Numberjacks

Numberjacks is a 2006-2009 British 3D animated children's television series, aimed at 2-to 5-year-olds shown regularly on CBeebies and occasionally on BBC Two. It is produced by Open Mind Productions for the BBC and features a mixture of computer-generated animation and live action. 67 episodes were produced.[1]

Numberjacks
The 10 Numberjacks
GenreEducational
Written byChris Ellis
Directed byHelen Sheppard
Imogen Robertson
Voices of
  • Dylan Robertson
  • Ryan Magee
  • Alice Baker
  • Jonathan Beech
  • Laura Maasland
  • Oliver Keogh
  • Roz Ellis
  • Harry Munday
  • Bob Golding
  • Rachel Preece
  • Ross Mullan
Opening theme"The Numberjacks Are On Their Way"
Ending theme"The Numberjacks Are On Their Way" (Reprise)
Composer(s)Justin Nicholls
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original language(s)English
No. of series2
No. of episodes65 (2 specials) (list of episodes)
Production
Producer(s)Roland Tongue
Camera setupJeremy Read
Jamie Shelton
Running time15 minutes
Production company(s)Open Mind Productions
DistributorBeyond Distribution
Release
Original networkCBeebies
Tiny Pop
Original releaseOctober 16, 2006 (2006-10-16) 
December 11, 2009 (2009-12-11)

Episodes

Series 1, consisting of 45 15-minute episodes, first aired in October 2006. Series 2, consisting of 20 15-minute episodes first aired on CBeebies in 2009.[2]

Series overview

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
145 (Specials 1-2)16 October 2006 (16 October 2006)3 August 2009 (3 August 2009)
22026 October 2009 (26 October 2009)11 December 2009 (11 December 2009)

Series 1 (2006–07)

# Episode Original Air date Overview DVD release
1 The Trouble With Nothing 16 October 2006 0 makes things disappear and 6 flies out to sort everything out. This is the first episode when a Numberjack makes problem.

Agents: 33, 42, 16, 68 Numberjacks: 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 1
2 Going Wrong Going Long 17 October 2006 The Problem Blob makes the boys pencil get longer and the man's mop and the boys straw. 4 sorts him out. 3 can't go out even if she's taller than him.

Agents: 16, 28, 68, 53 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 1
3 Sphere Today Gone Tomorrow 18 October 2006 The Shape Japer turns every sphere into a cube. 6 sorts her out.

Agents: 28, 33, 101, 70 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 2
4 In Out Shake It All About 19 October 2006 The Puzzler makes his eyes come out on both sides of him, making them turn, his glasses and nose on top: It's making everything outside and not in. 3 and 5 sort him out, once they are freed from the Puzzle Bubble.

Agents: 70, 94, 42, 53 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 1
5 One More Time 20 October 2006 When everyone passes under a bridge, they become one higher number: 4 turns into a 5, then 6. It's 1 that's causing all the trouble. Brain Gain changes 1's mind to make things one less.

Agents: 53, 28, 94, 68 Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 2
6 Forward Thinking 23 October 2006 The Problem Blob is back – and things go backwards and forwards. 6 hitches a lift. This is the first appearance of The Problem Blob's eye.

Agents: 16, 33, 53, 85 Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 3
7 Seven Wonders 24 October 2006 4 finds things add up to 7 when the Puzzler's about, and 7 is caught by him. In this episode. Agent 16 turns into static.

Agents: 53, 42, 70, 16 Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Volume 3
8 Getting Heavy 25 October 2006 Spooky Spoon is swapping light things and heavy things – 5 and 3 fly out. 3 has no problem in this episode.

Agents: 53, 16, 68, 85 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

Volume 2
9 Belongings 26 October 2006 Things don't belong when Spooky Spoon mixes things up – another problem for 5. In this episode, Spooky's trapped with a fork and a knife because of her last name (Spoon).

Agents: 16, 33, 68, 42 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 3
10 4 He's A Jolly Good Fellow 27 October 2006 The Numbertaker is taking all the fours he can find – will 4 be able to escape his clutches?

Agents: 28, 68, 101 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 1
11 Boxing Day 30 October 2006 Boxes go wrong when the Shape Japer plays tricks – but 6 can do the trick too, when he puts him in a box.

Agents: 85, 33, 101, 94 Numberjacks: 3 (The Numberjack-in-the-box), 4, 5, 6

Volume 1
12 Out of Order 31 October 2006 Spooky Spoon makes sure things are well out of order – until 5 sorts her out. In this episode. 1 and 2 go to the Control Room after 5 has left.

