The Hoobs

The Hoobs is a live-action/animated children's television series created and produced by The Jim Henson Company and Decode Entertainment for Channel 4. A total of 250 episodes were produced across five series.

The Hoobs
The Hoobs: Hubba Hubba (Blue), Roma (Orange), Tula (Pink), Iver (Purple) and Groove (Green)
Genre	Children's television series
Created by	Jocelyn Stevenson Brian Henson
Starring	See below
Theme music composer	Ed Welch
Composers	CYP Ken Bolam
Country of origin	United Kingdom Canada
Original language	English
No. of series	5
No. of episodes	250
Production
Executive producers	Steven DeNure Beth Stevenson Angus Fletcher
Producers	Brian Henson Mellie Buse Sue Taylor
Running time	24 minutes
Production companies	The Jim Henson Company Decode Entertainment
Original release
Network	Channel 4 (UK) TVOntario (Canada)
Release	15 January 2001 (2001-01-15) – 3 January 2003 (2003-01-03)

Plot

The series stars five extraterrestrial creatures called Hoobs (Hubba Hubba, Iver, Groove, Tula, and Roma) from the fictional planet called Hoobland, and their interactions with Earth and the human race. In each episode, they try to find the answer to a question to be put in the great Hoobopaedia created by Hubba Hubba, back in Hoobland, in hopes of learning all there is to know.

Hubba Hubba remains in Hoobland to await the report from the other Hoobs, Iver, Groove, and Tula live in a music-powered vehicle called the Hoobmobile, and Roma travels to all parts of the world by foot, by public transport and even her music powered motorcycle called the Hooby Picki Picki.

The five creatures are muppets, but the show also includes animated sequences as well as live action footage of human children who explain concepts to the Hoobs.

Series

A typical episode format involves:

• Hubba Hubba introduces the viewers to the Hoobs stating that he has been tasked to send four of the Hoobs to Earth to gather information for Hoobland. The opening titles roll, a few of the fourth season episodes as well as some of the fifth-season episodes have trimmed the introduction before the theme song.
• A preamble during which a question to be answered is stumbled upon.
• Hubba Hubba formalizes the task.
• Roma is e-mailed the question in order for her to provide a report.
• Hubba Hubba downloads some pictures or shows videos from HoobNet, relating to the question.
• A line of dialogue with a question and statement ending "who", "what", "when", "where", "why" or "how" causes a cutaway to a Motorettes' performance of that word.
• There is usually a number of songs from the Hoobs or Motorettes, in some cases with familiar lyrics, or a familiar tune.
• The Hoobs visit the Tiddlypeeps (human children) twice (three times in "Magic Words"), as "they're smart, they're fun, they know".
• One Hoob drives left hand drive or right hand drive, one visits and turns the key and the third may participate in the B-story.
• An animated drawing story from a Tiddlypeep who narrates it is aired, relating to the question. But in the episode "Stories", Tula makes a story herself which Hubba Hubba then puts on HoobNet and gets a Tiddlypeep to tell it.
• Roma reports back to the other Hoobs about the related subject on the Hoobycomputer. But in "Roma's Visit" and "Riddle Me Ree", Groove reports back to Iver and Tula about Roma's Visit and about the riddle for Roma on the Hoobycomputer.
• Various inappropriate solutions are rejected for an answer, just in time.
• Hoob News summarizes the adventure then the end credits roll.

Other series

• Hello Hoobs – The five-minute "Hello Hoobs" segment includes excerpts from the English-language version, edited to function as a teaching tool. Targeted at viewers between the ages of four and eleven, the segment uses the Hoobs to expand English-language vocabulary and explain rudiments of grammar. The stated goal was to teach 400 words and 150 different expressions. The segment airs immediately prior to the half-hour The Hoobs broadcast on a weekly basis, and is compiled into a half-hour weekend broadcast for Southern Europe, to serve as a review of knowledge.

