We all dream of having the best school possible for our children - one that nourishes their curiosity, makes them eager to learn, provides them with the technological, intellectual and human tools and prepares them for the future in store.
We all dream of having the best school possible for our children - one that nourishes their curiosity, makes them eager to learn, provides them with the technological, intellectual and human tools and prepares them for the future in store.
RJ is sitting on a stool, working on his jet pack. His toolbag is open beside him. The engine suddenly starts up completely effortlessly! A breeze!! It retracts its landing gear and takes off. Rocket Jo just manages to jump off his stool in time to grab hold of the moving machine.
Rocket Jo tries to shift the engine starter lever towards him, in vain. It seems to be stuck. He concentrates hard then tugs with all his might. But still nothing happens! Now he tries with both hands. This time, the lever shifts and the wire flows free.
Rocket Jo has decided to customize his jet pack. He’s fitted it with a sexy sound system, including booming bass, and huge aluminum wings. RJ is showing off big time, to the repetitive deafening thuds of techno music.
Rocket Jo tugs on the starter wire. A jacked-up platform duly appears beneath him, sending him downwards, into the floor. A trapdoor shuts over the top of him. When Rocket Jo pulls the starter wire, the radio (placed behind the headrest for this episode) throws out pieces of toast.
Instead of tautening, starting up the engine and automatically winding back up again, the starter cable just hangs there, lifeless. True to his inquisitive, adventurous self, Rocket Jo keeps pulling it relentlessly. In next to no time, he has several meters’ worth of wire, gathered at his feet!
Rocket Jo thrusts the starter lever and disappears out of the frame. A change of background and time period ensues:: now, we find ourselves in a jungle, in the Jurassic period. Rocket Jo reappears; he looks around the place, an expression of confusion on his face.
Rocket Jo starts up his jet pack. Suddenly, we hear what sounds like water simmering in a kettle. RJ furrows his brow: yet another anomaly is occurring! Definite boiling water sounds can now clearly be heard. The jet pack is gurgling loudly! Rocket Jo bends round to check out the tailpipe.
The trampoline is starting to buckle, scarred by a succession of structural collapses! Rocket Jo is starting to feel frustrated but ideas are still coming!
Rocket Jo is standing in front of his trampoline wearing roller-skates. His little finger is up in the air, testing the wind direction. Then he does a few gymnastic movements past the camera.
Our pilot friend is busy working on some mysterious task, walking backwards and forwards carrying wood and tools. We hear sawing and hammering SFX off-screen. Then, in the background, we see a scaffold being erected in speeded-up mode.
Rocket Jo pulls on the starter lever. But, for some strange reason, the engine’s tailpipe retracts!
Rocket Jo comes on stage. His face is sun-tanned, except for white sunglass-shape marks around his eyes: he’s just got back from a skiing vacation. And yet he seems down in the dumps! It’s only when he turns to face the camera that we realize he’s broken his arm (it’s in plaster).
The jet pack takes off without Rocket Jo! He stares up at the sky, a dazed look on his face. A few seconds later, various pieces of the dismantled jet pack start raining down, one by one – the engine, then the turbine blades, next the reactor, then the steering levers.
Just as Rocket Jo is trying to get the engine to start up, a bird keeps attacking him! There’s no way he can just ignore it: the winged beast just keeps nose-diving and pecking him! RJ has no choice but to “down tools” until this invasion is handled. This time, the bird flies over to him with a twig sticking out of its beak.
Rocket Jo is dwarfed by a giant airliner engine, perched on his back! He starts it up. The engine roars and our little friend starts running as fast as he possibly can. After a few moments, his feet start pedaling in mid-air as he takes off.
Rocket Jo tugs the wire and – quite astonishingly - disappears! (author's note: this action is accompanied by a “Pop!” sound) Barely two seconds later, he reappears in the background. Jo is baffled. He pulls on the “starter” wire again, only to find himself projected back to where he started originally!
Rocket Jo has modernized his Jet Pack! He now has a fancy button on his belt buckle, to man the steering levers. He swaggers IN, showing off his sexy new technology: he clicks the button (“BEEP” SFX), he switches on the radio.
Rocket Jo is staring at the camera, standing stoically like a soldier on duty, with his arms crossed and his chest sticking out. The mechanical arms of his jet pack automatically open out and start spinning very fast.
