Giggle and Hoot

Giggle and Hoot
Company type	Television program block
Industry	Children's television
Founded	2009
Defunct	2020
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Children's television programming

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Giggle and Hoot, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 2025

Giggle and Hoot is an Australian children's television "wrap-around" program block that was broadcast on the ABC Kids channel. The series, produced between 2009 and 2019 with its final episodes airing in 2020, centers on Jimmy Giggle (portrayed by Jimmy Rees) alongside his companion Hoot the Owl (voiced by Damian Wagland). It was also shown on the ABC network from 2009 until 2011. Subsequent seasons introduced a second owl named Hootabelle (Jemma Armstrong), as well as additional characters and toys.

Jimmy Giggle

Jimmy Giggle delights in repairing and inventing new creations from common household items, such as repurposing a bath into a bed. He carries a magic button that amusingly never functions and holds dear a dinosaur toy called Giggleosaurus. Musically gifted, Jimmy plays several instruments including the ukulele, double bass, baritone saxophone, piano, and guitar.

Hoot the Owl

Hoot the Owl, Jimmy’s closest friend, uniquely prefers daylight hours despite being an owl, often dozing off during the day. His home is a chest of drawers converted into his personal apartment. He plays the harmonica and triangle. Hoot employs a device called a cloudier to generate clouds.

His favorite things include "owl" snacks, the color blue, napping, playing hootball—a fusion of "hoot" and "football"—and his toy Mini-Hoot. Together, Jimmy and Hoot engage in activities such as playing games, singing songs, and dressing up as astronauts or pirates.

Hoot's Night Watch

At the conclusion of each episode, "Night Watch" features Hoot flying over the land of Giggle and Hoot to check that children are asleep. He receives help from Hootabelle, who uses her "Star Twinkler" to illuminate stars as they journey through the "Nighty Night" sky. Afterward, they often meet up to fly and play across the land.

Hootabelle

Introduced in later seasons, Hootabelle is a purple female owl created to be a companion and close friend for Hoot. She resides in a "Purple Button Tree" and owns a toy cat named Gigglepaws, which frightens Hoot due to his fear of cats. Hootabelle comforts him by assuring that Gigglepaws is friendly. She also has a toy butterfly called Giggle Wings that flutters around the Giggle and Hoot house. Using her "Star Twinkler," she lights up stars in the night sky, while her "Bookifier" summons books from her library. Hootabelle frequently visits for "Owl Pal Play Dates."

Her interests include purple hues, reading books, butterflies, owl snacks, worm-flavored milkshakes, and singing.

Giggleosaurus, Mini-Hoot, and Gigglepaws

Each main character has a cherished toy: Jimmy Giggle’s favorite is Giggleosaurus the dinosaur; Hoot’s preferred toy is Mini-Hoot; and Hootabelle treasures Gigglepaws the cat. These toys are treated as real companions and regularly appear in imaginative play scenarios. They are animated in musical numbers such as "Go Giggleosaurus," "On A Mini-Adventure," and "Hoot! Hoot! It's A Lovely Day."

Additional characters

Other puppet figures featured include:

Hootoclaws: An owl-themed version of Santa Claus who spreads festive cheer across the Land of Giggle and Hoot using his "Christmasafier."
Cosmo Carrot, Bessie Broccoli, and Tommy Tomato: Musical vegetable characters showcased in the Gigglearium.
Pirate Hootbeard: A famed owl pirate captain residing on Button Island with his toy Pirate Mini-Hootbeard. When upset, he loses his trademark "Yarr!" Introduced in the special The Legend of Pirate Hootbeard, he uses his "Treasureafier" to create pirate adventures.
Giggle Fangs: A friendly bat living at the edge of Giggle Forest accompanied by toys Giggle Bug and Mini-Fangella. Gifted with "Super Sonic Bat Hearing," he enjoys tranquility, surprising friends, and employs his "Bat Bolt" to add batty fun.
Hootpa: Grandfather to Hoot and brother to Pirate Hootbeard. He enjoys naps and tea parties, assists others using his "Pa Wand," and slides around wearing his Super Slippers. His toy puppy Giggle Bones possesses an excellent sense of smell for finding things.
Hootagadget: An intelligent red female owl who is close friends with Hootabelle and Hootly. She lives in the Gadget Cubby with her toy dragon Giggle Spikey. Utilizing devices such as a "Rainbowifier," "Wing Watches," "Skyboards," "Hootoheadsets," a coding "Gadget Computer," and a "Five Steps to Bed Detector," she supports her friends throughout the Land of Giggle and Hoot.

