Hubbry Logo
Show Me Show MeShow Me Show MeMain
Open search
Show Me Show Me
Community hub
Show Me Show Me
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Show Me Show Me
Show Me Show Me
Show Me Show Me
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Show Me Show Me
Created by
Presented by
  • Chris Jarvis
  • Pui Fan Lee
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series
  • 6 (regular)
  • 1 (seaside)
No. of episodes
  • 156 (regular; inc. 1 special)
  • 6 (seaside)
Production
Production locationBBC Elstree Centre
Running time25 minutes
Production companyBBC In-House Children's Production
Original release
NetworkCBeebies
Release6 July 2009 (2009-07-06) –
30 October 2015 (2015-10-30)

Show Me Show Me is a pre-school television series that aired on CBeebies from 6 July 2009 to 30 October 2015 and is created and presented by Chris Jarvis and Pui Fan Lee. The series teaches and shows children to read stories about their toys. The show also aired on Pluto TV's BBC Kids FAST Channel in the United States, ABC Kids in Australia, BBC Kids in Canada and on BBC One And BBC Two.

Characters

[edit]

The show features five toys: Mo Mo, Tom, Stuffy, Miss Mouse, and Teddington, each of which appears in their own song as well as in a storybook adventure.

  • Stuffy – A felt cube with orange hair and a pocket at the back
  • Mo Mo – A girl robot with a poseable head and arms
  • Miss Mouse – A knitted mouse with a red dotted headband
  • Tom – A boy rag doll with brown hair
  • Teddington – A teddy bear with a green waistcoat and black bow-tie

Format

[edit]

The show takes place on the top floor of a tower and each episode begins by climbing the ten-storey tower block lift where a child's voice counts from one to ten. On reaching ten we enter Chris and Pui's play room where a magical world of fun and games is explored.[1]

Each show centres on two items that form the title of the episode (for example "Granddads and Glasses"), each of which is introduced by a child requesting "Show me show me granddads". Chris and Pui then explore the items via videos, songs and activities, as well as a piece in which children talk about their experiences with that item.

Shows often feature one of the characters' songs, or a story read by one of the presenters about the exploits of the toys.

Most episodes contain a sequence of a shop. If Chris runs it, Pui comes as different nursery rhyme characters such as The Grand Old Duke of York, Little Bo-Peep, Incy Wincy Spider, Little Miss Muffet, Rapunzel, Old MacDonald, Granny Humpty and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. If Pui runs it, Chris enters as one of Humpty Dumpty, the Hey Diddle cow, Jack from "Jack and Jill", Pat the Baker, Hickory Dickory Dock, Horsey Horsey, Old King Cole, or Wee Willie Winkie.

In Series 1, a cartoon series called Penelope featuring a blue koala appeared in episodes and was later split off.[2]

In Series 2, another cartoon series called Uki was featured, about an eponymous little yellow character who conveys emotions through laughter and smiles. As with Penelope, this was eventually split off onto its own series.[3]

The format of the show is similar to that of Play School – the BBC programme from the '60s, '70s and '80s.

Transmissions

[edit]

Series

[edit]
Series Start date End date Episodes
1 6 July 2009 2 October 2009 40
2 6 September 2010 29 October 2010 25
3 6 June 2011 29 July 2011 25
4 4 March 2013 29 March 2013 20
5 28 October 2013 20 December 2013 26
6 5 October 2015 30 October 2015 20

Seaside

[edit]
Series Start date End date Episodes
1 30 July 2012 4 August 2012 6

Specials

[edit]
Date Entitle
17 December 2012 Winter Special

Episodes

[edit]

Controversy

[edit]

On 7 September 2016, cast member Chris Jarvis was alleged to have used profanity during a song about kites, sparking outrage among parents. In response, the CBeebies Facebook page released a statement saying "It's kite everyone, kite! We make shows for your little ones so it's always going to be kite".[4]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Show Me Show Me

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Show Me Show Me is a British television series created and produced by the for its channel, featuring live-action presenters Chris Jarvis and interacting with a cast of animated toys in a colorful, magical playroom environment. The program, which ran for six regular seasons (156 episodes, including one special) and a seaside special series (six episodes) from July 6, 2009, to October 30, 2015, focuses on encouraging imaginative play, creativity, and early learning through interactive songs, games, dances, and short stories exploring everyday themes such as animals, nature, and emotions. The show's format revolves around daily episodes where and Pui lead activities with beloved toy characters, including Stuffy, Miss Mouse, Mo Mo, , and Tom. These segments often incorporate animated shorts featuring recurring characters like the , to reinforce themes in an engaging, repetitive manner suitable for viewers aged 2 and up. The series emphasizes participation, with "groovy moves" dance routines and simple educational elements that build vocabulary and without formal instruction. Show Me Show Me received positive reception for its lively energy and inclusive approach to , earning a 7.2/10 rating on from user reviews that highlight its appeal to young audiences through vibrant production and character-driven storytelling. While some critiques noted occasional repetition in songs and basic production values, the show was praised by for fostering imagination and movement in a safe, fun context, making it a staple of programming during its run.