Yessss!! Rocket Jo has taken off – at long, long last!!! He’s been trying for this moment for so long that he’s determined to see what his machine is made of! Tailspins, loop-the-loops and barrel rolls ensue as our favorite pilot plays the "Top Gun" card.
Rocket Jo turns up on the stage with a huge engine on his back. It’s a jet plane engine that he’s revisited and hooked up to his jet pack. It’s been painted white; the fins, tail and nose have been painted red; and big eyes have been placed on each side.
Rocket Jo has managed to take off! But now, the engine is spitting out flames, setting fire to the pilot’s legs! Rocket Jo hastily unties the straps attaching him to the Rocket Pack and lands clumsily on his butt, on the floor.
RJ has managed to take off. He is rising up through the air when the phone rings! He comes back down to land, looking seriously grumpy. When he picks up the phone, he hears a stranger laughing, down the line; but the person hangs up on him just as fast!
Rocket Jo tugs on the starter lever but the turbine refuses to kick off. He repeats the operation but still nothing happens. He gets so annoyed that he starts pulling the lever in a non-stop frenzy. Suddenly, Rocket Jo stiffens, his face turns as white as a sheet and he lets out a stifled whine as his heart gives up the ghost!
Rocket Jo tugs on the starter lever with all his might but it seems to be stuck. All of a sudden, his arm slackens and his wrist goes flying off, whistling like a rocket, with flames spewing out of its “tail”. Rocket Jo watches it flying away, disbelieving. Suddenly, we hear a window pane smashing off screen. This is followed up by a dog barking and police sirens. One-handed Rocket Jo runs away!
RJ has pulled on the starter wire. The jet pack takes off suddenly, amid a frightening din. The movement is so violent that it leaves half the pilot’s body on the ground, behind it! All that’s left of Rocket Jo is his legs wearing his green underpants with pink stars!
Rocket Jo shows the camera his jet pack, fitted with two solar panels. The experiment seems to be proceeding beautifully: Rocket Jo takes off! But a cloud drifts over, gradually blocking out the sunlight; the pilot lowers gradually down until he finally reaches the ground.
Our flying friend has got the jet pack started. Exhilarated by the sound of the motor, he pushes it full-thrust. The turbines scream and flames lick the ground. RJ is so euphoric that he repeats the operation, making the machine roar even harder.
The jet pack has been stood on its base. We hear a dull, repetitious sound in the distance. The jet pack vibrates more and more as the sound draws nearer. Now the sound starts to become more discernible, as giant’s footsteps!
The jet pack comes to rest on its landing gear. Then, a “mini” Rocket Jo makes his entrance. Despite being discouraged by the fact that the comparative size of his engine (5 times bigger than him!), he decides to climb it.
The jet pack is all fired up: sparks are coming out of the electrical appliances (phone and radio,etc.) and seams in the fuselage. Short-circuit spitting sounds can be heard. The lamp starts to blink erratically.
As soon as RJ pulls on the ignition lever, a barrel organ emerges from a hatch in the jet pack. Fairground music fills his ears. Next, fireworks shoot out every which way, sparkling fountains rain down and confetti and soap bubbles spew out left and right. A very crestfallen Rocket Jo slinks away, each step accompanied by the beat of a bass drum.
RJ’s jet pack starts up beautifully but then promptly SHOOTS backwards! Jo is visibly stressed, led in a merry dance by his engine! Next, the machine comes to a stop, parallel to the ground, and starts spinning very fast, almost ejecting its pilot in the process!
Rocket Jo is just about to take off when the phone rings. It’s his mom! We hear her peremptory voice through the receiver. The two characters babble to each other (in what resembles Italian). Annoyed at having been interrupted mid-takeoff, RJ manages to end the conversation politely
Rocket Jo tugs at the starter wire then gets into “take-off position”. A blank expression adorns his face as he waits for the reactor to start up. All of a sudden, the character dislocates into a pile of spare parts.
The engine is purring over. Rocket Jo grabs hold of the levers. The engine roars and puffs of smoke pour out of the tailpipe as Rocket Jo gives it some thrust! He bursts out laughing, loving the din, then decides to repeat the operation. He’s hungry for more noise, more smoke! Rocket Jo is beside himself with joy at the prospect of it!
