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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?

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Comments

  1. I know Kohl’s carries Backyardigans stuff but does wal-mart(US)? Anyone know where in the state to pick up the best stuff? Thanks for any help!

  2. I love the Backyadigans. It is refreshing to know that there are many of us out there. It is the only show that I can sit down and watch AFTER my kids have gone to bed.

    Yes to echo many of you, the songs are fantastic. My kids and I can’t seem to erase “Eureka” from our heads. Currently each time I pick them up from daycare I hear “Eurekaaaaa Eureka”. I love it. Check it out when they are all doing the shoveling move. Thank you TIVO.
    I think the music for most of the songs in this episode is from South Africa Jazz, which I also love. The art work is OK, and could probably get better.

    Ride the range..

  3. Okay, I went and bought the Great to be a Ghost DVD and it says that Unigua is like nothing from this world. The have a meet the Backyardigans section where they talk about each character and their characteristics, Paublo is bit excitable, how much of an understatement is that?? My 21/2 year old loves them. I did some checking and Toys R Us is going to carry merchandise at some point but right now you can go to their customer service desk and they have a catalog you can view and order from. Just wanted to pass it along for everyone looking for merchandise.

  4. You know what’s funny, when me and my wife are walking through Walmart I I can’t get the song outta my head ‘Riding the range,riding the range, riding the range…’ which I thought I was singing under my breath and she finishes for me ‘Yee-Haw!’

  5. I want to do my sons second birthday in backyardigans but i cant find any party supplies… does anyone know where i can go? I love ’em! I HAVE TO DO IT IN THE BACKYARDIGANS! Y’ALL THIS IS A MUST!

  6. i am glad i finnally found out what uniqua was i was going cray me and my daughter thingking what she was im alll smiles now……………..

  8. I love the BACKYARDIGANS!!!!
    I am currently trying to buy their DVD for my son for Christmas… Where in Canada can I buy it? Please help!!!!
    Thanks so much.

  9. MY 10 month old doesn’t blink when this show is on i’m not sure if i blink.We love it
    Rick and Ella

  10. Has anyone seen baby stuff, like crib sets with the backyardagains? i am going now to Nickjr.com but just incase i cant find anything let me know. i am expecting in June 2006 and would love to do Backyardagains theme. I too am addicted. My kids are 10 and 6 and we love them!!
    thanks

  11. Hello:

    My name is Wanda I have a grandson 2 year old as of September 23rd.

    He love the backyardigans. I’ve purchased both DVDs available and the only book borders had left. I’ve also had to create a tape off TV to give him a variety of viewing when he comes to visit almost every week end. He gives me chills and starts me tearing the way he responds to the beginning and end of each segment. he’s kind of shy but he loves to sing and from the very first time he hear the theme song (while watching a Blue’s Clues tape) he’s has loved them instsntly. The next DVD is out in January 2006. I wanted to get some toys or character’s his favorite is Pablo. One of his toys has a mirror on it and I asked him one day, “who that” and he said PABLO we the family laughed so hard. We the song comes on he sing, “Hi I’m Pablo”. I really want to know If and Where toys are available. Thank you and Happy Happy Holidays!!!

  12. I have three children and I love to stop everything I’m doing to watch the show with them. I have the CD and play it when we go on trips. All four of us sit in the car and sing at the top of our lungs. The best thing about the show is that it shows kids that using their imaginations is just as fun as playing video games. My favorite episode is “Riding The Range”. Hopefully this will be a show that stays on the air just as long as the “SIMPSONS” have!

  13. I need to buy my little girl size 3T Backyardigan underwear- does anyone know where to buy them? help- it’s will help me potty train her!

    Thanks

  14. HELLO I NEED TO KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND MUSICA IN ESPA?L OF the BAKYARDIGANS, since MY NOR? REQUEST ME, please AGRADECERE THIS INFORMATION, WE LIVED IN JUMPS, republica ARGENTINA

  15. Oh my gosh! My 22 month old little girl LOVES the Backyardigans. Her favorite is Pablo of course. He hollers Pablo, Pablo, Pablo over and over when the show comes on. She has 2 pairs of jammies and a Backyardigan’s sweatshirt. I bought her the Pablo, Tyrone and Uniqua cuddle pillow dolls for Christmas. It is crazy how her eyes just glaze over when the show comes on. Her father and I love to watch it with her too.

  16. hi there,
    just had to add my 2 cents worth also……LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!the first episode my husband and I watched with our 4-month old daughter was the spy one every time they did the boom-boom-boom sound like 007 it was hysterical!Our 4-month old loves the theme song so much it works everytime to calm her down if she’s upset!!!Great show!!!I’m in Canada and there are currently 2 dvd’s(Great to be a ghost and Snow Fort) availble at Chapters just to let everyone know. thanks!!

  17. I am looking for tasha and austin in a 12 inch doll. I am going crazy trying to finds them. My daughter is drivu=ing me crazy and says santa will bring them. Can anyone help me?

