Mighty Truck of Stuff
Encyclopedia
Mighty Truck of Stuff was a children's television programme, where a truck is filled with toys and one phone-in viewer wins the contents of the truck. After the show, the truck is driven to the home of the winner. It was shown on Saturday mornings from 15th October 2005 to 8th July 2006 on BBC Two
and the CBBC Channel
. It was presented by Reggie Yates
(Series 1) and Dani Harmer
(Series 2). The format was devised by Joe Mace
and Juliet Denison.
Although it was targeted at children between the ages of 8 and 12 (the phone-in age), the frequent references to TV production issues, mixture of characters and bizarre humour has won it a small cult following amongst adults.
, for a duration of one hour after Dick and Dom in da Bungalow
. For this series, the truck was filled with items generally given by other children.
It was made at Capital Studios in London by Initial for the BBC.
and the CBBC Channel
, with the programme run time being increased to 165 minutes. This series had a greater budget and saw an upgrade in terms of the truck's content, with prizes being donated from celebrities, etc.
This second series was made at Riverside Studios
.
of Stuff is located in a depot in West London
. It is turquoise in colour. The sides display the Mighty Truck of Stuff logo. The Truck is also used for a stage when they play "Show Me the ropes" - a game where two people have to simulate an event (e.g. dating) with their arms controlled by the packers via ropes.
The last in the series was broadcast on the 8 July 2006. Following that, on the 15 July were 2 special Sport Relief
shows called Get Sub'd! and Reggie Goes the Extra Mile. Then a week later (22 July), a new Saturday morning show called The POD began to broadcast on both the CBBC Channel and BBC Two.
and Arlene Phillips
. The Packers, thanks to Reggie's suggestion, decide to enter in their own "Strictly Come Dancing
" show. Nick graces the viewers and the audience with a Chicago
number. Pablo and Dani dance together, while Kojo does a breakdance. After votes from the panel and the viewers at home, Kojo is the winner of Strictly Come Dancing and receives a gold tracksuit for his prize. Meanwhile, on Reggie's Week, Reggie and Kojo have to spend some time in a haunted house in order to get some prizes for the truck.
returning to Channel 4
there was a parody of the programme throughout involving the packers called 'Big Depot'. During the show the packers were set tasks, and individual packers were 'evicted'.
. Since it's the build-up to the World Cup, the Packers, along with Brian, get into the spirit. However, Nick's costume is a little too tight and shows his big frame, which Reggie teases him about. And, on Reggie's Week, Reggie and Pablo have to spend some time at a zoo, in order to get some stuff for the truck.
and Hollyoaks
actors Simon Cole and Ciara Janson
. As it was the start of the World Cup
the phrase callers had to say was altered to "Show me the World Cup!". The Packers make themselves into a band, Nick became a rocker, Dani was a 1960s flower child, Pablo was a 1970s era and Double H looks like Pat Sharp
in his mullet
era. Due to Reggie being ill 'Reggies Week' was renamed Dani's week. Dani and Nick go around advertising for stuff. Nick tries it up in the air, wing-walking (and looking terrified afterwards) and Dani tries water-skiing. However, all does not go to plan and, as a consequence, they don't get any stuff for the truck, which reduces Nick to tears.
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
and the CBBC Channel
CBBC Channel
CBBC is a BBC television channel aimed at 6 to 12 year olds. It complements the CBBC programming that continues to air on BBC One and BBC Two. Launched on 11 February 2002, it broadcasts from 7am to 7pm on Freeview, cable, IPTV and digital satellite, occupying the same bandwidth as, but a different...
. It was presented by Reggie Yates
Reggie Yates
Reginald "Reggie" Yates is a British actor, television presenter and radio DJ of Ghanaian descent. He went to Central Foundation Boys' School.-Early career:...
(Series 1) and Dani Harmer
Dani Harmer
Danielle Jane "Dani" Harmer is an English television actress and singer. Harmer is best known as the title character in the UK television programme The Story of Tracy Beaker/Tracy Beaker Returns, and as Molly Venables in the BBC sitcom After You've Gone...
(Series 2). The format was devised by Joe Mace
Joe Mace
Joe Mace is a British radio and television presenter. Former host of the programme The Album Chart Show on the UK's Channel 4 and the Dream Ticket on BBC 6 Music....
and Juliet Denison.
Although it was targeted at children between the ages of 8 and 12 (the phone-in age), the frequent references to TV production issues, mixture of characters and bizarre humour has won it a small cult following amongst adults.
Series 1
The programme first aired on October 15, 2005 on the CBBC ChannelCBBC Channel
CBBC is a BBC television channel aimed at 6 to 12 year olds. It complements the CBBC programming that continues to air on BBC One and BBC Two. Launched on 11 February 2002, it broadcasts from 7am to 7pm on Freeview, cable, IPTV and digital satellite, occupying the same bandwidth as, but a different...
