Robot Week (TV story)

Robot Week

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The CBBC content block Robot Week was broadcast to coincide with the October half-term holidays in 2016.

	Bl1nk Bot 3
	Hacker T Dog, Karim
	CBBC HQ, 2016
	CBBC
	24 - 28 October 2016
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It began with the licensed appearance of the Doctor's TARDIS on Monday 24 October, which was used to create the robot Bl1nk Bot 3 who acted as a CBBC co-presenter for the remainder of the week.

Synopsis

Hacker and Karim borrow the Doctor's TARDIS with the intention of finding a winner to their design a robot competition. However, the TARDIS actually creates a functioning robot and after Hacker and Karim return home it decides to stick around in Salford too.

Plot

Monday: 3:55PM (Hacker and Karim)

Hacker and Karim are at the desk of CBBC HQ sorting through piles of robot designs that the viewers of CBBC have sent in, unsure of what to do with them now. Hacker recalls he has "a friend who might just do the job" and lets out a call, causing the TARDIS to materialise close by. Hacker explains the Doctor "always lets [him] have a play when he's busy" and that the TARDIS will take the designs and make their new metal friend.

Hacker and Karim enter the TARDIS. Karim is overwhelmed by the size and beauty of it but is still unsure how to proceed. Hacker tells him to show the TARDIS the viewers' designs as "she'll know what to do next". Karim searches to no avail causing the TARDIS to communicate with Hacker, telling him to feed the designs into the console, which he translates for Karim. Karim obeys and pulls a lever to begin the process which makes the TARDIS materialise.

Hacker and Karim both desperately push the buttons on the console, eventually culminating in the TARDIS returning to CBBC HQ. The TARDIS has also produced a robot, who immediately scarpers upon revealing himself to the duo. They chase the robot out of the TARDIS and it dematerialises once again.

Hacker and Karim both examine the robot, with Karim wondering if he can use it to charge his phone but it refuses. Hacker asks if they can keep him to which Karim responds "I guess so". The robot then questions why, despite having the oppurtunity to travel through time and space, he was brought by Hacker and Karim to CBBC HQ. Hacker tells him not to worry and that it's "great here", noting the brand new hand dryer in "the lavvie". Karim then faces the camera and thanks everyone who sent in robot designs, promising they'll find out more about him right after Just Kidding, with the robot repeating the show's title.

Friday: 4PM (Lauren)

Lauren and the robot enter CBBC HQ and she excitedly proclaims that it's Friday on CBBC, and the last day of Robot Week as a result, with the robot giving his felicitations. Lauren tells the robot that she really likes him and has decided to take him under her wing as a result, revealing that she believes herself to be the best presenter out of Karim, Katie and Hacker. Lauren elucidates that she will show him how to do things "professionally" and the robot agrees with the sentiment, noting the importance for him to accumulate knowledge. As an example, she suggests instead of saying "we're transmitting in real time" he could say "we're live on CBBC!". She begins whooping and the robot joins her, though questions if the action is a little excessive.

They then move to screen to take a look at the programmes coming up which include Just Kidding, The Dumping Ground and the CBBC Official Chart Show. They are joined by Cel via the screen who gives them more information on the latter, teasing they will be catching up with Twin Atlantic, playing Truth or dare? with Charlie Puth, as well as James Arthur joining them for a performance of "Say You Won't Let Go". Lauren and the robot both agree this is exciting at which point Cel remembers he has recently installed a new Robo-App. He tests it by swiping left and right, causing the robot to fly about the room before knocking himself down by running into the camera.

Lauren severs the link with Cel and checks on the robot, who believes he needs a new MOT. Lauren allows him to introduce Just Kidding as the next show to make him feel better but he finally collapses from his injury after doing so.

Friday: 5PM (Lauren)

The robot looks up and notes the "lovely sky" that evening. Lauren agrees before informing the audience that fans of Shaun the Sheep should keep watching due to the upcoming broadcast of the Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave. The robot enquires if the Oscars are significant and Lauren tells him they are "massive", though says it is finally time to find a name for the robot before then.

Lauren states viewers have been in touch discussing the colours of the robot and she suggests Bl1nk Bot. This causes the robot to shake and fizzle with electricity. He is initially unsure why this has occurred but soon posits that maybe his hard drive is reacting positively to the name. Reflecting that "perhaps the name chooses the robot", the name is agreed upon but Bl1nk thinks a number should be included and christens himself Bl1nk Bot 3. Lauren welcomes Bl1nk Bot, or simply Bl1nk for short, and the two engage in a vigorous handshake while Lauren introduces Wallace and Gromit.

