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"Welcome, my eboned-winged adversary. You have taken the bait as I knew you would. Now, prepare to meet your end within in my aviary of...Doom!"
-The PenguinBatman: The Animated Series
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 Aired: 1983 - Unknown
Show Type: Live Action
Country of Origin: UK
Michael Parkinson introduced Roland's first broadcast, on the 19th of March, 1983, from a shed on the top of the TV-am studios in London. The response was imminent. Roland was given his own series, Rat On The Road, in which he toured the UK in his pink Ford Anglia, the Ratmobile.Roland in the Ratmobile Kevin bought the car for just £85, and unfortunately, it always broke down. And it was pink.
TV-am's ratings went up, thanks to Roland. A trip to Switzerland followed for Christmas, 1983, then Roland went to Hong Kong to make a film - Enter The Rodent. Roland in Hong KongSadly, the film never got made, and Roland, Kevin, and Little Reggie - who appeared in Roland's luggage, had to travel home by working as air stewards! Rat On The Road II was made during the summer of 1984, and then during October, Roland and the gang rescued a guinea pig called Glenis from Harrod's pet department, in a daring series of attempts called Operation F.O.G.I. (Free Our Glen Immediately). Numerous other specials followed, and then, in October, 1985, Roland moved channels to the BBC. More of his friends appeared, including Fergie, the DIY ferret, Colin, Roland's pet flea, and even Iris and Freddy made TV appearances.
Roland made a Christmas special, plus two series of Roland Rat: The Series, the first of which was broadcast on a Saturday night prime-time slot. In 1987, super-hero status was assured, when Roland and the gang became crime fighters. Roland became Ratman, Kevin was Pink Bucket Man, and Errol was Leekman. Little Reggie was, obviously Wind Man, and the odd-job ferret, Fergie became Kiltman. Roland appeared on other top TV shows, including Wogan, Blankety Blank, and the Children's Royal Variety Performance.
Roland then left the BBC, and ventured off to America, to Los Angeles and made several programs called LA Rat, which were broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK. Roland also tried his magic on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast in an attempt to boost viewing figures. Sadly, this time around it didn't work, and the TV show was axed.
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