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The Backyardigans

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So, I know I’m totally going to give you the idea that all my kids do is watch TV, and this is completely one hundred percent not true.

However, the TV they do watch gives me something to write about, so here it is.

Forget Lazytown (as though I could forget it—it’s my single most popular entry ever)—Sophia got bored with Lazytown because it’s been the same five episodes in rotation for the past two months. The show to watch is The Backyardigans. How much do I love this show? I am tempted to watch it when the kids aren’t around. I sing the songs as I do the dishes. There are only nine episodes so far and I have all nine on our TiVo. I force people just visiting our house to watch some of this show.

I love this show.

backyardigans.jpg

Tyrone, Tasha, Pablo, Uniqua, and Austin

The Backyardigans is a show about five friends—Tyrone the moose, Tasha the hippo, Pablo the penguin, Uniqua the ladybug, and Austin the kangaroo (actually, I’m not sure what Austin is, and he’s the Backyardigan we see the least of anyhow)—who get together every day and have some theme to their play: ghosts, Tarzan, knights and quests, Mounties, Vikings. They all take roles in their adventure that pretty well fit with their personalities. At the end, they repair to one kid’s house for snacktime.

In between, there’s singing, dancing, and general silliness. What’s extremely excellent about this show is that there’s stuff in there for grownups that’s not sneaky or salacious: it’s just on a level most kids aren’t going to find funny in the same way. For example, three Backyardigans are chasing the Yeti across the North Pole:

             TASHA
          We need kayaks to cross
          this water.

     They suddenly spy three KAYAKS on the bank of
     the river.

             TYRONE
          Well, that certainly is
          convenient.

That line cracks me up everytime.

The songs in this show are incredibly memorable. While doing the dishes I like to sing the songs the Vikings sing as their Viking ship rounds a very powerful whirlpool, “You’ve Got To Hold On Tight”:

You've got to hold on tight
Hold on tight
You've got to hold on tight
Hold on tight
You've got to hold on tight with all your Viking might.

Darin’s favorite bit is when they sing a limbo while trying to avoid the laser beams during a super-secret spy mission.

This show has reignited my love of musicals, which has been dormant for some time. (My insistence on musical-only writing music has been helped by the fact that I dug out our CD collection and ripped about 150 of them recently. Of course, I can’t find the one I’m looking for, Linie 1. Sigh.) I want to write a children’s musical, I’m so inspired by this show.

Anyhow: The Backyardigans is on Nick Jr. I highly recommend checking it out.

(Tyrone the moose is my favorite, by the way. In case you’re wondering.)

 

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Update 2/16/05: Wow, lots of comments here! This entry is listed pretty high on Google when you search for “The Backyardigans” so I’m going to assume someone from Nick Jr. has found it. (Hi there! More Backyardigans episodes, please!)

A number of people have posted asking about Backyardigans-themed birthday supplies and other merchandise. As far as I’ve been able to find on the Web, there isn’t any! It might not be licensed yet or might not have gotten to stories yet. All I can say is: Hurry it up! You’ve got lots of customers waiting. If anyone does know of legit Backyardigans stuff, let me know and I’ll put it on this page.

I found a number of Backyardigans songs on LimeWire. I don’t know where they’re from, since a few things tell me they’re not recorded right off of the show. If the production company wanted to put out a CD with each and every song from the show on it, they’d have a bestseller. I think there are plenty of parents out there who wouldn’t mind putting that music on for their kids, and I’d rather pay royalties to the songmakers!

Evidently a new bunch of episodes will start airing in a week or two. I can’t wait…and I think the kids are excited too. All I can say is, keep ’em coming! More! More!

Update 8/11/05: The Backyardigans’ eponymously named CD is now out! The Backyardigans has 19 great songs on it, although it doesn’t include my personal favorite, “You’ve got to hold on tight.” I had downloaded some of these songs from Limewire, but I’m much, much happier having the actual CD in my hot little hand now.

Update 1/28/06: Wow. This entry has 747 comments!

There are a couple of Backyardigan DVDs out now, which means you don’t have to keep every episode on your TiVo any more.

The Snow Fort: Contains “The Snow Fort”, “The Yeti”, “Knights Are Brave and Strong”, and “Secret Mission”.

It’s Great To Be A Ghost: Contains “It’s Great To Be A Ghost”, “Monster Detectives”, “Key to the Nile”, and “Pirate Adventure”.

