TUGS 1982833 225993485 2008-07-16T10:45:51Z Gwernol 266416 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/72.69.123.203|72.69.123.203]] ([[User talk:72.69.123.203|talk]]) to last version by 86.129.33.151 {{otheruses4|children's television series|the boat|Tugboat}} {{Infobox Television <!-- Wikipedia:WikiProject Television --> | show_name = TUGS | image = [[Image:TugsLogo.jpg]] | genre = [[List of animated television series|Animated television series]] | creator = [[Robert D. Cardona]]<br> [[David Mitton]] | voices = [[Patrick Allen]]<br>[[Simon Nash]]<br>[[Shaun Prendergast]]<br>[[Chris Tulloch]] | narrated = Patrick Allen | theme_music_composer = [[Junior Campbell]]<br>[[Mike O'Donnell]] | country = {{UK}} | language = [[English language|English]] | num_series = 1 | num_episodes = 13 | <!-- Production parameters --> | producer = Robert D. Cardona | camera = [[Multi-camera]] | runtime = approx. 15 - 20 minutes | <!-- Original broadcast parameters --> | network = {{flagicon|UK}} [[ITV]]<br>{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]] | picture_format = [[PAL]] ([[576i]]) | audio_format = [[Monaural]] | first_aired = [[April 4]] | last_aired = [[June 28]], [[1988]]<ref name="Airdates">{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/series/18678|title=TUGS airdates|publisher=[[BFI]].org.uk|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> | <!-- Chronology parameters --> | related = [[Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends]] | <!-- External links parameters --> | website = | imdb_id = 0765798 | tv_com_id = 22620 |}} '''''TUGS''''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[children's television series]] of thirteen episodes, which first broadcast in 1988. It was created by the producers of ''[[Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends]]'', [[Robert D. Cardona]] and [[David Mitton]], and only 13 episodes were made. It dealt with the adventures of two [[anthropomorphism|subanthromorphized]] [[tugboat]] fleets, the Star Tugs and the Z Stacks, who compete against each other in the fictional [[Bigg City Port]]. It is set in the 1920s, during the booming business era of the "[[Roaring Twenties]]". It was produced by '''Tugs Ltd''', for [[Television South|TVS]] and [[Clearwater Features]].<ref name="Airdates"/> [[Junior Campbell]] and [[Mike O'Donnell]] who wrote the music for Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, composed the music. Following the initial airing of the series throughout 1988, [[television]] rights were sold to an unknown party, with all models and sets from the series being sold to [[Britt Allcroft]]. These models - albeit heavily modified - were used for [[Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends]] from [[1991]] onwards. Both producers later moved on to other projects, and although a second series was discussed, there were no further episodes. ==Format and Animation== Each episode consisted of a fifteen-minute (9 episodes) or twenty-minute (4 episodes) story, told by the show's [[narrator]], [[Captain Star (TUGS)|Captain Star]] (voiced by [[Patrick Allen]]). Filming and production of the series took place throughout 1987-1988, in [[West London]]'s [[Shepperton Studios]]. The series was animated using live-action models, which were seen as the most realistic method of portraying real [[tugboat]]s.<ref name="Animated_Models">{{cite web|url=http://biggcity.tripod.com/id20.html|title=Behind the Scenes|publisher=Bigg City Port website|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> Each model was mounted on a wheeled chassis, which were then pulled through the water using transparent string. [[Remote control]] devices were initially tested in operating the machines, but the tugboats became too heavy and unable to move through the water. Remote controls were instead used to power other devices, such as the moving eye features of the models and some static cranes.