  18. My Son is in love with the backyardigians and i must confuss i am too!! We been watching this show since he was 6 months and its the bet thing to calm him down and for me to relax. Our fav episodes are “Surf’s Up” and “Eureka”. I made sure i taped all the shows for him now all i need is the cd with all the songs so we can sing along… I hope its not sad for mothers to sing the songs wherever she goes because i am one of them and i am only 21 yrs old…I rather listen to them than my age group music.

  20. I’m sad that theres a few things to read or find from bakyardigans on internet!

    C’mon guys lets do a big site lot o of lyrics, photos and musicas of Bakyies!

    Please someone would to write the lyricas of bakyardigans theme!

    PLEASE!

    I am a brazilian and I dont get the words still”!

    Thanks to all!

  21. So glad that that I am not the only only parenT in love with this show. My kids love it too. Especially my 18 Mo. old. I love “please and thank you thats the secret of the nile”. me and some of my girlfriend actuallly call each other with excited when a new item comes ouT. They really need to get some clothes out there for the babies not just the older kids!!

  22. What up- what is this Khols place? I’m guessing the majority of writers in here are american or canadian? We dont have Khols in Australia: we have places like toyworld, toy kingdom and toys r us- If Khols is a toyshop. As far as I’ve heard, it sells clothes, shoes, bedlinen and doonas, toys and other stuff, so maybe its something like target or big W!!! lol, i don’t know. As far as i know, there isn’t anything backyardigan-ish to buy in australia: including the cds or dvds or books or any of the other stuff they sell in ‘Khols’.

    Anyway, we need more of: I love this charactor!!!
    I love austin because… i just do! He’s so quiet and shy and resourceful and ‘diffident’ and so damn cute!!!
    But I dont like tasha at all: too girly.

    what songs do I like? the song ‘Castaways’: castaways, we are castaways, ahoy there, ahoy, we are castaways… 😀 and also ‘who’s there’ and then ‘drumming drumming’ from cave people.
    did you know, in the first song: Ug, in cave ppl, i thought they sang:
    “Ug can mean ‘yuck’, ug can mean ‘yum’, ug mean yuck i got a boo boo on my bum and i was outraged
    a) It was Austin who said it
    b) how could they say that on a kids show! How fez!
    I soon learnt that they actually sang: Ouch, I got a boo boo on my thumb.

    Oh, and one more thing i want to ask yous ppl:
    like, how how old are these kids!?
    It sais on every site they are preschoolers, but they have the intelligence status of 7-8 year olds! And 7-8 year olds are in grade 2-3 in primary school! their voices are older then preschoolers, aswell. Preschoolers are like, 3-4 yr old! Ah well.
    who cares. They’re cute and i guess that matters the most!!!

    Lots o` love Tam!! 🙂

  23. i love the backyardagins! if i could watch every show in the world of the backyardagins i would! my favorite character is tyrone. i started a club in school for the backyardagins with my frien reeny!my sister and i love the theme song, we watch it on-demand so we can rewind it over and over agian!

  24. i love the backyardagins! if i could watch every show in the world of the backyardagins i would! my favorite character is tyrone. i started a club in school for the backyardagins with my frien reeny!my sister and i love the theme song, we watch it on-demand so we can rewind it over and over agian!

  25. i love the backyardagins! i love the theme song the most!i started a club in my school with a friend for the backyardagins! i am trying to find a tyrone doll for my collection

  26. You can find the clothes at Kohls, and My little 21 month old loves them all. I just wish i knew where to buy the party supply stuff in time for his birthday on March 1st.

  27. oh my gosh i love them!! when my 9 month old son hears “The Backyardagins are coming he flips out searching for the T V he loves it!! i bought him the christmas dvd and he could watch it over and over again. well now that he’s turning 1 March 28th i would love to make his 1st birthday party the backyardagins but i can’t seem to find them anywhere!! if anyone knows a place where they sell party supplies please let me know!! even if i have to order them from China PLEASE!! susan and devin pein

  28. We LOVE them too!! Aargh!! I too want to find birthday stuff.. My husband bought our 21 month old the cd for xmas and she and we absolutely love it…

  31. I like Backyadigans. My son love it so much. We are planning to make Backyardigans for his birthday party. But I never seen Backyardigans cake or decoration online or in the store.

    I do hope The nick.com will make Backyardigans theme party.

  32. Hola, quiero poner un comentario en español, pues los niños y los padres de Latinoamerica tambien amamos a los Backyardigans. Estoy organizando la fiesta de 4 años de mi hijo y buscando dibujos encontré esta página y estoy feliz que hayan tantos fans, así tal vez la serie continue.
    Hi, I´m from Guatemala, in Central America, and we all love that show. Sorry about my sintaxis, but I just want to share with you guys that in my family are 3 fans of Tasha, Tyron, Pablo, Uniqua and Austin.

