Comedian Paul Whitehouse is to launch a new animated sketch show for children with his wife Dr Mine Conkbayir.
The 68-year-old, who is known for live action sketch shows such as The Fast Show and Harry And Paul, will launch That’s Jokes with Dr Conkbayir on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on Monday.
The couple also present the podcast I’m ADHD! No You’re Not together.
Whitehouse said: “That’s Jokes is the product of an out-of-the-box ADHD brain. It’s very surreal and off-the-wall, but there’s a warmth to it as well.”
Dr Conkbayir added: “Paul and I wanted to make something that was fun and frivolous. No grand educational agenda, no worthy life lessons, just proper silly entertainment for children.
“That said, we do have Billy Burps who imparts a little geographical knowledge as he burps his way around the world, so we’re not entirely irresponsible.”
Each episode will last 11 minutes, which Dr Conkbayir, who is an early years and child development expert, said is perfect for young children’s attention span.
Whitehouse added: “It’s like an animated short version of The Fast Show for children. They are designed to appeal to children from six to 68.”
The couple, who have a 14-year-old daughter, came up with the idea for the show during the Covid pandemic, with sketches including an EastEnders-style soap called Hutch Street featuring guinea pigs and Crabs Can’t Walk Forwards, which plays on the issues with not being able to walk forwards.
Other sketches include Posh Pom, which was based on the couple’s six-year-old Pomeranian dog, Guy Reader The Newsreader, who finds himself in dangerous situations while reading the news, and Felicity The Fly, an insect actress with a wind problem.
Dr Conkbayir said: “Covid took its toll developmentally on children, they were so isolated. Then they all returned to the world of school.
“They are children and I think it’s important to let them be children, to have fun and a laugh. We just wanted to put a bit of joy into children’s lives. A guilt-free giggle.”
Whitehouse added: “We wanted to do something absolutely daft.”
That’s Jokes will air on CBBC at 4.35pm on Monday, with repeats on Sundays at 1.05pm, and will be available to stream on iPlayer.
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