Bob the Builder is a British children's animated television show created by Keith Chapman. In the original series, Bob appears in a stop motion animated programme as a building contractor, specialising in masonry, along with his colleague Wendy, various neighbours and friends, and their gang of anthropomorphised work-vehicles and equipment. The show is broadcast in many countries, but originates from the United Kingdom where Bob is voiced by English actor Neil Morrissey. The show was later created using CGI animation starting with the spin-off series Ready, Steady, Build!.
In each episode, Bob and his group help with renovations, construction, and repairs and with other projects as needed. The show emphasises conflict resolution, co-operation, socialisation and various learning skills. Bob's catchphrase is "Can we fix it?", to which the other characters respond with "Yes we can!" This phrase is also the title of the show's theme song, which was a million-selling number one hit in the UK.
In October 2014, Bob the Builder was revamped by Mattel for a new series to be aired on Channel 5's Milkshake! in 2015. Amongst the changes were a complete overhaul of the cast, with Harry Potter actor Lee Ingleby replacing Neil Morrissey as the voice of Bob, and Joanne Froggatt and Blake Harrison were also confirmed as the voices of Wendy and Scoop respectively. The setting and appearance of the characters also changed, with Bob and his team moving to the bustling metropolis of Spring City. An American localisation of the new series debuted on PBS Kids in November 2015. The changes have been criticized by fans of the original version.
Cast
| Image | Character | Eng | Mex | USA | Isr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob the Builder | Neil Morrissey | Arturo Mercado | William Dufris | Dan Shatzberg |
| Greg Proops | |||||
| Wendy | Kate Harbour | María Fernanda Morales | Lorelei King | |
| Scoop | Rob Rackstraw | Ricardo Silva | Alan Marriott | |
| Muck | Rob Rackstraw | Gabriel Gama | Lachele Carl | |
| Víctor Ugarte | |||||
| Lofty | Neil Morrissey | Francisco Colmenero | Sonya Leite | Dan Shatzberg |
| Dizzy | Kate Harbour | Patricia Hannidez | Maria Darling | |
| Liliana Barba | |||||
| Cristina Hernández | |||||
| Roley | Rob Rackstraw | Ernesto Lezama | Maria Darling | |
| Spud | Rob Rackstraw | José Gilberto Vilchis | Alan Marriott | |
| Farmer Pickles | Neil Morrissey | Alfonso Mellado | William Dufris | |
| Salvador Reyes |