Characters

• Iver (performed by Don Austen) – The purple leading male Hoob figure of the trio who has orange ears. He is very punctual and business-like, but likes to have fun, too. Iver is a great doer, but sometimes he tends to be a bit of a worrier. He is also quite bossy, which often irritates Tula and Groove.
• Groove (performed by John Eccleston in seasons 1-3, Mark Jefferis in seasons 4 and 5) – The green male Hoob with his green Twizzletuft covering his eyes who is always cool and relaxed, and a little slower than the others. This can result in him making mistakes which frustrate his friends, but he always makes up for this in the end. He is also a little greedy and shy and a bit more hesitant to leave the Hoobmobile. He has a talent for making music, and he enjoys collecting things.
• Tula (performed by Julie Westwood) – The pink female Hoob on board. She is sympathetic, caring and enthusiastic, though she's sometimes a little tiring to have around. Tula is very creative and loves arts and crafts.
• Roma (performed by Gillie Robic) – The orange female explorer Hoob who travels around the world, gathering information for the Hoobopaedia by talking to the Tiddlypeeps. Roma does neither live in nor drive the Hoobmobile, but she frequently reports all her discoveries to Iver, Groove and Tula through video messages. Sometimes Roma visits the Hoobmobile to help them with their questions. Roma drives and rides a motorcycle called a Hooby Picki Picki which is powered by one unnamed Motorette. In some episodes, Roma talks to the Tiddlypeeps.
• Hubba Hubba (performed by Mark Jefferis in seasons 1-3 and some episodes of season 4, Brian Herring in seasons 4 and 5) – The blue male leader of the Hoobs. From his home base in Hoobland, he updates the Hoobopaedia with all the info that Iver, Groove and Tula collect during their stay in our world. In the season 5 episode "The Big Bonk", Hubba Hubba comes to visit the Hoobmobile and talks to the Tiddlypeeps on the Peep Planet and does Hoob News all by himself. Though he did get lost causing the other three Hoobs to enlist Roma to find him. Given his rather eccentric twizzletuft and endless quest for knowledge, it is highly likely that he is some sort of scientist in Hoobland.
• The Motorettes – A race of robotic creatures. Three Motorettes operate the engine of the Hoobmobile by singing and playing musical instruments while one Motorette operates Roma's Hooby Picki Picki by dancing along to the music track.
  • Tootle (performed by Rebecca Nagan) - A female Motorette who is blue cyan/lime green.
  • Timp (performed by Wim Booth) - A female Motorette who is yellow/orange red.
  • Twang (performed by Mark Jefferis) - A male Motorette who is magenta/purple.
  • Unnamed Motorette - This is the other Motorette that is yellow (resembling Tootle, Timp and Twang) and powers the Hooby Picki Picki.
• The Hoobydudu – A robotic primate that hatches from an egg who lives in Hoobland with Hubba Hubba and Auntie Hattie. He changes from being a screamer to being a giggler when he's cuddled and cheered up by either Auntie Hattie or Hubba Hubba.

Episodes

Series	Episodes		Originally released
			First released	Last released
1	40		15 January 2001 (2001-01-15)	2 February 2001 (2001-02-02)
2	25		5 May 2001 (2001-05-05)	6 June 2001 (2001-06-06)
3	60		14 June 2001 (2001-06-14)	27 November 2001 (2001-11-27)
4	73		22 December 2001 (2001-12-22)	1 April 2002 (2002-04-01)
5	52		23 September 2002 (2002-09-23)	3 January 2003 (2003-01-03)

Series 1 (2001)

No. overall	No. in series	Title	Note
1	1	Finding Out
The Hoobs set out to learn some new things about "Peeps" (Human adults) and "Tiddlypeeps" (Human children), having just arrived on the Peep Planet.
2	2	Monkeys
The gang wants to give a monkey something to make him happy, but cannot decide what will do the trick.
3	3	Hello
How Peeps and Tiddlypeeps say hello to their friends.
4	4	Laughing
The Hoobs try to figure out what causes laughter.
5	5	Stars
Iver searches for a bright shining star to hang up in the Hoobmobile.
6	6	Pets
Groove decides he would like some company while out collecting and thinks a pet would fit the bill.
7	7	Whistles
Tula tries to get Groove and Iver's attention, but they are too busy playing a game to notice.
8	8	Floating
The Hoobs miss floating on the water in a Hooblebobber. There are no Hooblebobbers on the Peep Planet, but maybe they can find something that floats in just the same way.
9	9	Dog
The pals investigate why a dog keeps barking outside the Hoobmobile.
10	10	Running
Groove isn't too fond of running.
11	11	Getting Better
Iver suffers hot and cold flushes, and his nose and eyelids turn blue and start making a strange sound – so he looks to the Tiddlypeeps for an explanation.
12	12	Frogs
The friends marvel at how high frogs can jump, and wonder if it is because they eat flies.
13	13	Losing Things
Iver searches high and low for his Hoobtoobe, but it appears to have vanished.
14	14	Flags
The friends discover how Peeps use Hoobyhideys. Hoobyhideys are called Flags.
15	15	Seasons
Groove notices his peep tree has changed the colour of its leaves and wonders whether they will grow back.
16	16	Bees
The gang had run out of Hoobygoop, but discover the Peeps have a suitable substitute.
17	17	Fix It
The pals call on their DIY skills to fix the Hoobytug.
18	18	Homes
The friends discover which animals live in homes similar to theirs.
19	19	Presents
The Hoobs wonder why Peeps and Tiddlypeeps give each other presents.
20	20	Hair
Tula tries to brighten up the day by restyling her Hoobyfur.
21	21	Clapping
Iver, Groove and Tula discover how Tiddlypeeps clap their hands.
22	22	Smells
Tula needs something to make her smell especially for the Tiddlypeeps' party.
23	23	Combs
The pals use the Peeps' combs to store their Hoobycookies until they discover what they are really meant for.
24	24	Keeping Warm
Iver, Groove and Tula find a way to keep warm while Hooblegazing.
25	25	Rain
The gang discovers how and why it rains.
26	26	Wobble
Groove seeks a wobbly item to complete his collection of things that move.
27	27	Owning Up
When Tula ruins Groove's best painting, she has to do something before he finds out.
28	28	Sand
The gang learns about sand and what it is used for.
29	29	Hooting
A mysterious hooting sound keeps the Hoobs awake at night.
30	30	Soft Round Flat Things
The gang searches the Peep Planet for soft, round, flat things to play with like a Hoobarama.
31	31	Fish
Iver, Groove and Tula learn about creatures that like getting wet.
32	32	Keys
The pals discover how keys are used to open things.
33	33	Waiting
Iver, Groove and Tula had to wait for their Hoobyblubber Tubs to set.
34	34	Shoes
Iver needs something to keep his hoobypaws dry from a wet puddle of Hoobjuice on the floor which Groove had so far spilled.
35	35	Flying
The Hoobs find something that can fly.
36	36	Times
The gang finds out about the best time to visit the Tiddlypeeps.
37	37	Getting To Sleep
Iver is having trouble going to sleep and needs some help.
38	38	Potatoes
Groove shows off his potato plant, but finds there is just one problem – it does not have any potatoes on it.
39	39	Mice
A hungry mouse tries to make a meal of the Hoobmobile.
40	40	Teeth
Groove makes an interesting discovery – a tooth stuck in a piece of wood.

