Arguing ears...

...yeah, I know, hardly a relevant title, but I couldn't think of one. I was thinking maybe 'ramblings', but for a title, that was so dull that I fell asleep halfway through thinking about it.

Actually, it's not the first time I've written the phrase 'Arguing Ears'.  Just as Arthur's final run was coming to an end, I was approached to create a new series in the same comedy style as Arthur, even the same visual style as Arthur...but not Arthur. The show featured a character who suffered from a case of 'Arguing ears' - a terrible affliction where they felt they were caught in the middle of an argument between two ears.  How it was going to play out, I had no idea and thankfully, as a stroke of luck, I didn't have to worry about it; the show got canned with everything else that was in development at the time when the network had a management reshuffle.

I won't go into any great detail about the show - or about Arguing Ears - because they could make an appearance (or at least one of them) pretty soon. In fact, very soon...

Oh wait, hang on, one arguing ear isn't going to work; I mean, who's it going to argue with? It needs two, otherwise it'll just be an ear that shouts, and that's just silly.

I'm relieved to say that arguing ears don't appear in any of my episodes of Purple Turtle - a really fun, crazy show that's becoming super popular in Asia and the Far East.

Nor do they appear in my new live action movie that's gradually getting back up to speed after a prolonged hiatus.  We're starting to check out locations.  Coming from a TV background, I'm used to things moving much faster than this, but I guess it's a learning curve.

OK, I'd better run - my ears have started arguing...

Netflix...

I can't be sure, but I think my new car is a time machine.  The sales guy didn't mention it in his sales patter, but I have my suspicions.  He mentioned fuel economy, speed, yeah I got all that. But crossing the fourth dimension?  Erm...no, I don't think so.  Maybe it was an optional extra?  Maybe.  But the fact remains, I'm pretty sure I'm back in 2005.

The reason?  Well, over the last two days, I've seen 'King Arthur's Disasters', 'premiere' and 'new' appear in the same sentence.  Surreal.

So yes, the good news is the LOON IS BACK!!!  After spending years in the TV wilderness, he's found his way back to civilisation (which came as a shock to me!), thanks to Netflix.

Huzzah for Netflix! Huzzah for everything!

In fact, he's jumped onto EVERY Netflix service! Double Huzzah! (with the exception of the U.S & Canada.  To my American/Canadian chums, sorry, you'll just have to wait...or change your DNS settings, but of course, you didn't hear that from me...wink).

So what does all this mean? I don't know. Probably nothing.  But looking at Arthur, I can't help but reminisce about the giggles and laughter we had making the show, and also a little sad that the show came to a premature end.

So, if you missed his first premiere ten years ago, catch this ageless nutter again.

I will do the same...safe in the knowledge that as he streams around the World, I'm one step closer to World domination.

Mmwhahahahaha...

Ahem...

I've just realised that I haven't updated my blog since last November.

I wonder - is it too late to wish everyone a happy new year?

Possibly...

Dusty off and kicking out old blog posts that don't appear to do anything now except occupy server space, I thought I'd check some of the links that frequently appear on the old blog-o-drome.

Shock!  Horror! Arthur's website has disappeared, never to return! (dramatic close- up).

But really, is it that much of a shock?  When you consider Arthur hasn't aired on CiTV since 2006, the shock for me is that the website lasted as long as it did!  The good news is he's still airing on ABC Australia, Nickelodeon UK, Disney France, Cartoon Network Europe and Central/Southern America and also RTE in Ireland. And of course, he's also available on YouTube.

So what about my uber-squeaky clean, brand spanking new show, I hear you ask.  News to follow very shortly...

Excellent!...

I've just heard that ABC TV in Australia has renewed its licence - again - to both series of KAD. Hurrah!

It appears that one of Merlin's spells has actually worked!...

I've just checked and Arthur's website finally appears to be up and running again. Huzzah! Obviously, my little artistic spat last week caught someone's attention here at KAD towers...

Going, going, gone...

Hang on, August was my last post? So what happened to September? Maybe I was abducted by aliens...again.

Well, no. Actually, I've been really, really, really, really, really, (you get the idea) busy working on a new project, so have had very little time to update the old blog until now. More to follow on that one...

