Skippy pilot script: Spring the Bush Kangaroo

What's in a name? Would Skippy have become one of Australia's most popular TV exports if she was called 'Spring'? This 1966 script cover page for the pilot episode offers a fascinating insight into the early development of the show and reveals how close the beloved kangaroo came to having a different name. 'Jumpy' and 'Hoppy' were also reportedly considered; like 'Spring', these more generic names lack the distinctive charm of 'Skippy' and are less memorable. The pilot script was eventually retitled The Man from Space and ended up airing 36 episodes later. Eagle-eyed fans will spot quirky differences that hint it was made much earlier – Sonny (Garry Pankhurst) is younger, and there are unusual backdrop images in the closing credits.