For the theme tune alone, you must, you must, you must.

Maid Marian and Her Merry Men was such a great series. As much as I’m not much of a one for Christmassy, happy, joyful stuff these days, this makes me feel so happy.

So freaking happy.

Unlike a lot of kids’ shows, that are wonderful and marbled by nostalgia and the passing of the years, Maid Marian has stood the test of time. I’d watch it today. In fact, I probably will.

I think I’m right in saying that, when he wrote the series, Tony Robinson was father to young daughters, and so wrote it to have something funny for his children being, as they were, a bit young for Blackadder.

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In the first series of Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, there are many discussions about what makes something funny. There are many inventions of pub sports. And the brains behind the whole operation, the one who steals from the dastardly rich, gives to the poor, saves everyone and everything, and routinely has to rescue the menfolk, is Maid Marian.

A wonderful lesson in empowerment, when, traditionally, the women in kids’ programmes were mothers, aunties, princesses, Marion was tough and brave and clever. And had a great theme tune.