List of The Littlest Hobo episodes

The Littlest Hobo is a Canadian television series based upon a 1958 well-known film of the same name directed by Charles R. Rondeau. The series first aired from 1963 until 1965 in syndication, and was revived for a popular second run on CTV, spanning six seasons, from October 11, 1979, until March 7, 1985. It starred an ownerless intelligent German Shepherd dog, the titular Hobo, who befriends and helps humans (portrayed by notable Canadian and Hollywood actors in celebrity guest appearances).[1]

Series overview

Season	Episodes		Originally released
			First released	Last released
1	24		October 11, 1979 (1979-10-11)	May 20, 1980 (1980-05-20)
2	18		September 18, 1980 (1980-09-18)	April 9, 1981 (1981-04-09)
3	18		September 17, 1981 (1981-09-17)	March 11, 1982 (1982-03-11)
4	18		September 16, 1982 (1982-09-16)	March 24, 1983 (1983-03-24)
5	18		September 15, 1983 (1983-09-15)	March 15, 1984 (1984-03-15)
6	18		September 13, 1984 (1984-09-13)	March 7, 1985 (1985-03-07)

Episodes

Season 1 (1979–80)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"Smoke"	Allan Eastman	Paul W. Cooper	October 11, 1979 (1979-10-11)
Hobo arrives in a small country town hit by a forest fire, where he helps rescue animals from the blaze and befriends forest ranger Ray Caldwell (Monte Markham). The local storekeeper, much to Ray's disgust, has started selling animal traps and poison to ward off the now homeless animals coming near the town. When a child eats poisoned meat left outside the store, and a thunderstorm prevents Ray from bringing the local doctor in by plane, Hobo is parachuted into the town with the antidote needed to save the child's life.
2	2	"Manhunt: Part 1"	Allan Eastman	Norman Lessing	October 18, 1979 (1979-10-18)
Hobo helps Tom Malone (Andrew Prine), an innocent man wrongfully accused of murder, escape the clutches of a sheriff and his bloodhounds.
3	3	"Manhunt: Part 2"	Allan Eastman	Norman Lessing	October 25, 1979 (1979-10-25)
Hobo manages to unearth vital evidence to prove Tom Malone's innocence.
4	4	"The Defector"	Anthony Perris	Norman Lessing	November 1, 1979 (1979-11-01)
Hobo helps rescue a Prima Ballerina who wants to defect from her Iron Curtain captors. Guest star: Paul Burke
5	5	"Double Trouble"	Richard Gilbert	Dorrell McGowan & Stuart McGowan	November 8, 1979 (1979-11-08)
With the help of his new friend, fellow gentleman of the road Ben Smith (Barry Morse), Hobo saves two draft horses destined for the fertilizer plant. The horses themselves prove to the local town that they are still useful when, where a tractor fails, they are instrumental in the rescue of a school bus full of children which is stranded in the middle of a fast-flowing river. (Note: This is a remake of an episode from the original 1963-1965 series, with the original version of the episode being titled "Pairs in Trouble")
6	6	"Silent Witness"	Allan Eastman	Dorrell McGowan & Stuart McGowan	November 15, 1979 (1979-11-15)
When Hobo witnesses a hit-and-run accident, he marshals evidence against the driver (Vic Morrow) and forces a confession. (Note: This is a remake of an episode from the original 1963-1965 series) Guest star: Michael Ironside
7	7	"Target for Terror"	Allan Eastman	Norman Lessing	November 29, 1979 (1979-11-29)
Two terrorists expect an aging Chief Justice (John Carradine) to pay ransom for the safe return of his son (John David Carson) and the son's girlfriend (Pam Williams).
8	8	"Heritage"	Jan Darnley-Smith	Marvin Wald & Jack Jacobs	December 6, 1979 (1979-12-06)
Hobo protects an elderly prospector from greedy land-grabbers. Guest star: Leon Ames
9	9	"Little Girl Lost"	Richard Gilbert	Lew Hunter	December 13, 1979 (1979-12-13)
Hobo befriends a three-year-old girl who goes missing in a sparsely-populated area. Hobo later uses his friendship with trucker Sam to return the girl to her overjoyed parents. Guest star: Lynda Day George
