The Charm & Appeal Of Fireman Sam: & why the original show is loved

Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Sorry for not making videos for a while, stuff in life happened and anyway, hope you enjoy the video.

[@HarveyRivers]

At 7:19, I was meant to say Phil Collins, not Paul Collins, my brain must have got John Aderton's wife's name mixed up instead LOL

[@HEDGIE11]

As a Mexican I enjoy this show, even if introduced by CGI version in the stupidest way. It’s clear to me more than ever you Brits have a great level of creativity when making children entertaiment.

[@TheOmnibusChris]

I cried during the end, but the video is beautiful, I really liked it!

[@HarveyRivers]

Thank you!

[@TheOmnibusChris]

@@HarveyRivers your welcome, Harvey!

[@cridly]

Finally sat down to watch....I'm honored that you used my comment. My experiences with some of the fanbase have sort of made me put it off somewhat. That and getting into another thing (Elvis would Love Them to bits, I've decided). But like my overall feelings on the classic series haven't changed a bit and I still agree with pretty much everything you've said. I no longer take any mind to the CGI shit, I once wanted to see what the hell they were gonna do next, but honestly, it's really not worth it anymore. The only Fireman Sam I will ever truly enjoy is Bumper Film's Sam. My URL here will still be cridly because I still love him to bits. This series is in my heart and soul and I applaud you for giving it the respect it deserves. Cheers. 💖

[@HarveyRivers]

Thanks! Glad you liked the video!

[@HenFilmStudio]

This brings a tear to my eye, I always prefer the Original Fireman Sam instead of the Modern day CGI Muck. Thank you for this retrospect insight, it has made my day.

[@HarveyRivers]

@@HenFilmStudio Thanks! Glad you liked it

[@bradleyfinn3452]

@@HarveyRiversTo be honest I find the CGI Series rather funny especially Norman Price

[@HarveyRivers]

@@bradleyfinn3452 I find it rather infuriating, but I respect your opinion

[@bradleyfinn3452]

@@HarveyRivers But I hate the new Bob The Builder (2015) and Thomas and Friends All Engine’s Go

[@CallanMacAndie20]

@@bradleyfinn3452s6-10 are good, 11-12 meh, 13-16 what’s happened?!

[@jamesthevain]

I never grew up watching Fireman Sam because it wasn’t aired in the United States until a lot later and I wasn’t born when the original series was aired. As an adult I did started to get interested and curious in the original series because I always had a thing for stop motion and shows made in the UK. One day, I decided to watch it on KZbin and I really enjoyed it ( even though it was made for kids). I love the original series way more than the cgi which is crappy.

[@HarveyRivers]

@@jamesthevain Nice!

[@thecaledoniansleeper2648]

Although I was introduced to Fireman Sam through Season 5 on PBS Kids Sprout, I am very grateful that I’d grew up with it, as it was my first Welsh kids show. Including the episodes of the original Fireman Sam from the 80’s and 90’s back when I watched them on KZbin during middle school. Since I’d knew Fireman Sam since I watched the stop motion season 5 on Sprout when I was little. And yeah, the cgi episodes did turn me off once Sprout had aired them. However, the charm of the original Fireman Sam is what made it so great. The characters are loveable, the stories are interesting, and I couldn’t get enough of hearing some of the Welsh accents that John Alderton put on. And the show done a great job at teaching kids some fire and emergency safety lessons whenever they’re put in a dangerous situation. Fireman Sam will always be remembered as an iconic UK classic, a staple to British animation like with Postman Pat, Noddy, Wallace & Gromit and Danger Mouse. And everyone will fondly remember the show as they grew up watching it. Now that most of these shows, including Fireman Sam, are now on streaming, I hope that MeTV Toons can air the older stop motion seasons of Fireman Sam in the future.