Friday: 6:25PM (Lauren)

Lauren excitedly states they have named the robot Bl1nk, as well as that The Deep is coming up next. In response, Bl1nk says they will be naming Lauren, whom he calls "this fellow", next week. Lauren tells him she already has a name before quickly redirecting her attention to the screen and asking Cel for an update on the CBBC Official Chart Show. Cel says they will be joined by James Arthur, Twin Atlantic and Charlie Puth at 7PM. He signs off with a salute, commenting "be there or be square". Lauren says they can't wait and then asks Bl1nk about his week who in reply presses a button on his chest unit to show her some of his memories.

The camera cuts to a shot of Bl1nk outside of a BBC building, who wonders if his recording equipment is on before wishing planet Earth a good morning. He reflects that, with "the lightbulb in the sky shining bright", it is a wonderful day to explore and he then sets off to do just that. He encounters an inanimate Pudsey Bear which he mistakes for a banana, attempts to communicate with a dog in its native language by making the noise of an owl, and is confused by a branch of leaves until he is told by two children it is a tree. He later encounters two more human children, with the girl putting her finger in Bl1nk's mouth. Bl1nk then attempts to gain access to the BBC via a glass wall and makes the observation that humans create force fields around their buildings. He decides he must enter and tries this by running into the glass but he is unsuccessful and simply slips to the floor.

Back in CBBC HQ, Lauren reflects that the impact looked rough and asks Bl1nk if he had a good week in spite of it. He replies in the negative, optimistically stating "better luck next week". Lauren agrees and introduces The Deep, earning a compliment of "good lad" from Bl1nk.

Friday (Lauren)

The robot introduces himself as Bl1nk. Lauren says that "he" is "amazing" and "fantastic" in spite of Bl1nk's protests that the compliments will cause him to rust and overheat. Lauren realises the mistake and explains she was actually referring to Danger Mouse. Bl1nk asks if he is not also amazing and fantastic, a question to which Lauren responds unconvincingly in the affirmitive. Bl1nk asks why she can't be sincere and claims he can handle the truth. Lauren responds by telling him he isn't amazing or fantastic but is in fact "the greatest". In return for the praise which Bl1nk states "made [his] decade", he presses a button on his chest unit.

Unplaced (Katie)

Katie hunches over the robot, attempting to find the USB port. The robot insists he is not a docking station but Katie protests that she only has 5%, to which the robot again reiterates he does not wish to "sync up". Katie apologises to the camera for the commotion, revealing The Dumping Ground is coming up and that they will also be talking about The Next Step superfan competition. She then once more attempts to insert her phone charger but the robot swats her away and tells her to get back.

Unplaced (Katie)

Katie asks the robot if he minds giving her some power because she has a blouse she needs to iron for tonight. The robot rejects her on the basis of the plug having three prongs when he only has two. She complains that she needs to do her ironing and holds up the iron, prompting the robot to become attracted to the object.

Unplaced (Karim)

The robot whizzes about the floor of CBBC HQ, noting the "wonderfully smooth" surface, while Karim attempts to give him a high five. Karim gives up after the robot surges past him again, introducing himself and "our new little friend, the robot" to the camera.

Unplaced (Katie)

Katie tells viewers to stay where they are because Dragons: Defenders of Berk is coming up next. She also tells the robot he is facing the wrong way to be seen by the camera. The robot denies this to be the case but eventually realises his error. Katie comforts him by saying that everyone makes mistakes, including robots.

Unplaced (Lauren)

Lauren states Dixi is coming up next but that before they can check in with the gang it is post time. With much strain Bl1nk is able to print some post, describing it as "some thick paper". He and Lauren examine the mail which is from a viewer named Sophie. Bl1nk enjoys the drawing depicting "[himself] and the creatures" (referring to Hacker and Dodge) while Lauren appreciates a top-ten list of Sophie's favourite shows, although she laments the placing of The Dengineers at a measly fifth position. Bl1nk suggests she should celebrate a top-five but Lauren says she wants a top-three for The Dengineers. She thanks Sophie for the post which she describes as "brilliant" nevertheless and Bl1nk prints out some more correspondence.

The next picture is from Megan and features several CBBC presenters — Bl1nk, Karim, Dodge, Hacker, Lauren, Katie and Reece — which Bl1nk and Lauren point out one-by-one before Lauren declares it "brilliant" as well. She encourages viewers to continue sending things in to PO Box 9989. Bl1nk then leaves to change his ink jets while Lauren introduces Dixi.

