In which the Animal Kwackers lurk within my subconcious, waiting patiently for this day.

I had forgotten them until this morning, when I decided to google exactly where a phrase I use often, “Rory! Rory! Tell us a story.”, came from. Google provided, and for the first time in thirty years I heard their theme tune, and it all came flooding back: The Animal Kwackers.

Made from 1975 to 1978, the Animal Kwackers show was an attempt by Yorkshire Television to replicate the success of the Banana Splits. It failed.

Oh gods!!! What is that thing!?!?

The Banana Splits were a four piece animal band consisting of Fleegle the dog, Bingo the gorilla, Drooper the lion, and Snorky the elephant.
The Animal Kwackers were a four piece animal band consisting of Bongo the dog, Twang the monkey, Rory the lion, and Boots the tiger.

That’s where the similarities ended.The Banana Splits were a lovable huggable bunch of fun, looked back upon fondly by most people of my age. In comparison, the Animal Kwackers were their daliesque mirror. The lucky ones have all but forgotten them, except for the strange blue lion with the broken jaw that haunts their nightmares, and the deep desire for people named Rory to tell us a Story.

I was three years old. How was I supposed to handle something like that? It’s a wonder I learned to count at all!

The Animal Kwackers. Just one more part of the 70’s children’s programming that made me what I am today.

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