Overview

Premise and setting

Show Me Show Me is a British programme targeted at children aged 2 , designed to encourage imaginative of two everyday themes per , such as "pianos and penguins" or "farms and feathers," through engaging stories, , and activities that promote and . The show invites young viewers to participate indirectly by responding to prompts like "show me" your version of the theme at home, fostering a sense of involvement without requiring on-screen interaction. The programme is set in a vibrant, magical playroom perched at the top of a 10-storey tower in the sky, featuring colorful elements like fairy lights, tunnels, a giant , and a glowing green tree that inspire wonder and simulate a safe, child-friendly space for play. Toys and props within this environment, including characters like Stuffy the bear and Mo Mo Bot, come to life to support the themes, creating an immersive world that mirrors the imaginative play of playgroups. Educationally, Show Me Show Me aims to build foundational skills in observation, language, and social interaction by transforming ordinary objects into adventures, helping children discover joy in the everyday while encouraging parent-child discussions and movement-based activities. It premiered on the channel on 6 July 2009 as a in-house production, with hosts Chris Jarvis and serving as friendly guides in the playroom.

Hosts and production

Show Me Show Me was co-written and co-developed by its lead presenters, Chris Jarvis and Pui Fan Lee, who brought their extensive experience in children's programming to the series. Chris Jarvis, born on 20 April 1969 in Romford, Essex, England, began his television career in 1993 as a presenter on Children's BBC, hosting segments like The Broom Cupboard and contributing to shows such as Wood Lane TV and Playdays. He later transitioned to CBeebies upon its launch in 2002, co-hosting interactive educational programs including Discover and Do and The Bedtime Hour for seven years, where he emphasized engaging young audiences through play and exploration. Pui Fan Lee, born on 14 July 1971 in , , gained prominence as the actress behind Po, the red , in the original run of from 1997 to 2001, a role that highlighted her skills in physical performance and for viewers. Like Jarvis, she co-hosted Discover and Do and The Bedtime Hour on starting in 2002, fostering imaginative activities tailored to children aged 2-4. Together, Jarvis and Lee drew on their shared history of collaborative presenting to create , aiming to inspire interactive play using everyday objects and toys, with production overseen by series producer Allan Johnston and executive producer . The series was produced in-house by the Children's department for , utilizing a multi-camera studio format to capture the hosts' energetic interactions in a whimsical playroom setting. Each episode runs approximately 25 minutes, designed for short attention spans while incorporating songs, rhymes, and storytelling to encourage viewer participation. Filmed primarily in the UK, the show was distributed globally through channels without significant adaptations, maintaining its core focus on British preschool education and entertainment.

Cast and characters

Presenters

The presenters of Show Me Show Me were Chris Jarvis and Pui Fan Lee, who co-hosted all seven series of the programme from its debut in July 2009 until its conclusion in October 2015. Jarvis and Lee served as playful guides in the show's whimsical playroom environment, where they interacted with toy characters during storytelling segments, sang original songs, recited nursery rhymes, and led hands-on activities to model enthusiastic exploration and imaginative play for preschool audiences. Their on-screen chemistry derived from years of prior collaboration on CBeebies programmes such as Discover and Do and The Bedtime Hour, as well as Jarvis's background in improvisational acting from shows like Wood Lane TV and musical performances with orchestras including the London Philharmonic. Lee, raised in a family of Hong Kong origin in the UK Midlands, contributed to the show's multicultural appeal through her heritage and versatile performance skills honed since her early acting career. The duo's high-energy style, featuring lively interactions and repetitive elements tailored to young children's attention spans, helped foster viewer engagement by inviting at-home participation with personal toys. frequently handled vocal elements, including songs and with characters like Mouse, drawing on her experience voicing roles in children's media. , with his prior work in puppet voicing for series such as Underground Ernie, emphasized and movement-based segments, enhancing the show's dynamic appeal. No cast changes occurred during the run, with both presenters maintaining consistent roles across the 162 episodes. Following the series, Jarvis and Lee continued contributing to through projects like co-devising Old Jack's Boat and appearing in pantomime specials.

