The Hoobs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hoobs is a television program by The Jim Henson Company. It is about four creatures called Hoobs (Iver, Groove, Tula and Roma) from the fictional Hoobland, and their interactions with Earth and the human race. In each episode they try to find the answer to a question to be put in the great Hoobopaedia created by Hubba Hubba back in Hoobland. They live in the Hoobmobile and travel to all parts of the world.
In Britain it is a regular feature in early morning schedules and also a cult favourite with students and those adults with a nostalgic fondness for the Muppets. The show is made in the UK, as are many other Jim Henson Company productions. It was commissioned for Channel 4, and has been regionalised for other countries, including North America. [1]
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[edit] Hoobs
The Hoobs:
- have their own special words
- love to learn
- come from Hoobland, a sunny, colourful and bouncy world
- are a race of great explorers
- travel the Universe investigating and finding out about the different planets they visit
- each day, wherever they are, find the answer to a single question about the world they are currently visiting
- report their findings, by means of their sophisticated Hoobytechnology, to Hubba Hubba (the coordinator of the Hoobaepedia) back in Hoobland
The Hoobopaedia is a database of everything Hoobs could ever want to know about the Universe, similar to an encyclopedia. Hubba Hubba Hoob communicates with Hoobs everywhere via Hoobnet. When necessary, Hubba Hubba can use all the available information from the Hoobopaedia to help the Hoobs with their quest. The information the Hoobs ultimately gather is then broadcast to Hoobs everywhere and stored for future generations. In nearly every episode, the question is sparked off by a random remark from one of the Hoobs, towards which Hubba Hubba takes a childlike delight.
[edit] Hoobs on Earth
There are four different Hoobs investigating Planet Earth. These are:
- Iver
- Tula
- Groove
- Roma
Iver, Tula and Groove live in the Hoobmobile, a psychedelic bus. Roma also lives in the Hoobmobile but is rarely there as she travels the world like a reporter on her motorbike (the Hooby Picky-picky, also powered by one Motorette - see the Hoob Bus, below). Iver (purple Hoob) is the team leader and co-ordinator, Tula (pink Hoob, the girl) is the inquisitive and occasionally bossy one, while Groove (green Hoob) is the happy-go-lucky one who spends his time managing his numerous collections of Different Things, with a grouped collection for every single occasion. Roma is yellowy orange, and speaks with an extremely upper-class accent.
[edit] Other hoobs
- Hubba Hubba
Hubba Hubba is the boss of the hoobs.
- Grease lightening Groove
Grease lightening groove looks like Groove so that is why groove is called Groove.
- Auntie Hatty
Auntie Hatty is Hubba Hubba's friend and is a red hoob.
[edit] Other Creatures and plants
- Hooby doo doo
- Hooby grow-in-a-day tree
- Hoobo cacto-spiker
- Heeble leaf tree
- Hoobnip tree
- Hooby cotton blossom
These hoob plants do not like getting wet.
[edit] Hoob food
- Hooby puffs
- Hoobo flakes
- Hoobnips
- Hoobo berries
- Hoobnip tart
- Hoobo cactus shake
- Heeble berries
- Heeble berry jelly
- Hooby chips
- Hooby cookies
- Shoobage
- Hooby scones
- Hoobo blubbers
[edit] Hoob words
As previously detailed, there are several Hoob words which are used as a language for these creatures where other words are generally used in the English language. These include:
- Hoobledoop = "Hello"
- Shoobahoobs/Doobahoobs = "Girls/Boys"
- Hoobletoodledoo = "Goodbye"
- Hoobacious = "Wonderful"
- Fantabbyhooby = "Fantastic"
- Hooby-groovy = "Fantastic"
- Hoobybooboo = "A mistake"
- Twizzle-Tuft = "Head Hair"
- Hooby-galooby = "Wow/Amazing"
- Hoobybother = "Bother"
- Peeps = "Adults"
- Peep planet = "Planet Earth"
- Tiddlypeeps = "Small people/children"
- Squgglytiddlypeeps = "Babies"
- Wrinklypeeps = "Old people"
- Fantabbytroobellygroobellyhoobellygroovydooble-atious (pronounced fan-tab-ee-troo-bel-ee-groo-bel-ee-hoo-bel-ee-groov-ee-do-bel-aesh-uss)=the best complement you could give a hoob.
