The Big Garage
Encyclopedia
The Big Garage was a children's television program that aired on TLC
. It was produced by Prisma Productions in association with Winchester Entertainment. It debuted on TLC February 22, 1995. Aimed at pre-school children, the show follows the adventures of several anthropomorphic taxicab
s. At the end of each episode, there are two short scenes. The first is about a stop sign, and the second is about a group of tools (a hammer, a saw, three spanners, a nut and bolt, an oil can, and a pair of pliers).
The show came to an end on July 17, 2001 and no longer broadcasts on TLC. Repeats can be seen on Smile of a Child
, a Christian-based children's channel.
TLC (TV channel)
TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
. It was produced by Prisma Productions in association with Winchester Entertainment. It debuted on TLC February 22, 1995. Aimed at pre-school children, the show follows the adventures of several anthropomorphic taxicab
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
s. At the end of each episode, there are two short scenes. The first is about a stop sign, and the second is about a group of tools (a hammer, a saw, three spanners, a nut and bolt, an oil can, and a pair of pliers).
The show came to an end on July 17, 2001 and no longer broadcasts on TLC. Repeats can be seen on Smile of a Child
Smile of a Child
Smile of a Child TV is a Christian children's channel affiliated with Trinity Broadcasting Network that offers programming 24 hours per day, seven days a week...
, a Christian-based children's channel.
Characters
- London is a blue taxicabTaxicabA taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
, which wears the numberNumberA number is a mathematical object used to count and measure. In mathematics, the definition of number has been extended over the years to include such numbers as zero, negative numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and complex numbers....
1. As his name suggests, he has a BritishEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
accent and closely resembles a typical taxicab in the UKUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. He is an LTI Fairway. Voiced by Terrence ScammellTerrence ScammellTerrence Scammell is a Canadian actor and voice actor who commonly playes multiple characters in cartoon series. He is a member of the ACTRA and Canadian Actors' Equity Association unions.-TV series:* 3 Gold Coins...
. - ZigZag is a purple taxicab, which wears the number 2. She is the fastest taxicab on the show. Her overconfidence sometimes gets the better of her. She is a 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe. Voiced by Patricia Rodriguez.
- Yorky is a yellow taxicab, which wears the numberNumberA number is a mathematical object used to count and measure. In mathematics, the definition of number has been extended over the years to include such numbers as zero, negative numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and complex numbers....
3. He likes to be "cool" and speaks, true to his name, with a New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
accent, and closely resembles a typical New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
taxicab. He is a 1974 Checker Taxicab. Voiced by Rick JonesRick Jones (voice actor)Rick Jones is an animation writer, director, content developer, and voice actor. Since 1983, he’s worked with Fox, Disney, Universal, Hanna-Barbera, Alphanim, Cinar and Nelvana...
. - Mimi is a red taxicab which wears the number 4. She appears to be somewhat shy. She is also the only taxicab with her name written on her, near her trunk. She has a pacifier in her mouth, as she is the "baby" of the four taxis. She is a 1935 Cord 810. Voiced by Liz MacRae.
Other characters
- Rusty is a green tow truckTow truckA tow truck is a vehicle used to transport motor vehicles to another location , or to recover vehicles which are no longer on a drivable surface.Towing services are generally provided by an emergency road service operator...
which lives in a junkyard. It seems that in some episodeEpisodeAn episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...
s he is the gang's nemesis and in some is their friendFriendshipFriendship is a form of interpersonal relationship generally considered to be closer than association, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and associations. Friendship and association are often thought of as spanning across the same continuum...
. He is also seen singing with the taxis and Pump, though he has never sung solo. He is a 1948 Chevrolet Pickup. Voiced by Rick Jones. - Pump is a gas pump in the garage. He's the mentor to the taxicabs (and Rusty, on occasion), and he sings the opening theme song, as well as other songs with the taxis. Voiced by Thor Bishopric.
- Tooly is a small toolboxToolboxA toolbox varies with the craft of the owner. The purpose of the toolbox is to organize, carry, and protect the owner's tools used for trade, hobby or DIY.-Types of toolboxes:...
. He works with a group of wrenches. Voiced by Rick Jones. - Flash is a traffic lightTraffic lightTraffic lights, which may also be known as stoplights, traffic lamps, traffic signals, signal lights, robots or semaphore, are signalling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other locations to control competing flows of traffic...
who keeps making up rules besides stopping on a red light. Voiced by Liz MacRae. - Stop is a cartoon stop signStop signA Stop sign is a traffic sign to notify drivers that they must stop before proceeding.-Specifications:The Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals proposed standard stop sign diameters of 0.6, 0.9 or 1.2 metres. UK and New Zealand stop signs are 750, 900 or 1200 mm, according to sign...
who loves to have fun, mostly by playing hopscotch, as we see in her introduction. Voiced by Patricia Rodriguez. - There are some cartoon tools as well, including a hammer, a saw, bolts, nuts, pliers, etc. Pump narrates this segment.
Villains
- Scrap is the gang's complete nemesis and always tries to make the taxicabs break down. Forces Rusty to do bad things. He also does not like it when the taxis sing songs (each episode has one song, sung twice per episode). Voiced by Terrence Scammell.