The Backyardigans
The Backyardigans is a computer-animated musical children's TV series created by Janice Burgess. The series was written and recorded at Nickelodeon Animation Studio. The show centers on a group of five anthropomorphic best friends who use their imaginations to embark on fantastic adventures in their shared backyard. Each episode is set to a different musical genre and features at least four songs, composed by music director Evan Lurie with lyrics by McPaul Smith. The songs are performed by the characters with original dance choreography.
The series was based upon a live-action pilot titled Me and My Friends, which was filmed at Nickelodeon Studios Florida in 1998. The pilot featured life-sized mascot costumes and puppets who danced to songs on an indoor stage. In 2001, Nickelodeon Digital in New York retooled the concept into an animated pilot, using motion capture techniques to animate the dances. The newer pilot was greenlit, and the series entered production. Animation for the first season started at Nickelodeon Digital in New York, but as a cost-cutting measure, animation services were eventually relocated to Nelvana, Pipeline Studios, and Guru Studio. Nickelodeon called the show "a home-grown Nick Jr. property," as "the whole creative team... been part of the Nick Jr. family for years."
A total of 80 episodes were produced across four seasons, each containing 20 episodes. The series first previewed on Treehouse TV in Canada on September 11, 2004, followed by its official debut on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block on October 11, 2004. The fourth season wrapped production in 2010 and finished airing on Nick Jr. on July 12, 2013.
Plot
Each episode follows a similar pattern and centers around a group of five friends: Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, and Austin. The characters introduce themselves in their backyard before imagining a new location to enter. The group is often presented with multiple dilemmas along the way to accomplishing a specific goal or priority or may be challenged with a significant single obstacle to defeat or problem to solve. After season one, there is usually a villain in the episode, mainly played by one of the Backyardigans, but the villain of the episode always reforms in the end. The program also follows a musical format. It features multiple musical numbers performed in the style of a different genre and sung throughout an episode regarding whatever imaginary predicament in which the characters have situated themselves or perhaps a challenge they have met, every episode opening and concluding with a particular song. The adventures get more advanced after the first season. When the Backyardigans have achieved their mission or defeated any disadvantages, the fantasy sequence fades, restoring actuality to the setting of the episodes as the closing song is sung, the characters scurrying to their houses for a snack after one or two’s stomach growl. The main character or characters then opens the snack host's house door, fence, or around the corner, and shouts the main catchphrase for the last time and then closes the door. The picture then is lifeless, with some background bird noises often heard as iris closes, ending the episode before the credits roll.Characters
Each of the five characters on the show has two voice actors: one for speaking, and the other for singing.Live-action dancers first perform the dancing on the show, and their movements are later transported to animation. Choreographer, Beth Bogush, describes the process: "What we do is we film the live footage in the studio, send that off, and they do a Leica, and then they send it to the animators. The animators watch and were pretty precise. What we film for that day is pretty close to what you see in the character." In season one, the Backyardigans usually wear their regular clothes while on an adventure, usually accompanied by accessories. They rarely wear their regular clothes on an adventure after the first season.
Main
- Uniqua is a curious, self-confident, and high-spirited, pink, spotted character. The series uses the name "Uniqua" for both the character and her species. She wears pink, polka-dotted overalls and has a pair of swirled antennae on top of her head. Uniqua is sweet and friendly, though her strong opinions and occasional stubbornness get in the way of her relationships. She imagines herself having the roles that require brains and courage and despite her love of books. Creator Janice Burgess describes Uniqua as the child she wishes she was like as a child. She is the only main character to appear in every episode. Speaking voice: Lashawn Tináh Jefferies. Singing voice: Jamia Simone Nash and Avion Baker. Dancer: Hattie Mae Williams.
- Pablo is a yellow-beaked, blue penguin who wears a blue bow tie and a blue-and-yellow propeller beanie. He is very respectable and often acts on his own accord. Pablo tends to be the most excitable of the group and is best friends with Tyrone and Uniqua. Due to his energy and impetuousness, he often goes into a "panic attack" when he faces an obstacle, running around in circles and telling everyone not to worry until someone interrupts him. The number of panic attacks decreased considerably after season 1, though in the episode The Flipper!', his propensity for getting overexcited is a significant plot point. Pablo does not appear one time: "Chichen-Itza Pizza." Speaking voice: Zach Tyler Eisen and Jake Goldberg. Singing voice: Sean Curley. Dancer: Tasha Cooper, Jonathan Sandler, Steven Konopelski, Jacob Wimar, and Paul Flanagan.
