Pinky and Perky

1 9 5 7 (UK)
1 9 6 2 - 1 9 6 6 (UK)
1 9 6 8 - 1 9 7 0 (UK)
220 x 30 minute episodes

Dancing pig puppets Pinky and Perky (Perky was the one who wore the hat) were created and controlled by Czech puppeteers Jan and Vlasta  Dalibor. The porcine duo were long time TV favourites with their amusing cabaret of marionette struttings to contemporary pop music.

The sound emanating from the snouts of the puppet pigs sounded uncannily similar to playing a Little Jimmy Osmond record at 78 rpm, yet during the 60s they were amazingly successful.

The early programs originated from the BBC's north of England studios, and their additional BBC TV series were Pinky and Perky's Pop Parade  (1960), Pinky and Perky's American Journey (1963), Pinky and Perky's Island (1967) and Pinky and Perky Times (1968).

Pinky and Perky even conquered the US themselves, making six appearances on the prestigious Ed Sullivan Show and doing a year at the gaming capital of the world, Las Vegas. 

Besides Pinky and Perky there was Ambrose Cat, Horace Hare (the spitting image of comedian, Ken Dodd), Basil  Bloodhound, Morton Frog, Conchita the Cow, Bertie the baby elephant and the sultry Vera Vixen, plus an endless supply of mice. Notable human guest stars included Michael Aspel, Stratford Johns (in Z Pigs), Freddie and the Dreamers and Henry Cooper.

After a defection to Thames, in 1968, Pinky and Perky finally retired from the nation's television screens in 1970.