  33. Hey, I’m 18 years old and I started watching them because of my 2 year old niece and now, as everyone else, I’m hooked. Just wanted to say that.

  34. MY DAUGHTER IS 13 MOS OLD AND SHE LOVE THIS SHOW.I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT ME AND MY BOYFRIEND WATCH THIS SHOW WHEN SHE IS NOT AROUND. ITS SO CUTE AND I JUST LOVE UNIQUA! NICK JR NEED TO MAKE MORE BACKYARDIGANS TOYS!!!!!!

  35. The Backyardigans RULE! My 18 month old son has been addicted to the show for almost a year now. We TiVo the shows daily. I am desperately looking for Backyardigans Themed supplies for his 2nd birthday which is in June. This show is a nice breath of fresh air and is enjoyable for all ages. Almost everyone in my family knows all of the words to their songs. My son even sleeps with a stuffed Tyrone doll. We love this show.

  36. We love the Backyardigans too. My daughter is 18 mn gonths old and she looovvveeess Pablo. We evot her the talking pirate Pablo. I was thinking about it for her birthday too. Someone better think of something soon.

  37. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only adult Backyardigans fan. I bought the CD and I can’t get enough of it. I don’t know who loves it more me or my 9 month old. We both dance to it. I’m looking for Backyardigans birthday plates, cups and napkins. I haven’t had any luck yet. He will at least have a Backyardigans cake.

  38. My three year old loves this show as well. I have called so many party supply stores in my area trying to find this theme it’s almost ridiculous. Her fourth birthday is in February and I am trying to find some party supplies. She never misses a show and I find myself just as excited when it comes on. Please post if anyone finds supplies before February. Miah would greatly appreciate it!!!

  39. My daughter loves the show! She is 23 months old and her favorite character is Tasha! Only because that is her name too!

  40. Where can you watch these guys? Love them and so does my little one. They were on Noggin but no longer – help!

  41. hola, espero puedan saludar a mi hijo pues es fanatico de ustedes, i apenas tiene 2 añitos
    saludos i que sigan cosechando exitos

  44. I must say I am gald to see I am not the only mom who loves this show as much as my kids. I enjoy it even more then they do… it’s really quite funny. This show and LazyTown are the only shows my 2 kids enjoy watching which is great because in between shows we act out our own versions of the show. I hope they do come up with more episodes and more shows with the same idea, that kids need to use their imagination which makes things more fun. Thanks for all the support, ladies… and may we continue to enjoy the Backyardigans

  45. I must say I am gald to see I am not the only mom who loves this show as much as my kids. I enjoy it even more then they do… it’s really quite funny. This show and LazyTown are the only shows my 2 kids enjoy watching which is great because in between shows we act out our own versions of the show. I hope they do come up with more episodes and more shows with the same idea, that kids need to use their imagination which makes things more fun. Thanks for all the support, ladies… and may we continue to enjoy the Backyardigans

  46. Just a FYI, Nick Jr. started taping more episodes last August and again this January. I have been conversing with the young lady (and her Mother)who is Tasha’s singing voice. She is a very hardworking young lady, she was in Gepetto with Drew Carey. Has done Broadway (Les Miserables as young Cosette) and many commercials and vocie overs. She is also the singing voice to the Disney Princess doll Aurora. Her name is Kristin Danielle Klabunde.

  47. Oh My Gosh… We Love the Backyardigans!! My daughter is having her 2nd Birthday with this as there theme. I found this wonderful seller on ebay who does personalized Backyardigan T-shirt. These aren’t just any T-shirt there with a picture of your kid in with Tha Backyardigans. It’s like there part of that show. I feel in love with it the first time I say there sample pic.It has Tyrone holdind my daughters hand and Uniqua standing next to her. There in the desert. WAY CUTE!!!! They also put the Childs name and age on it!! Seller User name is my teeshirt ask them for a Backyardigans Personalized shirt. You’ll love it!!!
    We love The Backyardigans… And watch them everyday. I think I look forward to hearing their cheerful music everyday to get me going in the morning.
    Shhh Shhh Secret Agent!!!

  48. HI IM ALLWAYS HAPPY AND I LOVE WHATCHING THE BACKYARDIGANS.ALMOST EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY WHATCHES IT!IM IN FOR TASHA.SHES A HIPPO.

  49. I found out about this show from a friend last year and never really looked for it on TV. “You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all”. But my three year old son and I stumbled across this show at the end of last year and we both can’t get enough. We have the first three DVD’s and the CD. I actually listen to the songs when he is not in the car. I love also that the music is such that adults will recognize it. The genre ,usic themes are great! The 5 friends completely stay in character for every episode. They actually have personalities. The lessons are great. This is one of the best shows I have come across in a long time.

  50. i need party supplies for the backyardigans where can i find it please help me it is her first birthday and she loves them so much. as soon as she hears the song she stops everything and starts mocing her head all around and will sit there watching them