James the Cat

1984–1998· 5 min★ 7.2· Animation, Kids

James the Cat was a children's series created by Kate Canning and produced by Jan Clayton with Grampian Television. It chronicles the many events which take place at the Cornerhouse between James and his new friends. Fellow characters include: Mrs. Lavender, a snail; Frida, a kangaroo; Citroen, a French frog; Rocky, a dimwitted rabbit; and Dennis, a pink fire-breathing Welsh-accented Chinese dragon. There is also a beehive in the garden at the Cornerhouse. Next door are Ma and Pa Rat, and their rat children. The show changes quite a bit between the two seasons. In the first, James is a newcomer to the garden at the Cornerhouse, and must learn to live with the other animals there. In the first episode of the second season, James becomes a diplomat. In subsequent episodes, he and the others travel to distant lands or receive important visitors. Despite the fact that he can't spell, James is a perfect choice for a diplomat, as he is a tuxedo cat, and quite pompous. Each episode runs for about 5 minutes. This show is also notable as the first show to ever air on the United Kingdom version of Nickelodeon, at 7:01am on 1 September 1993. And it also premiered on PBS Kids Sprout.