A new puppet show produced by Vancouver’s Queen Bee Productions will debut on CBC Playground’s kids block on Jan. 15.

Aimed at preschoolers, Scoop and Doozie examines the exploits of an excavator (Scoop), a bulldozer (Doozie) and a dump truck named Axel who live and work in the Cobb family’s backyard.

Taped at CBC Vancouver Studios, the Queen Bee production in association with CBC Television is exec produced by Romney Grant. Head writer Vicki Grant oversees the creative direction.

In other west coast CBC news, a new eight-part comedy series The 11th Hour has commenced production for CBC Television British Columbia. Produced by Vancouver’s Forefront Entertainment and described as a parody of entertainment/lifestyle programs the show is written by Ian Boothby and Roger Fredericks, members of Vancouver improv group Theatre Sports. Forefront’s Mickey Rogers is exec. producer. The 11th Hour debuts Saturday March 6 in BC on cbc.