Rocket Jo has grafted a big wing to the propeller to improve its performance. But it starts spinning as soon as the engine is switched on. It spins so fast that the machine dislocates!
Rocket Jo’s jet pack is running on gamma now! He pushes a button on the belt buckle and the machine starts purring like a computer that’s starting up. But then, a fluorescent green flash fills the screen, accompanied by a deafening BOOM!
The days of the coal-fired jet pack are over! Rocket Jo has decided be innovative by creating an engine that plugs directly in to the power supply! All he needs to do is pull out an electric cable, plug it into a floor socket and push a little “ON/OFF” button.
This episode consists of four sketches following on one after the other, depicting a string of false starts. First sketch: overflowing gas in the engine causes a fire. Rocket Jo lifts a few centimeters off the ground but huge flames suddenly start coming out of the engine! He brings it back down to land.
Rocket Jo notices that water is pouring out of the engine’s tailpipe instead of flames! The liquid floods the stage then, within 10 seconds, the whole place looks like the set of “Waterworld”! RJ is floating in the middle of the screen, with little fish swimming nonchalantly by. Suddenly… DA DA DAAAA!!, we catch sight of a big, dark shark shadow, right behind him!
Ah, this is it: Rocket Jo is finally taking off! He flips through the air, through a big bank of clouds, then goes flying off with this engine full thrust. A stream of acrobatics ensues: spirals, nosedives, barrel rolls, loop-the-loops, etc.
This time, when Rocket Jo pulls on the start lever, a little plastic cup falls out of the tailpipe then the whirring sound of a coffee machine starts up! Rocket Jo glances at the camera, a look of suspicion on his face.
Rocket Jo is about to grab the starter cable. But, much to his surprise, it just slips out of his hand, hissing like a snake! It’s Impossible to grab, moving around like a gymnastic mechanical reptile! Rocket Jo tries again but, this time, gets bitten on his head!
Rocket Jo is working on his jet pack when, all of a sudden, it starts up and takes off totally against his will. A wild chase ensues, followed by a crazy rodeo, then a “battle to the death”, in true bullfighting style. Our man emerges from the brawl triumphant and proud.
Rocket Jo is standing in front of us, ready to embark on a new trial. True to his obsessive perfectionism, he adjusts his rearview mirror one last time. The lamp’s articulated arm lowers unexpectedly, with a plaintive metallic whine.
Rocket Jo turns up on stage with a jet pack from another era. It looks like something out of some fandangled space conquest project cooked up by the military (think “The Right Stuff”), or some 1950s Sci-Fi movie.
When Rocket Jo tugs on the start-up wire, a bunch of chintzy magician’s scarves appear. An off-screen audience applauds. But RJ waves his hand at the audience, as if to say “No, no! I’m not a magician: I’m a pilot!”
Corneil builds a highly intelligent robot. When he tells Bernie the robot can do anything, Bernie has an idea: perhaps it will be able to help him with his detention assignment. Bernie “borrows” the robot and sneaks it into the school… what could possibly go wrong?
Bernie has been saving his dogsitting wages to buy the latest games console but has accidentally lost the money. Corneil is so impressed that Bernie has been saving up that he offers to help Bernie earn more money, he even goes so far as to offer to get a job… until Bernie signs them up at the local talent agency as a ventriloquism act that is!
A lawyer informs Bernie that Corneil is the beneficiary of an eccentric millionairess’ will. Bernie is over the moon and starts working out what they are going to spend the money on. Corneil is sure there has been a mistake and is determined to find the rightful heir to the fortune.
Bernie is taking Julie to the school dance. That is, until he trips and breaks his leg. He decides not to tell Julie about his accident, in case she decides to go to the dance with someone else instead. Bernie is convinced she will never find out about his broken leg if he is clever… and has Corneil on hand to help him out.
Romeo is freaked out when the living room at John and Beth’s is tidied up while they are all in the kitchen. Bernie tells him not to worry, it’s only the ghost that haunts the apartment. Martha is sceptical and wants to see the ghost for herself. But will the ghost appear? And who will be most scared?