[@bobbymcloughlin3452]

Any Episode Of The Fireman Sam Series Can Be Either Stop-Motion Or CGI, Especially The Worst Rated Episodes Stop-Motion (Classic) Stop-Motion (Modern) CGI Series (What You Hate) Theme Tune Settings Music Genre Disk (As Used In The Classics) Rock (As Used In “S5”), Additional With Guitar Arr. & Orchestra Pitches E = Classic D = Modern C = Exclusive Singers Maldwyn Pope (Both) Cameron Stewart (British) Steffan Rhys Williams (Welsh) Oliver Davis (English) Fireman Sam: Narrated Series (Bumper Films) Classic Fireman Sam (Multiple Voice Actors & Lip Sync Dialogue) Fireman Sam: Stop-Motion Series (Revival, Quote On Quote “S5”) Fireman Sam: CGI Series / Reboot 60 Best Episodes, Including Sam’s Forgetful Day Which Should Air On Television 232 Worst Rated Episodes Intros Bumper Films’ Intro (As Used In The Classics) Henson International Television’s Intros Original BBC Intro (As Used In “S5”) Classic Footage Modern Footage CGI Footage Original Intro (As Used In Both “S6/S7”) Classic Footage Modern Footage CGI Footage Xing-Xing’s Intro (As Used In “S8”) Alternative Intro (As Used In “S9”) Modern Day Intro (As Used In “S10”) Mattel Creations Television’s Intro (As Used In “S11/S12”) The Rescue Team Intros Original (As Used In “S14”) Official (As Used In “S15”) Fireman Sam’s Theme Parody: The Rescue Team Fireman Sam’s Theme (As Used In “S13”)

[@Thebreakingbadthomasfan23]

This is amazing so far l will edit this when l finish watching it) Finished it and honestly, I agree with everything you said

[@HarveyRivers]

Thanks!

[@callum110597]

You really spoke wonders, BumperFilmsCoach! The original stop-motion Fireman Sam is a huge part of my childhood, and I'll always honour it, over the terrible CGI series that claims it's series 6 onwards! 😄

[@HarveyRivers]

@@callum110597 agreed here

[@bradleyfinn3452]

@@callum110597 Please don’t hate me but I love the CGI Series

[@FiremanSamBoy2008]

Great video Harvey :)

[@HarveyRivers]

Thanks!

[@seffentine5679]

As a swede I was introduced to þe series by þe CGI series but looking æt þe Original Series I find it most delightful

[@HarveyRivers]

Nice!

[@bazbanter9329]

This was wonderful! You've done a fantastic job here and I agree with all of it. I was teased as a kid (over 8/9) for liking Fireman Sam by some family members but my mum and maternal grandma really enjoyed it. I'm glad to hear you found comfort from this show. It's nice to see how much you appreciate the original, despite being born many years after it was made. It is a kids show, but it has a wuder family appeal, thanks to all the points you made. It annoyed me that theBBC decided to put it on Cbeebies with Tellytubbies and Tweenies and toddler drivel like that FS should've been on the CBBC channel. It had much more wit, substance and realism than most kids shows aimed at "older children". I like how you pointed that OG Sam was depicted as a real life hero with vulnerability and flaws. Great job! Really enjoyed it

[@HarveyRivers]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@octaviusfooks7194]

Well, I’m an OG series kid, even if I saw it on DVD.

[@bradleyfinn3452]

When PC Malcom joined the show I thought he looks rather muscular

[@joshproductions07]

6:19 In Thomas' defence, the scripts for Sam were written as a TV show, with actions on the screen. While with the Thomas stories were originally written as books, so they need to say whether a character said something or explain something to us instead of just showing, because all they had were illustrations In terms of the first two series of Pat, I do kind of agree, as that was written as a TV show too, but there were times where they averted it. The whole narration in Pat got a bit weird in Series 2, as Ken Barrie narrates all of his characters while Carole Boyd narrates all of her characters, which I find so odd, because I'm so used to shows only having one narrator. I think it was a good decision to remove the narration from Pat from Postman Pat and the Greendale Rocket onwards.

[@HarveyRivers]

@joshproductions07 I know that, I was just doing it for comparison sakes. But yeah, removing the narration in Postman Pat & The Greendale Rocket was a good decision

[@Robbie990]

Great video. Everything you said here is true. 👍 Like alot of people, I'm glad you found comfort in this show. I will always favour the original Fireman Sam over the CGI version (which I have christened Ugly Sam for so many reasons by the way).

[@HarveyRivers]

Thanks! Ugly Sam does sound fitting LOL

[@spinballpac-man]

Brilliant video, mate! Couldn’t have said it better myself! And I’ll admit, I did cry at the end 🥹…..😌

[@HarveyRivers]

Thanks!

