The Genie from Down Under facts for kids

The Genie from Down Under is a fun TV show for kids from Australia and the United Kingdom. It's a comedy series that was made together by the ACTF, the BBC, and the ABC. The show aired from 1996 to 1998. You can still find it on video or buy it online today!

The idea for The Genie from Down Under came from Steve J Spears. Patricia Edgar, who was looking for a new comedy series, liked his idea. She wanted a show that could talk about Australia possibly becoming a Republic, which was a big topic back then. Esben Storm, who also worked on the popular show Round the Twist, helped develop the series.

The BBC helped pay for half of the show's budget because they saw how successful Round the Twist was. Even though the whole show was filmed in Australia, the story takes place in both Australia and the UK. One of the main actors and one of the directors were British. This helped the show appeal to audiences in both countries. The series is known for its unique Australian humour.

The first season was a big hit in the UK in 1996, with millions of viewers. People in over 20 countries, including Belgium, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand, also loved the show's Australian humour. It was even one of the top-rated children's series in the UK during its second season.

What the Show is About

The story follows Penelope Townes, a 13-year-old girl from a fancy family in England. She lives with her mother, Lady Diana, and their housekeeper, Miss Mossop, in a big old house called Townes Hall.

Discovering the Genies

One day, Penelope is exploring the dusty attic of her family's old mansion. There, she finds an opal pendant. Inside this opal are two Australian genies: Bruce and his son, Baz! They have been stuck in the opal for 130 years. Penelope's great-great-grandfather, Sir Claude, brought them to England a long time ago.

A Clash of Cultures

This is where the fun begins! Penelope is a bit snobby and thinks the genies are her property. She has the power to make wishes. Bruce, the main genie, is a laid-back Australian, and he has the magic.

In one moment, Penelope wishes she was somewhere else. Bruce then magically sends her to her new inheritance: Townes Downs. This is a run-down property in the middle of the huge Australian outback! Penelope hates Australia and constantly tries to get back to her home in England. Bruce, however, thinks Townes Downs is amazing and Townes Hall is boring.

The Opal Thief

Most episodes are about what happens when Penelope makes a careless wish. Or, someone tries to steal the opal and the genies inside it.

When Penelope gets the Australian property, Bruce and Baz are very happy. They love spending time in their home country. While visiting Townes Downs, they meet Otto von Meister. Otto runs tours of the Australian outback. His ancestor stole the opal from the Aboriginal people a long time ago. Then, Penelope's ancestor won it from him in a card game. Otto is determined to get the opal back!

When Otto finds out Penelope has the opal, he tries to steal it. He often gets his nephew, Conrad, to help him. Penelope actually likes Conrad, which gives Otto more chances to try and steal the opal. The fight for the opal even leads to Otto becoming King of England at one point!

Love and Magic

Things get even more complicated when Bruce, the genie, falls in love with Penelope's mother, Lady Diana Townes. Diana is supposed to be in love with Lord 'Bubbles' Uppington-Smythe, but it turns out she only likes his money. She soon falls in love with Bruce instead.

In the end, Penelope accepts that Bruce and her mother are in love. She gives the opal to her mother, which allows Bruce to show his true self. Bruce and Diana eventually get married.

Meet the Characters

• Bruce (the genie) is a cool, easy-going Australian. He's 5,000 years old but looks like he's 35. He doesn't think much of English people, but he falls for Penelope's mother, Diana. When he grants wishes, he uses the "Aussie Wave" – a hand gesture used to swat away flies!
• Penelope Townes is brave, but also a bit selfish and snobby. If it's not English, she doesn't think it's good. She learns that she can control Bruce's magic, but not his feelings.
• Miss Mossop is the tough and loyal housekeeper. She is very dedicated to the Townes family.
• Conrad von Meister is Otto's nephew. He's charming and makes Penelope weak at the knees! But he's also tricky and wants to get the von Meister opal back so he can sell it.
• Otto von Meister runs "Crocodile Otto Outback Experience." He's been married five times and thinks he's a ladies' man. Otto believes the opal should be his.
• Trish Emu is an Aboriginal woman who works as Otto's Experience Coordinator. She's super talented – she speaks fluent Japanese, cooks, teaches aerobics, drives, and handles money! Trish likes Bruce, but he's shy and already likes Diana.
• Lady Diana Townes feels a lot of pressure to keep her family's traditions going. To save Townes Hall, she considers marrying Bubbles, a rich man she doesn't love. That is, until Bruce comes along! She doesn't know Bruce isn't human.
• Baz is Bruce's eight-year-old son. Like his dad, Baz can grant wishes. He also has a mischievous side and likes to add his own little twist to wishes!
• Bubbles is very rich, a bit silly, but generally a good person. He wants to marry Diana.
• Darlene is Otto's tourist coordinator. She's kind where Otto is mean, and friendly where he's grumpy. She's also smart enough to get half of Otto's business when he falls behind on her pay!

Episodes

The show has two seasons, with 13 episodes in each.

Season 1 (1996)

Season 2 (1998)

Awards and Nominations

The Genie From Down Under was recognized for its quality and entertainment.