 | |
| Premiere | UK: 1999 - 2003 US: 2011 - 2013 |
| Network | ITV (CITV block) |
| Seasons | 4 |
| Episodes | 52 |
Scooch and Diggs in front of Carrie.
Bozer and Lug.
Jim Henson's Construction Site is a children's television series which ran in the UK from 1999 to 2003. Featuring animatronic puppets resembling machinery, the series focused on a group of friendly, talking construction vehicles. The show ran for four seasons; each episode was around ten minutes. 26 half-hour episodes were produced. In 2011, the show premiered in the United States. on KCET (the former Los Angeles PBS affiliate) as a part of their programming block "Captain Infinity Theatre" later renamed KCET Kids.
The series was a production between Jim Henson's Creature Shop and Jim Henson Television and was also the first production to be shot entirely with a Motion Control camera, meaning every motion control camera shot had to be timed and pre-recorded. The first two seasons were shot at the Creature Shop's own motion control studio at the Camden base, with the second two seasons shot at Millennium Studios in Elstree after the motion control camera had been acquired by them.
The fully animatronic characters were built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop in London and were performed live by puppeteers, who also voice the characters. Uniquely this is the first time that Henson's advanced animatronic techniques, traditionally used on feature films, were used on a pre-school television production. This is the only live-action children's show shot using a motion control rig camera - a technique that allows perfection of camera moves and in-camera action, and also sits the lens inches from the floor of the set, thereby creating the correct illusion of scale for the characters. Each character cost over $30,000 to produce with new techniques having to be developed to accommodate the vast number of servos in a small area and new silicon for the tires.
The series' premiere was covered on an episode of the CITV show Scoop during the filming of "Feeling Flat" (as lines and filming could be seen in the background), with then relatively-unknown actress Isla Fisher touring the set and the London Creature Shop while being followed by Flat Eric.
Construction Site was nominated for the Live Children's BAFTA award two years running.
Several clips from the series have been uploaded to the Jim Henson Company's YouTube channel and the complete series was available for viewing via Netflix's "Watch Instantly" Internet video streaming for a period of time.
Characters[]
| Picture | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Bozer the Bulldozer
Performed by Mark Jefferis |
 |
Carl the Tracked Crane
Performed by Mark Jefferis |
 |
Carrie the Forklift
Performed by Steven Kynman (Seasons 1 and 2), Susan Beattie (Season 3), & Wim Booth (Season 4), voiced by Charlotte Bellamy |
 |
Diggs the Backhoe Loader
Performed by Brian Herring |
 |
Lug the Haul Truck
Performed by Mak Wilson |
 |
Maxine the Concrete Mixer Truck
Performed by Steven Kynman (Seasons 1 and 2), Susan Beattie (Season 3), & Wim Booth (Season 4), voiced by Angie Greaves |
 |
Scooch the Front-End Dump Truck
Performed by Mak Wilson |
Episodes[]
Season 1[]
- 101: What I Do Best
When Diggs starts treating everyday jobs on the construction site as a competition, Bozer decides to introduce a real contest - the Machine Challengel: When Diggs loses the lifting challenge and the roll and dump, he starts to think that maybe he is no good at anything - until the speed loading that is: Winning that teaches the little digger that everyone is good at something.
- 102: What's the Plan?
The machines are laying out the site for a new park When Diggs and Scooch see the plans they figure they can save Bozer some time and just get on with it themselves. But when they manage to dig a perfectly good pond - in completely the wrong place - it's going to take some clever thinking to solve the problem before Bozer finds out.
- 103: Idle Time
When there's cement mix to be moved and Carrie's feeling fired up, nothing can stop her - nothing except a flat battery that is! Luckily it's Maxine that finds her when she's stuck out in the loading area because it's Maxine that knows what she needs - some idle time! Carrie soon learns that although it's always fun to race, sometimes it's even more fun to put your forks up and snooze. - 104: Listening Troubles
When Bozer tells Diggs that he's full of good ideas he thinks he'll share them with Scooch and Carrie. But it seems that Carrie's got a few good ideas of her own and they're soon disagreeing about just whose idea really is the best. It's not until Bozer points out that listening to others is often the source of the very brightest ideas that Diggs sees that his and Carrie's ideas are not so different after all.
- 105: There's No Place Like Home
Carl is preoccupied because he is missing the site where he was made. When he almost drops a sewer pipe on Diggs, the other machines decide to try and cheer him up. When he sees a little bit of 'Car World that they've recreated - including Lug dressed up a Gertie, his dump-truck friend from years gone by, Carl is quite overcome. When you're busy thinking about all your old friends, sometimes it takes a surprise to make you realize how important your new friends are.