<ref name="Animated_Models"/> ==Episodes== Tugs first aired on ''[[CITV|Children's ITV]]'' in [[United Kingdom|Britain]], and then on [[Australia]]'s ''[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]'' network. Talks of a second series were never finalised, and eventually all plans to create a follow-up were dropped. Redubbed and heavily edited footage later resurfaced as part of another children's series, ''[[Salty's Lighthouse]]''. Thirteen episodes of ''TUGS'' were produced and aired. The series was considerably darker in tone than many other children's television programmes, with plots involving crime, violence, and underhanded tactics. The characters' dialogue, too, was somewhat mature for a children's series, featuring [[slang]] and terminology not normally directed at children. Characters would often insult each other, as well as use historical and maritime terms. The series, as described on [[TV.com]],<ref name="Airdates"/> aired as follows: {{main|List of TUGS episodes}} <!-- PLEASE DO NOT MODIFY THE EPISODE LISTING AS IT IS BASED ON AN ABOVE SOURCE. ANY EDITS WHICH DO NOT SOURCE ANOTHER EPISODE LISTING WILL BE REVERTED --> *'''[[Sunshine (TUGS episode)|"Sunshine"]]''' *'''[[Pirate (TUGS episode)|"Pirate"]]''' *'''[[Trapped (TUGS episode)|"Trapped"]]''' *'''[[4th of July (TUGS episode)|"4th of July"]]''' (also known as '''"Regatta"''') *'''[[Munitions (TUGS episode)|"Munitions"]]''' *'''[[Warrior (TUGS episode)|"Warrior"]]''' *'''[[High Tide (TUGS episode)|"High Tide"]]''' *'''[[Quarantine (TUGS episode)|"Quarantine"]]''' *'''[[Ghosts (TUGS episode)|"Ghosts"]]''' *'''[[Jinxed (TUGS episode)|"Jinxed"]]''' *'''[[High Winds (TUGS episode)|"High Winds"]]''' *'''[[Up River (TUGS episode)|"Up River"]]''' *'''[[Bigg Freeze (TUGS episode)|"Bigg Freeze"]]''' <!-- PLEASE DO NOT MODIFY THE EPISODE LISTING AS IT IS BASED ON AN ABOVE SOURCE. ANY EDITS WHICH DO NOT SOURCE ANOTHER EPISODE LISTING WILL BE REVERTED --> ==Major characters== {{inuniverse}} [[Image:Tugs-2.jpg|260px|thumb|Star Tugs: Big Mac and Sunshine working Up River]] ===The Star Fleet=== ====Ten Cents==== {{main|Ten Cents (TUGS)}} Ten Cents is a lively and cheeky young [[cockney]] harbour switcher tug with a heart of gold. He is often considered the main character of the series, having being featured prominently in most episodes. Ten Cents almost always works with Sunshine, and the two are inseparable. ====Big Mac==== {{main|Big Mac (TUGS)}} Big Mac is one of the fleet's strongest and roughest tugs. Despite his blunt and abrupt exterior, he is a kind and loyal tug who never likes to hurt others' feelings, and will always stand up for those in trouble. He takes his work very seriously, and doesn't take kindly to those who don't; Zorran in particular. He is a loyal friend to Warrior. ====O.J.==== {{main|OJ (TUGS)}} The fleet's (and indeed, [[Bigg City Port]]'s) only [[paddle steamer]], the wisest and oldest tug of them all; OJ is genuinely respected by everyone in the port. He is good natured, and despite his increasing frailty, is the Star's quickest thinker. OJ is loyal to his comrades, and to [[Captain Star (TUGS)|Captain Star]]. ====Top Hat==== {{main|Top Hat (TUGS)}} Top Hat is a stuck-up, snobbish [[Ferry slip|railway tug]]. He wears a [[top hat]] and [[monocle]], and loathes dirty work. His fellow Star Tugs have somewhat mixed feelings towards him - although they dislike his attitude, they acknowledge that he is a hard worker. He is the greatest wit of the fleet, but he can be quite hypocritical when it comes to acts of bravery. ====Warrior==== {{main|Warrior (TUGS)}} Warrior is the Stars' third strongest tug. He has good points to him - he is brave, helpful and good-hearted, but tends to be very clumsy. His closest friend and greatest defender is Big Mac. ====Hercules==== {{main|Hercules (TUGS)}} Hercules is the least seen of all the Star Tugs. He is an ocean-going tug, and so is often out of the port for long periods of time. He can always be found in the estuary with his sweetheart Lillie Lightship. Even the Z-Stacks know not to antagonise him when he is in port - he is the strongest Star by far. ====Sunshine==== {{main|Sunshine (TUGS)}} Sunshine is the star's newest recruit. He was originally from Up River. Captain Star initially employed Sunshine on a temporary basis, but after the events of the first episode, decided to make him Star No. 7. Sunshine is shy and bashful but strong-willed despite his size. He mainly works with Ten Cents, his best friend. ====Captain Star==== {{main|Captain Star (TUGS)}} The proud owner of the Star Tugs fleet, Captain Star is both the Star Tugs' owner and the