, for a duration of one hour after Dick and Dom in da Bungalow
Dick and Dom in da Bungalow
Dick and Dom in da Bungalow was a CBBC children's entertainment television series presented by the duo Dick and Dom...
. For this series, the truck was filled with items generally given by other children.
It was made at Capital Studios in London by Initial for the BBC.
Series 2
The Mighty Truck of Stuff returned for a second series on April 1, 2006. This series was shown on both BBC TwoBBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
and the CBBC Channel
CBBC Channel
CBBC is a BBC television channel aimed at 6 to 12 year olds. It complements the CBBC programming that continues to air on BBC One and BBC Two. Launched on 11 February 2002, it broadcasts from 7am to 7pm on Freeview, cable, IPTV and digital satellite, occupying the same bandwidth as, but a different...
, with the programme run time being increased to 165 minutes. This series had a greater budget and saw an upgrade in terms of the truck's content, with prizes being donated from celebrities, etc.
This second series was made at Riverside Studios
Riverside Studios
Riverside Studios is a production studio, theatre and independent cinema on the banks of the River Thames in Hammersmith, London, England. It plays host to contemporary and international dramatic and dance performance, film, visual art exhibitions and television production.-History:In 1933, the...
.
Cast/Characters
All the packers have 'packer' added onto their names; this usually applies also to guests.- Reggie Yates: is the main presenter of the programme.
- Kojo: is the hyperactive partner-in-crime to Reggie, and as such is the assistant presenter. In the "World Cup Episode", Kojo looked like Huggy-bear in the band.
- Pablo 'Packer': (real name Phil GallagherPhil GallagherPhil Gallagher is a British presenter, actor, writer and voiceover artist from Gillingham, Kent, who is best known for his title role in the CBeebies programme Mister Maker.Gallagher started his career as a presenter and sports reporter on BBC Radio Kent...
) in charge of the packers. Pablo, in the "World Cup Episode" looked like Pat SharpPat SharpPat Sharp is a British radio and television presenter and disc jockey. In the UK, he is known mainly for his work on the children's television programme Fun House, his former mullet and his radio shows as well as his support of Arsenal...
(Mullet era) for the Packer Band. He is known for making clichéd commentary during the games (eg 'How egg-citing!' during head-egg-smashing contests).
- Double H 'Packer': is very similar to Nick Packer as he does not speak. In the "World Cup Episode", Double H Packer was decked out in disco gear, along with multi-coloured mullet. Whenever he appears on screen, he tends to smile vacuously.
- Fancy 'Packer': regularly demonstrates toys in use (eg go-karts). His nickname is never explained, although presenter Reggie always says 'Fancy' in an amusing way ('fanceehhh!') when referring to him.
- Lonely 'Packer': appeared in the last two episodes, looking sullenly at the toys on display. He didn't say anything on screen throughout the programmes.
- Dani 'Packer': probably better known for starring in Tracy Beaker, Dani (real surname HarmerDani HarmerDanielle Jane "Dani" Harmer is an English television actress and singer. Harmer is best known as the title character in the UK television programme The Story of Tracy Beaker/Tracy Beaker Returns, and as Molly Venables in the BBC sitcom After You've Gone...
) is the only female 'packer'.
- Nick 'Packer': is a silent, almost mime-like, member of the team. In the episode in which two of the judges from Strictly Dance FeverStrictly Dance FeverStrictly Dance Fever is a British television programme, broadcast on BBC One on Saturday evenings. It was an amateur dance talent competition, hosted by Graham Norton, which ran during Spring 2005 and Spring 2006. It was, in many ways, similar to the BBC's popular Strictly Come Dancing, a celebrity...
appeared, Nick graced us with a Chicago-type dance along to "All That Jazz". Nick is almost famed for his tight fitting outfits over his "chubby frame", which presenter Reggie mocks every week. Nick has a tendency to eat Donuts and Muffins and other confectioneries. Whenever Nick is in a mood, he usually balls up his fists, sneers or mouths unintelligibly before walking away in a mood. He is usually the one that gets told off the most by Reggie. Nick does the phone dance and DOES NOT like it when other people try and do it. He either does it in the studio or out in the street.
- Superfans: Reggie's Superfans. Reese ("The Biggest Fan") and Jared ("A Fan") who are both from New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Each week the Superfans have their own slot in which they offer people in a shopping centre "services" (eg. Indoor Sky Diving on Jared's back, Swimming on dry land or Meet a celebrity (or Jared dressed up as the wrong celebrity)) in exchange for things to put on the truck. They both wear shirts with a picture of Reggie on and the slogan "I Love Reggie" except Jared's shirt, amended to say "I Also Love Reggie". Typically the Superfans end up with worthless gifts for the truck, such as plasters and crisp packets.