Series 2 (2001)

No. overall	No. in series	Title	Note
41	1	Puppets	Postponed from series 1
Iver, Groove and Tula seek a Tiddlypeep souvenir for the Hoobmobile.
42	2	Angry	Postponed from series 1
Groove is Tula’s friend – she knows that’s true. But he’s done something to annoy her and now she’s angry. Tula doesn’t want to get angry with her friend – so what can she do instead?
43	3	Holidays	Postponed from series 1
Groove needs a break, but cannot decide what kind of holiday would suit him best.
44	4	Boys And Girls	Postponed from series 1
Tula thinks boys and girls like different things, but Groove is not so certain.
45	5	Wind	Postponed from series 1
Iver watches a feather blowing in the wind and decides it would make a good addition to the Hoobmobile.
46	6	Getting Bigger	Postponed from series 1
Groove wishes he were tall enough to reach the tools he needs from the top shelf.
47	7	Rubbish	Postponed from series 1
The Hoobs learn how to recycle things.
48	8	Eggs	Postponed from series 1
Groove finds a painted egg and wonders what it is for.
49	9	Planes	The first episode to feature a new format of Hubba Hubba and Roma buttons and also the first episode to feature a Disco/Pop version of "We're Off To See The Tiddlypeeps".
The pals take to the air for a bird's-eye view of the Peep Planet.
50	10	Dreams	The first episode to feature a Classical/Opera version of "We're Off To See The Tiddlypeeps".
Groove dances underwater with a mermaid – even though he is nowhere near the sea.
51	11	Spots
A box of black sticky spots arrives for Tula from Auntie Hattie Hoob.
52	12	Shopping
The Hoobs find where to shop to find something to replace a broken Pongaping leaf.
53	13	Borrowing	Postponed from series 1
Groove learns about borrowing when the Hoobysandwich hammer is broken.
54	14	Fancy Dress
Tula and the pals are invited to a fancy dress party but Tula can't decide what to wear.
55	15	Crying
The Hoobs try to figure out how they can stop a Tiddlypeep from crying.
56	16	Bells
The gang decide to get a bell for Groove so they can keep track of his whereabouts.
57	17	Sharing
The Hoobynut in the roof garden is ready to eat, giving the pals the perfect opportunity to learn about sharing.
58	18	Up And Down
The gang learns about things that go up and down at the same time.
59	19	Dancing	Features a flashback to when Iver, Groove and Tula danced on the roof garden of the Hoobmobile as Hooblets.
The gang try to learn a Peep dance that will fit their Hoobyjiggle music. The last time the Hoobs danced to Hoobyjiggle music was when they were Hooblets.
60	20	Dirty
Groove falls into a mud puddle and gets covered in mud, so Iver and Tula try to find a way to get him clean.
61	21	Juiciest Fruit
Groove ate Tula's apple tower and sets out to make it up to her by finding the biggest, juiciest fruit.
62	22	High Up
The pals enjoy the view from the roof garden of the Hoobmobile and wonder what it would be like to be much higher up.
63	23	Cows
The gang reveals their favorite things about cows and Groove tries to make cheese.
64	24	Shy
Iver and Tula help Groove calm his nerves before a musical performance.
65	25	The Band
The friends want to play their favorite Tiddlypeep music, but first have to work out what all the instruments are.

Series 3 (2001)

