The Furchester Hotel facts for kids

The Furchester Hotel is a fun British-American puppet show. It was made for CBeebies, which is the BBC's channel for young children. This show is a spin-off from the famous American show Sesame Street. It started on CBeebies on September 26, 2014. Later, it also aired in the United States on Sprout (now Universal Kids) from 2016 to 2019.

The story begins after the events of Sesame Street. Two well-known characters, Elmo and Cookie Monster, move to England. They go to help Elmo's aunt and uncle run a special "half-star" hotel. The hotel staff are all monsters, and they are very good at solving problems!

What's the Story?

The Furchester Hotel is a unique "half-star" hotel located in the United Kingdom. It's owned by a monster family called the Furchester-Fuzz Family. Elmo and Cookie Monster join them to help run the hotel.

Every episode, the family and their helpers work together. They figure out how to solve all sorts of different problems. These problems often come up because of the hotel's interesting guests.

Who are the Characters?

Main Characters

• Funella Furchester (played by Louise Gold) – She is a monster who owns the hotel. Funella is Furgus's wife, Phoebe's mom, and Elmo's aunt. She loves to welcome guests and make sure they have a great stay.
• Furgus Fuzz (played by Andrew Spooner) – He is Funella's husband, Phoebe's dad, and Elmo's uncle. Furgus is like a "jack-of-all-trades" at the hotel. This means he can do many different jobs, especially fixing things.
• Phoebe Furchester-Fuzz (played by Sarah Burgess) – Phoebe is the main character of the show. She is a seven-year-old purple monster and Elmo's cousin. Phoebe's main job is answering the hotel phone. When she gets a great idea, her pigtail stands up! She often shouts "Fuzzawubba!"
• Elmo (played by Ryan Dillon) – Elmo is Phoebe's cousin. He is staying at the Furchester Hotel because he loves it so much. Elmo's dad, Louie, is Funella's brother.

Other Important Characters

• Cookie Monster (played by David Rudman) – Cookie Monster has his dream job at the hotel! He works in room service and as a waiter. As you might guess, he tries to eat any cookies he sees. He even has a British cousin named Biscuit Monster who eats biscuits!
• Isabel – She is a pink, furry, bell-shaped monster. Isabel talks by ringing like a bell. She lets Funella know when new guests arrive. She also knows what's happening in the hotel and signals for musical breaks.
• Harvey P. Dull (played by Mak Wilson in Season One, Neil Sterenberg in Season Two) – Harvey is a long-term guest at the hotel. He's a blue monster who often experiences the hotel's funny mishaps. He says the only good thing about the hotel is his comfy chair.
• Gonger (played by Mak Wilson, David Rudman, Colin Purves, Warrick Brownlow-Pike) – Gonger is a small, pink, furry monster. In the first season, he banged a large gong for "Monster Tea Time." In Season Two, he became the hotel chef and still bangs the gong from the kitchen. Gonger later joined the main Sesame Street show.
• The Tea Time Monsters – These are five colorful monsters who appear for Monster Tea Time. When Gonger bangs the gong, they rush to get their tea. They chant a fun song during the credits.
  • Colonel Mustard (played by Warrick Brownlow-Pike and Andy Heath) – A yellow monster.
  • Sorbet (played by David Rudman and Mak Wilson) – An orange monster.
  • Ethel Bay-Mertz (played by Lesa Gillespie) – A purple female monster.
  • Berry (played by Toby Wilson) – A blue monster.
  • Lulu Lemon (played by Warrick Brownlow-Pike) – A green male monster.
• Big Bird (played by Matt Vogel) – Big Bird is a special guest at the Furchester Hotel in some episodes.
• Count von Count (played by Matt Vogel) - The Count is also a special guest. He tries to take a break from counting during his vacation.

The Cast and Puppeteers

Many talented puppeteers and actors bring the Furchester Hotel characters to life. Here are some of them:

• Sarah Burgess – Phoebe Furchester-Fuzz
• Ryan Dillon – Elmo
• Louise Gold – Funella Furchester
• Andrew Spooner – Furgus Fuzz
• David Rudman – Cookie Monster
• Mak Wilson – Harvey P. Dull (Season One), Gonger (Season One)
• Neil Sterenberg – Harvey P. Dull (Season Two)
• Warrick Brownlow-Pike – Colonel Mustard, Lulu Lemon, Gonger (Season Two)
• Matt Vogel – Big Bird, Count von Count

How the Show Was Made

The Furchester Hotel is a show made by both British and American teams. It teaches kids about solving problems. The monsters in the show always try to figure out solutions for their unique guests.

Fifty-two 11-minute episodes were made for the first two seasons. Filming started on February 24, 2014, at dock10 studios in MediaCityUK. Each season took about three months to film.