Agents: 47, 96, 73, 88 Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
13 Nine Lives 1 November 2006 The Puzzler has 9 trapped in a puzzle bubble – 6 and 3 come to the rescue. In this episode, 6 turns into two 3's.

Agents: 25, 34, 88, 100 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6 (two 3s), 9

Volume 2
14 Takeaway 2 November 2006 Not just a few problems, many of them – 4 makes the Numbertaker take more than he wants to.

Agents: 28, 101 (Although mixed up with 42), 85, 70 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 4
15 The Cuck-Cuck-Cuck-Oo-Oo-Oo Bird 3 November 2006 There's a pattern to the problems the Puzzler causes – and Numberjack 5 has to break that pattern.

Agents: 14, 47, 73, 96 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 4
16 Stop And Go 19 February 2007 Things don't move when they should, like a walking trash bin etc. – 6 has got to sort Spooky Spoon out or else there'll be more trouble.

Agents: 34, 52, 73, 100 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
17 Off Colour 20 February 2007 Spooky Spoon wants to be the most colourful character around, by taking other yellow, red, and blue things – 4 is out to stop her.

Agents: 88, 34, 25, 100 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 1
18 A Game Of Two Halves 21 February 2007 The Shape Japer makes half a load of trouble, and 4 has to make things whole again.

Agents: 14, 47, 73, 96 Numberjacks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 3
19 Out For The Count 22 February 2007 2 is out and about and making everyone count incorrectly – 6 goes after him.

Agents: 96, 61, 100, 25 Numberjacks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 4
20 The Container Drainer 23 February 2007 Everything is empty thanks to the Puzzler – 3 helps 5 to fill things up again but not without knowing she got caught by the Puzzler.

Agents: 25, 61, 96, 100 Numberjacks, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 5
21 Tens Moments 26 February 2007 1 and 0 get out and about and make ten of everything – creating more work for 5.

Agents: 25, 52, 61, 88 Numberjacks: 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
22 3 Things Good 27 February 2007 3 is out on her own trying to do battle with the Shape Japer, who does not like things in threes. In this episode. the Shape Japer can become a triangle.

Agents: 25, 34, 88, 100 Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 4
23 Say What You Mean 28 February 2007 Be clear what you mean or the Problem Blob will make trouble for you, as 4 finds out. In this episode, the Problem Blob sticks on two walls and a cube-shaped bush.

Agents: 34, 47, 100, 14 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 5
24 One Won 1 March 2007 There's only one of everything, thanks to the Numbertaker – 6 sorts things with help from 1.

Agents: 55, 68, 70, 94 Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 2
25 Tricky Sixes 2 March 2007 The Numbertaker likes two lots of three today – 6 is the Numberjack to sort him out.

Agents: 42, 85, 55, 68 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
26 May The Fours Be With You 5 March 2007 The Shape Japer is after things that come in eights – 4 goes on the mission. In this episode, the Shape Japer stays as a cube, and become good eight at the end.

Agents: 16, 42, 68, 101, Numberjacks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

Volume 5
27 Best Estimate 6 March 2007 The Problem Blob makes things go wrong when people can't estimate – 5 to the rescue.

Agents: 28, 55, 70, 101 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 2
28 On and Off 7 March 2007 Spooky Spoon is mixing things up again, so instead of being on things are off – 4 is on the case.

Agents: 16, 33, 68, 85 Numberjacks, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
29 Zero the Hero 8 March 2007 0 to the rescue when just for once, the Numberjacks are the problem, not the answer!

Agents: 33, 55, 85 Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Volume 3
30 Bad Circles 9 March 2007 The Shape Japer is making bad circles by enter the circular hollow and saying "Circle – BAD" – 6 gets ready to sort her out. In this episode. the Shape Japer stays as a circle.

Agents: 28, 42, 70, 94 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 6
31 Famous Fives 12 March 2007 The Puzzler sets the problem – and 5 is the right Numberjack to sort it out.

Agents: 16, 42, 68, 94 Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 6
32 Fair Shares 13 March 2007 Things aren't being shared fairly, thanks to the Problem Blob – 6 makes everything all right.

Agents: 28, 101, 85, 33 Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Volume 4
33 Being 3 14 March 2007 The Numbertaker is taking threes today – but he can't take Numberjack 3: In this episode, 3 turns into a 4.

Agents: 28, 55, 70, 101 Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 3
34 Into the Teens 15 March 2007 The Numbertaker has added ten more than 1 – 4 has to sort him out. 4 turns into a 14, and the Numbertaker turns into eleven.

Agents: 33, 55, 70, 85 Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Volume 6
35 Slide and Turn 16 March 2007 The Shape Japer is moving things and causing problems – 5 goes out there.