Toys and recurring elements

The central toys in Show Me Show Me include Stuffy, a felt cube; Mo Mo, a girl ; Tom, a ; Mouse, a knitted ; and Teddington, a . These hand-crafted puppets are brought to life through simple and off-screen voicing by the presenters, Chris Jarvis and , to preserve the immersive playroom setting. Each toy features in its own signature song, such as "We Love You Stuffy" or "Mo Mo's Rainbow," which highlights its unique traits during episodes. The toys also star in personalized story segments tied to the episode's theme, where they embark on imaginative adventures; these narratives begin with the toys "waking up" in the playroom and conclude with them "going to sleep" as a to the show. Recurring elements include the Wake Up and Go to Sleep rituals involving the toys, which frame the educational play and encourage young viewers to mimic the actions. Brief animated inserts provide additional storytelling, such as the adventures of , a three-year-old inquisitive blue , in Series 1, or Uki, the explorer, in Series 2.

Format and episodes

Episode structure

Each episode of Show Me Show Me follows a consistent, self-contained format lasting approximately 25 minutes, designed to engage viewers through interactive play and exploration in the magical playroom setting. The episode opens with the "Wake Up" song, during which presenters and Pui rouse the sleeping toys, establishing a gentle, rhythmic start to the day in the playroom. Following this, the two central themes—such as robots or kites—are introduced via postcards from young viewers or related props, prompting discussions and transitions to short real-world footage videos that illustrate the themes in action, like animals in their habitats or everyday objects in use. The core of the episode consists of several interconnected segments centered on the themes. adventures form key narratives, typically 5-7 minutes long, where — including Stuffy (a felt character) and Miss Mouse—embark on imaginative escapades tied to the themes, often involving problem-solving or discovery. Musical elements are woven throughout, featuring theme-specific songs (e.g., a song about "Kites" soaring in the wind) alongside recurring ones like the energetic "Groovy Moves" dance routine, which encourages viewers to mimic simple physical actions. Additional activities promote active participation, such as guided dances, make-believe play scenarios, and a visit to the Shop, where toys "purchase" silly items using pretend money like buttons or leaves, reinforcing concepts of exchange and creativity. Episodes conclude with the "Go to Sleep" sequence, a calming wind-down where are tucked in amid a final lullaby-style , mirroring the opening to the playroom's "day." While most episodes adhere to this live-action structure, early series incorporated integrated animated segments, such as short cartoons featuring characters like the koala or Uki the one-eyed alien, whereas later series shifted to purely live-action content without ongoing narrative arcs across episodes. Thematically, episodes prioritize accessible, age-appropriate topics like colors, roles, or , with deliberate repetition of key words, actions, and ideas to support early learning and retention through playful reinforcement.

Broadcast history

Show Me Show Me premiered on the channel on 6 July 2009 with the first series consisting of 40 episodes that aired from July to October 2009, with additional blocks in 2010, 2011, and 2013. The second series, comprising 26 episodes, followed in 2010, beginning on 6 September. Series 3, also with 26 episodes, aired throughout 2011, premiering on 6 June. The fourth series of 26 episodes ran in 2012, following the seaside specials. Series 5, featuring another 26 episodes, broadcast from late 2013 into 2014, beginning on 28 October 2013. The sixth and final series consisted of 20 episodes in October 2015, concluding on 30 October. Across its six series, the programme produced a total of 156 regular episodes. In addition to the main series, Show Me Show Me featured special transmissions, including a seaside series of six short episodes filmed on location at Scarborough beach with water-themed activities, airing from 30 July to 8 August 2012. A standalone Winter Special, focusing on holiday-themed playroom activities and winter sounds, aired on 17 December 2012. The programme aired exclusively on the digital channel in the UK, with episodes often repeated during morning slots on and to reach broader audiences. Internationally, it was broadcast on in the United States during the 2010s via the BBC Kids FAST channel, on ABC Kids in , and on in from 2011 to 2012, typically in subtitled versions without major adaptations. Home media releases were limited, including UK DVD compilations such as Show Me Show Me: Best of Series 1 in 2010 and various episode collections available through retailers like Amazon. Episodes were archived on for streaming into the 2020s, though availability has become sporadic as of 2025, with select instalments still accessible.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Show Me Show Me has been widely praised for its engaging format and the warmth of its hosts, Chris Jarvis and , which foster a sense of playful interaction for preschool viewers. awarded the series 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as a "lively and colorful show" that features songs, games, and movements encouraging imaginative and tactile play, while reviewing simple concepts in a charming, everyday manner suitable for ages 2 and up. Reviewers have highlighted its role as a staple. The show's educational value lies in its gentle approach to learning, incorporating songs and narratives with toys that support concept reinforcement and imaginative engagement, though specific endorsements from child psychologists were not prominently documented. It received no major awards but earned a BAFTA Children's Award nomination in 2013 for in the Presenter category, recognizing his contributions to programming. Viewer feedback underscores its high popularity among parents during the , with reports positioning it as a core offering in ' lineup for diverse, inclusive content—exemplified by co-host Pui Fan Lee's visibility as a British East Asian presenter. Criticisms are minimal, with some noting the repetitive songs and formulaic structure could become tiresome for adult caregivers, despite engaging young audiences effectively.