In November 2014, Sesame Street's YouTube channel started showing full episodes of The Furchester Hotel every week.

The show was so popular that a second season was ordered in February 2016. Production for Season 2 ran from May to August 2016. This season had 50 new episodes and a special longer Christmas episode. It also featured guest appearances by famous characters like Big Bird, Count von Count, and the Yip Yips. Season Two began airing on October 31, 2016.

Opening and Songs

The show's opening sequence is very lively. It shows a character's face turning into a river that leads to the hotel. The Furchester Family, Elmo, and Cookie Monster all sing the theme song together. By the end, all the hotel guests join in the singing too!

The show features several catchy songs:

• Welcome to the Furchester – This is the main theme song sung by everyone.
• A Furchester Never Gives Up – This song shows the family and Elmo working hard and never giving up.
• The Catastrophe Song – The characters sing this when they face a big problem at the hotel.
• We Can Solve Any Problem - This song is about the team helping guests.
• Don't Check Out – The family sings this at the end of most episodes, asking guests to stay.
• Farewell from the Furchester – This song plays during the credits while the Tea Time Monsters enjoy their tea.

Episodes

The show has two seasons with a total of 103 episodes. Each episode is about 11 minutes long.

Series 1 (2014–16)

The first season had 52 episodes. Here are a few examples of the fun adventures:

• Welcome to the Furchester (Episode 1): The hotel gets ready for a video shoot. They solve problems like where a penguin and a lion should stay.
• Don't Eat the Guests (Episode 2): Cookie Monster faces a big challenge. The hotel runs out of cookies, and a new guest is a cookie!
• Very Important Porcupine (Episode 3): Funella welcomes all guests with open arms. But then a porcupine arrives, which causes some spiky problems.
• Yodel-Ay-Hee-Hoo! (Episode 4): The phone line breaks! The Furchesters learn to yodel to communicate.
• Count Your Chickens (Episode 5): Phoebe and Elmo need to be creative. They look after five excited chickens.
• The Veggietones (Episode 6): A group of singing vegetables causes chaos. The Furchesters must find a way to keep them from annoying guests.
• Toast with a Smile (Episode 7): Elmo has to deliver toast to Harvey P. Dull. He must avoid many obstacles along the way.
• Isabel Gets the Ding-Ups (Episode 8): Isabel gets the "Ding-Ups," like hiccups for a bell monster. The team needs to stop them.
• Mystery Weekend (Episode 9): Famous detectives visit the hotel. Phoebe and Elmo try to solve a mystery of missing shiny objects.
• Animal Talk (Episode 10): Phoebe loses her voice! She is the only one who can talk to animals. The others must find a way to understand them.
• The Furchester Hoot-El (Episode 11): Elmo and Phoebe try to stay awake. They want to meet an owl guest.
• Furchester TV (Episode 12): Hotel rooms don't have TVs. Phoebe and Elmo create their own "Furchester TV" for guests.
• Penguin Bobsleigh Team (Episode 13): Phoebe and Elmo help two penguins learn to bobsleigh. Their sled needs fixing after a crash.
• The Sculpture (Episode 14): A fragile sculpture arrives. The team must keep it safe from Cookie Monster and others.
• The Caterpillar Catastrophe (Episode 15): The family searches for a lost caterpillar guest. They have to think like a caterpillar to find him.
• Furchester on Wheels (Episode 16): Funella tries to make service faster. She has everyone wear roller skates!
• Monster Monster Day (Episode 17): It's a special holiday! Elmo hopes Monster Monster will visit the hotel.
• Peckity Woodpecker (Episode 18): A woodpecker guest pecks holes in the Oak Room. The Furchesters find other things for him to peck.