- 106: Loud and Clear
Everybody's reversing warning is clear and impressive - everyone's except Scooch that is. When his voice is too quiet to stop Lug reversing into a hold he thinks that the older truck will never forgive him. However, once Bozer teaches him how to be loud and clear, Scooch turns out to be the one who saves Lug from a much worse fate.
- 107: Big Rig
Lug finds it easy to scoff when he sees the newer machines playing at being Big Rig - the superhero truck - everybody knows there is no such thing as "extra vroom". But when Bozer sends him to an unexplored dumpsite and he begins to sink into the unstable ground he soon finds out that there may be just a little bit of Big Rig in all of us.
- 108: Who's the Boss
Carrie thinks she'd make just as good a boss as Bozer and when he gives her the chance she's determined to prove it. But when the big stones she picks to make concrete jam Maxine's mixer it seems she may have been trying too hard. Bozer finds an answer to the problem but poor Carrie is feeling disappointed until he points out that all he's done is put her ideas into practice. She may not be a boss just yet... but one day she will be!
- 109: Start to Finish
Diggs, Carrie and Scooch are tired of the old machines always telling them what to do. So when Bozer gives them a whole job to complete all on their own, at first they're sure they can see it through. It all goes pretty well until Carrie lures her friends into a game of 'can't catch me'! They forget all about their work until the sire whistle blows. The job is not finished! But Bozer gives them another chance and this time they are going to make sure they earn a ten horn salute.
- 110: Feeling Flat
Scooch would like to find something he can do that Diggs can't. But when he tries to max out his maximum load all he ends up with is a flat tire. A little time spent alone at the tire port and a visit from his friend makes Scooch realize that he doesn't have anything to prove and that as far as the others are concerned he will always be a top truck.
- 111: Grown Up for a Day
When Diggs saves Carl from a nasty accident, the older machines decide it’s time he started hanging out with them. Even the chance to play with Carrie and Scooch can’t distract Diggs from his proud new position. Not until Lug and Carl start telling long, dull stories about past jobs that is! When he sees his friends enjoying a game of Hot Chunk, Diggs realizes there is plenty of time for growing up!
- 112: A Good Mixer
The new machines have a lot of bricks to move, so many in fact that Diggs thinks they could use a little help from Maxine. Trouble is, when Maxine gets excited she starts to mix. And what do you get if you mix bricks? Broken stones!! So it’s lucky that Bozer needs a load of gravel or they might just have found themselves in a load of trouble.
- 113: Look What I've Got
Diggs has a shiny new attachment and is very proud of it. That is until Bozer tells him it’s needed on an important new job and Diggs realizes that he doesn’t know what it does! Carl thinks it’s a Jibber and Lug thinks it a Dipper but no-one is really sure. When the job starts and it comes to Diggs’ turn it’s only by accident that he learns he’s got a Holer. He learns something important too – never throw away instructions!
Season 2[]
- 201: Carrie's Pallets
Carrie is a little jealous when the bigger machines get to landscape a new park so she decides to invent her own fork-lifting style. But Bozer thinks her spiral pallet piling is dangerous and when she stacks pavement stones for the park like a deck of cards disaster is not far away! It’s going to take some inspiration from Maxine to turn a useless pile of broken slabs into proof that there is room for a different way on a Construction Site.
- 202: One Little Word
Bozer gives Scooch the morning off so he’ll be rested for a big job in the afternoon. But when the other machines ask for his help, his rest turns into helping everyone else! As Maxine says - when you’re trying to dump dirt, carry scrap to the landfill, and stop Carrie being scared in the old warehouse all at the same time, there’s one little word that may come in handy - No!
- 203: Bozer's Boo Boo
When Diggs discovers that Bozer has accidentally dozed a load of gravel over some important bridge rods he faces a dilemma. With Carl stuck on the bridge, those rods need to be found soon - but how do you tell the boss that he's made a mistake? Of course, he might just be forgetting what kind of boss Bozer is.
- 204: Every Dumper's Dream
When Lug tells Scooch that grading a road on your own is what every dumper dreams of, the little dump truck decides to do a bit of solo grading himself. But Scooch soon finds himself in trouble and trapped on a mountain ledge. The only truck that might hear his cries is Lug but that means interrupting the grading and ending his dream. Scooch soon realizes that some dreams are a little bigger than others.