[@XReignz]

Must say very professional, especially compared to the videos from last year, a big step up especially with the script, I can tell a lot more thought went into this video and the overall editing is great

[@HarveyRivers]

@@XReignz thanks!

[@spiderfan2003]

Great video, dude. I've admittedly never seen fireman Sam but would like to take a look at the classic seasons. This video, though real, shows how much media can do for someone, and I appreciate what you had to say.

[@HarveyRivers]

Nice!

[@ainsworthlolaofficial]

Amazing video mate 💙💙💙

[@HarveyRivers]

@@ainsworthlolaofficial Thank you!

[@feuerwehrfeuerwehrfan1122]

Amazing Video,I don't have Problem CGI Series buth I can also see why also some peopel don't like it. I think the bigest Problem that Fs have this days is they make too the same with Fireman Sam what Pop patrol is doing selling maney Toys as possibel.

[@HarveyRivers]

Yep

[@nathanproductions5817]

I think this is how CGI Fireman, Sam should’ve been it would’ve been CGI just in the original style

[@nathanproductions5817]

I started watching original fireman, Sam until we got the new TV and I was like four in 2016 because on our old Samsung TV, which I use in my bedroom to watch any program on the DVD player well just watch DVDs not programs and yes this does include Fireman Sam original but I have to wait until milkshake came on to watch crappy CGI cartoon fireman, Sam but original fireman, Sam will hold a place in everybody’s heart

[@nathanproductions5817]

The creators of the TV show reboots like Fireman, Sam and Thomas they say they’re making it better no, they’re not they’re making it crap do you agree?

[@Kyranyoutubevids]

Fantastic video and great job and what do you think of this casting choice I thought of? "Ringo Starr as Elvis Cridlington"

[@HarveyRivers]

@@Kyranyoutubevids interesting choice.

[@JosephRailwayStudios2000]

good job on this.

[@HarveyRivers]

@JosephRailwayStudios2000 Thanks!

[@JosephRailwayStudios2000]

@@HarveyRivers You're very welcome my friend

[@bradleyfinn3452]

When Brian Cant did the Trumptonshire Trilogy all the voices were exactly the same he didn’t do any feminine voices and I was also in a bad path of life in high school and the Trumptonshire Trilogy was something you could rely on for comfort and Fireman Sam distracted me from horrible aspects of life

[@jacobjcb8883]

Trumpton is like the forerunner to Fireman Sam in a way

[@bradleyfinn3452]

@@jacobjcb8883It actually is Pugh Pugh Barney McGrew Cuthbert Dibble Grub

[@bradleyfinn3452]

@@jacobjcb8883Pugh Pugh Barney McGrew Cuthbert Dibble Grub

[@TriumphantTrain]

I Have Big Agreements with you Pal. Also 2022 was a bad year for me too.

[@HarveyRivers]

@TriumphantTrain I'm sorry to hear that, hope the previous few years have gone smooth for you :) And thanks!

[@worthybutter2004]

Ironically, the character Joe Sparkes from the CGI series feels more like the OG Fireman Sam than Sam himself currently does. I mean, think about it: he's often depicted as having an inventive streak that sometimes gets him in trouble, not unlike Sam from series 1-5, and even his face looks as plump as the fireman's face did in his classic design, too. Why is this so?

[@HarveyRivers]

I bet some jealous Newtown fireman stole his identity and Joe is actually OG Sam in disguise LOL

[@worthybutter2004]

@@HarveyRivers OMG!! 😱🤯The biggest plot twist in kid's show history!

[@HarveyRivers]

@@worthybutter2004 indeed lol

[@jacobjcb8883]

​@@HarveyRiversI can imagine it being the egotiscal CGI git from your headcanon

[@Kyranyoutubevids]

@@HarveyRivers or Joe Sparkes is actually a clone of Season 1-5 Sam but with a different appearance and a different voice.

