''Crazy Cottage'' is a

children's A child ( : children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of ''child'' generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger ...

game show A game show is a genre of broadcast viewing entertainment (radio, television, internet, stage or other) where contestants compete for a reward. These programs can either be participatory or demonstrative and are typically directed by a host, ...

that aired on ITV from 4 April 1996 to 29 May 1998. It was hosted by Rick Adams for the first series, until he was replaced by Jez Edwards for the next two series. A

puppet A puppet is an object, often resembling a human, animal or Legendary creature, mythical figure, that is animated or manipulated by a person called a puppeteer. The puppeteer uses movements of their hands, arms, or control devices such as rods ...

cuckoo Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes . The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals and anis. The coucals and anis are sometimes separat ...

called Vera was voiced by

Steve Nallon Steve Nallon (born 8 November 1960) is a British actor, writer, voice artist and impressionist. Nallon began his career as a stand-up performer on the northern club circuit in the 1970s. He is known for his work as a voice artist on the satirica ...

. The gimmick of the show was that most things had to be performed backwards. The show started with the presenter saying "goodbye", then starting the games at Round 5. One of the rounds involved a series of actions that had to be performed in a certain order, so that when it was played back in reverse, it matched what they were asked to do. Another round was a kitchen set up on a slope, but appeared to the viewers as a normal room. At the end of the programme, the winning team (who had the fewest points) won a prize, such as a trip to

Alton Towers Alton Towers Resort ( ) (often referred to as Alton Towers) is a theme park and resort complex in Staffordshire, England, near the village of Alton. The park is operated by Merlin Entertainments Group and incorporates a theme park, water pa ...

. The losing team (with the most points) would win a backwards invention, for example, a black lightbulb.

Transmissions

References

External links

* * * {{UKGameshow, Crazy_Cottage 1996 British television series debuts 1998 British television series endings 1990s British children's television series British children's game shows British television shows featuring puppetry ITV children's television shows Television series by ITV Studios Carlton Television