The Truck
The Mighty TruckTruck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
of Stuff is located in a depot in West London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It is turquoise in colour. The sides display the Mighty Truck of Stuff logo. The Truck is also used for a stage when they play "Show Me the ropes" - a game where two people have to simulate an event (e.g. dating) with their arms controlled by the packers via ropes.
Catchphrases
- "It's a limerickLimerickLimerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
, limerick, limerick, limerick..." (and so on). In the postbag/emails part of the show, Reggie and the packers always sing this little chant when they have a limerick sent in.
- "He never shuts up. He's always giving it that." In the Football episode, Reggie complains about Nick talking all the time (which he doesn't because he's a mime.)
- "No! No! Nooooooo! Why??" When Reggie fails to win a prize for the truck, he uses this catchphrase, as well as dropping to the ground on his knees. In later episodes, Reggie called on the help of Pablo to 'change gear' (thereby altering the tone of his 'noooo' cries).
- "Its-a very nice!" Frequently used by Reggie when describing gifts to go on the truck, and occasionally followed by an imitation of Bruce ForsythBruce ForsythSir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson, CBE , commonly known as Bruce Forsyth, or Brucie, is an English TV personality...
.
- "Leave it!" Whenever something undesired happens on the show, or a packer is the subject of a joke, some of the team become irate and Reggie has to settle them down by shouting "Leave it!". In particular, Nick Packer regularly displayed angry (and almost aggressive) tendencies which Reggie had to deal with.
- "Come follow me, come follow me, come follow me." Reggie often says this phrase when he wants the camera to follow him, usually when he goes to pick someone to phone for the Mighty Truck of Stuff.
- "SHOW ME THE TRUCK!" The viewer must shout this over the phone when they get a call from Reggie. Usually, they have either Kojo or Nick in the background mouthing the phrase. In the "World Cup Episode", instead of "Show me the truck", viewers had to shout "SHOW ME THE WORLD CUP!" Occasionally, the programme would screen video clips sent in by viewers, which showed a youngster answering someone else's phone in an inappropriate place (e.g. estate agent) and shouting the catchphrase.
- "He's got to do what?! Wearing what?! Whilst in a what?!" Before The Batman cartoon, Reggie gets a phone call from the Commissioner telling the Old Man, Fat Man Bat Fan to do some sort of wacky task (horn blasts not unlike the sound effects that accompanied the "Biff!" "Pow!" etc. effects in the 1960s Batman television seriesBatman (TV series)Batman is an American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to...
act as punctuation to each question).
- "He loves the cake/I love cake!" Until recently, Kojo said this when he was presented with cake. However, in the "World Cup Episode", he was getting bored with cake and had started to love cookies.
- "Get into your positions." Before the first/second part of Pinky and the BrainPinky and the BrainPinky and the Brain is an American animated television series.The characters Pinky and the Brain first appeared in 1993 as a recurring segment on the show Animaniacs...
, Reggie gives this instruction and everyone gets in a weird position in order to watch "Pinky and the Brain".
The end of the show
When the viewer wins the Mighty Truck of Stuff, the audience, Packers, guest packers, Reggie and Kojo all cheer and the music/song "All comes back to you". Reggie, usually accompanied by Nick, drive out of the studio/depot to the winning viewer.The last in the series was broadcast on the 8 July 2006. Following that, on the 15 July were 2 special Sport Relief
Sport Relief
Sport Relief is a biennial charity event from Comic Relief, in association with BBC Sport, which brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money to help vulnerable people in both the UK and the world's poorest countries...
shows called Get Sub'd! and Reggie Goes the Extra Mile. Then a week later (22 July), a new Saturday morning show called The POD began to broadcast on both the CBBC Channel and BBC Two.