• Super Rock (Episode 19): A rock superhero arrives to help. Elmo becomes his assistant.
• Mr. Huggles Hibernates (Episode 20): A bear falls asleep in the lobby. The staff tries to move him to his hibernation suite.
• Ballroom Dance Weekend (Episode 21): The dance floor is too slippery. The Furchesters need to find a way to help dancers stay on their feet.
• Bebe Comes to Stay (Episode 22): Phoebe's cousin Bebe visits. Phoebe feels jealous because Bebe seems better at everything.
• Furgus and the New Plant (Episode 23): The monsters need to find a perfect spot for a very fussy plant.
• Phoebe's Key (Episode 24): Phoebe loses her special necklace key. It can open every door in the hotel!
• Mr. Lawnmower (Episode 25): A goat guest starts eating the furniture. Furgus tries to control a fast-growing vine.
• Pony in Disguise (Episode 26): A tired pony needs rest. The family finds ways to keep him from being disturbed by guests.
• Skunks Welcome (Episode 27): A friendly skunk guest causes a smell. Phoebe and Elmo must stop him from spraying.
• Lift It, Shake It, Find It (Episode 28): A cow guest loses a hair curler. The Furchesters bring in mice to help search.
• Mooga Monster Tale (Episode 29): A writer needs help with her new story. The noisy monsters try to help her.
• Noisy Night (Episode 30): Two howling wolves keep guests awake. The Furchesters must find a way to help them sleep.
• Ant Checks In (Episode 31): A tiny, quiet ant checks in. Phoebe and Elmo need to find him the perfect room.
• The Woolly Sisters (Episode 32): Furgus and Funella think there's one Ms. Woolly. But there are many identical sisters!
• Repetitive Welcoming Injury (Episode 33): Funella's arms get stuck open. The team must welcome guests in her place.
• Sit Still Elmo (Episode 34): Elmo is getting his portrait painted. But he can't stop moving!
• Stubborn as a Donkey (Episode 35): A new luggage trolley is a donkey. But she refuses to move!
• Problem Parrot (Episode 36): A parrot copies every noise. The Furchesters try to calm the chaos.
• Dinosaur in Room 223 (Episode 37): A dinosaur guest seems to disappear. The team goes on a hunt to find him.
• Wake Up Call (Episode 38): Funella has to crow like a rooster. Harvey P. Dull needs a special wake-up call.
• The Blooming (Episode 39): Guests arrive to see a beautiful flower. The Furchesters need to help it bloom.
• Ripe N' Shine (Episode 40): Funella wants to make fruit guests happy. They visit the new Fruit-Ripening Lounge.
• Walking the Dog (Episode 41): Furgus opens a dog-walking service. But one dog prefers to play chase.
• The Lost Jacket (Episode 42): Phoebe and Elmo help a jacket find its owner.
• Monster Glue (Episode 43): The Furchesters get stuck together with Monster Glue. They need to find a way to unstick themselves.
• Nobody Has a Hat Like That (Episode 44): Phoebe helps Elmo find a special hat. Furgus and Funella search for a missing hat.
• Hotel Helper (Episode 45): Funella hires an eager bunny to help Furgus. But the bunny starts to take over!
• Mr. Dull's Chair Repair (Episode 46): Harvey P. Dull's chair breaks. The Furchesters must entertain him while it's fixed.
• Buried Treasure (Episode 47): A pirate takes Phoebe and Elmo on a treasure hunt. They follow clues on hidden scrolls.
• Eggsitting (Episode 48): The Furchesters must keep an egg safe in the lobby. The ceiling starts to fall down!
• Phoebe's Monster Doll (Episode 49): Elmo accidentally gives away Phoebe's favorite doll. They need to get it back from a sleeping tiger.
• Lobby Race (Episode 50): Elmo competes in an obstacle race. Phoebe shows him how to run the course.
• Hotel Inspector (Episode 51): A hotel inspector visits. The Furchesters must solve many problems and distract him.
• The Lamb Stampers (Episode 52): Two dancing sheep are unwell. Phoebe and Elmo step in to learn their dance steps.