Uncle Rico is ill so asks Bernie to go and see old Mr Henson at the retirement home on his behalf. Bernie is reluctant but Corneil insists he do this one good deed. Mr Henson tells Corneil and Bernie that he knows all about their secret. He couldn’t have overheard Corneil talking could he? He said he was as deaf as a post! Or do the pair have another little secret they haven’t told anyone about?
Corneil is an ardent admirer of the opera singer Carmen Pavarota. His admiration becomes fanatical after meeting her: he gets all her CD’s, prints pictures of her off the internet, he even tries to style his hair like hers. When John and Beth give Bernie two tickets to her concert and ask him to take Corneil with him, Corneil is thrilled. Bernie, on the other hand, isn’t: it’s the same night as a big football match, and his favourite player is playing. What will they do?
Everyone is talking about the TV sitcom “The Dog Sitter Show” about a dog sitter and his goofy dog. The show is going to come off air for a while as the dog has been taken ill. Bernie suggests Corneil stand in as a replacement. Amazingly he gets the part. Corneil quickly makes his mark on the show, ensuring the dog sitter is the victim of every gag instead of him.
Bernie finds Corneil’s diary and wants to read it to see what Corneil has written about him. Corneil won’t let him. Bernie is determined to find out what Corneil has written in his diary and will go to any lengths to do so.
Corneil keeps talking in his sleep; he is terrified of dozing off in public and revealing his secret. That evening he discovers that John and Beth have decided to decorate his room so he has to sleep with them. Bernie tells him he’ll have to stay awake all night. The next day Corneil is unable to find a quiet spot on his own to catch up on his sleep. He needs to find out why he has suddenly started sleep talking…
Corneil overhears Romeo talking on the phone and tells Bernie what he heard. Romeo is amazed when Bernie guesses the top secret purchase he has made. Bernie laughs it off, claiming to be telepathic. Martha challenges him to prove his powers. Bernie is determined not to lose face in front of his friends and turns to Corneil for help.
John is planning a surprise romantic dinner to celebrate his and Beth’s wedding anniversary but is too busy to organise it. Bernie offers to take care of everything for him. When Corneil hears about Bernie’s past efforts at party organisation he is worried and suggests he cook the evening’s meal. What could possibly go wrong?
Corneil is upset to read that dogs only come tenth in a poll of the most highly evolved living beings. He signs up to the study currently being undertaken to back up this claim. Corneil is amused to see his competitors are nothing more than a monkey and a cat… it’s going to be a piece of cake to prove dogs are of a superior intelligence… or is it?
Bernie has been given detention for bad grades at school. He has brought Corneil along with him to keep him company. When Corneil solves a difficult chemical equation, Bernie is mistakenly credited with it and hailed as a genius… and his troubles really begin. Will Corneil be able to get him out of this mess?
It is Christmas. Corneil is dismayed when he sees a stray dog being taken to the pound. He frees the dog and he and Bernie return it to it’s rightful owner. The ecstatic girl tells Bernie he’s like a Santa Claus for animals… this gives Bernie an idea: he makes himself a “Santa Man” costume. His mission: to save lost dogs from the pound and return them to their rightful homes. And he’s even made a costume for Corneil: Santa Dog!! Things start to go wrong on their very first mission…
Bernie has set up his own radio station, with Corneil as his reluctant assistant. Bernie is depressed because it doesn’t sound as if anyone is listening to his show. Corneil tries to help Bernie, but things quickly spiral out of control as Corneil gets a taste for life as a radio DJ…
Corneil is worried when a baby’s pram suddenly appears in the flat, it can only mean one thing, John and Beth are expecting a baby. Bernie warns Corneil his days with John and Beth are numbered, people just don’t trust dogs round their babies. Corneil and Bernie go all out to prove Corneil would never be a threat to their future baby. But is it all in vain?
Corneil and Bernie are staying with Bernie’s cousins in the country. Bernie breaks their tractor while trying to help out. Corneil thinks he might be able to fix the broken machinery with Bernie’s help, but Bernie has other ideas…
Bernie, with a little help from Corneil, has managed to get himself a day’s work experience at the local police station. Unfortunately it only involves filing, but it isn’t long before Bernie manages to get himself, and Corneil, implicated in an investigation.
Bernie has been challenged to a freestyle showdown on his scooter by Rudy, the self proclaimed King of Freestyle. Corneil refuses to let Bernie risk life and limb over it, trying various methods of persuasion. To no avail. Will Bernie go through with the challenge, or back out at the last minute?
