Wizbit

infobox television
show_name = Wizbit
format = Children's
runtime = 12 x 25mins, 15 x 10mins
creator = Barry Murray
Paul Daniels
starring = Paul Daniels
Debbie McGee
country = UK
network = BBC One
first_aired = 1986
last_aired = 1988
num_episodes = 27 |

"Wizbit" was a 1986 BBC children's television show in which an alien magician called Wizbit and a large rabbit called Wooly had adventures in a place called Puzzleopolis.

Although it was stated in the show that Wizbit's year-and-a-day mission was to find out all about planet Earth, this clashed somewhat with the events witnessed on screen. Wizbit was (apparently) to learn about everyday life on earth by solving puzzles in a town inhabited by walking, talking (and often singing) sponge-balls, dice, magic wands, playing cards and 7-foot tall rabbits.

The show made an attempt to be semi-educational. The (often lateral thinking) puzzles Wizbit was set were usually presented to the audience at home, with the solutions being revealed towards the end of the episode.

The show was created by Barry Murray, who had formerly been Mungo Jerry's record producer, with assistance from conjuror Paul Daniels. It starred Daniels and his assistant (and wife) Debbie McGee.

Its theme tune contained the lyrics: "Ha ha this-a-way, ha ha that-a-way, ha ha this-a-way, my oh my". It featured Daniels rapping the lyrics. The theme has been prominently featured on BBC BBC Radio 1's breakfast show in January 2008 following a comparison with a near-identical pop song.

Wizbit's magic word was "Ostagazuzulum". Wizbit came from the planet WOW, an acronym for 'World Of Wizards'. Wizbit was visiting planet Earth for a year and a day.

All rights to characters and designs are now owned by Paul Daniels. All music rights are the property of Barry Murray.

Characters

* Wizbit, a large yellow cone-shaped wizard's hat, played by Colin Harris
* Wooly, a seven foot tall white rabbit
* Squidgy Bog, a purple swamp monster
* Professor Doom, an evil genius and arch-villain who lives in a castle, which sits atop a giant stone fist in the sky.
* Jinx, Professor doom's cat.
* Wozbit, an evil version of Wizbit generated by Professor Doom
* The Gatekeeper, a woman who guarded the gates to Puzzleopolis and wouldn't let anyone in until they had solved a puzzle.
* Madame Martinka, a fortune teller who owned the magic shop in Puzzleopolis
* Grocer Green, a greengrocer with green hair.
* Pierre Oe, a mime artist.
* Spoof & Bluff
* Paul Daniels (playing himself) who owned the theatre in Puzzleopolis
* Various townsfolk shaped like magician's props - spongeballs, dice, wands and so forth.

External links

* [http://www.wizbit.tv/ Official Website]
* [http://www.hande.org/production/production-intro/current-projects/ Wizbit Production Page]
*
* [http://www.retrojunk.com/details_tvshows/221-wizbit/ Retro Junk]
* [http://www.jedisparadise.co.uk/index.htm?childrenstv/Wizbit/Wizbit.htm Jedisparadise]