In January 2021, a peculiar phenomenon known as the "Magic Marker Mystery" took the internet by storm. Social media platforms were flooded with videos and pictures of people using markers that seemingly changed colors on different surfaces. The concept was simple yet intriguing. Individuals would showcase their regular markers and demonstrate how they would appear as one color on paper but then transform into a completely different color when used on whiteboards, glass, or other surfaces. This unexpected phenomenon baffled many, sparking curiosity and widespread speculation. As the videos and pictures went viral, people began hypothesizing about the science behind this magical transformation.
The Magic Roundabout
A quirky and slightly surreal animated TV show with extremely memorable characters.
Story
The Magic Roundabout is a British children’s television series featuring the playful antics of the inhabitants of the magic garden. Its many colourful characters include Dougal the dog, Brian the snail, Dylan the rabbit, Ermintrude the cow, Florence, a polite little girl, and Zebedee, a talking jack-in-a-box, who ends every episode by announcing ‘Time for Bed’.
Why we chose it
In the 1960s and 70s The Magic Roundabout was a nightly fixture in British homes, with its distinctive barrel organ theme tune, delightfully pointless five-minute stories for the children, and touches of subtle political humour for their parents, waiting for the Six O’Clock News.
The characters are remembered with great fondness – motherly Ermintrude, hippy Dylan, business-like Brian, and world-weary Dougal, loosely based on much-loved comedian Tony Hancock. The series attracted large audiences and a cult following.
Where it came from
The Magic Roundabout used footage from a French stop motion animation by Serge Danot which the BBC thought charming but impossible to translate. Eric Thompson - actor, Play School presenter and father of actors Emma and Sophie Thompson – wrote and narrated entirely new stories to fit the visuals creating different names and personalities for the characters. To his surprise the series ran for 441 episodes from 1965 to 1977.
Where it went next
The shows were repeated for many years, selling books, records, videos and merchandise. In the 1990s and 2000s, 104 episodes were narrated by Nigel Planer and Jimmy Hibbert. In 2005 a computer generated film was made with a star cast and then developed into a television series. But none had the appeal of Danot’s stop motion or Thompson’s quirky humour.
Added on 20th August 2020
Creator and Director Serge Danot
Screenplay Eric Thompson
First shown 1964, BBC
Magic roundabout cow name
Considered by many the main player in the programme, Dougal even appears in his own film called "Dougal and the Blue Cat". Unbeknownst to many Dougal is actually a Maltese Terrier, he has two bad habits; turning around in circles and an addiction to sugar cubes. He considers himself to be the brains in the garden, is arrogant, appallingly rude and his favourite hobbies include upsetting Ermintrude and insulting Brian. That said, underneath it all he's a bit of a softie and he's the most popular character in the programme as much of the humour is derived from Dougal's daydreams, sarcastic wit and droll sense of humour (Thompson once said that Dougal owed a lot to Tony Hancock).
Read a Dougal story scripted by Thompson on the Dougal Story page.
Dougal quotes
Brian "Lead on small mollusc. "
Brian is the real brains of the outfit. Mostly affable he has been known to loose his temper. He credits others with more intelligence than himself and is often heard apologizing to Dougal unnecessarily. He can be dim-witted and sometimes agrees with the more ludicrous of the dogs' ideas. However after a slight pause he normally pipes up with a sentence beginning with something like "do you think" or "maybe we should.." and common sense prevails.
Read a Brian story scripted by Thompson on the Brian Story page.
Brian quotes.
Zebedee "Time for bed"
Zebedee is a Boingy thing originally described as a jack-in-the-box. Often he knows what is going to happen in advance. It is Zebedee who brings the magic back to the garden, and in times of chaos he restores order. The more outlandish story lines (a pink cow and a talking snail are completely normal) tend to occur because of his magic and he has the ability to turn himself into anything he chooses. He also heralds the end of episodes with the oft spoke catch phrase "time for bed".
As the videos and pictures went viral, people began hypothesizing about the science behind this magical transformation. Some believed it was the result of a previously unknown chemical compound, while others suspected it could be a breakthrough in color-changing technology. The mystery grew, and people eagerly awaited more information about the magic markers.
However, as the initial excitement subsided, skeptics started to question the authenticity of the videos. Many believed that the videos were either cleverly staged or edited with the use of various video editing techniques. They argued that it was merely an illusion created through clever camerawork and could not be replicated in real life. With the rising skepticism, people started experimenting with their own markers, hoping to uncover the secret behind the magic. To their disappointment, most were unable to replicate the color-changing effect, further casting doubt on the authenticity of the original videos. Eventually, it was revealed that the Magic Marker Mystery was, in fact, an elaborate hoax orchestrated by a group of skilled video editors and illusionists. The videos were carefully crafted to create the illusion of color-changing markers, using a combination of editing techniques, props, and sleight of hand. The revelation of the hoax disappointed many who had been captivated by the mystery, but it also served as a reminder to approach viral internet phenomena with a certain level of skepticism. It became a cautionary tale about the power of editing and the potential for deception in the digital age. The Magic Marker Mystery may not have been real, but it certainly sparked curiosity and entertained millions. While the mystery ultimately turned out to be a cleverly crafted illusion, it served as a reminder of the creativity and ingenuity that can be found on the internet, captivating audiences around the world..
Reviews for "Marker Magic: Creative Applications and Unconventional Uses for Magic Markers"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with Magic Marker Mystery. The story was incredibly predictable and lacked any real mystery or suspense. The characters were one-dimensional and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The writing itself was also lacking, with poor dialogue and awkward descriptions. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling mystery."
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Magic Marker Mystery was a complete waste of time. The plot was unoriginal and cliché, and the pacing was all over the place. The characters were poorly developed and seemed to lack any motivation or depth. The writing itself was lackluster, with flat dialogue and repetitive descriptions. I was hoping for an engaging mystery, but instead, I found myself bored and disinterested. I would not recommend this book to anyone."
3. Amanda - 2/5 stars - "I found Magic Marker Mystery to be quite underwhelming. The story felt forced and contrived, with twists that were predictable and uninspired. The characters were forgettable and lacked any real complexity. Additionally, the pacing was off, with moments of action followed by long periods of tedious exposition. Overall, I was let down by this book and would not recommend it to others."
4. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Magic Marker Mystery was a complete disappointment. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many unnecessary subplots that added nothing to the story. The characters were unlikable and unrealistic, making it hard to care about their outcomes. The writing was also subpar, with awkward sentence structure and repetitive descriptions. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell short of my expectations. I would not recommend it to anyone."
5. Emily - 2/5 stars - "While Magic Marker Mystery had an intriguing premise, the execution fell flat. The pacing was uneven, with slow chapters that lacked any real tension. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to invest in their stories. Additionally, the resolution of the mystery felt rushed and conveniently tied together. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it to mystery lovers."