No. overall	No. in series	Title	Note
66	1	Circus	The First ever episode to introduce new videoclips from the series 2 episodes for the opening and closing titles, including Roma's report from the penultimate episode of series 1 and the Disco/Pop version of "We're Off To See The Tiddlypeeps" from series 2.
The Hoobs are trying to think of a way to run a circus act.
67	2	Upside Down
Tula paints a mysterious picture, and the others cannot decide what it is.
68	3	Rings
Iver, Groove and Tula celebrate a special day but realise they have left something important behind in Hoobland.
69	4	Cakes
Tula and Iver take turns at baking cakes for the gang.
70	5	Boats
The friends visit the seaside, where they learn all about boats.
71	6	Freezing	Postponed from series 2
The Hoobs are disappointed that their Hoobofizz is frozen because they cannot drink it.
72	7	Fresh	Postponed from series 2
The gang need something to keep the Hoobypuffs fresh. There's nothing worse than a Soggy Hoobypuff.
73	8	Waking Up	Postponed from series 2
The pals wonder how they can wake up before or at the same time as when the sun rises.
74	9	Exploring	Postponed from series 2
Tula has to think of some things to take with her for going exploring.
75	10	Exercise
The friends keep fit by doing a few Peep exercises.
76	11	Pairs
Iver is mystified to see a Tiddlypeep in two places at once.
77	12	Funny Faces
Iver, Groove and Tula try out ways of making themselves look different.
78	13	Cool
The Peep sun makes the friends feel so hot they are unable to answer any questions until cooling down for Hoob News.
79	14	Stripes
The gang try to find something that has stripes to decorate the model.
80	15	Tidying Up
The pals get out all their favorite collections and have a good look at them.
81	16	Friends	Postponed from series 2
Tula has made gifts for everyone except for Hubba Hubba, so Tula questions if Hubba Hubba is really her friend.
82	17	Messages	Postponed from series 2
The Hoobycomputer breaks down, prompting the gang to look for other ways of sending messages.
83	18	Names
Tula decides she would rather have a Peep name, but is not sure which one would suit her best.
84	19	Snow	Postponed from series 2
The Hoobs figure out how they can have fun in the snow.
85	20	Roma's Visit	First episode in which Roma visits the Hoobmobile, and visits the Tiddlypeeps. Groove does Roma's Report in this episode.
Roma comes to visit her friends and wants her holiday to be special.
86	21	Colours	Postponed from series 2
The friends learn about coordinating the colours of their Hooby-middle-grippers.
87	22	Gloves	Postponed from series 2
The Hoobs need a way to make Hoobocactospiker shakes without hurting their paws.
88	23	Stuffing	Postponed from series 2 The Only Postponed episode to have opening titles from the first 2 series and closing titles from series 3.
The pals want to get Humpty Dumpty to sit on the wall, but first the floppy fellow needs stuffing.
89	24	Stories
Tula wants to write a story, but she does not know what story to write.
90	25	Taste
The gang tries some Hoobycookies with different tastes.
91	26	Brave
The Hoobs want to know how they can feel brave.
92	27	Fly Away
Iver makes friends with a little bird that visits him in the roof garden every day.
93	28	Hiding	Postponed from series 2
The Hoobs need to find a hiding place to hide from Hubba Hubba when playing Hooby-hide and Hooby-seek.
94	29	Copying
The pals find some things that are exactly the same.
95	30	Shells
The Hoobs figure out what sort of shell can be useful.
96	31	Swinging	Postponed from series 2
The pals find something to go swinging on the roof garden instead of a Hoobypod.
97	32	Scared	Postponed from series 2
Tula tries to overcome her fear of thunder.
98	33	Pop	Postponed from series 1
The friends find 10 things that go pop.
99	34	Spiky
The gang find something that is round and spiky.
100	35	Tula's Choice
Tula cannot decide which friend to take with her to the seaside.
101	36	Sheep	Postponed from series 2
The pals need something to fix their blanket.
102	37	Disappearing
The Hoobs figure out a way to make the purple mark on a white toy polar bear disappear.
103	38	Hobbies
Iver wants to find a hobby that suits him.
104	39	Toys
The friends look at all kinds of Tiddlypeep toys since they were Hooblets.
105	40	Slow
Groove and Tula try to help Iver slow down.
106	41	Crumbs
The gang wonders what happened to the Tiddlypeep buns.
107	42	Hang Ups
Groove needs something to hang up his CDs.
108	43	Picking Up
The Hoobs try to find some way to pick up Tula's Hoobypins out of the box without getting pricked.
109	44	Dark
The pals figure out why night has to be so dark.
110	45	It's a Mystery
Hubba Hubba wants to read a Tiddlypeep fairy tale to The Hoobs, but he is missing a page from his book.
111	46	Dinosaur	Postponed from series 2
Groove cannot figure out where he can put this toy dinosaur in his collection.
112	47	Wheels	Postponed from series 2
The friends wonder what sort of wheels could they have in the Hoobmobile.
113	48	Soft	Postponed from series 2
Tula needs something soft so she does not hurt herself.
114	49	New Words	Postponed from series 2
The friends need to learn how to say some new words.
115	50	Behind You!
Groove doesn't mind too much when Tiddlypeeps goes boo and makes him jump. Not as long as he gets to make them jump too, but they keep sneaking up on him. So how can Groove see behind him when he's out collecting?
116	51	Bubbles	Postponed from series 2
The Hoobs wonder why they are bubbles in the Hoobypond.
117	52	Bouncing	Postponed from series 1 The Only Postponed episode to feature an original Hoobycomputer sound effect from the first series.
The pals find some things that can bounce.
118	53	Big Loaf
The biggest Hoobynut loaf ever made contained 230 Hoobynuts. Tula's determined to beat this record - but first she has to gather 231 Hoobynuts, which might not be as easy as it sounds and Auntie Hattie Hoob in Hoobland must not be disturbed until after Hoob News.
119	54	Lucky	Postponed from series 2
Tula needs a good luck charm to make her feel lucky.
120	55	Hats	Postponed from series 1
The Hoobs wonder why Peeps wear flowerpots on their heads, which are hats.
121	56	Camel	Postponed from series 2
The gang cannot figure out why camels have humps.
122	57	Talking to Yourself	Postponed from series 2
Groove and Tula think Iver is talking to himself, but he thinks he was talking to someone else.
123	58	Surprises	Postponed from series 1 Final episode to be postponed from the first series.
The most important day in a Hoob's year is their HoobyTwizzletuft Day - the day when they first got their Twizzletuft clipped. This year Tula has given Iver and Groove a beautiful Russian doll.
124	59	Ba-Boom!
Iver's been running up and down the stairs collecting the Hooboberry harvest; now his chest is going ba-boom, ba-boom.
125	60	Trees	Postponed from series 2 Final episode with Mark Jefferis as Hubba-Hubba, and John Eccleston as Groove.
The friends discover fruit in the Heebleleaf tree.

