Inspired by the popular TV series, 'Flipper' (about a dolphin, 1964-67) and 'Lassie' (about a collie dog, 1954-1974) as well as 'Gentle Ben' (about a bear, 1967-69), Lee Robinson and Dennis Hill came up with the story about 'Skippy' (the bush kangaroo, 1967-1970).
It was understood "the star of the show, Skippy, was played by at least nine different kangaroos. Contrary to popular belief, Skippy is a female kangaroo because she has a pouch."
With Eric Jupp composed "one of the most recognisable Australian theme songs", 'Skippy' had been sold to some 128 countries. In its first run, Tammy Burnstock reported the series was watched by a global audience of more than 300 million viewers a week. 'Skippy' was regarded "the biggest international success story of Australian TV."
As understood, "kangaroos don't say 'tchk tchk tchk'. Sound editor Phil Judd remembers getting producer Dennis Hill up to the microphone to demonstrate Skippy's trademark sound." Albert Moran reported, "Before the international sales success of Australian soap operas such as 'Neighbours' (debut 1985) and 'Home and Away' (debut 1988), 'Skippy' was the most successful series ever made in Australia. Skippy was a bush kangaroo (a universal symbol of Australia)."
In all some 91 half-hour episodes were produced. In 1991, about 39 half-hour more episodes of the spin-off 'The Adventures of Skippy' were made. Described as a children's series, 'Skippy' was originally aired in Australia on prime time between 7pm and 8pm. Winner of the Logie Special Award for Best Export Production in 1968, 'Skippy' was considered a "phenomenally successful Australian television series" because "'Skippy' struck a chord with audiences worldwide in a way that few shows have managed to do before or since." In 1997, the animated series, 'Skippy Adventures In Bushtown' was made.
Set in the fictional Waratah National Park in Duffys Forest outside Sydney Australia, 'Skippy' was filmed at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the nearby Waratah Park. In November 2003, AAP reported, "The park in which the program was set reopened as a wildlife sanctuary." In May 2017, The Rangers Headquarters played host to the show's 50-year reunion.
Phil Judd told ABC News returning to the red dirt-colored building was "nostalgic … It's iconic, just like Ned Kelly's house. They still have the props and original furniture from the theme park. The Residents Association is trying to keep it alive because it is iconic for people from around the world." Jenny Harris, who was the president of the Duffys Forest Residents Association, told the ABC the building was only ever meant to be a temporary film set. As noted, "In the end 'Skippy' proved to be the first Australian show to be successful worldwide and remains one of the most successful Australian shows of all time."
Ed Devereaux who played the widowed park ranger Matt Hammond became a household name. In an interview with 'The Sydney Morning Herald', Ed Devereaux made the observation, "'Skippy' was a success worldwide. Still is (in 1988). It gave me a chance not only to act, but to direct and write as well." John Devereaux told the press in 2003, "When you meet an Australian, it's the first thing they say: 'Your dad is an icon.' And I forget that sometimes, living in England. I sometimes forget how important he is."
After 'Skippy' ended its run, Ed Devereaux could be seen playing such roles as that of the Australian prime minister Ben Chifley to the Nazi leader Martin Bormann. Tony Bonner who played the flight ranger, Jerry King, remarked, "Three or four generations of Australians have grown up with that show. Everyone has a moment in their lives that they remember when they were watching 'Skippy' … He (Eddie) was an icon."
Liza Goddard made her first appearance as boarder Clarissa 'Clancy' Merrick in episode 7. In an interview with Danny Scott for the UK 'Daily Express' in May 2018, Liza Goddard recounted, "My father worked for the BBC and I spent a lot of my school holidays going to visit him at Television Centre in London. By the age of six, I’d already decided I wanted to be an actor and started applying for roles in local theatre groups.
"Like most children, I loved the world of dressing up and pretending to be other people. I was 15 when we moved to Australia – my dad got a job with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation – and I immediately started telling everyone, very grandly, that I’d worked in the 'English theatre'. Well, technically, I had! I started getting a lot of work and, at 17, got the part in 'Skippy'.