Agents: 17, 41, 60, 106 Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
36 Six Of One 19 March 2007 The Problem Blob is making trouble with sixes – Numberjack 6 to the rescue.

Agents: 22, 41, 60, 106 Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
37 Time Trouble 20 March 2007 Time passes very strongly – thanks to Spooky Spoon. 5 investigates. This is the first appearance of the Beeper.

Agents: 38, 54, 79, 95 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 5
38 1, 2, 3, Go 21 March 2007 It's 1, 2, 3 – pattern time! 3 battles with the Puzzler.

Agents: 17, 54, 60, 106 Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

TBA
39 More 4 22 March 2007 The Shape Japer makes trouble with symmetry – 4 goes out to sort things out.

Agents: 17, 22, 41, 38 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

TBA
40 Almost Human 23 March 2007 The Problem Blob causes trouble – and 4 tries out being a human being. There is a special Numberjack known as the Numberjack Man (played by Steven Lim), known as 4's temporary replacement.

Agents: 79, 83, 95, 106 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
41 Two, Four, Six, Eight 26 March 2007 The Numbertaker takes all the even numbers – 6 and 8 fly out to put things right.

Agents: 79, 54, 57, 17 Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Volume 5
42 Round and Round 27 March 2007 The Problem Blob has gotten people going around in circles – can 5 restore things to normal?

Agents: 41, 60, 83, 106 Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
43 Square Dancing 28 March 2007 The Shape Japer's about – and 1, 4, and 9 sort out problems with squares.

Agents: 22, 41, 79, 95 Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9

TBA
44 Data Day 29 March 2007 Spooky Spoon is mixing things up and makes things at a cafe behave like party things and vice versa – 3 gets ready to take her on.

Agent: 17, 54, 60, 106 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

Volume 4
45 How? What? Check! 30 March 2007 5 sorts out the Puzzler's problems – and checks to make sure.

Agents: 22, 38, 83, 95 Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
Series 1 Specials
1 Counting Down To Christmas TBA The Numbertaker, the Shape Japer, and Spooky Spoon make Christmas go wrong, and Agent 20 is one of the victims. 5 and 6 fly out and save Christmas Day with help from 3 and some other agents. In this episode, the Meanies work together.

Agents: 20, 77, 49 Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,

Volume 5 (Release Date: 24 November 2008)
2 Seaside Adventure TBA The Numberjacks have a holiday at the beach, only to face troubles with the Meanies!

Agents: 39, 91, 121, 122, 20 Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Volume 6 (Release Date: 3 August 2009)

Series 2 (2009)

# Episode Original Air date Overview DVD release
1 Ups and Downs 26 October 2009 Spooky Spoon is turning everything upside down, so 8 is sent out to help 4. In this episode. 1 goes to the Control Room after 4 has left.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

TBA
2 On the Move 27 October 2009 The Problem Blob is making things move when they should not, so 5 is sent out to stop him.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
3 Very Shapely 28 October 2009 The Shape Japer is causing problems again by stretching the shapes of things – 6 is after her, but one problem is when two circular hoops are turned into ovals.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
4 Wee Three Phone Home 29 October 2009 The Puzzler is causing some people to repeat his silly movements – 3 is sent out to stop him, and must solve three puzzles by herself as she lost contact with 4,5 and 6.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

TBA
5 Did You Notice Anything? 30 October 2009 The Numbertaker is taking away people's noticing skills, and then plays tricks on them without them noticing – 4 is sent out to defeat him.

Numberjacks: 0, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
6 Measured Response 2 November 2009 Things are changing length thanks to the Shape Japer, so 6 is sent out to change them back, this is the first episode in season 2 with the appearance of Buddy Sticks.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
7 Think Again 3 November 2009 3 and 4 are playing in the gym when 5 discovers that Spooky Spoon is mixing things up again.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
8 Carry On Counting 4 November 2009 6 is sent out to do battle with the Problem Blob, who is causing people to go back to the beginning of things, sliming 6 but Brain Gain helps him.

Numberjacks: 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

TBA
9 A Record In the Charts 5 November 2009 4 is sent out to defeat the Puzzler, who is stopping the cafe customers from remembering whether they have had too much food or not.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

TBA
10 Half Time 6 November 2009 The Numbertaker is halving the numbers of everything – 4 is sent out to stop him. In this episode, 4 turns into a 1, a 2, and an 8.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

TBA
11 A Close Thing 9 November 2009 A girl cannot get near her teddy, and grown ups need help with things being too close. 6 flies out to sort the Problem Blob.