narrator of the series. As such, he is heard in every episode. He can be gruff, but is always fair. The Stars respect their leader, and are proud to be a member of his fleet. The character never actually appears in person, but rather addresses the tugs via a huge [[megaphone]] mounted on the front of his office building. His distinctive voice is provided by [[Patrick Allen]], a veteran voice actor. ===The Z-Stacks=== Devious, tricky and scheming boats. They are always finding ways to hinder and infuriate the Star Tugs, their great rivals. As such, they are the main villains of the series. ====Zorran==== {{main|Zorran (TUGS)}} The most devious Z-Stack of them all, and therefore their leader. Zorran is cunning and malicious. He is a scheming bully who will do absolutely anything to get ahead, and doesn't care who gets hurt along the way. ====Zebedee==== {{main|Zebedee (TUGS)}} Zebedee is something of a follower, assisting the other Z-Stacks' schemes rather than initiating them. However, beneath his tough exterior, he is one of the only Z-Stacks to have a conscience. This depth was explored in the episode ''High Winds'', in which he repeatedly found himself divided between right and wrong at the expense of the other Z-Stacks. ====Zak==== {{main|Zak (TUGS)}} Zak is a devious and revolting tug who was never really explored within the episodes. He is quite a violent character - for instance, in the episode ''Munitions,'' he suggested that the best way to deal with the Stars was to "blow them up". He considers himself something of a schemer, but doesn't really think his plans through, as seen in ''High Tide''. He mainly works with Zebedee and Zorran, and appears throughout the series as a supporting character. ====Zug==== {{main|Zug (TUGS)}} Zug is an ambitious young tug, and one of the Z-Stack switchers. He mainly works with Zip, the other switcher, and likes to think of himself as the intelligent one. Compared to Zip, he certainly is intelligent. However, compared to anyone else, he is not. He comes up with devious plans for him and Zip to use, though the plans usually fail. ====Zip==== {{main|Zip (TUGS)}} Zip the Harbour switcher is rather dense. He often has to leave Zorran or Zug to do the thinking for him. He usually works with Zug, the other Zero switcher, and as a result often ends up in trouble with him. ====Captain Zero==== [[Image:Tugscaptainzero.jpg|right]] The devious and scheming owner of the Z-Stack fleet. He is known to have criminal connections. He only appears in a very small number of episodes, and is quite bad tempered. As with Captain Star, where he does appear, it is as a voice through a megaphone. ===Other notable characters=== ====Grampus==== {{main|Grampus (TUGS)}} Grampus is a [[US Navy|naval]] [[midget submarine]], who enjoys his free time spent underwater. He is a valuable asset to the Stars, as he is capable of all sorts of tasks that the tugs can't perform. He finally joined the fleet in the episode "4th of July", after the Navy decided that he was obsolete. ====Izzy Gomez==== Izzy is a scheming tramp steamer who is friends (of a sort) with both the Star Tugs and the Z-Stacks. He will often try to convince tugs to tow him into port for free, or at least for a cut-price rate, and is not above trying to sneak in on his own, against the law. However, he does have a good streak that was revealed in Sunshine, so he is perhaps more of a rogue than a villain. He has a strong [[Mexican]] accent and wears a [[sombrero]]. Izzy also appears to have the Mexican Flag as funnel insignia, and according to the writing seen on his stern, his home port is "Puerto Grande". ====Lillie Lightship==== {{main|Lillie Lightship (TUGS)}} Lillie is a vivacious young ship, with a longstanding affection for Hercules. She is the only major female character in the series. All of the tugs appear smitten with her, and she knows it! The charming lightship is always to be found at Dender Rocks, guiding the way home with her bright light. ===See also=== *[[Minor tugboat characters in TUGS]] *[[Other Vessels in TUGS]] *[[Cranes in TUGS]] *[[Barges in TUGS]] *[[Other Characters in TUGS]] *[[TUGS Liner Characters]] ==Cast== Unfortunately, the cast of TUGS was never credited. Despite this, diligent research from members of the Sodor Island