10	10	"Boy on Wheels"	Stan Olsen	Marvin Wald & Jack Jacobs	December 20, 1979 (1979-12-20)
Hobo encourages a paraplegic boy to enter a Frisbee-throwing contest to the dismay of the youth's overly-protective widowed father, who hates dogs because his driving at excessive speed and swerving to avoid a stray dog (who closely resembled Hobo) led to the car crash which killed his wife and left his son paralyzed. When Hobo saves the boy's life, the father finally sees the light. This episode also featured a young Mike Myers as the paralyzed boy's friend, Tommy. Guest star: Clarence Williams III
11	11	"Stand In"	Stan Olsen	Roy Freeman	December 27, 1979 (1979-12-27)
Harry (Alan Hale Jr.), a night watchman at an electronics firm, and his German shepherd Sarge are framed for the theft of top-secret equipment.
12	12	"Second Chance"	Allan Eastman	Wallace Bennett	January 3, 1980 (1980-01-03)
An ex-convict is framed for drug smuggling and with help from Ryan McCallum (played by a young Rob McLeavy) Hobo is able to clear the ex-convicts name but all the drugs go missing. Guest star: Michael Cole
13	13	"Big Al and Sam Strawberry"	Jan Darnley-Smith	William Keys	January 10, 1980 (1980-01-10)
A struggling artist considers an illegal sale to clear Mafia debts. Guest star: Sheldon Leonard
14	14	"Give My Regards to Broadway"	Jan Darnley-Smith	Barbara Holleran	January 31, 1980 (1980-01-31)
Hobo befriends a down and out ex-vaudevillian who has been shoplifting with every intent to pay it back when she becomes a star again. Guest star: Rosemary Radcliffe
15	15	"The Last Job"	Allan Eastman	Gordon Ruttan	February 7, 1980 (1980-02-07)
Hobo helps an ex-convict pursue an honest life style. Guest star: Alan McRae
16	16	"Snapshot"	Jan Darnley-Smith	John C.W. Saxon	February 28, 1980 (1980-02-28)
Hobo helps a young boy prove to his mother that you don't have to play a rough sport like hockey to have courage. Guest star: Mark Polley
17	17	"Million Dollar Fur Heist"	Allan Eastman	Norman Lessing	March 6, 1980 (1980-03-06)
Hobo helps rescue two kidnapped victims and in the process recovers a million dollars' worth of stolen furs. Guest star: Abe Vigoda
18	18	"Diamonds Are a Dog's Best Friend"	Allan Eastman	Wallace Bennett	March 13, 1980 (1980-03-13)
A magician is accused of making an heirloom disappear. Guest star: Patrick Macnee
19	19	"Romiet and Julio"	Jan Darnley-Smith	William J. Keenan	March 20, 1980 (1980-03-20)
Because of their parents' objections, a young couple's marriage plans appear doomed, until Hobo comes to the rescue. Guest star: Leslie Nielsen, Anne Francis
20	20	"Escape"	Allan Eastman	Barbara Holleran	March 27, 1980 (1980-03-27)
Hobo mans a disco control panel and helps the victim of an underworld frame-up. Guest star: Saul Rubinek
21	21	"Guardian Angel"	Stan Olsen	Paul W. Cooper	April 3, 1980 (1980-04-03)
When a distraught East European woman named Ines, who is in Canada illegally, abandons her baby daughter Maria on the steps of a church, Hobo appoints himself guardian of the child – eventually managing to reunite mother and child. Guest star: Nehemiah Persoff
22	22	"The Pied Piper"	Allan Eastman	Unknown	April 10, 1980 (1980-04-10)
Hobo and Dan Mooney (Jack Gilford), the janitor of a children's hospital, manage to help an emotionally withdrawn boy.
23	23	"Willie and Kate"	Jan Darnley-Smith	Unknown	May 15, 1980 (1980-05-15)
Hobo travels with Willy (Gary Merrill), a tramp, and Kate, a runaway little girl, who are hitchhiking across the country to California, where they plan to open up an orange juice stand.
24	24	"The Further Adventures of Willie and Kate"	Jan Darnley-Smith	Unknown	May 22, 1980 (1980-05-22)
Following on from the previous episode, Hobo continues his travels with Willy and Kate. But when the authorities recapture Kate, Willy tries to rescue her with unexpected results.