The Hoobs have some technology that parallels that on earth: for example, they have Hoobnet (the Internet), although they can order things online and have them appear immediately; they also have a phone and a fridge. While they are willing to eat Peep (Earth) foods, they also have a liking for their own foods such as Hoobybuns and sandwiches which they have flattened with a hammer, they also drink Hoob-o-fizz, which comes in a magenta-coloured bottle.
Hoobs do not have birthdays; they have Twizzle-tuft days. They are frightened of water.
Like the Teletubbies before them, the show has been criticised by some parents and media outlets for not using real words as they feel it detracts from teaching proper vocabulary to the target audience. Many psychologists dispute this argument however, citing the similarities to the 'baby talk' uttered by parents and how small children generally talk themselves at such a young age, and claim that it's a natural step in the learning and understanding process.
[edit] The Hoob Bus (Hoobmobile)
The Hoob bus has:
- a colourful roof garden filled with strangely beautiful plants
- peepholes and portholes, a balcony, and a tiny door
- an engine powered by music
- no people inside (exept once when tiddlypeeps came to buy various hoob items)
While each of the Hoobs is capable of driving the Hoobmobile, its 'fuel' is the songs sung from within the engine by the Motorettes, little piston-like creatures that will sing some variation of the Tiddlypeeps anthem (and later, a song related to the answer of the day) whenever the Hoobs drive over for a visit. The lyrics to the anthem are always the same, but are sung in several different tunes and styles, including soft rock, country and opera.The motrettes are timp, tootle and twang. The hoobmobile can travel very fast through space as the hoobs have visited alot of planets that are not even in this solar system.
[edit] Hoob–human communications
Hoobs are willing to speak to small children (Tiddlypeeps) but not to adults (Peeps) because they are too shy to do so. However, in one episode Iver does talk to an adult flight attendant. In another, each Hoob visits an elderly man in a care home (and his nurse), but these adults seem to think they are hallucinating. In one episode a grown-up talks to Groove as he is making pancakes. Furthermore, Roma has a friend named Dorothy who appears to be a Peep, but is never seen on screen. In the course of two visits per episode, the Tiddlypeeps ultimately provide the Hoobs with all the essential information they need to answer the question of the day, usually after one or two stumbles from the Hoobs themselves.
[edit] Notable actors / actresses to have appeared in the Hoobs
[edit] Episodes
ART Written by Ruth Symes
VALENTINE Written by Ruth Symes
FINDING OUT Written by Mellie Buse
MONKEYS Written by Karen Wallace
HELLO Written by Paul Larson
LAUGHING Written by ???
STARS Written by Robyn Charteris
PETS Written by Laura Beaumont
WHISTLES Written by ???
FLOATING Written by ???
DOG Written by Laura Beaumont
RUNNING Written by ???
GETTING BETTER Written by ???
FROGS Written by ???
LOSING THINGS Written by Jan Page
FLAGS Written by Paul Larson
SEASONS Written by Steve Kynman
BEES Written by ???
FIX IT Written by James Mason
HOMES Written by Jenny McDade
PRESENTS Written by Ross Hastings
HAIR Written by Steve Kynman
CLAPPING Written by Ross Hastings
SMELLS Written by Karen Wallace
COMBS Written by ???
KEEPING WARM Written by ???
RAIN Written by ???
WOBBLE Written by ???
OWNING UP Written by Jan Page
SAND Written by Nigel Crowle
HOOTING Written by Karen Wallace
SOFT ROUND FLAT THINGS Written by Ross Hastings
FISH Written by ???
KEYS Written by Andy Bernhardt
WAITING Written by ???
SHOES Written by ???
FLYING Written by ???
TIMES Written by Johnny Meres
GETTING TO SLEEP Written by Kate Wood
POTATOES Written by ???
MICE Written by ???
TEETH Written by ???
PUPPETS Written by Jan Page
ANGRY Written by Steve Kynman
HOLIDAYS Written by Ross Hastings
BOYS AND GIRLS Written by Jan Page
WIND Written by ???
Getting Bigger Written by Marc Seal
RUBBISH Written by Paul Larson
EGGS Written by Penny Lloyd
PLANES Written by Karen Wallace
DREAMS Written by Jan Page
SPOTS Written by Robyn Charteris
SHOPPING Written by Diane Redmond
BORROWING Written by ???
FANCY DRESS Written by Jan Page
CRYING Written by Diane Redmond
BELLS Written by Kate Wood
SHARING Written by Andy Bernhardt
UP AND DOWN Written by James Mason
DANCING Written by ???
