Agent Z and the Penguin from Mars facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Agent Z and the Penguin from Mars |
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Cover for Agent Z and the Penguin From Mars on which the series was based.
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 25 minutes approx. |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC One, Children's BBC |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 1996 |
Agent Z and the Penguin from Mars is a fun Children's BBC comedy show from 1996. It was based on a book by Mark Haddon. The series had six episodes.
The show follows a boy named Ben Simpson, played by Duncan Barton. His friends Barney, played by Andrew McKay, and Jenks, played by Reggie Yates, join him. They call themselves the "Crane Grove Gang." This name comes from the street where they live. Their secret club was all about playing clever practical jokes. They called this special project "Agent Z".
The Big Prank: A Penguin from Mars
The Crane Grove Gang loves playing jokes. Their biggest prank starts when a new neighbor moves in. His name is Dennis Sidebottom. He is an astronomer and seems a bit dull. The gang decides to play their most amazing trick on him.
They plan a huge, detailed joke. It involves a penguin that they "borrow" from a supermarket Christmas display. They also pretend an alien from Mars has arrived. There's even a fake spaceship! The prank includes a "message for mankind" carved onto a meteorite. It's all part of their plan to trick Mr. Sidebottom.
Other Funny Stories
The show also has other interesting storylines. Ben has a crush on Mr. Sidebottom's daughter, Samantha. She is a pianist. Mr. Sidebottom's son, Tod, also causes some trouble. He sometimes takes things without asking. Once, he was found with many Dolly Parton music albums!
Ben's imagination is very active. This leads to some wild dream scenes in the show. Sometimes, he dreams he is a millionaire. He even has a fancy butler named Finlay. In another dream, Mr. Sidebottom appears as a scary vampire. These dreams make the show even more fun and imaginative.
When the Show Aired
Agent Z and the Penguin from Mars was first shown on Wednesdays. It aired from January 3, 1996, to February 7, 1996. People liked the show a lot. However, it has not been shown again since then. It also hasn't been released on DVD.
Later, the author Mark Haddon became very famous. This was after his book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time came out. Even with new interest in his work, the Agent Z series has not been re-released.
Mark Haddon shared his thoughts about making the TV series. He said he gained two lasting things from the experience. One was a plastic meteorite. The other was a friendship with the producer, Marilyn Fox. This friendship helped him start his career as a scriptwriter.