Season 2 (1980-81)

Episode	Title	First aired	Synopsis	Guest stars
25	The Balloonist	September 18, 1980	Hobo comes to the rescue of a downed balloonist. (Note: Keenan Wynn had previously guest starred in an episode from the original 1963–1965 series).	Keenan Wynn (Gus Appleton)
26	Duddleman and the Diamond Ring	September 25, 1980	Hobo becomes acquainted with a bumbling pawn-broker named Duddleman.	Henry Jones (Duddleman)
27	Guinea Pig	October 2, 1980	Poisoned water endangers an animal research institute.	Melody Ryane (Sarah)
28	Trapper	October 9, 1980	Hobo must stop a ruthless trapper who still foolishly uses inhumane steel traps on animals.	John Vernon (Sam Burrows)
29	The Pearls	October 23, 1980	Hobo aids a captain whose crew mutinied and stole pearls.	Scott Brady (Captain Turner)
30	Carnival of Fear	October 30, 1980	Hobo stalks an ominous carnival patron.	Gale Garnett (Margie/Madame Sybil)
31	Mystery at the Zoo	November 6, 1980	Hobo finds himself in the middle of a life-and-death situation when he joins a young newswoman and her cameraman in an investigation of "animal-snatching".	Carol Lynley (June Wilson)
32	Sailing Away	November 13, 1980	Hobo rescues a teen from danger on her father's boat.	Martin Milner (Don Porter)
33	The Hunt	November 20, 1980	Hobo comes to the aid of a pretty young groom at the Fox Hunt Club who is being framed for theft. Nicholas Campbell appears as the groom's love interest, who also is the son of the Fox Hunt Club president.	Cameron Mitchell (Carl)
34	Fast Freddie	November 27, 1980	A con man tries to cheat wealthy small-town residents.	Morey Amsterdam (Freddie Tewksbury)
35	Licence to Steal	December 4, 1980	The life of a scrapyard foreman's son is saved when Hobo intervenes.	Clifton Davis (Phil McLean)
36	Portrait of Danger	December 11, 1980	When a young photographer accidentally takes an action picture of a bank robbery, Hobo tries to persuade him to turn it over to the police. When instead he decides to wait and sell the shot to the papers, Hobo has to protect him from his own bad judgement and angry reprisals from the robbers themselves.	James Stephens (Kevin Wheeler)
37	Ghost Rig	December 18, 1980	Hobo helps find a hijacked truckload of diamonds. (Note: Henry Gibson had previously guest starred in an episode from the original 1963–1965 series).	Henry Gibson (Jeffrey Farley)
38	Here's Joey Jackson	January 22, 1981	When famous television personality Joey Jackson finds himself being blackmailed over a secret he has harboured all his life, Hobo becomes the instrument to foil the blackmail plot and bring Joey to the realization that he must face his past squarely – no matter the consequences.	Jack Carter (Joey Jackson)
39	Runaway	February 12, 1981	Hobo hops on board a train and befriends an old railroad bum and a runaway boy.	DeForest Kelley (Professor Hal Schaffer)
40	East Side Angels	February 26, 1981	Hobo befriends a young basketball player who is having problems being accepted by his teammates.	Chris Makepeace (Willie), Nerene Virgin (Miss Waston)
41	Mystique	March 5, 1981	An unethical hypnotist influences a model's behavior.	John Evans (Dr. Henshaw)
42	The Trail of No Return	April 9, 1981	Hobo turns health inspector when botulism is discovered at a campground.	James MacArthur (Jim Haley)