Controversies and impact

In 2016, a repeat episode of Show Me Show Me sparked when a viral clip circulated online, appearing to show presenter uttering a during a song about kites. The quickly clarified that had said "kite," attributing the mishearing to an audio glitch, and no formal complaints were upheld by regulators. The incident drew media attention but resulted in no further action or ongoing scandals for the program. Beyond this isolated event, Show Me Show Me has left a lasting cultural legacy as a cornerstone of gentle, imaginative preschool programming on , emphasizing play and creativity without high-stakes narratives. Its toy-centric format and soothing pace have positioned it as a "comfort show" for young children, particularly appealing to millennial parents introducing it to their own families through reruns. The series contributed significantly to the careers of hosts and Chris Jarvis, who transitioned into live theatre, including co-devising pantomimes and performing in stage adaptations. Post-run extensions amplified the show's reach, with live stage tours such as the Chris & Pui Roadshow (2014–2015) and The Chris and Pui Show (2017) touring UK theatres, featuring songs, sketches, and familiar toys like Stuffy and MoMo. Merchandise in the 2010s included plush toys of characters like Stuffy and books tied to episode themes, available through the BBC Shop. Episodes remained accessible on BBC iPlayer for streaming, supporting enduring fan engagement via online communities. It endures as a benchmark for low-key, educational preschool television.

References

  1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/show-me-show-me
  2. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/show-me-show-me
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4448234/
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20110830233150/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/about/programmes/penelope.shtml
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/2009/wk27/feature_show_me.shtml
  6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b00q2x2z/show-me-show-me
  7. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1344043/
  8. https://www.chris-jarvis.com/about-1
  9. https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/05_may/12/show.shtml
  10. https://www.chris-jarvis.com/
  11. https://www.sheilland.com/pui-fan-lee
  12. https://www.thechildrensmediafoundation.org/chris-jarvis
  13. https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/03_march/22/cbeebies.shtml
  14. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721204202/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/about/programmes/uki.shtml
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4448234/episodes/?season=2
  16. https://www.episodate.com/tv-show/show-me-show-me?season=3
  17. https://www.episodate.com/tv-show/show-me-show-me?season=4
  18. https://reelgood.com/show/show-me-show-me-2009/season/5
  19. https://thetvdb.com/series/show-me-show-me/episodes/5385617
  20. https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2012/31/show-me-show-me-seaside
  21. https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2012/51/show_me_show_me_winter_special
  22. https://archive.org/details/show-me-show-me-shoes-and-horses-4-dec-2009-full-episode-bob-bbc1-airing
  23. https://pluto.tv/us/on-demand/series/61bcf61b635aeb001ac1edac
  24. https://fandubdb.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_programs_broadcast_by_BBC_Kids
  25. https://www.amazon.co.uk/me-dvd/s?k=show%2Bme%2Bshow%2Bme%2Bdvd
  26. https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/nominations-announced-british-academy-childrens-awards/
  27. http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/annualreport/pdf/bbc_exec_sopps_2010_11.pdf
  28. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3778925/CBeebies-bosses-deny-claims-presenter-uttered-C-word-playful-song-kites-think-s-saying.html
  29. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/08/cbeebies-deny-presenter-said-the-c-word-on-show-for-children/
  30. https://metro.co.uk/2016/09/08/11-times-cbeebies-probably-didnt-swear-6116085/
  31. https://metro.co.uk/2017/02/11/happy-birthday-cbeebies-15-essential-programmes-to-celebrate-15-glorious-years-6399088/
  32. https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/features/chris-jarvis-70
  33. https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/leisure/reviews/13646746.the-chris-pui-roadshow-pavilion-theatre/
  34. https://www.visitblackpool.com/latest-news/cbeebies-presents-chris-038%3B-pui-roadshow/
  35. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/cbeebies-show-show-original-stuffy-282151408
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.