The Day Time Block

The Day Time Block airs between 7–9 am and 1:45–2:40 pm, presenting a variety of music video segments such as:

Giggle Fangs – An animated feature by Yukfoo centered on Giggle Fangs and his helper Giggle Bug. The track was co-created with ABC by independent Australian musician David McCormack and Sonar Music.
Hootball – Produced collaboratively by ABC and Sydney’s Robot Tuesday, this animation depicts Hoot and Hootabelle engaging in a ball game within the "cloudosphere," accompanied by a song from Bridget Turner.
Time to Play – An animated short showing Hoot, Hootabelle, Giggle Fangs, and Hootagadget getting ready for an "Owl Pal Playdate."
Owl Pals – Showcases conversations between Hoot, Hootabelle, their friends, and children on various subjects; initially introduced during the 2018 Christmas segment and expanded in 2019.
Cloud Bouncing – A blend of live-action and visual effects featuring Hoot and Hootabelle bouncing on clouds, with appearances by their toy companions. This was later adapted into "Star Bouncing" for the Goodnight Hour. The song was written by Sean Peter, Clare Gerber, and Bryson Hall.
The Giggle Galaxy – An animation created by ABC and Robot Tuesday following Astro Jimmy Giggle, Astro Hoot, and Astro Hootabelle as they explore Giggle Space. The accompanying song was composed by Australian artist Terry Mann.
Hoot! Hoot! It's a Lovely Day – Developed with Sydney’s Zspace, this animation presents Hoot and Hootabelle flying through the world of Giggle and Hoot, engaged in playful adventures. The song was performed by indie group Achoo! Bless You (Ashleigh Steel and Ross James Tipper).
Let's Fly – An animated piece featuring Hootabelle and Hootagadget enjoying activities like rainbow sliding and spaceship construction within Giggle and Hoot.
On A Mini-Adventure – Produced by ABC and Robot Tuesday, this animation follows Mini-Hoot and Giggleosaurus as they transform magical vehicles. The music was composed by Paul Kingston and Cain Horton.
The Funky Owl – A funky bird-themed song favored by Hoot, including dance routines and featuring Jimmy Giggle playing a large bass guitar. Composed by Sean Peter in collaboration with ABC.
Go Giggleosaurus! – Created with Zspace, this animation shows Jimmy Giggle’s toy dinosaur exploring an animated environment. The song was produced by Tim Derricourt alongside Clare Gerber.
The Gigglemobile – Depicts Jimmy Giggle and Hoot traveling in a cardboard car capable of land travel, underwater exploration, and flight. The tune was composed by Darren Lane and Wade Jackson with ABC.
My Best Friend – A live-action series highlighting friendship through children dancing and sharing favorite pastimes. The song was written by Kyle Burtland and Clare Gerber.
Super Giggle and Super Hoot – Celebrates daily accomplishments as Jimmy Giggle, Hoot, and eventually Hootabelle tackle challenges in superhero roles. Song composed by Sean Peter with ABC.
Little Aussie Champs – Early live-action segments focusing on children's playground successes, narrated by Jimmy Giggle and Hoot.
Hoot's Birdwatching Club – Initial segments featuring birdwatching outings involving friends’ contributions.
Giggle Art Song – A continuation of "The Giggle Gallery," highlighting preschoolers collaborating on artwork. Music composed by Fergus Brown with Clare Gerber.

The Gigglearium

When Jimmy Giggle, Hoot, and Hootabelle activate a button on their vegetable crate, it magically converts into The Gigglearium – a musical stage where three animated vegetables—Tommy Tomato (portrayed by Hamish Fletcher/Nicholas Richard), Bessie Broccoli (Naomi Young), and Cosmo Carrot (James Rees)—come alive to perform songs. Created by Sean Peter in partnership with the ABC, the vegetables present seven musical numbers:

"The Gigglearium Slow Song" – performed by Tommy Tomato
"The Gigglearium Solo Song" – performed by Bessie Broccoli
"The Gigglearium Country Song" – performed by Cosmo Carrot
"The Gigglearium Opera Song" – performed by Bessie Broccoli
"The Gigglearium Loud Song" – performed by Cosmo Carrot
"The Gigglearium Rhyme Song" – performed by all three
"The Gigglearium Disco Song" – performed collectively

The Giggle Gallery

Featured daily within Giggle and Hoot, "The Giggle Gallery" highlights artwork submitted by preschool-aged children from across Australia. These creations are exhibited as if in an art gallery setting, with Jimmy Giggle and Hoot pointing out distinctive details. Hoot particularly enjoys pieces featuring blue hues, which is his favorite color.