- 205: I'm Having Fun Now
Diggs' job doesn't seem as much fun as Carrie and Scooch's. Moving piles of stones from one place to another is just boring. But when Carrie takes Diggs' job over while he is having a break to put up some road signs he's soon jealous - especially when Carrie shows him that even boring jobs can be made exciting when you turn them into a game.
- 206: Mine All Mine
Bozer makes Diggs the team leader when the new machines get the job of clearing out an old mine. Unfortunately Digg's takes clearing a bit too far and tips out all the mine supports. He's sure that there's no time for thinking, trapped in the collapsed mine with the sounds of mine -monsters all around, but it's Scooch's thinking that gets them out in the end.
- 207: Silencers Are Golden
Carl and Lug have had a bit of a falling out and have even stopped talking to each other. Even though Bozer tells him it's better to leave them to sort it out on their own, Diggs can't stop himself trying to help them make up. It's the trouble he gets into while trying that just so happens to show the two old friends how much happier they can be when they work together.
- 208: Space Invaders
Scooch would like a bit more space in the idle house but Diggs and Carrie aren't giving an inch. But when he is the first to take up residence in the new site building, it's Scooch that ends up allocating space. And it's surprising just how much room a little dumper and his rock collection can take up.
- 209: Going Solo
While Bozer is off-site, Diggs, only half-listening to Maxine, thinks she has told him it's OK to do a job on his own. After all, he can dig and carry and dump so why shouldn't I get all the credit! Diggs however soon learns that teamwork is really the only way to get the job done properly.
- 210: Crane of the Year
Carl has to knock a chimney down on the site today, giving him a chance to show why he is nominated for Crane of the Year. But when, after 25 swings, he still hasn't hit it, he loses his confidence. It's going to take some serious coaching from Carrie to convince him that he is still in with a chance. In the end it's seeing her determination that makes him realize that the worst thing to be is a quitter.
- 211: Building Bozer
When Diggs overhears Bozer talking to himself, it seems that their beloved boss is going to be leaving. What can the construction machines present him with as a farewell gift? The land-fill site is chock full of bits and pieces that provide some artistic inspiration. But before building for a boss who is supposedly leaving, perhaps an eavesdropping digger should check his facts.
- 212: Emission Impossible
A new dump truck has come to the site - Sketch. He's so exciting and so much fun that Diggs and Carrie seem to be ignoring their old pal, Scooch. But when one of Skatch's games leaves them stranded without power, Diggs and Carrie discover what makes a true friend.
- 213: Frozen Bozer
It's very cold today and Bozer reminds the machines to put in their anti-freeze. Trouble is, he's so busy reminding everyone else that he forgets to put some in himself. Diggs, not wanting Bozer to be embarrassed is determined to put in some anti-freeze without anyone knowing, but sometimes when you're in a rush, it's hard to keep a secret.
Season 3[]
- 301: Cool Fuel
The machines must clear an old dumpsite to make way for a new car park in just one day. Bozer gives the machines a new batch of fuel as a treat but because Carrie is an electric machine she misses out - while the others enjoy their treat together Carrie worries because she is 'different’. But, when the new fuel turns out to be a bad batch and all the machines have to be cleaned out, it's down to Carrie alone to get the job done and save the day. As the others praise her for a job well done, she realizes that sometimes being different isn't so bad after all - 302: The Way of the Bodger
Diggs and Scooch are working on some foundations and are tired and fed up. When Maxine and Lug start to reminisce about their younger days when they would 'bodge' a job to get it done more quickly, Diggs believes he's on to a winner. On his next job he digs a very mediocre hole which Scooch then fills in -finishing the job in record time. When Bozer drives over to test the foundations and sinks however, Diggs quickly learns the merits of doing a job property. - 303: Big Bozer Is Watching
When Scooch spills some salt grit, Diggs fills his head with the notion that it is 'unlucky', so when Bozer tells them they are working on top of a very high building, Scooch is terrified. There is a camera feed from the top of the building to a TV below so Bozer asks Cart and Lug to keep an eye on the little machines. And they certainly make for some great viewing as Scooch's worst fears are realized when the lift malfunctions setting him up for a very bumpy ride! - 304: Truckmate
Diggs is jealous when Scooch chooses to work with Carrie instead of him. In an attempt to win back his friend's allegiance, Diggs performs his best Carrie voice while silhouetted behind some tarpaulin. 'Carrie' informs Scooch that in fact 'Diggs is the cleverest machine on the site, more so than Bozer even'. When Bozer and the real Carrie arrive, Diggs is exposed and given a stern telling off. But they do all agree on one thing, Diggs is very clever at doing voices. - 305: Out with the Old