Allusions
Mighty Truck of Stuff cast, particularly Reggie, frequently make references to entertain older viewers. In one episode, Reggie encountered a man with bad breath, and said: "Get that man a Tic-Tac! [pause] But of course, here on the BBC, Tic-Tacs are as good as any other breath mint" (respecting the BBC's no-product-placement stance). In another episode, where judges for a dancing contest were holding up paddles with scores, Reggie exclaimed: "Paddle me! [pause] Er yes, mums, I did just say paddle me." An actress playing Pablo's mother (Nuria Benet) appeared in one episode, making highly suggestive moves towards Reggie. The Old Man, Fat Man, Bat Fan section was also a source of in-gags and humour generally beyond the scope of the young target audience (8-12 year olds).Old Man, Fat Man, Bat Fan
Every week, before showing the Batman cartoon, Reggie would receive a phone call from a 'Commissioner' character, who'd set an 'evil' challenge to win toys for the show. In typical MTOS fashion, Reggie would be amazed at the demands of the Commissioner, before moving on to chat about cookery or pubs. Always rhyming or alliterating, these challenges created comical scenarios, such as the task to "Glue 42 blue shoes to the boxing kangaroo's blue canoe, before the tattooed dude eats his stew". In that episode, an unidentified man dressed in an obese Batman suit faced the task of glueing shoes to a plastic boat while a man dressed in a boxing kangaroo outfit played around on top. The cartoon was introduced, and when it had finished, the number of blue shoes was compared against the amount of stew that another unidentified tattooed man had consumed. For these games, the audience of children was oblivious to the bizarre humour, but it provided entertainment for older viewers. In the second series it was decided to use a regular Old Man, Fat Man, Bat Fan who was played by Nigel Rouine every week, he had such tasks as "Eating the pasta fasta than the rasta" and to "Sticker the vicar quicker than the penalty kicker". In the final episode the character was played by the late Jade Goody.Strictly Dance Fever episode
Guest-starring Wayne SleepWayne Sleep
Wayne Philip Colin Sleep OBE is a British dancer, director, choreographer and panelist. He was a Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet and has appeared as a Guest Artist with several other ballet companies.-Early life:...
and Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips OBE is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer, who has worked in many fields of entertainment...
. The Packers, thanks to Reggie's suggestion, decide to enter in their own "Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
" show. Nick graces the viewers and the audience with a Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
number. Pablo and Dani dance together, while Kojo does a breakdance. After votes from the panel and the viewers at home, Kojo is the winner of Strictly Come Dancing and receives a gold tracksuit for his prize. Meanwhile, on Reggie's Week, Reggie and Kojo have to spend some time in a haunted house in order to get some prizes for the truck.
Big Brother episode (27/05/06)
With Big BrotherBig Brother (UK)
Big Brother UK is the British version of the Dutch Big Brother television format, which takes its name from the character in George Orwell's 1948 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four...
returning to Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
there was a parody of the programme throughout involving the packers called 'Big Depot'. During the show the packers were set tasks, and individual packers were 'evicted'.
Football episode (03/06/06)
Guest-starring Brian McFaddenBrian McFadden
Brian Nicholas McFadden , is an Irish singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of the Irish boyband Westlife...
. Since it's the build-up to the World Cup, the Packers, along with Brian, get into the spirit. However, Nick's costume is a little too tight and shows his big frame, which Reggie teases him about. And, on Reggie's Week, Reggie and Pablo have to spend some time at a zoo, in order to get some stuff for the truck.
World Cup episode (10/06/06)
Guest-starring girl-band Frank from the TV series Totally FrankTotally Frank
Totally Frank was a comedy drama series with a real life band as its stars on Channel 4. It followed a band, Frank, who were struggling to make it in the music industry.-Frank:...
and Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
actors Simon Cole and Ciara Janson
Ciara Janson
Ciara Janson is an English actress best known for her role in Hollyoaks as Nicole Owen.The character of Nicole Owen was Ciara Janson's first major television work. Previous parts include the role of Heidi for a BBC radio drama...
. As it was the start of the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
the phrase callers had to say was altered to "Show me the World Cup!". The Packers make themselves into a band, Nick became a rocker, Dani was a 1960s flower child, Pablo was a 1970s era and Double H looks like Pat Sharp
Pat Sharp
Pat Sharp is a British radio and television presenter and disc jockey. In the UK, he is known mainly for his work on the children's television programme Fun House, his former mullet and his radio shows as well as his support of Arsenal...
in his mullet
Mullet (haircut)
The mullet is a hairstyle that is short at the front and sides, and long in the back. . The mullet began to appear in popular media in the 1960s and 1970s but did not become generally well-known until the early 1980s...
era. Due to Reggie being ill 'Reggies Week' was renamed Dani's week. Dani and Nick go around advertising for stuff. Nick tries it up in the air, wing-walking (and looking terrified afterwards) and Dani tries water-skiing. However, all does not go to plan and, as a consequence, they don't get any stuff for the truck, which reduces Nick to tears.
Cartoons
The Mighty Truck of Stuff ran from 9am to 11:45am, and the show was interspersed with short popular cartoons, in order to give the presenters time to prepare another game. These are the cartoons aired in the second series:- Pinky and the BrainPinky and the BrainPinky and the Brain is an American animated television series.The characters Pinky and the Brain first appeared in 1993 as a recurring segment on the show Animaniacs...
- Zombie HotelZombie HotelZombie Hotel is an animated children's program about a hotel run by zombies, produced by French production company Alphanim and shown internationally. The main characters are Fungus and Maggot, two child zombies who pretend to be human to get into their local school, and their family and boarders...
- The Batman