Melanie (TV series)

Melanie is a Kuboian traditionally animated television series created and directed by Hollis Davies and produced by Twinkle. The show centres around the titular character, a seven year-old who finds more fun misbehaving in school rather than learning.

Twinkle produced two series of Melanie, the first series aired in 2005, and consisted of eighteen 13-minute episodes, whilst the second series aired in 2006 and had sixteen episodes, giving the show thirty four episodes in total. The show was praised for its humour and writing but also criticised for the spoilt and mischievous nature of the titular character. It has received somewhat of a cult following and has also spawned several internet memes.

Premise and characters
Melanie is a seven year-old girl who is currently in her first year of Novice School. Since she does not enjoy school, she finds more fun causing trouble and misbehaving rather than learning and doing work. Typically, each episode of the show features Melanie being involved in a difficult situation and trying to use sneaky tricks to get out.

The school Melanie attends, Heathryoak Novice School, is run by the head teacher Mr. Weirdbeard (it is implied this is not his actual name, and just a nickname given to him by the other characters), the deputy head Mr. Oak, and the principal teacher Mr. Crook, the last of which clashes with Melanie frequently. Melanie's school friends include Gabrielle, a hotheaded girl with inconsistent personality traits, Ustuk, a boy who Melanie often goes to for advice, and Nathan, an effeminate boy who tries to talk Melanie out of her behaviour. Melanie has another classmates, Julia, who she dislikes due to her egotistical nature. Melanie's teacher is called Mr. Fleece. Along with Melanie's classmates and teachers, an older boy, Yoshi, sporadically appears, and often encourages Melanie to be more assertive when faced with trouble.

Other characters who are seen are Melanie's mother, Vivian, her mother's partner, Edward, and her friend's families. A robber, "Sleazy" Tom, makes a few appearances, and often has his plans foiled by Melanie.

Reception
Since its original run, Melanie has been the centre of controversy. Despite being branded as a pre-school show, many argue that it has little educational value and some of the negative behaviour on the show is presented in a manner that children could copy. Hollis Davies has argued against this by saying children can understand through the show how they should behave, and how they should not.

Another criticism the show has faced is the spoiled and badly behaved nature of the titular character, who rarely faces comeuppance for the trouble she causes, though some have defended the show, and say Melanie simply does not know better and does not mean harm. Some of the characters also received criticism, with Gabrielle often being seen as a karoul stereotype, and Vivian and Edward often being seen as having poor parenting skills.

Among those who defended the show were KT co-host Blade Holter, who noted that Melanie only behaved badly when provoked, and that she seems to become slightly more mature in the second series.

Legacy
In the late 2010s, an episode of the first series went viral due to a scene in which Melanie, when in need of the bathroom, performs a dance similar to the "floss".

DVD releases
The first series was released on DVD in Region 2, on three discs which each contained six episodes. The first two were released in 2006 whilst the third was released in 2007.

The complete collection, consisting of all episodes from both series was released on DVD in Regions 2 and 4 in early 2010.

Video games
A video game based on the show, titled Melanie: Trouble in Heathryoak School, was released for the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and GameBoy Advance in October 2005. It was released only in PAL regions.

Music
The voice of Melanie, Suzie Hersham, release an extended play in October 2005 consisting of four songs from the show. It reached number 4 in the Karuboia Albums Chart.

Kuboia

 * KT (2005-2008)
 * Boomerang (2008-2011)
 * Venus (2010-2012)

Australia

 * ABC for Kids (2005-2010)

Canada

 * TVOKids (2005-2010)

Charlesland Republic

 * CHT (2007-2010)

Conlandia

 * CBC Kids (2006-2010, 2016-present)

El Kadsre

 * BTV (20??-?)

Floweria

 * Kidzone (2007-2010)

France

 * France 5 (2006-2008)

Gau

 * GBC Kids (2006-2009)
 * GBC Kids Jr. (2009-present)

Germany

 * Toggolino (2005-2010)

Indosa

 * Further information: Melanie (Indosan dub)


 * Disney XD (2020-present)
 * IBN Kids (2019-present)

Internet

 * Nickelodeon (2007-2019)
 * VCR (2019-present)

Israel

 * Hop! (2005-2012)

Italy

 * JimJam (2006-2011)

Stevia

 * Treehouse (2006-2015)
 * Family Jr. (2015-present)

United Kingdom

 * CITV (2005-2008)
 * Tiny Pop (2009-2013)

United States

 * Further information: Melanie (American dub)

Tickle-U aired an Americanised version of the show. However, all other channels broadcast the original Kuboian version.
 * Tickle-U (2006-2007)
 * Discovery Kids (2007-2010)
 * Sprout (2010-2013)

Tropes

 * Melanie (TV series)/Tropes
 * Melanie (TV series)/YMMV
 * Melanie (TV series)/Trivia