Bozer tells the machines that it's "out with the old and in with the new," to Carl and Lug's chagrin. - 306: Junkyard
Diggs frightens Carrie and Scooch on a junkyard run with tales of a scary monster named "Truckzilla." - 307: Carnival Capers
On Maxine's mileage day, Bozer enlists the help of the others to organize a party to celebrate. - 308: Almost Famous
When Diggs, Carrie and Scooch dig a trench in the wrong place they think they've struck oil and dream of riches. - 309: Tread Carefully
Diggs wears some new, fashionable treads, but his quest for fashion leaves Scooch in a tight spot. - 310: A Riveting Story
Carrie and Diggs are scouting for rivets for their collections when Bozer tells everyone that today's job is to clear out an old dock. Carl is to lit the smaller machines into the dock to start the clearing. While in the dock, Carrie spots a trunk full of rivets and greedily tries to pick the whole lot up with her forks. Accidentally, she rams the side of the dock and water starts to pour in. After a heart stopping rescue by Carl, Carrie has to let her precious rivets go and learns the hard way that there is definitely a time for play and a time for work. - 311: Sunk
When the younger machines accidentally knock a load of oil drums into the dock they are too scared to own up to their mistake. They take Carl's hook to try and retrieve them but-things just get worse as the hook falls into the water as well. Meanwhile, Bozer is worried when he finds all the oil drums missing while Carl searches frantically for his hooky. The young machines have no choice but to tell Bozer what has happened and Carl successfully lifts all the drums out of dock, Everyone agrees it's better to own up to an accident straight, just as Bozer reverses into the drums sending the whole lot back into the water again! - 312: Mid-Mileage Crisis
One day as the younger machines play by the docks, Carl and Lug reflect on their own carefree youth. Lug decides that he's not ready for old age just yet and joins Diggs, Carrie and Scooch for some top gear fun. Carl and Maxine look on aghast while Lug initiates an overly enthusiastic round of Follow My Leader. When things get out of hand - resulting in total chaos - he realizes that while it was fun being the young and careless 'Lugster' the older and wiser "Lug' plays a more vital role on the Construction Site. - 313: One Roll at the Time
The machines are demolishing a beacon on the end of the jetty. Diggs discovers Bozer is scared of water, much to Bozer's embarrassment. In an effort to help him conquer his fear, Diggs reverses along the jetty, encouraging Bozer to follow him. But Carl accidentally catches the jetty with his hook and it starts to collapse. Bozer manages to overcome his fear in time to rescue Diggs. Afterwards, Bozer finds out all the other machines are all scared of something too and it's really nothing to be embarrassed about after all.
Season 4[]
- 401: Parp Idle!
Due to a wall of ice that Carl can't even shift, the machines get stuck on a slippery mountain road. - 402: Safe and Sound
Working in the snowy mountains, Diggs chooses to engage in some dangerous thrills rather than put safety first. - 403: Testing Behaviour
It's time for the CCT (Construction Certificate Test) and Carrie's convinced she won't pass. - 404: Days of Blunder
A site scattered with materials inspires Diggs to turn it into an obstacle course, and Scooch wonders if he's up to the challenge. - 405: Star Truck
When the young machines decide to tell stories, Scooch shows that sometimes the smallest truck has the biggest imagination. - 406: Whodunnit
The machines are shocked to find that during the night the new multistory parking garage they were building has been destroyed. - 407: Fog
The young machines procrastinate on a job, and pay the price when a thick fog rolls in. - 408: If Trucks Could Fly
When a daredevil dump truck comes to town, Scooch is thrilled to find out that Lug used to be one himself. - 409: Magno-Carrie
Carrie doesn't understand how to work her flashy new recharger—so Diggs takes charge, despite the fact he has no idea what he's doing. - 410: Hi-Pitched Bozer
Bozer returns from a servicing only to find that his deep voice has changed and is now high and squeaky. - 411: Carl Wash
Carl's inventions are legendary...for being a disaster. And when he unveils his new Carl Wash, the young machines are his test dummies. - 412: Don't Panic!
Bozer goes off site and leaves Carl in charge—which always leads to total chaos. So Maxine steps in to help. - 413: Call of the Forest
Despite Bozer's warnings; Diggs plays a prank on Scooch, encouraging him to pursue the mysterious "call of the forest."
Credits[]
Concept art for the characters, with several alternate names.
- Writers: Jocelyn Stevenson, Laura Beaumont, Marc Seal, Paul Larson, P. Kevin Strader
- Directors: Simon Spencer, Mak Wilson, Dirk Campbell, John Stephenson
- Music: Ed Welch