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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

  1. I LOVE the Backyardigans, and all my friends think I’m nuts. I’m almost 13 and they don’t understand hao great the music is. I love the song “Buffalo Gals”. It’s so catchy!

  2. My 2 year old absolutely loves the Backyardigans. Linens n Things also carries Backyardigans items. She loves Uniqua and Tasha. Her favorite outfit is her pink Backyardgians velour suit. We TiVo the show everyday for her. She is turning 3 and I thought doing a Backyardigans theme in the backyeard would be great. I guess I will have to be creative with the party supplies.

  4. I’m also interested in finding out where to get Backyardigans cake decorations and party supplies.

  5. The backyardigans r the best n i luv them. im 12 and im not ashamed. i luv the songs, dances n shows. my cuzin who iz 6 luvs them 2. its pretty hard 2 find lyrics for the songs. so anyone who has a website for them, please email me or Im me. Taurusmami94 is my sn for AOL

  6. I to am disapointed to hear that they are not going to put out birthday supplies this year my son loves the backyardigans and he is turning 2 and all he talks about is a backyardigan party so he will probably be disapointed to hear that he wont be getting a backyardigan party. i am going to do my best with the stuff that is out there but it would be easier if they would get the supplies out. they really should put the stuff out the show has been on for long enough to get things rolling so they better get on it! oh well they are still our favorite show and i hope they continue to making more episodes!

  7. I like backyardigans so much actually love em so much my fav is pablo and uniqua and fav fav fav fav fav fav fav fav fav fav fav fav fav fav fav episode is SURFS UP i luv it dey sing and dance and its cool i luv em where can i find backyaridgans lyrics to surfs up

  8. MY SON ABSOLUTELY LOVES THIS SHOW. I’M SO HAPPY THAT I STUMBLED ON TO IT ONE SUNDAY MORNING ON DEMAND! AT MY BROTHER’S HOUSE.LIKE EVERYONE ELSE I’M HOPING FOR SOME LICENSED PARTYWARE SOMETIME SOON.BUT I HAVE UNTIL NEXT JANUARY SO I’M NOT WORRIED…YET.I’VE FOUND A PABLO THE PIRATE ON AN ONLINE TOY STORE AND HE SINGS THE “AARGH, THE PIRATE SONG ALONG WITH A FEW CATCH PHRASES.BUT IT’S ON BACKORDER.MY SON LOVES PABLO,SO HOPEFULLY I’LL BE ABLE TO GET AHOLD OF SOME MERCHANDISE SOON.

  9. Requests? Thank You Cards?
    This address was posted on the Nick Jr. Forum as a place to write to if you want to contact the people who put The Backyardigans together.

    The Backyardigans c/o Janice Burgess
    1515 Broadway (38th Floor)
    New York NY 10036

    Use this information wisely! They’re busy putting together more episodes for us – let’s not distract them!

    There are also 20 new episodes coming out due in canada in september. bon apetit! i cant wait til they come out. ps is it there a ‘journey to mars’ or something episode out now, or still being made? apparently theres a book about it. it’s coming out in spanish.

    the link for a great site with this info and more is above it says: here’s the link: here’s the link on the last line. it’s not far up.

    luv tam

  13. I LOVE THIS SHOW! I TRY TO WATCH IT ALL THE TIME,BUT MY MOM WON’T LET ME. WHEN I FIRST SAW THIS SHOW, I SAW THE SECRET AGIENT ONE WITH PABLO, TYRONE AND UNIQUA. I’LL NEVER GROW OUT OF THIS SHOW EVER! EVERY NIGHT, I KEEP WANTING TO DREAM ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL IT WOULD BE TO ZOOM INTO THE TV, AND ONE OF THEM! I WANT TO HAVE ALL THE TOYS OF THEM, WALLPAPER,BEDDING,AND MY WHOLE ROOM FULL OF THE BACKYARDIGANS STUFF! JUST BECAUSE I’M 11, DOESN’T MEAN MY MOM CAN KEEP KEEP ME AWAY FROM IT. THE BACKYARDIGANS RULE!!!!!!!!!

  14. My daughter loves Tyrone and wants a Backyardigans Birthday!!! Where can I buy party goods. Please help she is only going to be three and loves these guys so much!

