannot see how any of the characters can be appealing to children, none of them can sing a note either.

22-09-2006, 08:41	#22
carolinelise Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Derbyshire Services: SKY + Posts: 98	My 18 month old loves Me too. Not with the same frenzy as Balamory though. I agree the Honey Pie makes me want to vomit. I'm also not sure that showing children going to child minders all day is the correct thing. My 9 year old now asks when i'm going to get a proper job so Granny Murray can look after her and her brother. Maybe being a stay at home mum just isn't the in thing these days. Mind you i'm not sure how many child minders dog sit as well !!

29-09-2006, 09:19	#24
Letham Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 197	Anyone else find "Granny" Murray very creepy? Not sure i'd leave my kids with her.

29-09-2006, 12:30	#25
2Legit2Quit Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Location: Location Services: Little Chef Posts: 2,645	I chuffing hate the whole "honey pie" thing and when she dances into the living room at the start of every programme.