SMart

Infobox Television
show_name = SMart


caption = The SMart Logo
format = Art
runtime = 60 minutes
creator =
developer =
executive_producer = Joe Godwin
series_producer = Anne Dixon
presenter = Kirsten O'Brien
(1999–present)
Mike Fischetti
(2007–present)
country = UK
network = BBC One
first_aired = 5 October 1994
last_aired =
present
num_episodes =
website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/art/smart/
imdb_id = 0217959
tv_com_id = 24870

"SMart" is a British CBBC television programme based on the subject of art, which began in 1994. The programme is recorded at BBC Television Centre in London. The format is similar to the Tony Hart programmes "Take Hart" and "Hartbeat".Fact|date=January 2008. The 2008 series saw the show change from a twenty minute show to an hour-long show.

The programme

The original theme tune was composed by Kjartan Poskitt, famous for the "Murderous Maths" series of books. From 2003, a different tune was used, written by Steve Brown (known as the fictional musical director Glen Ponder in Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge). In 2007, this was remixed in line with the new format.

In 2007, the new autumn series had a new format mixing some of the old segments with new ideas. It was aired on Sunday, and repeated on Wednesdays. It involved more child participation in games and celebrity guests.

The format was utilised again when a new series began with a new timeslot on Sunday 29 June 2008, airing on CBBC on BBC Two, still presented by Kirsten O'Brien and Mike Fishetti. A special tribute to Mark Speight was also broadcast. Along with this new format, guest presenters appear each week to assist the two presenters.

Following the death of presenter Mark Speight's fiancee Natasha Collins in January 2008, repeats of the show and its CBeebies spin-off "SMarteenies" were suspended. Speight left the programme, saying his "tragic loss" had left him unable to continue; he later committed suicide. [cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7410338.stm | title= Presenter Speight hanged himself | publisher=BBC News Online | date=2008-05-20 | accessdate=2008-05-28 ] The BBC indicated that there would still be a new series of SMart in the autumn, but editions featuring Speight are unlikely to be repeated. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7350087.stm|title=TV presenter left suicide notes|publisher=BBC News Online|date=2008-04-16|accessdate=2008-04-16]

Web-Art

From the 2008 series, SMart have a segment called 'web art', where they get viewers to copy a drawing done by Mike Fischetti via the internet.

Spin-offs

The success of "SMart" allowed it to spawn various spin-off series. The first was "SMart on the Road" where either Mark Speight or Kirsten O'Brien, with the help of Lizi Botham, would travel around the country helping people with major projects, for example decorating a room or making a fun garden. It starred Kirsten O'Brien, Mark Speight, Jay Burridge and Lizi Botham.

"SMarteenies" was the second spin-off, where Kirsten, Mark, Jay and "Bizi Lizi" went through fun makes for younger viewers, including "man of letters and shapes" and Kirsten's Household Makes with Doogie the Dog. This programme was specifically aimed at a younger demographic, roughly from 3-6 years old on was aired on CBeebies. It starred Kirsten O'Brien, Mark Speight, Jay Burridge and Lizi Botham.

A special episode, "SMart Africa", was made by the BBC to coincide with Africa week. The episode contained easy ways to make things. This episode, with Kirsten O'Brien and Mark Speight, was aired as part of the 2003 series.

Presenters

Current presenters

*Kirsten O'Brien "(1999–)"
*Mike Fischetti "(2007–)"

Guest presenters

Former presenters

*Zoë Ball "(1994–1996)"
*Josie D'Arby "(1996–1998)"
*Jay Burridge "(1994–2002)"
*Susan Ribeiro "(2002)"
*Lizi Botham "(1999–2004)"
*Mark Speight "(1994–2008)"

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/art/smart/index.shtml CBBC SMart Homepage]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/art CBBC Art Homepage]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc CBBC Homepage]