Series 4 (2001–2002)

No. overall	No. in series	Title	Note
126	1	Hooblebumper Breakfast	First episode with Brian Herring taking over from Mark Jefferis as Hubba-Hubba, and Jefferis taking over from John Eccleston as Groove. Tula, Hubba-Hubba and Iver are redesigned for these final 2 series. Also the first episode to feature Roma's Hooby Picki Picki in the title sequence and the first ever series to feature the deep boing sound effect of opening and closing the Hoobofridge.
Tula and Groove decide to have a huge Hoob breakfast called a Hooblebumper breakfast and Iver is too busy to be hungry for it.
127	2	Hoobyclues
The Hoobs are enjoying a good game of Hoobyclues. It's one of the Hoobs' favourite games and it helps them to unravel the mystery about the nuts that Groove found in a hole.
128	3	Ouch!	Postponed from the start of Series 4 due to Hubba-Hubba's Introduction voiced by Mark Jefferis.
While preparing for a picnic, Tula's paw gets stung, and it really hurts.
129	4	Round And Round
Iver scoffs at this: there is no such as something that goes round and round without stopping... is there?
130	5	The Fair	Features a number of visions of Iver, Groove and Tula in their later lives as they grow older.
Roma is coming to visit the Hoobmobile, so the Hoobs try and think of fun to do with her.
131	6	Pockets	Postponed from the start of Series 4 due to Hubba-Hubba's Introduction voiced by Mark Jefferis.
Tula has made Groove a pocket on her Hooby-stitcher-upper but he cannot decide what to put in it.
132	7	Funny Tummies
The Hoobs are wondering what are belly buttons for.
133	8	Shape Sorter
Groove's collection of "Different Shaped Things He Doesn't Know What to Do With" gets in Iver's way.
134	9	Crash Bang Wallop
Groove decides to start a new collection – round flat things that make a Hoobygroovy noise.
135	10	Peep Flowers
Tula wants to give Hubba Hubba some beautiful Peep flowers that the Tiddlypeeps have sent her for when The Hoobs return to Hoobland, but she doesn't know when that will be so how can she make the flowers last forever?
136	11	Winning
Iver and Tula are mystified when Groove wins many egg and spoon races that they all enjoy doing – he normally loses.
137	12	Groove's Wish
Groove is hoping for his wish to come true.
138	13	A Pig Full of Surprises
Groove discovers a piggy bank containing some money.
139	14	Rewards
Because they are good friends, Tula decides to make a reward for Iver and Groove.
140	15	Hoob in a Mood
Groove is in a bad and foul mood. Tula and Iver try to find a way to cheer him up.
141	16	Moon
While reading poetry to Roma, Iver discovers the Man in the Moon.
142	17	Soggy Crispies
Groove is taking Iver collecting, but Tula has made Hooby Crispy Cakes. When Iver and Groove come back The Hoobs find the Crispies have gone soggy because they are too late to eat them.
143	18	Giant
The Hoobs are reading Jack and the Beanstalk. Groove is Jack, Tula is Jack's mum and Iver is playing the giant.
144	19	The Drip	Postponed from the start of Series 4 due to Hubba-Hubba's Introduction voiced by Mark Jefferis.
The Hoobs are horrified when they discover a drip in the Hoobmobile ceiling.
145	20	Pirates
Groove finds a treasure chest. However, he hears that pirates like to steal treasure.
146	21	Hoobamaflip	Postponed from the start of Series 4 due to John Eccleston's Groove "Wayhey!" in the opening and closing titles.
The Hoobs find a way to work the Hoobamaflip. Their catchphrase of how to make the Hoobamaflip work is "Ready to Grab, Ready to Lift, Ready to Drop, Ready to Flip".
147	22	Magic Words	Postponed from the start of Series 4 due to John Eccleston's Groove "Wayhey!" in the opening and closing titles.
The Hoobs want to celebrate Shoobedyshiny Day by wearing Shoop-Shoop and doing the Shoop-Shoop Dance. Without any magic words which are "Please", "Thank You" and "Sorry" Groove misses out on not only wearing a Shoop-Shoop but also doing Shoop-Shoop Dances.
148	23	Beautiful
Groove is unable to figure out why there is an old metal thing in his collection of beautiful things.
149	24	Funny Sounds
The Hoobs find something that makes funny sounds scoring a count on how many hoobaboobas.
150	25	Art	Postponed from the start of Series 4 due to the copyright year being 2001.
The Hoobs want to make all kinds of art.
151	26	That Noise
Groove and Tula go back to their game on the roof garden called "Hooby Wack & Grab" and Iver makes a strange, sad, groaning, sighing sound when he hurts his arm and accidentally squashes the hooboberry bush.
152	27	Our Friend Flash
The Hoobs cannot figure out what is wrong with Flash the tortoise because Flash is hiding in a shell.
153	28	Ah-choo!
Iver and Tula get jumped when Groove begins to sneeze.
154	29	A Doob for a Hoob
Iver and Tula cannot figure out who Groove is talking to.
