The Basil Brush Show

The Basil Brush Show

The Basil Brush Show, a mainstay of British children’s television from 1968 to 1980, centered on the chaotic antics of Basil Brush, a mischievous fox puppet voiced by Ivan Owen. Created by Peter Firmin, Basil became known for his upper-class persona, his characteristic catchphrase, “Boom Boom!“, and his knack for interrupting and teasing the various human co-hosts who shared his screen. The series structure was built on Basil’s disruptive style, often undermining the best efforts of his co-hosts, which created a blend of humor and unpredictable television moments.

The show featured a rotating cast of human “straight men,” who were tasked with delivering stories and segments that would, inevitably, be derailed by Basil’s behavior. These hosts included Mr. Rodney (Rodney Bewes), Mr. Derek (Derek Fowlds), Mr. Roy (Roy North), Mr. Howard (Howard Williams), and Mr. Billy (Billy Boyle), all of whom attempted to maintain order in the face of Basil’s chaos. In addition to his own program, Basil also appeared in other television shows: in his early days as part of “The Three Scampis,” alongside a hedgehog called Spike McPike (Wally Whyton), as well as a guest appearance on “The Nixon Line,” with Mr. Rodney. After the original run of The Basil Brush Show, the character also featured in a show called Let’s Read… With Basil Brush (ITV, 1982-83), appeared on Crackerjack (BBC), and starred in Basil’s Joke Machine (ITV, 1986). In the early 2000’s a new version of the series was launched, but it had a different format, a new voice artist, and a redesigned puppet.

Our View

The Basil Brush Show stands as a distinctive example of British children’s television, offering a unique mix of scripted segments and improvisational chaos led by the central puppet character. The consistent tension between Basil’s mischievous personality and the often-frustrated attempts of his human co-hosts to maintain order, made the show appealing to multiple generations. While the show’s original run was very popular, its later attempts at reviving the series failed to recapture the original format’s unique charm. The legacy of Basil Brush as a character, and the show’s influence on other puppetry-based shows, ensures its significance in British TV history.

Production Details

UK / BBC One / 152 x 30 minute episodes / 1968 – 1980
Creator: Peter Firmin / Voice of Basil Brush: Ivan Owen

Main Cast

Basil Brush (Ivan Owen)
Mr. Rodney (Rodney Bewes)
Mr. Derek (Derek Fowlds)
Mr. Roy (Roy North)
Mr. Howard (Howard Williams)
Mr. Billy (Billy Boyle)
Spike McPike (Wally Whyton)

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