Alias the Jester is a British animated series created by Cosgrove Hall Productions, airing in 13 episodes on ITV starting on 13 November 1985. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation aired the show in 1987 during their after school timeslot and it is considered one of the Classic ABC shows. The show was also aired on TVNZ. GBC TV in Gibraltar aired the series several times in the late 1980s, mainly as a filler during the children's 6:30pm–7:30pm weekday slot.
It won the BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation at the 39th British Academy Film Awards.Salda. Arthurian Animation: A Study of Cartoon Camelots on Film and Television. p 90. See also pp 104 & 158.Television / Short Animation. BAFTA.
Synopsis The show follows the adventures of a time traveller by the name of Alias and his dog-like companion Boswell. After their malfunctioning ship gets stuck in the Earth's magnetic pole, they crash-land in a Middle Age kingdom called Houghton Bottoms, ruled by the diminutive King Arthur and his wife Queen Edith with their daughter Princess Amaranth.
Taking up a secret identity of sorts as Alias the Jester, he gains employment at the court and befriends the bumbling court wizard Meredith. When the situation calls for it, Alias instantly changes back into his red uniform, which enables him to fly, and a degree of super strength, which he can use to face the various villains of the show. Each episode inevitably ends with Arthur firing Alias and Meredith (exception being the initial episode in which Arthur proclaims "you're hired").
Characters Alias the Jester – A "time traveller bold" as said in the title track. After crashing in the Middle Ages he gets a job as a jester for King Arthur. He also fights crime as the Red Knight, who the wizard Meredith believes he summoned. Alias is a stereotypical hero in many ways, possessing an urge to do what is right; however, he also has a distinct but subtle sarcastic edge, which he sometimes uses in conversation, especially with Meredith. The feathers on his head appear to be part of his head rather than his suit as they are seen moving and could be the source of his flight.
Boswell – Alias' dog-like alien companion, apparently possessing a fairly high intellect as he is able to understand Alias and take orders. He is, however, only able to communicate with beeping and honking sounds, which presumably make up his language. Often he is among the first to sense danger.
Meredith – The bumbling but well-meaning court wizard of King Arthur. In an attempt to save the kingdom from its various enemies, he tried to summon a magical Red Knight. At that moment, completely coincidentally, Alias' ship crashed. From that point on, Meredith believes him to be the hero he had summoned.
Episodes
Home releases VHS VHS title Release date Episodes Alias the Jester – The Ring (TV9900)31 March 1986 Alias the Jester, The Ring, The Viking Airship, The Walking Island, Monster of the Lake, Amaranth and The Beast Alias the Jester – The Amazing Dancing Bear17 August 1987 The Amazing Dancing Bear, Ready When You Are, King Arthur!, The Giant's Visit, Magic Metal, The Lost Ark, Fiery Fred Children's Favourites – Volume 1 (TV8010)1 February 1988Revenge of the Najjer (Compilation VHS with 'The Wind in the Willows' and 'Danger Mouse') Most Wanted Classic Kids TV2003The Viking Airship (Compilation VHS with 'Victor and Hugo: Bunglers in Crime', 'Avenger Penguins' and 'Danger Mouse')
DVD The entire series was released on DVD in March 2006 alongside Avenger Penguins.
Voice cast Richard Briers as Alias, The Black Najjer Jimmy Hibbert as Boswell, Queen Edith, Sir Pinkly Myfanwy Talog as Princess Amaranth Brian Trueman as King Arthur, The Vikings Brian Wilde as Meredith
References
External links Toonhounds entry on Alias the Jester