The Unfriendly Giant
The Unfriendly Giant was a radio series in the late 80’s and early 90’s which was a parody of the Friendly Giant, a children’s TV show.
The Unfriendly Giant was created and performed by Tom Rivers, a radio DJ at CFRT Toronto, and his on air buddies, Erik Tomas and Doug Avery.
In the spring of 2004 I animated the only (to my knowledge) Unfriendly Giant cartoon: Health Day. After many kind e-mails requesting that I do more Unfriendly Giant cartoons, I finally finished my second cartoon, Safety Day, in the spring of 2006. I really wanted to finish my third cartoon in 2008, but it was delayed until 2009 when I put the finishing touches on Motorized Skateboard.
The Cartoons
Health Day
Safety Day
Motorized Skateboard
Motorized Skateboard (YouTube)
My Contact with ‘The Giant’, Tom Rivers
Before Tom’s death in November of 2004, I wrote him to tell him about my Unfriendly Giant cartoons. His response was quick and decidedly not unfriendly…
From: “Tom Rivers”
Date: Wed May 19, 2004 5:21:41 PM Canada/Eastern
To: Darren Foulds
Subject: Re: Unfriendly Giant CartoonHey, Darren, thanks for the Flash. What a hoot. Ya know that’s the way I see Unfrendly too. I sent the cartoon on to the other two guys in the series, they’ll get a kick out of it.
Once again thanks.
Tom ‘the Giant’ Rivers
More Unfriendly?
If you’re wondering where you can get audio copies of the show, or if you want to ask me for a copy of my tapes, my current reply right now is, “Sorry, no.”
Over the past few years, I’ve been able to talk with Tom’s family, co-workers and the rights-holders of the Unfriendly Giant show. But so far, it looks like there’s little interest in getting the Unfriendly Giant out there in any way. Some original tapes exist, it’s just a matter of convincing folks that it would be worth their while to make the episodes available to the fans.
If you’re really desperate for more Unfriendly, check out TheUnfriendlyGiant.com, and please note that while I did own this domain for a couple years, I no longer have any affiliation with it (besides my shared affinity for the Giant.)
Unfriendly Links
Here’s my compilation of Unfriendly Giant links:
- Canadian Communications Foundation: Tom Rivers’ Biography
- Tom Rivers Broadcast Video CFRT: Live UFG broadcast at 3:56
- 2007 Gemini Awards Sketch featuring Rusty and Jerome
- Remembering Tom Rivers
If you have any Unfriendly memories, stories or facts I should add to this page, please contact me.