Alias the Jester

Infobox Television
show_name = Alias the Jester


caption =
format = Animated television series
camera =
picture_format =
audio_format =
runtime = 10 minutes
creator = Brian Cosgrove
Mark Hall
developer = Cosgrove Hall Films
executive_producer = John Hambley
starring = Richard Briers
Jimmy Hibbert
Myfanwy Talog
Brian Trueman
Brian Wilde
opentheme = "Alias the Jester" by Keith Hopwood and Malcolm Rowe
endtheme =
country = UK
language = English, Polish, and Spanish
network = ITV, CBeebies, and V-Me
first_aired = 13 November 1985
last_aired = 1986
num_episodes = 13
website =
imdb_id = 0497006
tv_com_id =

Alias the Jester was an animated series created by Cosgrove Hall Films, airing in 13 episodes on ITV starting on November 13th 1985. The show also aired during the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) after school timeslot and is considered one of the Classic ABC shows.

Synopsis

The show followed the adventures of a time traveller by the name of Alias and his dog-like companion Boswell. After their malfunctioning ship got stuck in the Earth's magnetic pole, they crash-landed in a Middle Age kingdom called Houghton Bottoms, ruled by the diminutive King Arthur and his Queen Edith. Taking up a secret identity of sorts as Alias the Jester, he gains employment at the court and befriends the bumbling court wizard Meredith. When the situation called for it, Alias could instantly change back into his red uniform, which enabled him to fly, and presumably a degree of super strength, which he could use to face the various villains of the show. Each episode would inevitably end with Arthur firing Alias and Meredith.

Characters

Alias the Jester - A "time traveller bold" as said in the title track. After crashing in the Middle Ages he gets a job as a jester for King Arthur. He also fights crime as the Red Knight, who the wizard Meredith believed he summoned. Alias is a stereotypical hero in many ways, possessing an urge to do what is right, however he also has a distinct but subtle sarcastic edge which he sometimes uses in conversation, especially with Meredith. The feathers on his head appear to be part of his head rather than his suit as they are seen moving and could be the source of his flight.

Boswell - Alias' dog-like alien companion, apparently possessing a fairly high intellect as he is able to understand Alias and take orders. He is, however, only able to communicate with beeping and honking sounds, which presumably make up his language. Often he is among the first to sense danger.

Meredith - The bumbling but well-meaning court wizard of King Arthur. In an attempt to save the kingdom from its various enemies, he tried to summon a magical Red Knight. At that moment, completely coincidentally, Alias' ship crashed. From that point on, Meredith believed him to be the hero he had summoned.

Episode List

# Alias the Jester
# The Ring
# The Amazing Dancing Bear
# The Viking Airship
# Ready When you are, King Arthur!
# The Giant's Visit
# The Walking Island
# Monster of the Lake
# Magic Metal
# The Lost Ark
# Revenge of the Najjer
# Fiery Fred
# Amaranth and the Beast

Cast

*Richard Briers - Alias
*Jimmy Hibbert - Boswell, Queen Edith, Sir Pinkly
*Myfanwy Talog - Princess Amaranth
*Brian Trueman - King Arthur, The Black Najjer
* Brian Wilde - Meredith

Credits

; Written by : Brian Trueman; Music : Keith Hopwood, Malcolm Rowe; Layout : Chris Randall, Jean Flynn; Storylines : Tony Garth, Chris Randall; Animation : Dan Whitworth, Denise Heywood, Andy Wilson, Phil McMylor, Meryl Edge, Stephen Thomas, Jean Flynn, Robert Newman, Phil Morris, Kay Widdowson; Backgrounds : Margaret Riley, Barbara Alcock, Diane Wren, Malcolm Turner; Special Effects : Roy Huckerby; Painting : Lorraine Thomas, Judy Ringrose, Bev Phillips, Joan Storey, Yasodha Huckerby, Andrea Hancock, Jackie Mitchell, Lynn Hardie, Karen Brumell, Gloria Vassilou, Lesley Scott, Tony McAleese, Edmund Williams, Stephen Simpson, Sue Halliwell, Mark Povey, Andy Wilson, Simon White, Yasodha Gopal, Stephania Giani; Camera : Frank Hardie, Wendy Hardie, Wendy Senior, Peter Kidd, Phil Atack, Mark Sutton; Editing : Nigel Rutter, Nibs Senior, Zyggy Markiewicz, Jane Hicks, Stephen Perry; Assistant Director : Jean Flynn; Production Supervisor : Bob Burrows; Executive Producer : John Hambley; Produced by : Brian Cosgrove, Mark Hall; Directed by : Chris Randall; © Cosgrove Hall Productions MCMLXXXVI

External links

* [http://www.toonhound.com/aliasthejester.htm Toonhounds entry on Alias the Jester]