155	30	Big Day In	Final episode to be postponed from the start of the fourth series.
The Hoobs want to go on a trip outdoors but it starts raining due to a thunderstorm.
156	31	Miss Hoob
The Hoobs and Tula cannot figure out which job will be perfect whether it can be pupil or teacher.
157	32	Yawning
The Hoobs cannot figure out why are they yawning.
158	33	The Shoobage	Features a flashback to when Hubba Hubba gives Iver a Hoobysprouter for Shoobage in Hoobland.
The Hoobs need to find a way to eat the Shoobage.
159	34	Relax
Groove and Tula help Iver relax.
160	35	Get on With the Game
Iver wants to find out how to play a mystery message game.
161	36	Groove the Greedy
Groove is being greedy when he did not share all the sweets.
162	37	Fairyland
Tula wants to be a fairy queen but she does not know how to.
163	38	Hoobyhics
Tula has the Hoobyhics which are Hiccups but she has lots of things to do.
164	39	Clumsy
Tula is being very clumsy as she is painting a picture of the sunset on the roof garden and Iver and Groove are trying to find out why.
165	40	Hurry Up
Iver and Tula need Groove to speed things up.
166	41	A Place for Tula
Tula wants to find a place to write her poem.
167	42	Mums and Dads	Iver does Roma's Report in this episode. The Only episode in which Iver does Roma's Report. Other episodes with Roma being busy with other things happens with Groove doing Roma's Report.
Roma babysits a Squigglytiddlypeep while its mum and dad are away.
168	43	Underground
The Hoobs wonder what is like to live underground.
169	44	Warm Juice
Tula needs some way to make her Hoobjuice warm while she paints a picture of the penguins.
170	45	Telling Tales
Groove tells Iver on Tula after she knocks over his tray of Hooboblubbers.
171	46	Every Hoob's a Star
Iver begins to show off when he is full of bright ideas.
172	47	Riddle Me Ree	First episode in which Groove has a go at Driving Roma's Hooby Picki Picki. Groove does Roma's Report in this episode.
Roma and the Hoobs try to play a riddle game.
173	48	Little Round Somethings
The Hoobs want to know what those little round things are.
174	49	Jobs
The Hoobs want to find a job that will suit them.
175	50	Tula's Big Day
Tula is getting ready for a big day at the Tiddlypeeps' school.
176	51	Creepy Crawlies
Iver and Tula want to know what kind of creepy-crawly is inside Groove's box.
177	52	Birdsong
Tula hears a little bird singing in the Heebleleaf tree on the roof garden.
178	53	Playhouse
The Hoobs want to build a playhouse so they can have fun.
179	54	Flies
The Hoobs need something to keep the pesky flies away from their Hoobyfigs.
180	55	Tula in Wonderland
Tula is feeling very bored and needs something to cure her boredom.
181	56	Clubs
Iver and the Hoobs need something to make their club special.
182	57	Hoobydudu
Hubba Hubba has to take care of a Hoobydudu egg for Auntie Hattie. Hoobydudus come in all shapes and sizes whether they're wrigglers, gigglers, dreamers or screamers, but how are the Hoobs going to do Hoob News with all that screaming noise the Hoobydudu is making?!
183	58	Robin Hood
The Hoobs find out what life was like for Robin Hood.
184	59	A Whale of a Time
Iver wants to go whale-watching with the Tiddlypeeps but he is afraid of whales.
185	60	A Problem for the Pansies
Iver is not sure how his pansies are among Tula's big yellow flower.
186	61	Seeing Clearly
Tula cannot see a thing and thinks there is something wrong with her eyes.
187	62	The Old Bamboo
Groove has some old bamboo instead of some sticks.
188	63	Down in the Middle
The Hoobs find out what is deep down inside the Peep Planet. The Red line across the centre of the globe makes Groove attempt to cut the globe in half but Iver won't let Groove do so.
189	64	Somebody Loves You
Iver wants to find out who the love card is from.
190	65	Don't Drink the Water
The Hoobs are wondering why the lemonade tastes terrible.
191	66	Iver the Robot
Iver would like to be a robot without thinking or getting his feelings hurt.
192	67	Marooned	The Only episode in series 4 without the Hoobmobile moving. Other episodes without Hoobmobile moving happen in the following series.
The Hoobs want to know how Robinson Crusoe escapes from a desert island.
193	68	Rude Hoob
Groove really wants to put Iver's flashing bow tie in his collection but without a magic word from Groove, Iver rejects it and the answer is "No".
194	69	Hoozleberry Blues
The Hoobs do not know what happened to the Hoozleberry bush and what had caused damage to the Hoozleberries.
195	70	Sir Iverlot
Iver wants to be a very brave knight.
196	71	Yee Haw
Groove wishes he could be with the cows all the time.
197	72	Iver's Big Trip
Iver needs something to take with him to go on a trip.
198	73	Bedtime Story
Iver tries to find a way to read his book without keeping Tula and Groove awake.