Season 3 (1981–82)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
43	1	"Photo Finish"	Joseph L. Scanlan	Richard Zelniker	September 17, 1981 (1981-09-17)
Hobo helps a jockey whose chances of winning her first big race are threatened by a racing syndicate.
44	2	"The Secret of Red Hill"	Joseph L. Scanlan	Christine Foster	September 24, 1981 (1981-09-24)
Hobo helps a reporter (Susan Hogan) in her quest to track down a sasquatch-like creature sighted near a small town.
45	3	"Wolf Hunt"	Allan Eastman	Martin Lager	October 1, 1981 (1981-10-01)
Hobo runs into the path of a father (John Ireland) and two sons, out hunting for wolf bounty, and is himself mistaken for a wolf. Real-life brothers Jeff and Michael Wincott play the sons.
46	4	"The Day of the Fugitive"	Joseph L. Scanlan	Christine Foster	October 8, 1981 (1981-10-08)
A merchant seaman, Dr. Cowper (Gerard Parkes), suspected of having the plague, jumps ship in a large city. Only Hobo knows where the man is and must conduct him to safety despite the fact that the dog's own life is in danger and he is being hunted as a fugitive, too.
47	5	"Suspect"	Allan Eastman	Unknown	October 29, 1981 (1981-10-29)
Hobo comes upon the scene of what appears to be a boating accident at a hunting club, and discovers evidence which indicates foul play. When the police arrive, however, an innocent man is accused and only Hobo can bring the authorities the one essential piece of evidence which forces the real culprit to tip his hand.
48	6	"War Games"	Allan Eastman	Unknown	November 5, 1981 (1981-11-05)
Hobo sees a teenage girl cutting across a military practice zone and alerts a young recruit to her danger. All three soon find themselves caught in the middle of a realistic exercise and only Hobo knows that the young peoples' hiding place is itself a key target in the manoeuvres.
49	7	"The Hero"	Joseph L. Scanlan	Unknown	November 12, 1981 (1981-11-12)
Hobo meets Joey (Edward Albert), a simple young man who is disregarded and picked on by most of the community. When Joey stumbles on a dognapping scam, only Hobo knows he is telling the truth, and can help Joey grow in self-respect by solving a real crime.
50	8	"Hidden Room"	Mario Azzopardi	Charles Northcote	November 19, 1981 (1981-11-19)
Hobo comes across an old farmhouse where a young mute girl and her father are being blackmailed into conducting fake seances. By cleverly investigating and manipulating the mechanics of the ruse, Hobo is able to break the blackmailers' (Louis Del Grande and Jayne Eastwood) hold, stop the fraud, and free the father and daughter.
51	9	"Fussin' & Fightin'"	Allan Eastman	Barbara Holleran	November 26, 1981 (1981-11-26)
A rival tries to have a harmonica player fired.
52	10	"The Locket"	Joseph L. Scanlan	Simon Christopher Dew	December 3, 1981 (1981-12-03)
Hobo goes to great lengths to deliver a locket to an old man's granddaughter.
53	11	"Airport"	Mario Azzopardi	Unknown	December 10, 1981 (1981-12-10)
Hobo foils sabotage at a courier service.
54	12	"Music Box"	Mario Azzopardi, Allan Eastman	Unknown	December 24, 1981 (1981-12-24)
Ballerina Karen Kain makes her television acting debut in this touching episode about a little girl who lives more and more in a fantasy world because her mother, an ex-ballerina, refuses to let her dance.
55	13	"Mail Order Bride"	Joseph L. Scanlan	Martin Lager	January 21, 1982 (1982-01-21)
A farmer and his mail-order bride seem incompatible. Guest star: Simon Oakland
56	14	"The Clown"	Mario Azzopardi	Allan Cullimore	January 28, 1982 (1982-01-28)
Hobo befriends a lonely clown (Donald O'Connor).
57	15	"Once Upon a Tyme"	Mario Azzopardi	Unknown	February 4, 1982 (1982-02-04)
Hobo plays Cupid when he joins a travelling troupe of actors and finds out that one of the actors has been jilted by his leading lady. Guest star: Geraint Wyn Davies.
58	16	"A Special Friend"	Joseph L. Scanlan	Unknown	February 25, 1982 (1982-02-25)
On the docks. Hobo meets a very special friend who believes he can understand what animals are thinking. His sensitivity makes him a perfect partner for the dog as the pair matches wits with a warehouse full of gold thieves.
59	17	"Forget Me Not"	Mario Azzopardi	Gerard Fournier	March 4, 1982 (1982-03-04)
When Hobo spots a disoriented woman, with amnesia, aimlessly wandering into a large amusement park (Canada's Wonderland), he finds his own way in and protects her from serious physical danger while alerting the security and bringing her medical help. Guest star: Joanna Pettet
60	18	"Rex Badger P.I."	Allan Eastman	Christine Foster & Charles Northcote	March 11, 1982 (1982-03-11)
Hobo joins forces with inept private eye Rex Badger (Michael Kirby), who perfected his style watching old movies. As Badger plods through a series of comic clues, Hobo keeps several steps ahead of him and enables him to finally put the pieces together and wind up with the credit.

