Berry Christmas 2006

George on ABC News

This time last year, George was a shadowy figure lurking among the ‘Top Secret’ projects of a small Norwich
media company, Televirtual. In the Berry World, their chief credential is that they gave Luke his first job - and after a year, he is still there, as Lead Designer (well, there isn't another one). George is the brains behind the brilliant UK Artificial Intelligence Rollo Carpenter (or is it the other way round?), who in 2006 won the international Loebner Prize for the second year running, as the most life-like computer programme.

This time last year, George was only a database - part of a huge speech-learning programme called Jabberwacky. Then along came Luke and he got a face and a body (no legs yet...)

Always at the forefront of breaking news, last year’s Christmas Issue of News of the Berry World released one of the first photos of George ever to appear in the British Press. At the end of a busy year, George, now a minor digital celebrity, has featured in the Sunday Times, Guardian, Independent, and appeared on BBC News, Channel 4 News and ABC News in America. George also appeared at the Norwich Festival of Science, and was interviewed on Radio 1 by Chris Moyles! Rumour has it that George is heading up Norfolk's Digital Challenge Bid. You read it here first!

George links
See George, and speak to him by typing at: person.jabberwacky.com/george and you can do the same with his twin brother Harry here

There is a press list of George's various appearances at: www.jabberwacky.com/j2presspr
Including, most recently:
http://en.epochtimes.com/news/6-12-3/48907.html
And he is representing Britain here!

Scurvy Rascals Bomb at Baftas

In 2006, Pirate Mania swept the world, Johnny Depp started it (Pirates of the Caribbean) and most silly people now know that this year,  September 19th was International Talk Like a Pirate Day [www.talklikeapirate.com].

Spotting early on that Harry Potter is ‘so last year’, London-based animation company Blue Zoo has shamelessly exploited this wave of piracy, with new stars Sharkbait, Smelly Pete and Sissy Le Poop being silly on TV in several countries (not UK yet, except on their website), AND scooping accolades at The British Animation Awards and Promax. They also appeared on Steve Wright’s Radio 2 programme.

The adventures of these unlikely heros, who eshew real treasure in favour of seeking out pants (!) are documented in a series of cartoon shorts: Those Scurvy Rascals (Technical Director, Mr Sam Berry). (Hmmm.. maybe that should read cartoon boxer shorts?) Anyway, nominated for a Bafta in November this year, the pirates failed to clinch the ultimate prize - not surprising as they are still a bit of a well-kept secret in this country - but rumour has it they did pick up a nice pair of Long John’s underwear…

Essential links
www.thosescurvyrascals.com (watch a video)
www.blue-zoo.co.uk
www.myspace.com/thosescurvyrascals