Series 5 (2002–2003)

No. overall	No. in series	Title	Note
199	1	Hoobledoop
Roma has been asked to take pictures of Groove and his collections for a magazine in Hoobland.
200	2	Hooblebumper Box Day
Every year the Hoobs celebrate Hooblebumper Box Day. There's only one thing Iver isn't actually good at doing.
201	3	Chocolate
Tula is making some gingerbread Hoobs and has some chocolate buttons ready.
202	4	Dangerous
The Tiddlypeeps have invited Iver on an expedition, but he's worried about how dangerous it could be.
203	5	News
The Hoob News screen is broken and Iver wants to try and fix it, but Tula and Groove want to find other ways to broadcast Hoob News.
204	6	Groove's Special Collection
Groove is trying to think up another collection – but this one needs to be special.
205	7	Cards
Groove has found a pack of cards in his collection and wants to do clever stuff with them.
206	8	Change
Iver is tired of everything being the same. He wants to change himself more than anything.
207	9	Sherlock Groove
On the Cluttered Cupboard floor, there is a filthy tablecloth which Iver decides to clean.
208	10	Not A Horse
Groove's friend Tim has a favorite animal, and it is an unusual animal, but it's definitely not a horse.
209	11	Elbows
Iver is frustrated. He keeps banging his elbow and it really hurts.
210	12	Motorette Magic	The Hoobmobile doesn't move in this episode.
There appears to be a problem with the Motorettes and Iver is trying to fix the problem.
211	13	Hooby Growinaday Tree	The only other episode to feature the Hoobydudu in the song sung by Hubba Hubba.
Groove grows Hooby Grow-in-a-day Tree, which is literally a tree that grows in the day. Meanwhile, Iver is finding out about relatives.
212	14	Little Pink Riding Hoob
The Hoobs are putting on a play of Little Pink Riding Hoob for the Tiddlypeeps.
213	15	Hooby Races
It is Sports Day, and the Hoobs attempt their own and then it was organised by the peeps and tiddlypeeps.
214	16	Little Green Sticky Thing
Groove has found a little green thing on one of the trees on the roof garden.
215	17	Tiger in Need
Tula hears a tigress named Tallulah that needs help.
216	18	Promises	Roma's Hooby Picki Picki doesn't move in this episode. The Only episode without Roma's Hooby Picki Picki moving. Other episodes happen to be when the Hoobmobile doesn't move.
Groove just cannot help himself – he keeps breaking promises, and Iver and Tula are fed up, sick and tired of it.
217	19	Twinkly Wrinklypeep
When the Hoobyharvest produces too much food, Iver decides to spare to the old people's home down the road.
218	20	Cover Up
In a tussle with Tula, Groove manages to splatter his Hoobjuice on the wall, and Hoobjuice is famous for staining.
219	21	Iver's Buns
Someone has been moving Tula's seashells in the Hoobofridge and Iver's buns up on the roof garden.
220	22	Buddy Beacon
Tula is building something to show the passing Hoobmobiles that the Hoobs are down on the Peep Planet.
221	23	The Fastest Thing on Legs
Iver is the fastest thing on legs on the Peep Planet.
222	24	Banana Banana Carrot
The Hoobs find out what kind of game it is on a game show. It could be based on Duck Duck Goose.
223	25	Emperor
Iver wants to be the emperor of the high Hoobaciousness.
224	26	Tight Fit
Groove cannot go jogging if his vest does not fit him.
225	27	Hooby Holiday
Tula's friend Jake is left behind when his friends go on an activity holiday.
226	28	Opera Singer
Tula discovers that auditions for a part in an opera are being held and decides to try out. However, she discovers that it's not just a good voice you need to sing opera.
227	29	Signs
The Hoobs wonder why some signs are useful.
228	30	House of Iver
Iver wants to wear some clothes so he can go the Tiddlypeeps' garden party.
229	31	Jambo Tambo
Tula and the Hoobs' African friend Rijina is going to release Tambo the baby elephant back into the wild.
230	32	Lost	Groove and Iver don't join in for Hoob News, Tula and Roma do Hoobs News together instead.
Iver and Groove have gone missing, so Tula and Roma have to find out where they are.
231	33	Overloaded	The Hoobmobile doesn't move in this episode.
The Hoobs are puzzled why the Motorettes are wheezing and puffing. The Hoobmobile is overloaded with Groove's collections.
232	34	Restaurant
Tula is fed up with her cooking and wants to visit a nice restaurant.
233	35	Flower Power
The Hoobs want to take some flowers back to Hoobland to remind them of the Peep gardens.
234	36	Iver Five-O
Iver wonders what it's like to ride in a police car.
235	37	Llama Farmer
The Hoobs are curious about an animal on the Peep Planet that looks like another Hoob.
236	38	Record Breakers
The Hoobs want to break a world record before they do Hoob News.
237	39	Three Hoobs, One Bus
The Hoobs wonder why the Hoobmobile is big enough for them to be divided by and into 3 rooms.
238	40	Voice Choice
Groove and Tula cannot figure out why Iver is whining.
239	41	Day Off	Features flashbacks to numerous episodes. Also features Hubba-Hubba riding in the back seat of Roma's Hooby Picki Picki during Roma's report as Roma takes Hubba-Hubba back home to Hoobland.
Hubba Hubba gives the Hoobs a nice day off.
240	42	Pancakes
The Hoobs need some ingredients to make some pancakes.
241	43	Costume Drama
The Hoobs are invited to the Tiddlypeeps' costume party.
242	44	Soft Floppy Fun
Tula and Iver put a smile on Groove's face by trying to find a tail that will suit him.
243	45	Window Dressing
Tula thinks the windows look beautiful, but Iver disagrees and Groove has a collection of things to decorate windows with.
244	46	Tricks with Bricks
Tula wants to build whatever she likes with bricks.
245	47	King of the Sea
Iver, Groove, Tula and Roma wonder who will be king of the sea.
246	48	Shop Til You Drop
The Hoobs figure out what will they have for their very own shop.
247	49	The Big Bonk	The only episode where Hubba-Hubba visits the Hoobs and the Tiddlypeeps. And the only episode in which Hubba-Hubba does Hoob News.
The Hoobs do not know why Hubba Hubba is not responding. They have no idea where he is until they hear a big bonk on the roof garden.
248	50	Bossy Boots	The last episode to feature the Folk/Country version of "We're Off To See The Tiddlypeeps".
Tula and Groove need some way to stop Iver interfering.
249	51	The Flapperdipperdancer	The last episode to feature the Classical/Opera version of "We're Off To See The Tiddlypeeps".
The Hoobs are invited to an art competition to make an amazing animal.
250	52	Is This Hoobletoodledoo?	Features flashbacks to numerous encounters with the Tiddlypeeps. The last episode to feature the Disco/Pop version of "We're Off To See The Tiddlypeeps".
Hubba Hubba gives the Hoobs some exciting news: they are going back to Hoobland. The Hoobs, however, are sad they have to go. They prepare for their departure, nonetheless. When the times comes, however, they are told they can stay on the Peep Planet if they wish. Whether or not they actually leave is left ambiguous.