Season 4 (1982-83)

Episode	Title	First aired	Synopsis	Guest stars
61	Napoleon	September 16, 1982	Hobo apprehends cattle rustlers preying on a rancher.	Chris Donnan (Dixie Seatle)
62	Home Free	September 23, 1982	Hobo aids a detention-home runaway.	Jennifer Jewison (Laura Clark)
63	Back to Nature	September 30, 1982	Hobo aids a woman in labour and her injured husband. A similar story was broadcast during the show's 1963-65 run.	Peter Hanlon (Mick Reid)
64	The Imaginative Invalid	October 7, 1982	A hypochondriac tests her relatives' loyalty.	Ruth Springford (Gwyn MacGibbon)
65	Finders Keepers	October 14, 1982	Two boys compete for Hobo's company.	Richard Yearwood (Danny McLean)
66	Happy Birthday, Mom	October 21, 1982	Hobo brings together two teenage brothers who are feuding when both enter a bike race hoping to win money to buy their mother a gift.	Mark Polley (David)
67	The Spirit of Thunder Rock (part 1)	October 28, 1982	A geologist's daughter discovers treasure. Hobo helps the family survive an earthquake.	Ted Follows (Tony Kendall)
68	The Spirit of Thunder Rock (part 2)	November 4, 1982		Megan Follows (Marti Kendall)
69	The Spirit of Thunder Rock (part 3)	November 11, 1982		August Schellenberg (Walter Henig)
70	Rabies	November 18, 1982	Hobo tries to keep a rabid raccoon from coming into contact with anyone while attempting to alert authorities to its whereabouts.	Barbara Kyle (Dr. Edmunds)
71	Day for Fright	November 25, 1982	Hobo happens upon a real crime on a movie set.	David Calderisi (Maurice Driscoll)
72	Trooper	December 2, 1982	Hobo finds an abandoned baby in an evacuated town. Based on a train derailment and subsequent mass evacuation at Mississauga in November 1979.	Jonathan Welsh (Stan)
73	The Loneliest Day of the Week	January 27, 1983	Hobo helps spur romance between a widow and a bachelor.	Doris Petrie (Lily Harcroft)
74	Double Vision	February 3, 1983	A traveling artist who resembles a small town's corrupt mayor (both played by Leslie Yeo) arrives for a visit at the same time Hobo does.	Leslie Yeo (Mayor James Cruickshank/Oliver Cruickshank)
75	Winner Take All	February 10, 1983	Hobo's friend gets a winning lottery ticket.	Jan Filips (Milos)
76	Small Pleasures	March 3, 1983	Hobo acts to foil two ex-cons intent on stealing a valuable item secreted in a miniature town unbeknownst to the tiny town's current owner.	Daniel Buccos (Gordon Jacks)
77	The Five Labours of Hercules (part 1)	March 17, 1983	Hobo helps a young handicapped boy start his own business.	Hadley Kay (Nathaniel)
78	The Five Labours of Hercules (part 2)	March 24, 1983		Hadley Kay (Nathaniel)

Season 5 (1983-84)