DIRTY Written by Paul Larson
JUICIEST FRUIT Written by Nigel Crowle
HIGH UP Written by Polly Churchill
COWS Written by Penny Lloyd
SHY Written by Dan Bateman
THE BAND Written by Ben Randall
CIRCUS Written by Steve Kynman
UPSIDE DOWN Written by Kate Wood
RINGS Written by Jenny Mcdade
CAKES Written by Diane Redmond
BOATS Written by Karen Wallace
FREEZING Written by Paul Larson
FRESH Written by Laura Beaumont
WAKING UP Written by Karen Wallace
EXPLORING Written by Steve Kynman
EXERCISE Written by Ross Hastings
PAIRS Written by Jan Page
FUNNY FACES Written by Karen Wallace
COOL Written by Karen Wallace
STRIPES Written By ???
TIDYING UP Written by Andy Bernhardt
FRIENDS Written by Diane Redmond
MESSAGES Written by Laura Beaumont
NAMES Written by Paul Larson
COLOURS Written by James Mason
STUFFING Written by Jenny McDade
FLY AWAY Written by Diane Redmond
STORIES Written by Laura Beaumont
GLOVES Written by Steve Kynman
TASTE Written by Ross Hastings
BRAVE Written by Jan Page
HIDING Written by Paul Larson
SEA SHELLS Written by Nigel Crowle
SCARED Written by Polly Churchill
SPIKY Written by Kate Wood
DISAPPEAR Written by Jan Page
SLOW Written by Karen Wallace
CRUMBS Written by Robyn Charteris
HANG UPS Written by Paul Larson
SWINGING Written by Diane Redmond
PICKING UP Written by Jan Page
COPYING Written by Jan Page
TOYS Written by Laura Beaumont
DARK Written by Marc Seal
WHEELS Written by James Mason
HOBBIES Written by Ross Hastings
DINOSAURS Written by James Mason
SOFT Written by James Mason
NEW WORDS Written by Laura Beaumont
ROMA'S VISIT Written by James Mason
BEHIND YOU! Written by Marc Seal
BUBBLES Written by Jenny McDade
BOUNCING Written by Laura Beaumont
BIG LOAF Written by Andy Bernhardt
IT'S A MYSTERY Written by Diance Redmond
LUCKY Written by Marc Seal
HATS Written by Jan Page
CAMEL Written by Polly Churchill
TALKING TO YOURSELF Written by Nigel Crowle
SURPRISE Written by Jan Page
BA - BOOM! Written by Robyn Charteris
POP Written by Mellie Buse
TREES Written by Laura Beaumont
SHEEP Written by Robyn Charteris
TULA'S CHOICE Written by Mellie Buse
SNOW Written by Steve Kynman
HOOBLEBUMBER BREAKFAST Written by Paul Larson
HOOBY CLUES Written by Diane Redmond
OUCH! Written by Diane Redmond
ROUND AND ROUND Written by Jan Page
THE FAIR Written by Jan Page
POCKETS Written by Jan Page
FUNNY TUMMIES Written by Polly Churchill
SHAPE SORTER Written by Susan Jameson
CRASH BANG WALLOP! Written by Brian Herring
PEEP FLOWERS Written by Karen Wallace
WINNING Written by Jan Page
GROOVE'S WISH Written by Mellie Buse
A PIG FULL OF SURPRISES Written by Polly Churchill
REWARDS Written by Ross Hastings
A HOOB IN A MOOD Written by Jan Page
MOON Written by Robyn Charteris
SOGGY CRISPIES Writeen by Robyn Charteris
GIANT Written by Jan Page
THE DRIP Written by Hazel McBride
PIRATES Written by Ian Carney
HOOBAMAFLIP Written by Lucy Daniel Raby
MAGIC WORDS Written by Paul Dawson
BEAUTIFUL Written by Simon Nicholson
FUNNY SOUNDS Written by Ross Hastings
THAT NOISE Written by Louise Kramosky
OUR FRIEND, FLASH Written by Ben Randell
ACHOO! Written by Cathy Moss
A DOOB FOR A HOOB Written by Elizabeth Lindsey
BIG DAY IN Written by Ross Hastings
MISS HOOB Written by Jonny Meres
YAWNING Written by James Mason
THE SHOOBAGE Written by Dan Bateman
RELAX Written by Jan Page
GET ON WITH THE GAME Written by James Mason
GROOVE THE GREEDY Written by Jan Page
FAIRYLAND Written by Polly Churchill
HOOBYHICS Written by Paul Dawson
CLUMSY Written by Simon Nicholson
HURRY UP! Written by James Mason
A PLACE FOR TULA Written by Lucy Daniel Raby
MUMS AND DADS Written by Jan Page
UNDERGROUND Written by James Mason
WARM JUICE Written by Karen Wallace
TELLING TALES Written by Robyn Charteris
EVERY HOOB'S A STAR Written by Mellie Buse
RIDDLE ME REE Written by Paul Larson
LITTLE ROUND SOMETHINGS Written by Ross Hastings
JOBS Written by Hazel McBride
TULA'S BIG DAY Written by Ian Carney
CREEPY CRAWLIES Written by Polly Churchill
BIRDSONG Written by Polly Churchill
PLAYHOUSE Written by ???