Corneil refuses to go on the new “Crazy Caterpillar” roller coaster despite Bernie’s pleas. But Corneil has an idea when Mrs Hamber, a friend of John and Beth’s, comes to visit with her dog, who is the spitting image of Corneil… Bernie is worried about Corneil’s odd behaviour when he takes him out for walk later that day, it couldn’t have anything to do with that little bump on the head he had earlier could it? Or might there be another reason?
John and Beth have gone away on vacation but miss Corneil so much they ring Bernie and ask him to bring Corneil to join them. There’s only one slight problem: Corneil reveals he has a phobia of flying. A fear that is not helped when the pilots mysteriously fall asleep mid flight…
Bernie’s cousins from the country are in town for a fair. John and Beth are away and Corneil has reluctantly agreed to let Bernie’s cousins stay with him. Only they prove to be rather difficult house guests… will Corneil be able to get rid of them and tidy the house before John and Beth return?
Bernie and Corneil are on vacation with John and Beth. Bernie is fed up of Corneil constantly contradicting everything he says. When Corneil tells Bernie the souvenir he has just bought is a fake, and not a relic from a nearby temple, it is the last straw. Bernie is determined to prove Corneil wrong, whatever the consequences.
There are strange goings on in the neighbouring apartment block and Corneil is convinced he has seen a vampire. Initially Bernie doesn’t believe him, until he sees the vampire with his own eyes. The police don’t believe their story so Corneil and Bernie set out to prove it…
Bernie is in trouble at school, the principal wants to see his uncle to talk about his attitude. Uncle Rico is determined to help his nephew see his education through, especially as he didn’t – something he regrets to this day. Corneil and Bernie need to come up with a way of getting Uncle Rico to convince the principal she should keep Bernie on at school.
Aunt Bertha has come to stay to recover from the shock of her sister moving to Australia taking Bobby, her poodle, with her. Aunt Bertha loved her sister’s little dog with a passion. She quickly transfers her affection to Corneil, who basks in all the extra attention… until she starts confusing him with the absent Bobby. How can he convince her to leave?
Corneil has had enough of Bernie’s lies, especially when he claims John and Beth said he could have their invite to a celebrity party before they went away. Corneil rips up the invitation, only to discover that Bernie was telling the truth for once. Corneil needs to find a way to get Bernie into this party to make amends, but will he have to lie to do so?
Bernie asks Corneil to apply on his behalf to take part in the TV adventure game show “Jungle Panic”. He is accepted, on the condition that he brings Corneil with him! Will Corneil and Bernie survive a week on a desert island and can Corneil outsmart the other competitors without getting caught on camera?
Corneil wishes he could join Martha’s poetry club. Bernie agrees to join the club on his behalf. The initiation test for club entry is tough, but with Corneil’s help, Bernie manages to sail through it. Corneil is thrilled when Bernie is accepted as a member, but the club does not live up to Bernie’s expectations…
Bernie is in trouble with his uncle again. And he’s especially worried this time as it’s nearly his birthday and he might not get a present! Corneil offers to help Bernie get back into his uncle’s good books. Perhaps a camping trip in the country would do the trick?
Bernie takes Romeo up on his challenge of a dog race between Corneil and Romeo’s racing greyhound. When Corneil wins the race, Bernie gets carried away and signs Corneil up for the canine grand prix that weekend. Corneil refuses to run in the race, but can Bernie change his mind?
Bernie finds a stray cat in the street and persuades John and Beth to give it a home. Corneil soon sees the cat for the troublemaker it really is, but can he convince the others, or do they just think Corneil is jealous?
Corneil needs a trim. Bernie offers to take him to see his Aunt Gina, who has just opened a new salon – for humans! She is persuaded to trim Corneil instead and tells them to come back the next day. Poor Corneil is terrified, Gina is terrible at cutting human hair, and he dreads to think what she will do to him. But how bad is Gina really at cutting hair?
Corneil has created “Eau de Corneil” cologne. He tries it out on Bernie, it has an amazing effect on the girls at school. Corneil decides to market his perfume, but Bernie tries to persuade him otherwise, how will he compete if everyone else is wearing the cologne too? He goes out of his way to ensure “Eau de Corneil” is never marketed.