Episode	Title	First aired	Synopsis	Guest stars
79	Rookie	September 15, 1983	Fearing an impending operation, a youth runs away.	Charles Kerr (Ted)
80	Scavenger Hunt (part 1)	September 22, 1983	Hobo is sought in a fraternity scavenger hunt.	Geraint Wyn Davies (Adam Coulter)
81	Scavenger Hunt (part 2)	September 29, 1983		Pam Hyatt (Mrs. Coulter)
82	Second Sight	October 6, 1983	Hobo helps a blind teenager learn his capabilities.	Peter Spence (David Leonard)
83	Trucker	October 13, 1983	A trucker considers illegal work to keep his rig.	Richard Donat (Mac Devlin)
84	Born to Run	October 20, 1983	A champion whippet is stolen prior to a big lure coursing race.	Michael J. Reynolds [credited as Michael Reynolds] (Philip)
85	Tempest Probe	27 Oct, 1983	A criminal steals and tries to sell a secret laser.	Christopher Britton (Prospero)
86	Lumberjacks	November 3, 1983	A gambler plans to sabotage a lumberjack contest.	Lawrence Dane (Alistair McLeod) Jeff Wincott (Barry McLeod)
87	Passage	November 10, 1983	Hobo thwarts a hunter stalking peregrine falcons.	Al Waxman (Vernie Davis)
88	Sartech (part 1)	November 17, 1983	Hobo witnesses a wilderness plane crash and aids the victims.	Don Granberry (Sam)
89	Sartech (part 2)	December 1, 1983		Don Granberry (Sam)
90	Dragonslayer	January 19, 1984	Hobo protects four youths engaged in a deadly game.	Simon Craig ("Zim Fahr")
91	The Genesis Tapes (part 1)	January 26, 1984	Hobo is theorized to be a new species of dog by a scientist and a reporter who attempt to capture him to study him. (Note: Both Part 1 & 2 feature clips from past episodes, including some clips from the original 1963-1965 version and even the 1958 film)	Alan Scarfe (Dr. Richard Kellerman)
92	The Genesis Tapes (part 2)	February 2, 1984		Candace O'Connor (Trish Kellerman)
93	Ghost Station	February 23, 1984	Hobo participates in a subway manhunt.	Malcolm Stewart (Ken)
94	Indian Summer	March 1, 1984	Hobo aids elderly people fleeing a retirement home.	Robert Christie (Gordon)
95	Applejack	March 8, 1984	Bootleggers threaten a migrant who could expose them.	Eric Murphy (Yves Boisvert)
96	Sheep in Wolf's Clothing	March 15, 1984	Hobo is mistaken for a sheep-killing wolf.	Stephen Markle (Bryce Meyer)

Season 6 (1984-85)

Episode	Title	First aired	Synopsis	Guest stars
97	Second Best	September 13, 1984	Schoolmates bully a country boy.	Shane O'Brien (Morgan Emery)
98	Three Monkeys of Bah Roghar (part 1)	September 20, 1984	Hobo solves the theft of priceless statues.	Graham Batchelor (Thurber Best)
99	Three Monkeys of Bah Roghar (part 2)	September 27, 1984		Graham Batchelor (Thurber Best)
100	Rodeo	October 4, 1984	A rodeo star fears getting back in the saddle.	August Schellenberg (Stoney Hill)
101	One Door Closes	October 11, 1984	Hobo helps a man adjust to life in a wheelchair.	Al Waxman (Vic Carrano)
102	Lucky	October 18, 1984	Hobo helps a stuntman get work and confidence.	Michael Hogan (Lucky)
103	Arrivederci Roma	October 25, 1984	A young model-airplane pilot competes with adults.	Richard Yearwood (Shawn Turner)
104	The Good Shepherd	November 1, 1984	Hobo aids a financially troubled church.	Harvey Atkin (Neiderhoff)
105	Matchmaker	November 8, 1984	Tennis pro Sandy McCann helps Hobo prevent the breakup of a young couple. (Note: Carling Bassett's real-life father, John F. Bassett, makes a cameo appearance in the episode playing Sandy's father).	Carling Basset (Sandy McCann)
106	Firehorse (part 1)	November 15, 1984	Hobo rescues people from a burning factory.	Neil Dainard (Jack Thornton)
107	Firehorse (part 2)	November 22, 1984		Neil Dainard (Jack Thornton)
108	Prodigal Son	November 29, 1984	Hobo reveals an imposter in a small religious community.	Peter Dvorsky (Sean Armstrong)
109	Torque	January 31, 1985	A kart driver seeks a spot on a racing team.	Jessica Steen (Torque), Paul Tracy
110	Small Change	February 7, 1985	A mime and a deaf boy help Hobo prevent a robbery.	Edward Leefe (Terry)
111	Voyageurs (part 1)	February 14, 1985	A family is trapped on a deserted island. Themes include cold war tensions and the early stages of the digital age.	Robin Ward (Ian Farrell)
112	Voyageurs (part 2)	February 21, 1985		Susan Hogan (Meg Farrell)
113	Liar, Liar	February 28, 1985	Hobo witnesses a boy committing fraud.	Todd Woodcroft (Richie McKinley)
114	Pandora	March 7, 1985	Hobo finds an undetonated World War II bomb.	David Glyn-Jones (Sgt. Jocky White)

References

1. The Littlest Hobo (TV Series) IMDb