Rod, Jane and Freddy

Infobox Television
show_name = Rod, Jane and Freddy


caption = Rod, Jane and Freddy with Timmy Mallett & Lizzie Webb
genre = Children's television series
runtime = 15 minutes
country = UK
network = ITV
starring = Rod Burton
Jane Tucker
Freddy Marks
first_aired = 1981
last_aired = 1992
num_episodes = 120

Rod, Jane and Freddy was the most famous name for a singing trio who appeared in children's programming on the British TV channel ITV in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. They starred both in the long-running series "Rainbow" as well as their own 15-minute show, "The Rod, Jane and Freddy Show". The trio have also made numerous guest appearances in several other children's TV shows including The Sooty Show.

The original trio consisted of Rod Burton, Jane Tucker and Matthew Corbett, when they were known as "Rod, Matt and Jane". Corbett left the trio in 1976 to continue hosting "The Sooty Show" after his father retired. Corbett was replaced by actor Roger Walker, whereupon the trio became known as "Rod, Jane and Roger". When Walker left in 1978 to continue his career in acting he was replaced by Freddy Marks, leading to the most famous incarnation of the trio. During their 3 decades working on children's television they managed to write over 2500 songs on various topics using many different music styles, Most were comedic and fun but some had deeper meanings.Overall they have written and produced 10 albums and 24 videos. Conceived and performed countless jingles for commercial radio, theme and title music for TV and songs for Pantomimes.

The Rod, Jane and Freddy show

Due to the their popularity on Rainbow in 1980 Rod, Jane and Freddy were approached by ITV to make their own show. Plans went through and The Rod Jane and Freddy show aired its first episode on 15 January 1981. Rod Jane and Freddy appeared in both their own show and Rainbow until 1991 when they left their position as musicians on Rainbow to focus solely on The Rod Jane and Freddy Show.

Their show often followed a certain format:

* Opening with a big song, giving you an idea of the theme of this particular show (music and Song, pets, moving house, etc)
* Rod, Jane and Freddy would usually have solo songs
* There was often a sketch, but these were generally rarer than songs
* They would close with a final song
* As the credits rolled, the first or last song would be sung again.

Episode List

The following is a list of Episodes. (Fremantle archive episode list use master tape titles where available, if unavailable they use the episode titles as they appeared in T.V Guides) Due to a fire at the ITV vaults in 1992 many of the master tapes from 1981 - 1982 have been destroyed, the fire also damaged a few other masters including, LIGHT (1990) and PUTTING ON A SHOW (1989).

Touring

In 1990 Rod, Jane and Freddy toured all across the country until 1996, their stage show followed the same format and the 15 minute ITV show, filled with songs, dancing, mime and their general comedy routine. In 1996 they won a Gold Badge Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.

Videos

The trio released a number of videos in the late 80s and early 90s. These include:

Present Day

Although the trio no longer regularly appear on television (apart from repeats of Rainbow from the early 1980s on the UK digital TV channel Nick Jr.), they remain a popular attraction in British children's theatre and in pantomime. The trio can also be spotted in Peter Kay's video for his 2007 Comic Relief release of I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).

In January 2008, Jane announced that She, Freddy and Rod are currently working on putting together a "greatest hits" CD.

In June 2008 Rod, Jane and Freddy appeared on the show '50 Ways To Leave Your TV Lover' on Sky and talked about newspaper claims that they were involved in a love triangle.

ee also

*Rainbow
*Matthew Corbett
*Roger Walker

External references

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361233/ Rod, Jane and Freddy] at the Internet Movie Database
* [http://www.fremantlearchivesales.com/footage_details.aspx?ID=24148&FremantleSource=2 Offical Episode List]
* [http://www.btinternet.com/~acbarrett/rjfbio.htm Rod, Jane and Freddy Biography]
* [http://www.rodjanefreddysongs.com/ Rod, Jane and Freddy Songs]
* [http://www.btinternet.com/~acbarrett/rjf.htm Rod, Jane and Freddy Mini Website]
* [http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/18091 British Film Institute Screen Online Episode List]
* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rod-Jane-and-Freddy/17110875445 Rod, Jane and Freddy Facebook Page]