- Tyrone is a good-natured, yet somewhat fearful, red-haired orange moose who wears a red-and-blue striped shirt, and is best friends with Pablo and Uniqua. He is almost the complete opposite of Pablo in terms of personality, with his laid-back and cool-headed character. Tyrone is known for his sarcastic comments, one of them being "That certainly was convenient." At the end of most episodes, when he appears, he says, "That was an excellent ' adventure, don't you think?". Despite not appearing to wear trousers, Tyrone somehow manages to put his hands in his pockets. Speaking voice: Reginald Davis Jr., Jordan Coleman, and Christopher Grant, Jr.. Singing voice: Corwin C. Tuggles, Leon Thomas III, Damani Roberts, and Tyrel Jackson Williams. Dancer: Greg Sinacori, Bradley Shelver, and Andrew Cao.
- Tasha is a strong-willed, yellow hippo. Tasha wears an orange, flowered dress and red Mary-Jane shoes. She is a sweet girl on the outside, but is rational and likes to get her way. She is the most serious of the major characters, although Tasha can be just as easygoing as the others from time to time. She is more feminine than her excellent friend Uniqua. In seasons 2-4, she has a more amiable personality. She tends to be grumpy if she is not the boss. Her catchphrase is, "Oh, for goodness sakes!" Speaking voice: Naelee Rae and Gianna Bruzzese. Singing voice: Kristin Klabunde and Gabriella Malek. Dancer: Darlene Dirstine, Amanda Ulibarri, and Nancy Renee Braun.
- Austin is a shy but fun-loving purple kangaroo. Though generally soft-spoken in Season 1, due to recently moving into the neighborhood, Austin starts to come out of his shell as the series progresses. He is revealed to be smart and imaginative. Austin rarely appears in the spotlight, but takes the role of the lead character in several episodes. His catchphrase varies from show to show. In more than one episode, he refers to himself as "Just Austin." Says Bogush: "Austin's usually the one pulling up the rear. He's kind of a get-along guy." Austin has been shown to occasionally display a more evil side, such as in the episodes "High Tea" and "The Magic Skateboard." Speaking voice: Jonah Bobo. Singing voice: Thomas Sharkey and Nicholas Barasch. Dancer: Kristen Frost.
Recurring
- Sherman – A small, orange-spotted yellow worm. Sherman is easily scared due to his small size. He appears in "The Heart of the Jungle," "Polka Palace Party," and "Attack of the 50 Foot Worman". Oliver Wyman provides his voice.
- Wormans – A fictional species of colorful, worm-like creatures who speak in squeaks and gibberish. They appear in all the seasons of the show.
- Dragon – A friendly, green-colored dragon who appears three times. He hatched from a spotted egg and lives inside of Dragon Mountain. Oliver Wyman provides his voice.
- Aliens – Green-colored aliens with eyestalks appear four times: "Mission to Mars," "News Flash," "Los Galacticos," and "The Big Dipper Diner."
- Giant clam – A hungry, irritable clam who appears in "The Legend of the Volcano Sisters" and "The Great Dolphin Race." It is very protective of its pearl. It pants and acts like a dog.
- Voices – Voices were included in the episodes "Secret Mission" and "It's Great To Be A Ghost!" that do not come from any shown character.
- Robot Roscoe – A robot owned by Austin, who appears three times in the fourth season. Evan Mathew Weinstein provides his voice.
Setting
Not everything that appears in the imaginary world has a real-world counterpart. Often trees, boulders, brickwork, or similar objects appear where nothing originally existed. Even large trees in the real garden disappear completely when the imagination part of the story commences.
Episodes
Production
The series was based upon a live-action pilot titled "Me and My Friends," produced at Nickelodeon Studios in September 1998. Nickelodeon rejected this pilot, and the concept was reworked into an animated short in 2002. This pilot was greenlit by Nickelodeon to become a full-length series. The show is intended for children aged 2 to 5.Dave Palmer began directing the show in the middle of season one and directed all subsequent episodes. Evan Lurie and Douglas Wieselman composed the music for the show with lyrics by McPaul Smith. The characters were designed by children's author and illustrator Dan Yaccarino.