Cast

• Bl1nk Bot 3 - Warrick Brownlow-Pike
• Hacker - Phil Fletcher
• Himself - Karim Zeroual
• Herself - Katie Thistleton
• Herself - Lauren Layfield
• Himself - Cel Spellman
• Boy 1 - Unknown
• Girl 1 - Unknown
• Boy 2 - Unknown
• Girl 2 - Unknown

Crew

For the Robot Week ident:

CBBC Team

• Creative Director: Sam Moran
• Creative: Kasia Klajn

Design & Animation

• Creative Directors: Ink and Giants
• Producer: Jumoke Ogunkoya
• Character Design: Peter Dobes
• Environment Design: Dianne Dela Torre
• 3D Animation: Peter Dobes and Dianne Dela Torre
• Compositing: Dianne Dela Torre
• Music: BBC

Worldbuilding

• Logos for Blue Peter, Danger Mouse, The Dumping Ground, The Next Step, Wolfblood, Operation Ouch!, The Worst Witch and Horrible Histories can been in the headquarters.
• Hacker suggests using the robot designs to make a thousand origami swans.
• Hacker comments that the TARDIS is the best transcendental time machine he's ever seen.
• Hacker gets travel sick while the TARDIS is in flight.
• He also comments that they lose the wi-fi during the flight.
• The robot notes the excitement he and Lauren are causing to the viewers must be tough on their parents.
• As described by the robot, the CBBC Official Chart Show "mainly comprises of a list of popular music recordings".
• "Say You Won't Let Go" spent three weeks at number one.
• Bl1nk is made from "hard stuff", mostly titanium.
• Viewers can catch up with programmes they miss using the CBBC iPlayer.
• Sophie's favourite shows include Hacker Time, Naomi's Nightmares of Nature, Absolute Genius, All Over the Place, Offically Amazing, Art Ninja and The Dog Ate My Homework.
• CBBC HQ is located in Salford and its PO Box has a postcode of M5 0DP.
• Bl1nk claims the sky is blue above the grey clouds due to light refraction.

Story notes

A publicity photo.

• The TARDIS prop is the one used in Doctor Who series 8 and series 9.
• Bl1nk Bot 3 actor Warrick Brownlow-Pike posted to Instagram on 21 October about visiting the BBC studios in Cardiff to film the TARDIS scene for Robot Week. The trip marked his first visit to Wales.
• Rhys Stephenson's first name is mispelled Reece in Megan's drawing.

Other features of Robot Week

• Throughout Robot Week Hacker T Dog's official Twitter account made several in-character posts which referenced Bl1nk Bot 3 and the event itself.
• As part of Robot Week CBBC released a YouTube video listing the top five famous robots, though seven appeared in total. These were Sir Killalot from Robot Wars, WALL-E from the film of the same name, R2-D2 from Star Wars, Johnny Five from Short Circuit, Eve from the TV series of the same name, Optimus Prime from Transformers, and Bl1nk himself.
• Various features were collated on the CBBC website for Robot Week, including quizzes such as "Do you have robot recall?" and "Can you survive Robopocalypse?" and robot-related non-fiction pieces like "The Robots working together with humans" and "New robots to help at Japanese airport" which was sourced from Newsround. The game Airmageddon: Flight Patrol was also featured, as was a clip from Blue Peter detailing how to create Dalek cupcakes.
• Hacker's borrowing of the TARDIS was highlighted as number 2 in a YouTube video of Hacker's 6-and-a-half "best bits" which was produced in celebration of Hacker's birthday on Thursday 27 October 2016, the fourth day of Robot Week. Warrick Brownlow-Pike posted a behind-the-scenes picture of Hacker, Lauren and Bl1nk to mark the occasion.

Schedule

Several robot-themed programmes and technology-centric episides of other shows were specially broadcast as part of Robot Week.

Programme	Episode	Type	Release date
Absolute Genius Super Tech with Dick & Dom	Robots	Repeat broadcast	Monday 24 October
Technobabble	Robots		Wednesday 26 October
Dennis the Menace and Gnasher	Special Delivery
Shaun the Sheep	Bitzer's New Wistle
Eve	Children of Eve
Absolute Genius: Monster Builds	Mile High City	Premiere broadcast
Eve	New Born
How to Be Epic @ Everything	Series 1, Episode 10	Repeat broadcast	Thursday 27 October
Eve	Children of Eve
Wallace and Gromit	A Close Shave		Friday 28 October

Gallery

Main article: Robot Week (TV story)/Gallery

Continuity

• Hacker mentions the Doctor is taking a break on Florana, first mentioned as an ideal holiday destination in TV: Invasion of the Dinosaurs ^[+]Loading...["Invasion of the Dinosaurs (TV story)"] and first seen in PROSE: The Hungry Bomb ^[+]Loading...["The Hungry Bomb (short story)"].
• Hacker's borrowing of the the TARDIS in this story is reminiscent of River Song's use of it in TV: The Husbands of River Song ^[+]Loading...["The Husbands of River Song (TV story)"] although, unlike Hacker, River took the TARDIS without the Doctor's knowledge or permission.