Polka Palace Party: Contains “Polka Palace Party”, “Heart of the Jungle”, “Viking Voyage”, and one I haven’t seen before — having tea in the Gobi desert. (Maybe it hasn’t aired yet?)

 
Update 1/05/09: Yowsa. I am amazed at how lively this entry still is!

In response to many (many, many) comments on here: I came up with the idea that Uniqua is a ladybug from my then-4-year-old (who’s now about to be 9, but still loves the Backyardigans). I’m in complete agreement with everyone who says that Uniqua is just that: unique. I wasn’t paying a whole bunch of attention at the time, and I went with my 4-year-old’s assessment of Uniqua’s identity, ‘kay?

Filed Under: TV

Comments

  2. U know what, I have a sister who’s 5 years old..she really likes The backyardigans especially Uniqua and Pablo….. But u know what even my elder sisters really likes the Backyardigans co’z the characters are so cute….
    My sister always singing their introduction song and tries to follow their actions….
    So I think The Backyardigans is very cool….

  3. OMG! I love the Backyardigans too! They’re like the best! I’m actually 11 years old and I still watch it everyday! As a matter of fact, I’m watching it right now!! The best part is the singing and dancing.They’re choreography rocks.lol. Uniqua and Pablo are my favorites. If anyone knows where to get the lyrics to their songs try and write back! 😀

  4. My daughter loves The Backyardigans. I wanted to throw her birthday in there theme. But can’t find not one item on them. Can anyone help?

  6. I LOVE the backyardigans!!!!!! Im 12 and I LOVE the backyardigans a lot. They rock! I have to go to school while its one so I’m really happy when its summertime because I always get up really early so I can watch it.

  7. I thought I was the only pathetic college student with no children of my own that sat around watching Nick Jr., but apparently that’s not the case. The Backyardigans does have a quality that appeals to adults, as well as Arthur on PBSkids, although that may be targeted to an older group of kids. Seriously though, the Backyardigans….quality television.

  8. My 15 month old son loves this show. So do I. It is the most adorable, fun kid’s show on TV. My son barely talks, but he sings along. It is the funniest thing to watch. He swings his little fist and yells “ARGH” during the pirate song. Before he was even one, the only way I could calm him when he was upset was by singing the backyardigans theme. My other four kids all sit and watch, too. They don’t admit it, but they love the show, too. Nick needs to come out with a movie.

  9. We LOVE the Backyardigan!! I recorded all of their episodes so my kids can always watch it.Pablo is the sweetest cutest ever!They are all cute but I like Pablo.Brandon likes Austin and Katie likes Uniqua.It’s our special time the 3 of us watch the show and sing the songs-We would love it if the Backyardigans had a concert,we’d be the first to buy tickets….
    see you next time we’re going to have a snack now.

  10. where can u get all the lyrics( the ones from the River Nile episode)tasha is my favorite

  11. Hello! I agree.. I’m 15 and I love watching the Backyardigans! Its a really great show to tape and use while I’m babysitting my nieces and nephew, they love it!

  12. i love backyardigans, next to dora, that is my favorite show. it used to be spongebob, i am 5yrs old and now i have grown up to the next level. i start school in the fall, 2005 and i feel that i am ready thanks to NICK Jr!!!!!!!!

  13. MY ONE YEAR OLD SON HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS SHOW SINCE HE WAS ABLE TO SAY SOME WORDS. THATS BEEN 10 MONTHS AGO NOW. REALLY THERE NEED TO BE A DVD AND CD FOR KIDS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE STUFF ANIMALS ALSO.

  14. Che’:I’m here with my friend Izzy (we’re both 13 and a little wierd) and she just watched the show for the first time. We both love it and I’m on ebay lookin’ for Backyardigan stuff. I want the CD so bad. The theme song rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Izzy: Dude this show is so Flippin awesome!!!!! I don’t think that Uniqua is a lady bug but i think she is an ant. u no, cuz of the anntennas. (Spellings off, sry. And i don’t care if u have an opion, i don’t want 2 here it.)

  15. WOWZERS!!! I am 14 and i love this show!! i didnt go to school today because i hurt myself and this is the show to watch!!! i Love Uniqa she is soo pretty this show is soo cute me and my friends love it!! All i want is a website where i can look at the song lyrics!!! lol well yeah this show is sooo good!!!

