You and Me

1 9 7 4 – 1 9 9 2 (UK)
15 minute episodes

Humans and puppets interacted, told stories and had fun to provide entertainment to 4 and 5-year-old preschool viewers.

In 1979, new characters were introduced, including Herbert The Handyman (Tony Hughes), along with puppet characters that included Mr Bits and Pieces, a marionette made from Household objects, and Purrfecta the Cat. Herbert was portrayed as a well-meaning but inept handyman who invariably made a hopeless mess of any odd job he was called upon to do.

The series did not shy away from teaching children about the modern world and, in 1987, ran segments dealing with child abuse. The segments featured a character called ‘Uncle Jack’ who offered ice cream in exchange for tickling while trying to coerce the puppets Cosmo and Dibs away from their market stall.

The character was eventually revealed to be a true friend, but the ambiguity was true to life – and the vast majority of child abusers are known to the child.

Additional puppet characters joined Cosmo and Dibs for the final two seasons, and the street market disappeared in favour of a brightly coloured domestic setting.

You and Me is possibly best remembered for the infamous segment featuring a dead Guinea Pig called Squiggle . . .

Presenters
Bridie O’Donnell
Jacqui McDonald
Christopher Neil
Vicki Luke
Michael Maynard
Tony Hughes
David Ashton
Wendy Padbury
Stephen Leigh
Malcolm McFee
Kim Goody
Stephen Tate
Rosamund Nelson
David English
Nigel Lambert
Peter Lorenzelli
Vicky Ireland
Gary Wilmot
Harry Towb
Dibs 
Francis Wright
Cosmo
Frances Kay

Video