Numberjacks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
12 A Circle at Both Ends 10 November 2009 3's buddy blocks become cylinders (Circle Sticks). 5 has to fly out when a boy has trouble with his chalks, thanks to the Shape Japer. In this episode. the Shape Japer can become a cylinder.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
13 Matchmaking 11 November 2009 Numberjack 1 plays a trick on Numberjack 4, always making the number of buddy blocks on the seesaw unbalanced. 3 flies out to sort the Numbertaker, who takes then adds anything so they do not match.

Numberjacks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
14 A Different Sort 12 November 2009 0 and 1 are failing to help 3 sort her beautiful things. 4 flies out to stop Spooky Spoon sorting things out. In this episode, 4 becomes green, tiny, big, then wiggly wobbly.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9

TBA
15 Areas of Concern 13 November 2009 In the gym, 6 and his buddy tiles are making patterns on the floor and flying around before he flies out to defeat the Puzzler.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
16 The Dreaded Lurgi 7 December 2009 In the gym. 6 cannot jump on the seesaw – and 4 feels ill too – they have both got the dreaded lurgi. 5 flies out to investigate and stop the Problem Blob from making people go up and down, round and round. In the meantime, 3 gets lurgi too, and agents help out.

Numberjacks: 0, 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
17 Fraction Fiction 8 December 2009 3 and 4 argue over entertaining 5's buddy blocks. They try to share them but the blocks get bored and wander off then 3 flies out to beat the Shape Japer from cutting things to pieces. In this episode, Shape Japer helps people four times.

Numberjacks: 3, 4, 5, 6

TBA
18 Interesting Times 9 December 2009 7 tells 0 and 1 a story about 3, 4, 5, and 6 going out one after the other; to sort out morning, daytime, evening and night time things, and Spooky Spoon herself. NOTE: This is the only episode in which Numberjack Seven acts as a narrator.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

TBA
19 More Ways Than One 10 December 2009 4, 5, and 6 are playing a version of Circle Slide, using different ways of moving then 4 goes out to rescue 8 who is trapped by the Puzzler by finding three ways to make an eight.

Numberjacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

TBA
20 Hundreds and Thousands 11 December 2009 4 is in the Cosy Room taking photos of 1 and 0. A girl has a hundred or so beads to make a necklace but then has only ten, then one. 6 flies out to defeat the Numbertaker. In this episode, the sent Brain Gain is used by a hundred agents' thousand fingers.

Numberjacks: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

TBA

Awards

  • Awarded Best Schools Programme – 0–5 Years (for the episode "Nine Lives")[3]
  • Royal Television Society Educational Television Awards 2007
  • Awarded Best Schools Programme – 0–5 Years (for the episode "Zero the Hero")[4]

UK DVD Releases

The Numberjacks are on Their Way (Volume 1)

  • 1. "The Trouble With Nothing"
  • 2. "Going Wrong Going Long"
  • 4. "In, Out, Shake It All About"
  • 10. "4 He's a Jolly Good Fellow"
  • 11. "Boxing Day"
  • 17. "Off Colour"

Calling All Agents (Volume 2)

  • 3. "Sphere Today Gone Tomorrow"
  • 5. "One More Time"
  • 8. "Getting Heavy"
  • 13. "Nine Lives"
  • 24. "One Won"
  • 27. "Best Estimate"

Standing By to Zoom (Volume 3)

  • 6. "Forward Thinking"
  • 7. "Seven Wonders"
  • 9. "Belongings"
  • 18. "A Game Of Two Halves"
  • 29. "Zero the Hero"
  • 33. "Being 3"

Brain Gain (Volume 4)

  • 14. "Takeaway"
  • 15. "The Cuc-Cuc-Cuc-Oo-Oo-Oo Bird"
  • 19. "Out For The Count"
  • 22. "3 Things Good"
  • 32. "Fair Shares"
  • 44. "Data Day"

Counting Down to Christmas (Volume 5)

  • 20. "The Container Drainer"
  • 23. "Say What You Mean"
  • 26. "May The Fours Be With You"
  • 37. "Time Trouble"
  • 41. "Two, Four, Six, Eight"
  • 46. "Counting Down to Christmas" (20 minute featurette)

Seaside Adventure (Volume 6)

  • 30. "Bad Circles"
  • 31. "Famous Fives"
  • 34. "Into The Teens"
  • 47. "Seaside Adventure" (45 minute feature)

The Meanies

There are five evil villains in the Numberjacks who at times cause problems in the real world.

  • Problem Blob
  • The Puzzler
  • The Spooky Spoon
  • The Numbertaker
  • The Shape Japer

References

  1. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 77. ISBN 9781476672939.
  2. "Royal Television Society – Educational Television Awards 2006". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  3. "Royal Television Society – Educational Television Awards 2007". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
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