  16. My twins LOVE the Backyardians.. I can get stuff done while they sit and watch & stare… The music is great and they are simply ADORABLE little guys!!!!

    I need Birthday supplies with Backyardigans, anyone know where I can purchase these?

  17. my uncle recorded the backyardigans. i love the bacyardigans. pablo is my favorite charachter. i love to dance like the backyardigans.

    Ethan Kim, age 6
    Kristen Kim,age 8,typist

  18. Wow..This Is Awesome..!I LOVE THE BACKYARDIGINS..!I Might Be 14 But I Watched It With My 1 And 2 Year Onld Cousins..We Sing Along With it..!Into The Thick Of It Into The Thick Of It..!We Need Them Back..!
    Lindsey

  19. We discovered the Backyardigans on NickJnr a couple of months ago and are hooked. Our son is 2 and we are both 34 and i want to know where we buy the series 1 DVD and a CD of all the songs for the car. The car is the only place where childrens music is not allowed as this is an adult zone, however the Backyardigans are an exception.

  20. Ha,ha, i love the show backyardigans too, i actually came across this page because i was looking for some pics of the characters.
    i like the song. Treasure, Treasure!
    hah.
    amanda.. backyardigan fan!
    oh yeah im 21 yrs old, but i do have a child.

  22. Oh man, and here I thought I was the only one. I put it on for my son who’s one and he starts to dance. It’s the best, and I could watch it all day long. I also have it recorded, and I’m eagerly waiting for new shows. I just read that there is a CD being released on July 12th with the Backyardigans songs, and there is a special on Nick Jr. July 18th called “Race to the Tower of Power”. Can’t wait!!

  24. Abu Abdullah…just a note. The Backyardigans is a show that promotes using your imagination. That’s the basis of the show. They’re playing in the back yard and they imagine they are doing all these really cool things. Not to mention the great values, like saying Please and Thank You. Dora and Blues Clues are great also, but they are a different kind of show. You really can’t put them in the same categoy. They are interactive. For a really cute show…watch the Backyardigans. It’s truly brilliant.

  25. I love your tv show I”m 49 and I live to see your shows there great.My grandson is almost 2 yrs. old and we watch your show everyday. well theres goes my soaps ha ha…anyways I need to order as many series as I can..so what do you have now I can order. My twin nephews loves them to..we look forward to watching the backyardigans/ please say I can order them… love a desperate grandma…..

  26. There is a DVD being released on Aug. 30th. You can preorder them at Amazon.com. BACKYARDIGANS ROCK!!!!!

  27. i AM 11 YEARS OLD AND I WATCH THE BACKYARDGIAND MT LITTLE COUSIN kAMERIN TURNED ME ON TO IT I WATCH IT WITH HIM I lOVE UNIQUIKA THE MOST AND MY FAVORITE EPOSIDE IS pIRATE tREASURE

    IF U WANNA BE A PIARTE GET UP ON YOU FEET YOU CAN’T BE A PIRATE IK YOUR SITTING ON YOU SEAT

  28. My little girl loves this show! We got them on dvd, and she watches it like everyday. She is only 2, and she can sing alomst every word to every song. I even like it so much that I made her a cd and we listen to it in the car. My 11 month old is starting to get interested. So, it’s so funny to see both of them dancing to the show.

  29. The Backyardigans are great. Along with their singing and dancing the characters always learn a lesson. My 13 month old twins are thrilled when I turn on our Tivo and they hear the theme song. I love dancing and singing with them to it. My favorite is The Quest for the Flying Rock. I was away from home for a week and saw them on tv and it made me feel that much closer to my twins. By the way, I did see some Backyardigan items on Ebay.

