Spider!

Spider! is a musical children's television mini series made by Hibbert Ralph Entertainment for the BBC, that was originally aired on BBC One from 26 September to 30 December 1991. It followed the adventures of a spider, the protagonist, and a young boy (however, the boy was only present in eleven of the thirteen episodes). The stories were told through song, and performed by Jeff Stevenson with his children, Casey and Holly, singing backing vocals. The styles of music featured in the episodes vary from rock 'n roll to haunting and melancholic, and were produced by Rick Cassman at Triple X Studios.A BBC video entitled Spider! - I'm Only Scary 'cos I'm Hairy! (BBCV 4753), which contained all thirteen episodes, was also released in 1992 (now out of print). However, it was later rereleased on DVD in 2004. The first twelve episodes were all broadcast on BBC One as part of the Children's BBC strand on Thursdays at 3:50pm (a puppet spider named "Ninja" also joined Simon Parkin, Andi Peters and Edd the Duck in The Broom Cupboard during the original run), but the first programme of 21 November 1991 was Ready, Teddy, Go! (a lead up to the year's Pudsey telethon), so the ninth episode was not transmitted until 28 November (the ninth episode of Ragdoll Productions' Brum was also not broadcast until that day as well).

This is rocking! I give this TV operetta a high ten because of the singable songs including Little Ms. M and True Friends. I recommend that EVERYONE who loves to rock out should watch the show!

This show is one of my children's favourites, despite being nearly 20 years old at the time I write this. The simple musical stories are fun and easy to follow as they show the beginnings and maturation of the friendship between a young boy and a spider who he finds in the bath.

It is rather old fashioned in style but that is a nice change from the more modern, clean lined, hectic paced, cartoons. The songs are generally good with some lines that will appeal to adults, as well as things that speak to the heart of being a child.

It is wonderful little show that lasted only one season (not unusual for Britain), which young children will find entertaining.

It's such a shame that this cartoon isn't more well known. I owned the video of this show when I was younger and only got rid of the video a couple of years ago when my VCR broke. It's a fantastic cartoon series and children love it. I loved it, as did both of my sisters, my friend and my nephew loved it when I showed it to him a few years ago. I've recently discovered that they have the cartoons on YouTube and I was sat watching them all the other day and surprised myself with how well I remembered all the songs.

It's a truly amazing series that is perfect for children and shows them that spiders aren't things to be afraid of! Some of them may still be a bit scared of them but the series does show them in a good light! It's just excellent and I wish more people would discover and enjoy it!