La lucarne d'Amilcar (partially found French children's TV block; 1987-1989)
Mina (Karen Cheryl) with puppet Amilcar.
Status: Partially Found
La lucarne d'Amilcar ("Amilcar's skylight" in French) was a French-Luxembourgish children's TV block. It contained many sitcom-like skits with human characters appearing alongside puppets, while showcasing cartoons.
It was created by Jean Chalopin and hosted by singer Karen Cheryl.
It originally aired on now-defunct Luxembourg TV channel RTL Télévision in 1987, and then on French channel M6, from 1987 until 1989.
Premise
Karen Cheryl is mischievous and kind-hearted fairy Mina, and hangs around in an attic where an old grumpy parrot called Amilcar lives.
Other puppet characters include three mice, and a large dark hairy monster (played by a person in a suit) called "Groslais" ("Big Ugly") who, despite his scary appearance, is kind and noble.
Other human characters include an astronaut called Eric played by Eric Galliano and a "Pierre Gédéon" played by François Arambu.
Cast
Puppeteers included Claude Bordier, Jean Godement, Christian Dugas , Josette Stein and Sophie Pellegri.
The show was shot during 4 or 5 months during winter in Luxembourg.
Cartoons aired
- The Care Bears (1985-1988), as Les Bisounours
- Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling (1985-1986), as Les Catcheurs du Rock
- The Littles (1983-1985), as Les Minipouss
- Pole Position (1984)
Gallery
Eric, Mina and Groslais in a promotion photo.
A mouse, Mina and Groslais in another promotion photo.
Record of the theme music.
Availability
Only two short clips have resurfaced online.
On nostalgia website Casimirland, an user has claimed to have about 50 episodes on VHS, back in 2009. However, they didn't share them, being more interested into trading them for other rare shows.
Videos