But having mentioned aliens, I'm reminded of a friend who was convinced he'd been taken away in their spaceship. But then, this was also the guy who told me that putting instant coffee in a microwave oven would send you back in time. The last time I saw him, he was wondering why sheep always had one of two hair styles (he also let me in on a little-known fact; if you back-comb a sheep, it becomes statically charged. When you think about it, the benefits are obvious. Any nearby litter would instantly stick to the sheep; the countryside littering problem would disappear overnight!).

As a vegetarian, I still don't know if I should be appalled or amused by the idea...

So anyway, what's the link between sheep, aliens and the title of this post? Simple - there isn't one.

What I DID want to mention is that Arthur's website appears to be offline. To make matters worse, it appears it's been offline for quite a while. I've been told it's not a cause for concern, but I can't help but feel an air of finality, as if Arthur has had his last disaster.

It's time I made some calls...

King Guinevere...

I've been asked again when Arthur's second season will be available on DVD. The short answer is I still don't know. Not a clue. In the meantime, here's King Guinevere - the episode that earned him the BAFTA nomination. Either hit the link on the right hand side or click here . But first, make sure your boss isn't looking over your shoulder...

...unless of course he's an Arthur fan, in which case, invite him over and tell him to pull up a chair...

Thinking around corners...

Two weeks after the writers' meeting in Copenhagen and I'm already halfway through the outline of my third episode of Crimeville. But now I've hit a snag; nothing too big I hope, but a snag all the same. But isn't thinking around corners part of the fun when writing a whodunit?

...no, really, I'm asking because I've absolutely no idea. Hmm, time for some creative thinking...

It reminds me of the time during the first season of KAD when I hit a similar problem. My 'learning curve' back then was during the outline for an episode called Knight of Fear (by far, still my favorite episode and one, sadly, that was never made). Arthur was tracking an evil wizard through the forest by following some footprints. The plot was intricate, and the fact Arthur was tracking this dude was vital, almost pivotal. Everything was going really well, and then I got a phone call. "We've decided this wizard can fly," I was told. "Really?" I asked, my blood pressure rising. "And it didn't occur to you to tell me before I started the bloody outline? This isn't just a tweak, it's a complete rewrite!" There was a pause that was then followed by a reassuring tone, "Well you're the writer, you'll figure it out."

Time to hit the rocket fuel; it's going to be a long day...

Arthur, season two...

Over the last few weeks, I've received quite a few emails asking when Arthur's second season will finally be available on DVD. Well, after digging around and asking almost everybody here at KAD Headquarters, I have some good news and some bad news.

Right, first the bad news: nobody knows, so don't hold your breath. This was the curt but polite answer I was given, so I'm just passing it on.

OK, now the good news. The whole of season one is available on DVD and season two is repeated quite regularly on Nick UK. Of course, you could always check out YouTube - they have loads of season two clips, including my episode where Arthur and Guinevere accidentally swap bodies...

What the...!

I've just realised it's the end of May! OK, so where did that month go? The last time I looked, it was February. Maybe I was abducted by aliens again...

My dark and sinister past has come back to haunt me this week. A friend I last saw in June 1986 got in touch last weekend. This came as a complete shock; not because I haven't heard from him for 22 years years, but because I apparently still owe him £3. The good news is that he's willing to forget the interest.

The other good news I received this week is that King Arthur is creeping ever closer to a third series. In the words of the inept king himself, excellent!

Happy Birthday to you...

It was three years ago today that Arthur premiered on CiTV. No doubt he'll be marking the occasion by being shaved, beaten, squashed, splatted, plucked, crushed and trampled...

Overseas Sales...

Although there's still no news on a third series, here at KAD Headquarters, we believe it's only a matter of time.

The good news is that Arthur is globe-trotting again; this time, heading to BBC Kids in Canada and Nickelodeon Australia. He also has plans to go to Germany in the very near future...

King Arthur's Disasters

Arthur is packing his bags and heading for Cartoon Network India...

King Arthur's Disasters

Excellent!

There are rumblings that a certain King might be returning for a third season of disasters...