FLIES Written by Karen Wallace
TULA IN WONDERLAND Written by Mellie Buse
CLUBS Written by Ross Hastings
HOOBYDUDU Written by Simon Nicholson
ROBIN HOOD Written by Paul Larson
A WHALE OF A TIME Written by Robyn Charteris
A PROBLEM WITH THE PANSIES Written by Susan Jameson
SEEING CLEARLY Written by Cathy Moss
THE OLD BAMBOO Written by Mellie Buse
DOWN IN THE MIDDLE Written by Dan Bateman
SOMEBODY LOVES YOU Written by Ruth Symes
DON'T DRINK THE WATER Written by Diane Redmond
IVER THE ROBOT Written by Paul Dawson
MAROONED Written by Marc Seal
RUDE HOOB! Written by Jan Page
HOOZLEBERRY BLUES Written by Elizabeth Lindsey
SIR IVERLOT Written by Karen Wallace
YEE HAW! Written by Ross Hastings
IVER'S BIG TRIP Written by Polly Churchill
BEDTIME STORY Written by Karen Wallace
HOOBLEDOOP! Written by Ross Hastings
HOOBYBUMPERBOX DAY Written by Hazel McBride
CHOCOLATE Written by Diane Redmond
DANGEROUS Written by Jan Page
NEWS Written by Diane Redmond
GROOVE'S SPECIAL COLLECTION Written by Louise Kramosky
CARDS Written by Paul Larson
CHANGE Written by Jan Page
SHERLOCK GROOVE Written by Jan Page
NOT A HORSE Written by Ruth Symes
ELBOWS Written by Polly Churchill
MOTERETTE MAGIC Written by Jan Page
HOOBY GROW IN A DAY TREE Written by Lucy Daniel Raby
LITTLE PINK RIDING HOOB Written by Mellie Buse
HOOBY RACES Written by Jan Page
LITTLE GREEN STICKY THING Written by Mellie Buse
TIGER IN NEED Written by Mellie Buse
PROMISES Written by Diane Redmond
TWINKLY WRINKLYPEEP Written by Polly Churchill
COVER UP Written by Ruth Symes
IVER'S BUNS Written by Cathy Moss
BUDDY BEACON Written by Ian Carney
THE FASTEST THING ON LEGS Written by ???
BANANA BANANA CARROT Written by Marc Seal
EMPEROR Written by Simon Nicholson
TIGHT FIT Written by Hazel McBride
HOOBY HOLIDAY Written by Susan Jameson
OPERA SINGER Written by Mellie Buse
SIGNS Written by Dan Bateman
THE HOUSE OF IVER Written by Marc Seal
JAMBO TAMBO Written by Robyn Charteris
LOST Written by Louise Kramosky
OVERLOADED Written by Simon Nicholson
RESTAURANT Written by Jan Page
FLOWER POWER Written by Paul Larson
IVER FIVE 0 Written by Ross Hastings
LLAMA FARMER Written by Marc Seal
RECORD BREAKER Written by Ross Hastings
THREE HOOBS, ONE BUS Written by Jan Page
VOICE CHOICE Written by Elizabeth Lindsey
DAY OFF Written by Mellie Buse
PANCAKES Written by Jan Page
COSTUME DRAMA Written by Polly Churchill
SOFT FLOPPY FUN Written by Cathy Moss
WINDOW DRAMA Written by Simon Nicholson
TRICKS WITH BRICKS Written by Simon Nicholson
KING OF THE SEA Written by Polly Churchill
SHOP TIL YA DROP! Written by Cathy Moss
THE BIG BONK Written by Mellie Buse
BOSSY BOOTS Written by Ross Hastings
THE FLIPPERDIPPER DANCER Written by Jan Page
IS IT HOOBLETOODLEDOO? Written by Mellie Buse