  30. OH MY GOD! I just recently discovered this amazing show. I tell everyone about it! It reminds me of being a kid and how you could get totally consumed by what you were playing at the time and this show does just that in such a terrific way. I love the theme song and all the other songs they sing, their voices are so cute. My favorite is Tiki Beach. My husband will turn it on just to get the song stuck in my head again, but then I find him humming it as well. Kudos to the awesome show. I have now set it up on our DVR to record daily. I look forward to seeing some new episodes, songs and dancing.
    HO Daddy HO

  31. HEY BACKYARDIGANS ARE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO MY GRANDSONS LIFE HE IS ONLY 1 YEARS OLD BUT HE LOVES THEM TO DEATH. BUT WE CANT SEEM TO FIND ANY DVD’S OF HIS FAVORITE EPISODES LIKE TIKI BEACH.YETTI,SECRET TRESURE AND MANY MORE CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME FIND WHERE I CASN GET SOME.
    THANKS
    DEDGREY

  32. HEY BACKYARDIGANS ARE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO MY GRANDSONS LIFE HE IS ONLY 1 YEARS OLD BUT HE LOVES THEM TO DEATH. BUT WE CANT SEEM TO FIND ANY DVD’S OF HIS FAVORITE EPISODES LIKE TIKI BEACH,YETTI,SECRET TRESURE AND MANY MORE CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME FIND WHERE I CAN GET SOME.
    THANKS
    DEDGREY

  33. HI EVERYONE I JUST WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT I’VE BEEN WATCHING BACKYARDAGIANS SINCE IT FIRST APPEARED ON NICK JR. AND I AM SO SURPRISED THAT THOSE OF YOU WHO PROCLAIM TO LOVE THE SHOW SO MUCH DONT KNOW THAT UNIQUA IS NOT ANY ANIMAL THAT WE KNOW OF HENCE HER NAME UNIQUA SHE IS UNIQUE AND PLEASE STOP REFFERING TO AUSTIN AS A KANGAROO HE TELLS YOU HE IS A DOG IN ONE OF THE EPISODES IF YOU PAY ATTENTION! AND FOR THOSE WHO DONT KNOW PAY ATTENTION THERE ARE MANY RACIAL INNUINDOS IN THE STORYLINE.TO SANCHI FEBUARY 6 THANKYOU FOR NOTICING HOWEVER YOU WERE WRONG ABOUT ONE THING NEITHER AUSTIN OR TASHA ARE BLACK ONLY UNIQA AND TYRONE ARE. TASHA IS WHITE ALONG WITH AUSTIN(THE DOG)HE IS NOT A KANGAROO.THANKYOU AND IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN FIND BIRTHDAY SUPPLIES FOR MY DAUGHTERS PARTY NEXT WEEK PLEASE HELP MIANNR@HOTMAIL.COM

  34. I love the backyardagins cartoons. I am 30 and recently discovered them on Nick and just fell in love with these characters. The songs are so cool. My little girl loves them too but, she didn’t know who they were until I showed them to her.

  35. Great news everyone!!!! There is a Backyardigans cd being released on July 12th. And on July 18th at 11:00am there is going to be a new Backyardigans airing-The Race to the Tower of Power. I can’t wait. It looks really cute! Finally, more good news there are 8 books soon to be released. You can check it out at Amazon.com. The soonest is Here Comes the Backyardigans on Oct. 1. The other 7 are all planned to be out Dec. 27, 2005. Hope this brightens some childrens’ and parents’ days.

  36. I am 13 and i babysit 3 children. One is 5 and the other two are about 7 and 8. They love it and so do I. I love the one where Pablo dances to the yeti stomp. He seriously has some sick moves. In short…

    GO pABLO!

  37. I’m 19 and my 18 month old son loves the Backyardigans! He dances when they sing and he kisses them on the t.v. screen. It’s the cutest cartoon.

  38. What’s up with the hostility Mia? Good Lord take a pill girl friend and CALM down! It is only a cartoon. GEESH!

    Anywhoooooo, The Backyardigans is a wonderful show and I’m so excited they are FINALLY putting out a CD. Yahoo! I love the show as does my 18 month old daughter. Truly wonderful music, dancing and characters. Thumbs up to Nick Jr!!!

  39. My husband and I are in love with the show as much as our 20-month old daughter. She wakes up in the morning as says “pie pie” For the pirate Treasure show and sings the rrrggg rrrrgg. What I would like to know is if anyone knows where to buy the first season. She loves this show and it is so much better than anything on tv. They always learn a valuable leason and it is the only thing on tv that will keep her attention because of the singing and kids voices.

  40. all i have to say is my great granddaughter loves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the backyardigans. she’s been watching it since 8 months old and is now 15 months old. her mom ask me (great grandma) to find out if we can get all the episodes on vhs or dvd. is this possible????????????? if so, please let me know how to go about it. my email address is teddiebear49@aol.com thanks so much, cheryl dennis gramma is PA

  41. I totally love this show. I am 19 and make all my friends wake up to watch it any time its on. I love Pablo the most, the hispanic one. Love the racial innuendos going on. Greatest show everrr.

