OOBI

ĔOobi

The title of an American television programme aimed at pre-school children, screened on the Noggin network in America.

Oobi uses an unusual style of puppetry, in which the hand itself is the puppet, with only a few token props (such as plastic eyes or a hat) used to help create the illusion. The fingers of the hand move, flutter and clench to depict emotions. The puppets are both faces and hands and the same time - one minute 'talking' and the next minute moulding a chunk of plasticine.

These "hand puppets" are surprisingly effective, but the show itself is a little bizarre. The characters have a similar take on human speech to such shows as "Teletubbies" or "Fimbles" - that is, they have forgone any kind of vocabulary or grammar past the level of a reasonably slow two-year-old. The plots are also a bit sparse, largely consisting of a basic idea which is 'discussed' and illustrated as well as possible by talking hands with a limited vocabulary.

Oobi is the name of the title character, who lives with his "Grampu" and sister, Uma. His best friend, Kako (played by Noel McNeal, who is better known as Bear from Bear in the Big Blue House), visits so often he may as well live there. Kako's catch-phrase, "perfecto" is probably the most memorable part of the show.

Oobi and the others occasionally leave their home to talk to real toddlers, who seem to be perfectly okay with the concept of a talking hand with eye-balls.

OOBI is also an acronym for something to do with computers.

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