The Goodnight Hour

Designed to support preschoolers in establishing bedtime habits, The Goodnight Hour airs on weekdays from 5:15 to 7:25 pm and Sundays from 6 to 7:25 pm. It includes numerous original compositions developed alongside the ABC, such as:

My Batty Lair – A swing-style live-action segment about Giggle Fangs’ affection for his Batty Lair, composed by Sean Peter.
5 Steps to Bed – A big band tune guiding children through bedtime rituals like teeth brushing and putting on pajamas; composed by Jeff Debnam with arrangements by Sean Peter.
Beak Brush Time – Demonstrates correct techniques for brushing teeth and beaks using a timer device.
The Giggle Galaxy – Referenced above.
Hey Hootabelle – An animated feature showing Hoot and Hootabelle flying around the Giggle and Hoot environment; music composed by Israeli-Australian artist Lior and animation by Sydney’s Zspace studio.
The Birdbath Boogie – A song about preparing for the Night Watch, later expanded to include more characters; composed by Sean Peter.
On the Night Watch – A crooner-style duet celebrating the Night Watch; composed by Sean Peter and Bryson Hall.
Sweet Dreams – Animated sequence of Jimmy Giggle and Hoot soaring through the skies of Giggle and Hoot; created by Paul Kingston and Cain Horton in collaboration with ABC and Zspace.
Giggle Mission Time – An animated adventure featuring main characters undertaking a mission filled with playful activities.
Twinklify – Showcases Hootabelle lighting stars with her wand; music composed by Sean Peter.
Giggle and Hoot Bookworm Club – An early series segment where Hoot reads children’s books alongside celebrity guests.
Hoot's Lullaby – The final animation of the Night-Time Block featuring a lullaby written and sung by Lior, animated by Zspace, concluding with the phrase “See you in the morning! Hoot! Hoot!”.

Production

Produced at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Ultimo studios in Sydney for ABC Kids, the series launched alongside ABC Me in early 2010, targeting children aged between 2 and 6 years old. Key figures behind production included:

Jan Stradling — Executive Producer
Natalie Robinson-Hurst — Series Producer
Karin Fitzhardinge — Director and Producer

In December 2019, Libbie Doherty, head of ABC Kids, announced that Giggle and Hoot would end after its eleventh season in early 2020.

Cast

Jimmy Rees portrays Jimmy Giggle
Damian Wagland voices both Hoot the Owl and Giggle Fangs
Jemma Armstrong plays Hootabelle
Mark Simpson is cast as Pirate Hootbeard
Stef Smith takes on the role of Hootogadget
Cam Ralph acts as Hootpa

Hoot Hoot Go!

Hoot Hoot Go! serves as a derivative series of Giggle and Hoot, spotlighting familiar characters such as Hoot, Hootabelle, Pirate Hootbeard, and Giggle Fangs, while introducing fresh faces like Hootly, Hootaluna, and Gigglebot. The show consists of 26 episodes, each lasting five minutes.

Hoot Hoot Go! episode titles

The Hootastic Choir
The Perfect Piratey Picnic Spot
Hootaluna: Moon Dancer Extraordinaire
The Broken Fangifier
Hootly Learns to Cloud Bounce
Pirate Mini-Hootbeard Can't Sleep
Hootaluna: Moon Bouncer Extraordinaire
The Perfect Cubby House
Hootaluna: Hootball Finder Extraordinaire
Giggle Fangs Is Too Good at Hide and Seek
The Piratey Party
Hootaluna: Singer Extraordinaire
Giggle Bug Goes Missing
Hoot's Not Ready for the Night Watch
Pirate Hootbeard and the Missing Star Cloud
Giggle Bot: The Extra Tired Moon Bot
A Party for Giggle Fangs
The Messy Button Tree
All the Greys of the Button Rainbow
Hootaluna: Sleepover Owl Extraordinaire
Giggle Fangs Makes the Stars Disappear
Happy Hoot Day
Pirate Hootbeard Loses His Yarr
The Moon Bot Dance
Boo Day
Pirate Mini-Hootbeard's Mini Treasure Hunt

Awards

External links

Official site