Forums, as well as other associated forums, have discovered (or in some cases, are quite sure about) the following:<ref name="Cast_members">{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/tugs/show/22620/cast.html?flag=1&tag=subtabs;actors|title=TUGS Cast and Crew|publisher=[[TV.com]]|accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref> *[[Patrick Allen]] as [[Captain Star (TUGS)|Captain Star]] (confirmed) *[[Simon Nash]] as [[Ten Cents (TUGS)|Ten Cents]] *[[Shaun Prendergast]] as [[Sunshine (TUGS)|Sunshine]] and [[Zak (TUGS)|Zak]] (confirmed) *[[Chris Tulloch]] as [[Zorran (TUGS)|Zorran]] (confirmed) *[[John Baddeley (actor)|John Baddeley]] as [[Top Hat (TUGS)|Top Hat]] and [[Zip (TUGS)|Zip]] (confirmed) *[[Nigel Anthony]] as [[Hercules (TUGS)|Hercules]], [[Big Mac (TUGS)|Big Mac]] and [[Zebedee (TUGS)|Zebedee]] *[[Timothy Bateson]] as [[OJ (TUGS)|OJ]] *[[Sean Barrett]] as [[Warrior (TUGS)|Warrior]] *[[Lee Cornes]] as [[Grampus (TUGS)|Grampus]] (confirmed) *[[Mike Mulloy]] as [[TUGS#Captain Zero|Captain Zero]], [[Zug (TUGS)|Zug]] and Izzy Gomez ==Merchandise== TUGS Merchandise was rather common in the early 1990s. Some of that merchandise includes: *Ertl models - Ten Cents and Sunshine are the only known models (although [[Ertl]] were supposed to release all of the Star Tugs). *13 Photo Books - Different titles for the TV series such as Ghost Fleet ([[Ghosts (TUGS episode)|Ghosts]]), Warrior's Longest Day ([[Warrior (TUGS episode)|Warrior]]) and Bigg City Freeze ([[Bigg Freeze (TUGS episode)|Bigg Freeze]]) *2 Annuals *VHS Videos :[[Sunshine (TUGS episode)|Sunshine]]/[[Pirate (TUGS episode)|Pirate]] :[[Trapped (TUGS episode)|Trapped]]/[[Ghosts (TUGS episode)|Ghosts]]/[[High Winds (TUGS episode)|High Winds]] :[[Jinxed (TUGS episode)|Jinxed]]/[[Quarantine (TUGS episode)|Quarantine]]/[[Up River (TUGS episode)|Up River]] :[[Bigg Freeze (TUGS episode)|Bigg Freeze]]/[[Warrior (TUGS episode)|Warrior]]/[[High Tide (TUGS episode)|High Tide]] :[[Munitions (TUGS episode)|Munitions]]/[[4th of July (TUGS episode)|4th of July]] '''Note on the Videos:''' The versions of the episodes on the videos were significantly edited for unknown reasons. Many original scenes had been extended/deleted and the program now had two different alternate title sequences *Jigsaw *Bed set *Board Game *Thimbles *Card Game *5 Buzz Books - ''[[Kidnapped]], Run Aground, Nothing to Declare and Treasure Hunt" *Publicity Pack - Ultra Rare! *Activity Books *[[Bath books]] *Magazines ==Trivia== {{trivia|date=March 2008}} *Captain Star (as the narrator), Ten Cents, Sunshine, Big Mac and Top Hat are the only characters who appeared in every episode. *"Up River" is the only episode not to feature the Z stacks. *Captain Zero only ever appeared in 3 episodes, in two of which he had speaking roles. *There is an American adaptation of TUGS called ''[[Salty's Lighthouse]]'', in which several characters have different voices, names, occupations and alliances, and some male characters are considered female. Because of this, ''[[Salty's Lighthouse]]'' is not official canon of TUGS. ==See also== * [[Thomas the Tank Engine]] * [[List of TUGS episodes]] * [[Theodore Tugboat]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.tv.com/tugs/show/22620/summary.html?q=Tugs&tag=search_results;title;1/ TUGS at TV.com] *[http://www.tugs.wikia.com/ TUGS Wikipedia] *[http://www.freewebs.com/tugsworld/index.htm/ TUGS World (Fan Site)] *[http://biggcity.tripod.com/ Bigg City Port (Fan Site)] *[http://www.freewebs.com/tugsfan7/ STARTUGS (Fan Site)] *[http://www.freewebs.com/tugsmediadock/index.htm/ Tugs Media Dock (Fan Site)] *[http://thisistugs.tripod.com/index.html/ THIS IS TUGS (Fan Site)] *[http://www.geocities.com/ladymcalpine2001/tugsdevotion_index.html/ TUGS Devotion Online (Fan Site)] *[http://sodor.proboards77.com/index.cgi/ The New Sodor Island Forums (Also unofficial TUGS forums)] *[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765798/ IMDB Profile] *[http://www.toonhound.com/tugs.htm Review of ''TUGS''] {{Thomas}} [[Category:Children's television series]] [[Category:Television programs featuring anthropomorphic characters]] [[Category:1988 television series debuts]] [[Category:1989 television series endings]] [[Category:TUGS characters]] [[fr:TUGS]] [[ja:がんばれタッグス]]