A second season was announced on April 30, 2006, by Nickelodeon and Nelvana. A third season was first released in the United States in January 2008. A fourth and final season was produced from 2009 to early 2010. The final season was aired sporadically in the United States, with the last four episodes airing as part of a special event in July 2013.
Live shows
Several The Backyardigans theatrical performances have toured Canada and the United States.In Canada, three different performances have toured: "Musical Playdate", "Quest for the Extra Ordinary Aliens", and "Sea Deep in Adventure". The "Musical Playdate" performance had been promoted as "V.I.P. Appearance" and "Backyardigans Mini Performance" in earlier advertisements. All three tours were presented by Paquin Entertainment Group and produced by Koba Entertainment, both based in Winnipeg.
In the United States, two theatrical performances toured: 2008's "Tale of the Mighty Knights" and 2010's "Storytime Live!".
Video releases
is the VHS and DVD distributor for the series in the US. In the United Kingdom, the show was distributed on DVD through Fremantle Home Entertainment.Main releases
Episodes on Nick Jr. compilation DVDs
iTunes releases
All four seasons have been released on the iTunes Store in Canada and the United States; however, the US iTunes Store is missing three episodes from the first season: "Secret Mission," "It's Great to Be a Ghost!," and "High Tea".CD releases
There were four The Backyardigans albums released in North America, and one album released in Europe. Each has approximately 20 tracks, while Born To Play has four bonus tracks only available on the iTunes Store.The Adventures Begin...
Released September 2004, this CD promoted the series' debut. Because this was a promotional album sent via mail, it was not sold in stores. It contains four tracks from the first season, including the opening theme. The songs would later be included in the next album.- The Backyardigans Theme Song
- Yeti Stomp
- Secret Agent
- Please and Thank You
- Preview
The Backyardigans
The CD also contains a bonus video track titled "Go, Go, Go!"
- The Backyardigans Theme Song
- You and Me to the Rescue
- Castaways
- Questing, Questing
- A Pirate Says Arr!
- Yeti Stomp
- Queens Are Never Wrong
- Those Bones
- Buffalo Girls and Boys
- Trudge, Trudge, Trudge
- Secret Agent
- Laser Limbo Tango
- Row Your Boat
- Into the Thick of It
- P.U.!
- Flying Rock Song
- When I'm Booing
- Please and Thank You
- Rockabilly Lullaby
Groove to the Music
- Hold on Tight
- Gotta Get the Job Done
- Shake Your Body
- Rad Moves
- We're Going to Mars
- Drumming Song
- Eureka!
- The Rules
- Tree to Tree
- What's So Scary 'Bout That?
- The Ballad of the Brave Pink Knight
- I Love Being a Princess
- Aha!
- Skate Ahead
- We'll Get You What We Want
- Ski Patrol to the Rescue
- Superheroes vs. Supervillains
- Oh, My Sherman
Born to Play
- Ready for Anything
- We Love a Luau
- Tuba Polka
- I Feel Good
- Go, Go, Go!
- The Customer is Always Right
- Surf's Up, Ho Daddy
- Almost Everything is Boinga Here
- Nothing Too Tough
- W-I-O-Wa
- I'm a Mountie
- Racing Day
- I Never Fail to Deliver the Mail
- Lady in Pink
- Nobody's Bigger Than a Giant
- Hurry Home
- A Challenge
- Dragon Mountain
- Goblin
- Not an Egg Anymore
- Tweedily Dee
- We're Knights
Join in the Adventures...
- The Backyardigans Theme Song
- Yeti Stomp
- Secret Agent
- Questing, Questing
Merchandise
From 2005 to 2007, Kohl's had a section devoted to the series' merchandise, including a clothing line and toys exclusively in-store.
Over one hundred storybooks were released throughout the series' run. Most of these were released in both Canada and the United States; however, a 2006 series of educational books were exclusively sold in Canada under the license of Treehouse TV.
Fisher-Price produced numerous plush toys and interactive character toys. There are also Beanie Babies of all the main characters available.