Harry's Mad

infobox Television
show_name = Harry's Mad


size =
caption =Harry's Mad Title Screen
format = Comedy/Drama
picture_format = 720x576 (4:3)
runtime = 25 minutes
creator = Dick King-Smith
writer = David Lloyd & Mark Billingham
developer = Central Independent Television
starring = Anthony Asbury (Madison voice)
Gareth Parrington (Harry Holdsworth)
Jackie Lye (Angie Holdsworth)
Mike Walling (John Holdsworth)
network = ITV
country = UK
first_aired = 4 January 1993
last_aired = 11 March 1996
num_series = 4
num_episodes = 36
imdb_id = 0390720|

"Harry's Mad" is a children's television programme that was shown in the UK on CITV from 1993 to 1996. It is based upon a book written by Dick King-Smith.

Premise

The show begins when Harry Holdsworth (Gareth Parrington) inherits his American great-uncle George's macaw named Madison. At first the Holdsworth family are not very pleased with their new pet, but they soon start to notice that Madison is no ordinary parrot, and that he is highly intelligent and very articulate. He becomes an instant family member. As well as getting the Holdsworth's out of many problems, Madison is also the cause of many too. Terry Crumm (Mark Billingham) hears about Madison's intelligence and sets out to steal him on many occasions, but most of the time Madison foils his plans and saves the day.

In the third series, the family sell their house and move to a rather run down hotel, inherited from Aunt Agatha. Harry is studying for his GCSEs back at his old school and so is not featured much in this series. Instead Hattie and Jools, Aunt Agatha's adopted children, take his place.

In the fourth and final series, Jools leaves the family and Harry returns from his GCSEs

Many guest stars appeared in "Harry's Mad" including Dave Lee Travis, Michaela Strachan and Steve Davis.

The parrot

Madison was played by a living parrot in only certain scenes that required the view of his full body, such as when he was flying or perched on Harry's arm. In most other scenes, however, an animatronic parrot was used to allow Madison to talk and interact with other characters properly.

Trivia

*Although the animatronic parrot was mostly accurate, there is one revealing mistake, the animatronic parrot has a totally grey beak while the real parrot has a black and white beak.

*Whilst Madison is a Macaw in this series in the original book he is an African Grey Parrot [cite web |url=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41P69odn9BL._SL500_BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU02_AA240_SH20_.jpg|accessdate=2008-07-20 |author=Amazon |title=Image of original book cover showing African Grey Parrot] .

Goofs

*In the first episode of series three, 'A Fresh Start', Harry shows Jools his video game collection, Jools comments on Street Fighter IV. Street Fighter IV was only released in 2008 (in Japan), over thirteen years after the episode was filmed.

References