Tom Tom (TV series) facts for kids
Tom Tom was a cool science TV show for kids that aired on the BBC from 1965 to 1970. It was made in Bristol, England, and taught young viewers about new and exciting things happening in the world of science and technology.
Contents
Exploring the World of Tom Tom
What Was Tom Tom About?
Tom Tom was a TV show that brought science and discovery right into your living room! It was a bit like a mix between Blue Peter, which shows you how to make things and go on adventures, and Tomorrow's World, which looked at future inventions. The show aimed to share "new, unusual, and fascinating stories" about our changing world.
It first started on October 12, 1965. Before Tom Tom, the same team made a show called Treasure House. That show had a robot dog named 'Serendipity Dog'! But Tom Tom was more serious and focused purely on science, though it later had its own robot called Tobor.
Who Presented Tom Tom?
The show had several friendly presenters who helped explain all the amazing science.
- When it first started, Jeremy Carrad and John Earle were the main presenters.
- From July 1968, Norman Tozer took over as the main host.
- Other presenters included Janet Kelly and Jan Leeming, who later became a famous BBC newsreader.
- Michele Brown also presented, and she later married the well-known writer and politician Gyles Brandreth.
Exciting Features on the Show
Tom Tom was full of interesting segments and activities for its young audience.
- Motorsport Fun: Jeremy Carrad often reported from exciting Grand Prix races, bringing the thrill of car racing to viewers.
- Studio Racetrack: The show even had its own slot-car racetrack right in the studio! This allowed them to show how things worked in a fun, hands-on way.
- Future Ideas: In 1970, one episode looked 50 years into the future, imagining what the year 2020 might be like. They even held a competition for viewers to design futuristic fashion!
- Creative Challenges: The show also encouraged creativity with a film-making competition. Norman Tozer, one of the presenters, later wrote books to help people learn about photography and making films.
Jeremy Carrad's last appearance on the show was on May 27, 1969. He made a memorable exit by disappearing into a magician's cabinet! The final episode of Tom Tom was broadcast on November 4, 1970.
Behind the Scenes: The Creators
Many talented people worked behind the scenes to make Tom Tom happen.
- The first producers were Hugh Duggan and Bob Murray. Bob Murray was also the show's director.
- In 1968, Lawrence Wade became the new producer.
- The show's designer, who helped create the sets and visuals, was Chris Robilliard.
Bob Murray, one of the original directors, later became a well-known scientist and psychologist. He wrote many books, including popular ones like "Creating Optimism" and "Raising an Optimistic Child."