  42. we love the backyardigans, even though im 14 and my little sis first watching it, and i said, thats only 4 kids, then i listen to the music, and i like it very much, and also the steps, we do copy their step, and also my aunt is also watching the backyardigans and she was 29 yrs old, we like them very much and its so cooooool, watching THE BACKYARDIGANS!

  43. You can get t-shirts the dvd and vhs of the ghost episode at http://shop.nickjr.com/sm-the-backyardigans–fi-1967775.html

    I am 18yrsold work at a daycare and have to nephews and they love it. At the daycare they are so made they can’t watch it there. They are always talking about the latest show on. I am a big fan, I am studing to be a early childhood speciald ed teacher and then later a childlife specialist.I would love to have these. I can see why its taking so long for nick jr to get the stuf out b/c everyone wants it. It takes alot to get such a great show so thanks to the creaters

  44. I’m a 30-y/o mom with 3 little girls (5 y/o, 2.5 y/o and 5 mos old) and they all love it. I’m just happy that I have them as an excuse to watch it ;-). I enjoy most of the songs and we use them as a chance to exercise. I DVR’d some of them, but we also get them 2X a day thanks to satellite and having 2 Nick channels. My personal favorite it the Flying Rock episode.

    BTW thanks to the pp about explaining Uniqua. I honestly thought she was a pink ant LOL… it’s nice to know there’s a reason she’s “unique.”

    I love how they giggle… and I really enjoy the adult humor snuck in there as well. I find myself chuckling at some of their more grown-up statements.

    **snicker**giggle**snort** Yeti “droppings” that are actually raisins :p

  45. I am a dubbing actor and I am mexican and I make the dubbing of the voice of tyrone on spanish , and I know that is a little kids cartoon but at my11 years old I have a great time when I go to work in it. B ecause is a very funny cartoon and his songs have various kind of music
    for example:in the pirate episode it is a kind of reggae,the spy episode is tango,the yeti episode(my favorite music) is funky,etc. but this is a really fun job and of course I love the BAckyardigans. Oh i forget it:

    THIS WAS A REALLY COOL COMMENT ADVENTURE, DON´T YOU THING?
    JAJAJA 🙂 ABRAHAM VEGA

  46. My daughter is only 1 and she loves the backyardigans. she can be dead tired and almost asleep and my 3 yr old will be watching tv and the theme song comes on and shes wide awake dancing. running towards the tv yelling look look look. My 3 yr old is really prissy and everty day she see Tasha and says thats me mom.I also have time warner cable and she’ll see it on Nick jr. at 10:00 am and then i’ll change it to 239 nick2 and she’ll watch it at 1:00 pm.

  47. Hi I have two little girls in my house the both of them is my niece I wish that there was things for birthday party ware cups,plate,hat,table cover etc. because my niece Destiny is going to be 2 on the 17 of july she loves the backyardigans so much that she is driving the family crazy. So please help us.

  48. My kids love the bakcyardigans, too (they are 5 and 2)! My 2 year old is INSISTING that she have a Backyardigans Birthday party, so, in the absence of anything I have had to be creative…I had the character images from Nickjr.com laminated so that they would stand upright and am going to stink them on a “beachy” decorated cake. Also, I am printing those character images onto sticker paper and sitcking them all over a plastic tablecloth. I ordered her a t-shirt to wear at the party from nickjr.com, too. Am also using blue, orange, pink and yellow plates and napkins at the party.

  49. i am 50 years old and i am a fan of the backyardigans. i woke up early on my day off
    and saw the show and now i won’t miss it

    my favorite is uniqua here voice is just beautiful
    and her little dance cracks me up

    almost makes me want to have a kid just so we can watch it together all of my kids are grown

    if i wasn’t serious how do u think i found this web site

    my kids tease me about this all the time

  50. My son will be 1 on the 20th of this month and all I have for Backyardigan stuff is: invitations and little party bags(used for candy) that I bought off of ebay. It’s going to be wierd though because the rest of his birthday stuff is a little teddy bear holding the number one (smile)

    Nickelodeon has 4 items, and they are not even party stuff. WHAT ABOUT BIRTHDAY EXPRESS.com