Bernie rings Corneil from school asking him to meet him down there as soon as possible – there’s an emergency! Bernie tells Corneil that the school principal has confiscated a tape showing Corneil talking. They must get the tape back at all costs. But Bernie hasn’t exactly told Corneil the whole truth…
Bernie decides he can make his fortune using Corneil as a dog model. He secretly takes pictures of Corneil for a portfolio and sends it off. Corneil is chosen to model the latest doggy fashions at a catwalk show. Corneil is appalled when he sees what he is expected to wear and only agrees to walk down the runway on one condition…
Bernie walks into a lamppost and is knocked out. When he comes to in hospital he has lost his memory and is amazed when he discovers Corneil can talk. When he tells the doctors who decided to keep him in hospital until the hallucinations stop. Bernie is determined to prove Corneil really can talk. Can Corneil prevent his secret from being exposed?
Corneil and Bernie are in the music store when Corneil wanders off. Bernie thinks Corneil has been kidnapped when he sees a similar looking dog being driven off in a car. John and Beth call the police, who promise to lock the culprit up behind bars. When Corneil returns home from the store, Bernie is worried he’ll be sent to prison. He comes up with a plan to ensure he is made to look like a hero… until Corneil makes a few minor changes to it!
John and Beth have gone on vacation. Corneil is staying with Bernie. Corneil is having trouble settling in to a different way of life. Not only is he expected to sleep in a dog basket in the living room, but he is given tinned dog food to eat! Bernie is determined not to give in to Corneil’s demands.
Corneil has fallen head over paws in love with Beauty, the poodle that lives downstairs. He tries to convince Bernie to go out on a date with Caroline, the poodle’s owner so he can spend time with his love, but to no avail. That is, until Bernie sees Caroline once she has had a make over, but suddenly Corneil isn’t so sure about his feelings for Beauty.
Bernie is determined to prove to the other kids at school that aliens really do exist and persuades Corneil to dress up as one. When Romeo tells the whole school about his encounter with an extra terrestrial the next day, Bernie is furious to be left out of the limelight and takes things just that little bit too far…
Corneil and Bernie have gone to visit Bernie’s cousins in the country. Corneil finds it difficult to adapt to the country way of life, dogs live outside in kennels and definitely don’t eat at the dinner table! He has another shock: they expect him to guard the farm against the coyote. How will Corneil cope?
Corneil needs a trim. Bernie offers to take him to see his Aunt Gina, who has just opened a new salon – for humans! She is persuaded to trim Corneil instead and tells them to come back the next day. Poor Corneil is terrified, Gina is terrible at cutting human hair, and he dreads to think what she will do to him. But how bad is Gina really at cutting hair?
Corneil persuades Bernie to take him along on the school archaeological dig. When Corneil digs up a dinosaur bone, Bernie claims the find as his own. Corneil comes up with an ingenious way to prove he was behind the discovery, and get his own back on his dogsitter at the same time.
John and Beth are planning a sailing vacation and want to take Corneil and Bernie with them. Corneil confides in Bernie, he doesn’t want to go on this cruise as he can’t swim. Bernie decides to teach him. After all, how difficult could it be?
John and Beth have gone to the opera. Corneil is waiting for Bernie in John’s office when a burglar enters through the open window and steals a valuable painting. The experience leaves Corneil traumatised and terrified of being left alone. Drastic steps must be taken to cure Corneil…
Corneil is upset about the way dogs are treated, they are not even allowed in some places. When Mrs Solo, the neighbour, hits him over the head with her umbrella, it is the final straw. He decides to take her to court. Corneil prepares a strong case for the hardships dogs suffer and Bernie promises to do everything he can to help… what could go wrong?
Corneil and Bernie are out hiking when they come across a TV news crew in the middle of nowhere. Two potholers have gone missing and they must be saved before the geyser goes off in the not at all distant future. Bernie’s offer of help is bluntly refused but the prospect of fame and glory is too much for Bernie… he is determined to save the potholers come hell or high water. Lucky for him he has Corneil with him to save the day.
The rise and rise of the Fabulous Dorsey brothers is charted in this whimsical step down memory lane, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey play themselves in this vehicle for their excellent music. From being raised by their father who insists on them learning music, to the split that just saw their careers rise even further.
