Something Special

Ladies and gents, perhaps the bravest man in television.
No joke.

Something Special is another CBeebies show that has caught Arya's attention. Presented by Justin Fletcher and produced by former special educational needs teacher Allan Johnston, in association with the Makaton charity (which promotes the use of Makaton signing as a communication aid for chidren with learning and communication developmental difficulties). Running for more than a decade now, with some slight changes in format, it was created to promote inclusion as well as teaching and demonstrating Makaton.

Notably, veteran children's broadcaster Fletcher (also appearing on CBeebies in Justin's House and Gigglebiz) has absolutely thrown himself into the programme. He works closely on the show with children with a great range of physical and developmental disabilities, and post-Saville is basically one malicious law suit away from prison and lynching at any time. I think he's pretty awesome.

Each show has Justin interacting with children on location somewhere (ranging from a canoeing lake to the Manchester City stadium), and looking for three special things requested by Mr Tumble (Fletcher), a clown who lives in Tumbletown with a group of relatives and friends (all also Fletcher) and who sends pictures of the things Justin has to find in his spotty bag, which is transported by magic. It's actually kind of trippy, but amazing too.

When a special thing is being sought, it's shown on screen (not hidden or anything) and the audience encouraged in a short rhyme to 'wave or cheer' if they see it. Arya has learned to do so, despite the lack of an audible prompt.