[@flashstudiosguy]

For years,I wanted to be a Fireman like Sam but,in the end,I became a Policeman instead

[@HarveyRivers]

Cool

[@hayleywilliams8750]

And it felt likenit was IRL not just a cartoon with stupid idea for a FIRE BRIGADE IN WALES

[@muppetsretrofan8873]

This was a fantastic video. I adore the original Fireman Sam, and it's one of my favorite British cartoons [along with Bob The Builder, Engie Benjy, Postman Pat, Noddy, Thomas, and Danger Mouse]. I'm still angry over what Mattel did to the franchise. The original characters would DESPISE their modern counterparts. I used to wish that Engie Benjy was brought to the states, but now I'm thinking that Engie Benjy, as well as Roary The Racing Car and Fifi and The Flowertots might have dodged a bullet. I also really dislike the CGI Postman Pat movie and the Bob The Builder reboot.

[@jacobjcb8883]

Fifi and Roary did get to the States but thankfully didn't get butchered

[@bradleyfinn3452]

I enjoyed Postman Pat The Movie

[@worthybutter2004]

@@bradleyfinn3452 Wanna hear how i'd rewrite the story for that movie?

[@bradleyfinn3452]

@@worthybutter2004 Yeah

[@worthybutter2004]

@@bradleyfinn3452 Okay so, i was thinking, instead of it being about Postman Pat becoming a celebrity and thwarting evil robot clones of himself, it would be about a family from London moving in to Greendale and Pat and the villagers helping them adjust to life in the countryside.

[@charliedrosario999]

Because it's better than any of the new ones. It's miles better than the derogatory crap you see for children these days. Delys still reminds me of Mummy. Does anyone want to know what her favourite line is. 😊😊😊

[@HarveyRivers]

Sure

[@petercdowney]

I remember the original very well.

[@humphreyjohnstone6783]

Fireman Sam is such a wonderful show. The original 80s series was a masterpiece. Nowadays, not so much. The animation in the new episodes is disgusting. Sam now looks generic as hell, Elvis looks more like a muscular Ian Brady as opposed to Elvis Pressley. Norman, Sarah and James are all agitating as hell. As with the newer child characters like Hannah, Mandy and Lily. The simplicity of the older show is so much more enjoyable. It almost had a sort of "Magic Roundabout" or "Camberwick Green" likeness to it. Same with "Postman Pat". You can't go wrong with it.

[@HarveyRivers]

@@humphreyjohnstone6783 indeed!

[@humphreyjohnstone6783]

@@HarveyRivers It's not a good look when you're main character looks generic and the comic relief looks like a depraved psychopathic child k*ller. Not to mention the scripts are atrocious. Peppa Pig has better writing staff, and they're crap.

[@edwardryan2476]

What version of the Fireman Sam theme song did you use for the video’s opening ?

[@HarveyRivers]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4qyqIJ_qtZpiJYsi=6_XQM1wS1IWpkchH

[@alfiethenostalgiaboy2007]

Great vid

[@HarveyRivers]

Thanks!

[@TriumphantTrain]

What are you gonna do next Mate

[@HarveyRivers]

@@TriumphantTrain not sure at the moment

[@desenhosanimados2010]

i will say that hit entertainment started to downhill in 2002 what cause show that started hit entertainment's downhill?, two words, that's angelina ballerina which made characters flanderized and unlikeable, that's why fireman sam started to downhill in season 5, it continues the downhill with the early cgi seasons, thomas started to downhill in the hit era, bob the builder started to downhill in the ready steady build spin-off and to a extention the spin-off of angelina ballerina which the original sucks by the way which is called angelina ballerina: the next steps

[@HarveyRivers]

Indeed!

[@thejordanfcompany3355]

What's your opinion on Season 5 of Fireman Sam?

[@HarveyRivers]

@@thejordanfcompany3355 it's decent. Has its moments here and there, but a bit of a step down from the first four seasons.

[@desenhosanimados2010]

​​@@HarveyRiverswell the downhill and the fall of hit entertainment started in 2002, the 2002-onwards era is bad, it got shut down in 2012

[@HarveyRivers]

@desenhosanimados2010 indeed. I wouldn't say series 5 is bad IMO, but more like 50/50 or 5/10 as it does have good elements, but is clearly the beginning of the end.

[@desenhosanimados2010]

​@@HarveyRiversnot to mention after season 4, they get norman price and elvis flanderized, they flanderized them before the cgi series don't forget that

[@HarveyRivers]

@@desenhosanimados2010 indeed!