Series 2 (2016–17)

The second season had 51 episodes, including a special Christmas episode.

• A Big Bird Surprise (Episode 53): Big Bird visits Elmo. The Furchesters try to find a suitable room for him.
• The Hotel Robot (Episode 54): The Furchesters get a helper robot. But it malfunctions and causes trouble.
• Gonger's Gong's Gone (Episode 55): Gonger's gong is borrowed. The team needs to find another one for Monster Tea Time.
• Chick Swagger (Episode 56): A famous rock and roll rooster is coming. The Furchesters must distract his fans.
• Bunk Bed Blues (Episode 57): Phoebe is annoyed Elmo won't take turns on the top bunk.
• The Furgulator (Episode 58): Furgus invents a moving track system. It helps everyone get around the hotel faster.
• Cheer Up Cheerleaders (Episode 59): Cheerful cheerleaders arrive. Their cheering causes problems for other guests.
• Cookie Confusion (Episode 60): Cookies disappear, and Cookie Monster is blamed. The team finds the real cookie eater.
• A Very Dull Birthday (Episode 61): It's Harvey P. Dull's birthday. The Furchesters plan a surprise party for him.
• The Veggietones and the Lost Voice (Episode 62): The Veggietones return. One member loses her voice during a performance.
• Space Alien Party (Episode 63): The family holds a Space Alien Party. Two Yip Yips arrive and mistake guests for aliens.
• A Very Precious Cat (Episode 64): A cat guest makes the family do everything for her. They need to keep everyone happy.
• The Count's Vacation (Episode 65): Count von Count visits. His wife wants him to stop counting for a break.
• Power Cut (Episode 66): The power goes out during a pop star's show. The Furchesters find ways to get the lights working.
• No Guests (Episode 67): For the first time, the hotel has no guests. Funella is very sad.
• A Furchester Christmas (Episode 68): It's Christmas Eve! Big Bird and Count von Count help the family celebrate.
• Harvey Gets a Song Stuck (Episode 69): A catchy welcome song gets stuck in Harvey P. Dull's head.
• Furcut Day (Episode 70): Elmo needs a haircut because his fur is too long.
• The Knights of the Furchester (Episode 71): A knight visits to help with problems. But the problems are very minor.
• The Magician's Assistant (Episode 72): A magician's assistant wants to be a great magician too.
• The Furchester Talent Show (Episode 73): Everyone takes part in a talent show, except Harvey P. Dull.
• The Furchester Family Dinner (Episode 74): The family has dinner. Funella teaches Harvey P. Dull to run the front desk.
• The Night Manager (Episode 75): Funella works as the night manager. She keeps waking up the guests.
• Ups and Downs (Episode 76): Two excited rabbits want to stay in the lift.
• The Lucky Horseshoe (Episode 77): A horse loses his lucky horseshoe before a jumping tournament.
• Olivia the Octopus (Episode 78): A friendly octopus keeps knocking things over with her arms.
• Furball (Episode 79): A bouncing furry monster ball goes missing.
• The Babysitting Service (Episode 80): The family looks after a baby monster. Everyone has ideas to get her to sleep.
• The Very Snowy Suite (Episode 81): A family of snowballs starts to melt because their suite isn't snowy enough.
• Changing Rooms (Episode 82): Funella wants to redecorate Harvey P. Dull's room. But he likes it as it is.
• The Furchester Cooking Competition (Episode 83): Phoebe enters a cooking competition. But Gonger and Cookie Monster are too noisy.
• Give a Dog a Bone (Episode 84): A dog guest loses his favorite toy bone.
• Great Grandmama (Episode 85): Funella's Grandmama visits. She wants the hotel to be more "monstery."
• Monkey Business (Episode 86): A monkey guest checks in. The Furchesters try to make him feel at home.
• Monster Pox (Episode 87): The family catches "Monster Pox." Harvey P. Dull has to run the hotel alone.
• The Furchester Fashion Show (Episode 88): Two dirty socks won't get clean for the fashion show.
• The 1,000th Guest (Episode 89): The hotel prepares for its 1,000th guest. Cookie Monster tries to trick them.
• Carla Chameleon (Episode 90): A chameleon guest is hard to see because she camouflages herself.
• The Fabulous Feathers (Episode 91): A peacock with amazing feathers visits. He doesn't want his feathers ruffled.
• Gonger Goes (Episode 92): Gonger gets fed up and decides to leave the hotel.
• The Leaky Room (Episode 93): An aquarium breaks, causing water to drip into Harvey P. Dull's room.
• The Fairy Tale Festival (Episode 94): Fairy tale characters visit the hotel. The Big Bad Wolf arrives and worries everyone.
• The Munching Moths (Episode 95): Baby moth larvae start eating wool and blankets.
• The Wedding Cake Caper (Episode 96): The team tries to get a huge wedding cake through to the garden.
• Saved by a Bell (Episode 97): Elmo needs a bell for his bike. Isabel is not happy about a new hotel bell.
• The Woof Woof Games (Episode 98): A dog hurts his paw before a competition. His excitable son takes his place.
• The Fish in the Cape (Episode 99): A fish guest wears a big cape that causes problems. He's scared to take it off.
• Hide and Seek (Episode 100): Elmo practices for a hide-and-seek championship. The world's best seeker arrives.
• Claudia the Crab (Episode 101): A crab guest accidentally pinches people. The team tries to find a solution.
• Music Mayhem (Episode 102): Instruments booked for Musical Monster Mealtimes play different tunes.
• A Pumpkin's Halloween (Episode 103): It's Halloween! The hotel pumpkin wants to go trick or treating. This is the final episode.

Where to Watch It

In the US, you can find The Furchester Hotel on YouTube, Sesame Street Go, iTunes, and it used to air on Sprout. In Australia, it aired on ABC Kids. In South Africa, Poland, and Australia, it was shown on CBeebies. You can also watch it on Netflix in many countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In Canada, it's on CBC Kids. In Ireland, the show was even dubbed into the Irish language, called "Óstán Furchester," on Cúla 4. It also aired on Tiny Pop in the UK.

• The Furchester Hotel at BBC Programmes

See also

In Spanish: El Hotel Furchester para niños