Zzzap Series 1 -

(played by Richard Waites): A mischievous character who set up elaborate pranks, often involving mud or gunge. The Handymen

For Series 1 , which aired in early 1993, the "cast" comprised four distinct archetypes of the comic world: zzzap series 1

Every week in Series 1 , Cuthbert would attempt a simple task—painting a door, cleaning a window, or delivering a parcel—with disastrous results. The humour was rooted in the destruction of the giant props. Watching Cuthbert accidentally dismantle a giant shelf or get stuck in a giant letterbox was "Mr. Bean" for the playground crowd. His catchphrase, displayed onscreen as a speech bubble, was the simple, self-congratulatory: "Splendid!" (played by Richard Waites): A mischievous character who

(Sarah Pickthall): Two sets of hands in yellow and blue gloves that performed magic tricks and crafts. Segment Examples (Series 1) Cuthbert Lilly Smart Arty Tricky Dicky Challenge 1.1 Walking his dog Laurel and Hardy (tape) Pop 1,000 balloons 1.5 Visits a friend in hospital Eiffel Tower (cutlery) Spell "IMPOSSIBLE" with bricks 1.6 Picnic and a fly Tennis player (biscuit/court) Custard barrow obstacle course Key Series 1 Trivia Watching Cuthbert accidentally dismantle a giant shelf or

For many, the highlight of ZZZap! was Neil Buchanan’s "Smart Arty." Fresh off the success of Art Attack , Buchanan was already a CITV legend. However, unlike the chatty, instructional persona of the Art Attack presenter, The Smart Arty was a silent figure—a magician/artist hybrid clad in a waistcoat and beret.

The premise of ZZZap! was deceptively simple, yet revolutionary for its time. Produced by Meridian Broadcasting for CITV, the show was structured as a giant comic book. Each episode was presented as a "page," featuring four distinct comic strips (segments), each focusing on a different character. The visual effect was achieved by having the actors perform against massive, brightly coloured painted backdrops, with giant props creating a surreal, larger-than-life world.

A mad scientist in a white coat and unruly wig, The Professor would invent useless machines. A robot that painted circles but only in the color red. A catapult that launched custard pies. The Professor’s segments in Series 1 were notable for their genuine mechanical complexity—these weren't digital effects, but real Rube Goldberg contraptions built by prop masters.