i think this one is my all time favourite. grotbags walking in as “gertrude” and nobody even considering that the great green lass was in fact the old witch, and abbie’s genuine panic when she says “she was here a minute ago!” as they all search for her. and of course watching grotbags flail about is a treat. these sorts of episodes where the kids are really involved in her antics are always the best.
I agree totally - one of the best episodes from my favourite 'sentimental-reasons' series. Croc finally snapping and just outright booting Grotbags up the bottom at 32:08 is short and easily missed, but it's an all-time great moment for me.
Them flowers in that first musical with Rod are absolutely geogoues. Wish the council where I live would spend more time on keeping the parks and gardens as pretty as ( wherever that scene was filmed)
The warm up scene is hilarious. The introductions are a riot. 24:21 When Tammy suggests "Gertrude" join the warm up and wants "to put the music on," she says, "Put the music on Daz" which must be Daryl's nickname.
The impeccable timing when the kids and Gertrude (i mean, Grotbags) did the warm up at 24:38 with "I don't wanna take it anymore" while the latter was getting exhausted really gets me in stiches every time. And the song snippet ends right after that line! How brilliant? And I bet this was one of the weirder instances of Grotbags' plans, complete with hilarity and an opportunity for Croc to get bitter at her. Also, I liked how more involved the kids are in this series, yet I wonder why can't they have more dialogues with one another, so that they do more than being helpers for games or be involved in the antics of the weekly plots; they deserved their own adventures, I'd say.
I love the desperation in Grotbags's voice as she asks, "Can't we do a Post Office...?" She knows her plan's fallen at the first hurdle and she can't dig herself out. And Croc finally snapping and literally kicking her while she's down! That's the sort of touch I find so funny. P.S. I hope you got my reply to your message. :-)
All things considered, I think this particular series is the one that holds the fondest memories for me, too. Hard to believe that this was basically the beginning of the end for Rod and Emu, with the next series being cut to 20-minute episodes and then being ditched all together. I'd love to know the reasons, because I can't fathom them! As for David Tate, I did indeed leave him a message a while ago, but I don't think he's touched his account in the last five years. I'd love to hear from him.
She's also missing from a few other parts of the series, including the very end of the Tomorrow dance. I wonder whether it was something to do with the fact she had a guest star role as Soppy Poppy in one of the episodes...
I don't know whether it's just me, but I remember Children's ITV being all nice and cosy in 1987 with Gary and Debbie presenting - and then all of that had the rug pulled from under it in what seemed like a wrong-headed attempt at being "cool" in 1988. Same happened when No 73 became 7T3, and was then replaced by Motormouth. I don't know who made those decisions, but I much preferred the way it was! But like you say, I'd be fascinated to know what today's kids think of Rod, Emu and Grotbags...
OMG I remember this one too! You've really stirred up some memories with these Rod & Emu episodes (this is the era I remember best). Btw David Tate has a youtube account (davidtate53), have you tried contacting him for any episodes?
It's a cliche but I guess things just change, sadly. Can't imagine many kids sitting through something like this these days. Btw did you also notice Mr Boom mike at 21.30?? (sorry but just spot these things!) :)