"My love of wildlife and the outdoors was probably kick-started by the show. Every week, we were working with kangaroos, possums, emus… a few snakes. It felt wonderful to be so close to nature. When I got back to England in 1969, 'Skippy' became a bit of a calling card. I got a lot of TV work and filled in the gaps by touring with repertory theatre companies … Theatre gave me my start as an actor and I still feel very much at home there."
With Eric Jupp composed "one of the most recognisable Australian theme songs", 'Skippy' had been sold to some 128 countries. In its first run, Tammy Burnstock reported the series was watched by a global audience of more than 300 million viewers a week. 'Skippy' was regarded "the biggest international success story of Australian TV."
As understood, "kangaroos don't say 'tchk tchk tchk'. Sound editor Phil Judd remembers getting producer Dennis Hill up to the microphone to demonstrate Skippy's trademark sound." Albert Moran reported, "Before the international sales success of Australian soap operas such as 'Neighbours' (debut 1985) and 'Home and Away' (debut 1988), 'Skippy' was the most successful series ever made in Australia. Skippy was a bush kangaroo (a universal symbol of Australia)."
In all some 91 half-hour episodes were produced. In 1991, about 39 half-hour more episodes of the spin-off 'The Adventures of Skippy' were made. Described as a children's series, 'Skippy' was originally aired in Australia on prime time between 7pm and 8pm. Winner of the Logie Special Award for Best Export Production in 1968, 'Skippy' was considered a "phenomenally successful Australian television series" because "'Skippy' struck a chord with audiences worldwide in a way that few shows have managed to do before or since." In 1997, the animated series, 'Skippy Adventures In Bushtown' was made.
Set in the fictional Waratah National Park in Duffys Forest outside Sydney Australia, 'Skippy' was filmed at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the nearby Waratah Park. In November 2003, AAP reported, "The park in which the program was set reopened as a wildlife sanctuary." In May 2017, The Rangers Headquarters played host to the show's 50-year reunion.
Phil Judd told ABC News returning to the red dirt-colored building was "nostalgic … It's iconic, just like Ned Kelly's house. They still have the props and original furniture from the theme park. The Residents Association is trying to keep it alive because it is iconic for people from around the world." Jenny Harris, who was the president of the Duffys Forest Residents Association, told the ABC the building was only ever meant to be a temporary film set. As noted, "In the end 'Skippy' proved to be the first Australian show to be successful worldwide and remains one of the most successful Australian shows of all time."
Ed Devereaux who played the widowed park ranger Matt Hammond became a household name. In an interview with 'The Sydney Morning Herald', Ed Devereaux made the observation, "'Skippy' was a success worldwide. Still is (in 1988). It gave me a chance not only to act, but to direct and write as well." John Devereaux told the press in 2003, "When you meet an Australian, it's the first thing they say: 'Your dad is an icon.' And I forget that sometimes, living in England. I sometimes forget how important he is."
After 'Skippy' ended its run, Ed Devereaux could be seen playing such roles as that of the Australian prime minister Ben Chifley to the Nazi leader Martin Bormann. Tony Bonner who played the flight ranger, Jerry King, remarked, "Three or four generations of Australians have grown up with that show. Everyone has a moment in their lives that they remember when they were watching 'Skippy' … He (Eddie) was an icon."
Liza Goddard made her first appearance as boarder Clarissa 'Clancy' Merrick in episode 7. In an interview with Danny Scott for the UK 'Daily Express' in May 2018, Liza Goddard recounted, "My father worked for the BBC and I spent a lot of my school holidays going to visit him at Television Centre in London. By the age of six, I’d already decided I wanted to be an actor and started applying for roles in local theatre groups.
"Like most children, I loved the world of dressing up and pretending to be other people. I was 15 when we moved to Australia – my dad got a job with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation – and I immediately started telling everyone, very grandly, that I’d worked in the 'English theatre'. Well, technically, I had! I started getting a lot of work and, at 17, got the part in 'Skippy'.
"My love of wildlife and the outdoors was probably kick-started by the show. Every week, we were working with kangaroos, possums, emus… a few snakes. It felt wonderful to be so close to nature. When I got back to England in 1969, 'Skippy' became a bit of a calling card. I got a lot of TV work and filled in the gaps by touring with repertory theatre companies … Theatre gave me my start as an actor and I still feel very much at home there."