Puppeteers

• Don Austen - Iver
• John Eccleston - Groove (seasons 1−3)
• Julie Westwood - Tula
• Gillie Robic - Roma
• Mark Jefferis - Groove (seasons 4 and 5), Hubba Hubba (seasons 1−3, some episode of 4), and Twang
• Brian Herring - Hubba Hubba (seasons 4 and 5)
• Rebecca Nagan - Tootle
• Wim Booth - Timp

Steven Kynman, Victoria Willing, Ivestyn Evans, Robert Skidmore and Susan Beattie served as assistant puppeteers in the series.

Mak Wilson, Katherine Smee, Dave Taylor, Jason Hopley and Jamie Shannon served as puppeteer accountants in the show's final series and on "Hooby Happy Holidays" on Sprout.

Mark Jefferis was also the lead singer of the show's opening theme, and the voices of the Hoobmobile's Motorettes also sang the music track that powers Roma's Hooby Picki Picki.

Brian Herring was also a writer who wrote some episodes of the show, such as "Crash, Bang, Wallop".

Production

Channel 4 announced in November 2000 that a new educational series, titled "The Hoobs", had been developed for a pre-school audience. In a £20 million joint venture between Channel 4 and The Jim Henson Company, the channel commissioned 250 half-hour episodes which were to be broadcast from early 2001 (to replace Sesame Street). The series was set to be the biggest pre-school series on British television as it was said that "Channel 4 hopes its Hoobs will be the new Teletubbies and the new Tweenies" and wished from it to match its success.^[1] The puppets for the characters were made by Jim Henson's Muppet Workshop.

Executive vice-president Angus Fletcher of Jim Henson Television commented that "We are delighted to have the opportunity to pioneer a groundbreaking format which will address the needs of the first truly multi-media generation".^[1]

Broadcast history

United Kingdom

The series premiered on Channel 4 on 15 January 2001 from 6:00am to 7:00am,^[2] with two episodes being broadcast each weekday morning. The episodes were repeated from 11:00 am during the Channel 4 schools strand 4Learning,^[1] finishing its run of 250 episodes on 3 January 2003. Although the series ceased production in the United Kingdom in July 2002, it was regularly repeated in the same early morning time slot for several years afterwards. It was temporarily taken off the schedule every year during the Christmas period and returned in the new year. Between August 2006 and December 2012, repeats were followed by Freshly Squeezed, where The Hoobs was occasionally mentioned.^[3] After the cancellation of Freshly Squeezed, The Hoobs continued airing on weekday mornings up until 2nd December 2013, and weekend mornings until 30th August 2014, when repeats were upended altogether and replaced with reruns of How I Met Your Mother. ^[4][5][6]

It also aired on Nick Jr. UK from 2002 to 2004.

International

The Hoobs has also been shown in several countries around the world, including the United States (the series formerly airing on PBS Kids Sprout), Australia (airing on both ABC and ABC2 from 4 February 2002 to 2 July 2011), Poland (Polsat JimJam and TV4), Hungary (JimJam), Spain (Telemadrid and on K3 in Catalonia) and Israel (Hop!). In Italy, "Hello Hoobs" aired on JimJam from Sky. In Germany, the show aired on KiKA. It aired on Semillitas in Latin America, and on Alter Channel in Greece. In Ireland, it was screened on TG4, where it was dubbed into Irish Gaelic, and in Hong Kong, it aired on TVB Pearl. As of July 2025, the series is featured on the Yippee TV streaming service.^[7]

Home media releases

From 2001 to 2003 in the United Kingdom, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment released four VHS tapes in the United Kingdom each containing two episodes: "Finding Out",^[8] "Holidays",^[9] "Funny Faces"^[10] and "Groove's Wish".^[11] Three of the tapes were also released as a bi-pack,^[12] and a promotional tape named "Meet the Hoobs" was also released.^[13]

"Groove's Wish" was also issued out on DVD by CTHE in April 2002, which included an extra episode.^[14] Another DVD - "Hooble Toodle Doo!", was released in September 2005 by HIT Entertainment.^[15]

Video game

A video game based on the show was released for the PlayStation on 7 June 2002, developed by Runecraft and published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.^[16]

See also

• The Muppets