  16. My daughter isn’t even 2 yet and she loves the Backyardagains. How I discovered them was on Maury he had amazing kid talents and the voice of Uniqua and I fell in love with them and introduced my daughter to it and ever since she sings and dances to the songs with her little hands in the air!! So cute so for her birthday I am doing a Backyardagains western birthday party. On nickjr.com there are incitations you can print out and some decorations and also a Paublo cake recipe. I am going to orientaltrading.com for other propts like cactus’s cowboy hats bandannas and etc… You should check it out (nickjr.com) its free and they also have a radio where you can listen to the songs and play games it lots of fun Abigayle enjoys it. Hope this helps!!! (also there are lots of books bean bags and pillows on the shopping part of the website!!

  17. My daughter isn’t even 2 yet and she loves the Backyardagains. How I discovered them was on Maury he had amazing kid talents and the voice of Uniqua and I fell in love with them and introduced my daughter to it and ever since she sings and dances to the songs with her little hands in the air!! So cute so for her birthday I am doing a Backyardagains western birthday party. On nickjr.com there are incitations you can print out and some decorations and also a Paublo cake recipe. I am going to orientaltrading.com for other propts like cactus’s cowboy hats bandannas and etc… You should check it out (nickjr.com) its free and they also have a radio where you can listen to the songs and play games it lots of fun Abigayle enjoys it. Hope this helps!!! (also there are lots of books bean bags and pillows on the shopping part of the website!!

  19. My 6yr old just choose to stay home (with Dad of course) and watch Backyardagins (sp?) this morning instead of hanging out with me and running errands (Boo-hoo!) Hi 5 (Discovery kids) is also a great show. I find myself singing along with them as well. My 2,3, and 6 yr olds all enjoy watching it.

  20. I have a 19 month old who loves the backyardigans. He rarely sits down to watch TV since he seems to think he can run around all day, but he sits down just for them. My husband and I were thinking of trying to do a Backyardigans birthday party since you can have at least 3 themes for the day. We were thinking of dividing the yard into 3 sections and have a pirate theme, a egyptian theme, and a spy theme. If anyone knows where I can get any backyardigan party supplies I would greatly appreciate the help. Thanks, Andrea

  23. Hello, We have a 6 month old baby and he just stares watching the BackYardigans as well as we Mom and Dad do, 😉 The show is very colorfull, funny, and we allways like the tales indide.

    We Love the BackYardigans, with Love from Valencia, Venezuela.

  24. I am 11 and my 3 1/2 year old sister is always singing the song and so i tried to find the lyrics (the theme song) it was just about impossible to find but i did it.

    The Backyardigans Theme Song

    Spoken:
    Hi, I’m Pablo.
    My name’s Tyrone.
    I’m Uniqua.
    I’m Tasha.
    And my name is Austin.
    And we’re …

    Sung:
    Your backyard friends, the Backyardigans!
    Together in the backyard again,
    In the place where we belong,
    Where we’ll prob’ly sing a song,
    And we’ll maybe dance along.

    We’ve got the whole wide world in our yard to explore.
    We always find things we’ve never seen before.
    That’s why every day we’re back for more
    With your friends, the Backyardigans.

    I absolutely love this show I watch it when ever she does and i am always singing the songs afterword. its brilliant.

  25. This has to be the greatest show ever created for kids. The show is automatic in our home with my 22 month old and the cd is on when the show is not. Rockabilly lullaby has to be the greatest song to go to sleep to ever. I even use it myself!!

  26. Hooray for people over the age of 7 who adore this show! Long Live The Backyardigans!!

    nyahahahaha..

    woohoo!

  27. MY HUSBAND AND I LOVE TO WATCH THE BACKYARDAGAINS WITH OUR 18 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. SHE DOES THE ARRRR! LIKE A PIRATE. IT CRACKS US UP. SHE DANCES TO THE MUSIC. ITS SO CUTE. CHECK OUT NICK JR.COM TO SEE VIDEOS AND HOW TO MAKE CUPCAKES THAT LOOK LIKE THEM ALL.

  28. Backyardagains is GREAT…my 9 month old loves the colors and all the action that goes on in the show even if she doesn’t know whats going on….I am even a little dissapointed when she suddendly looses interest and wants to take a nap because I know I am going to miss part of the show…I just got a DVR so I’m going to have to record some of them!!!

  29. I love the backyardigans so sos sososososoos much
    i have them on my msn display!!!

    i want to do my room in it ! lol

    I LOVE THE MOVIE SURF’S UP! (i got some rad moves…) lol

  30. I also love to watch the backyardigans my daughter and nephew absolutely love it, they watch them constantly. I have to say though that Uniqua is not a ladybug she’s not any animal she’s unique. That’s why she is named uniqua. Ladybugs have wings and black stomachs. I have actually looked up what she was and Austin is a Kangaroo:)

  31. Ah, my two year old (well not 2 yet, but close) just got into it! He had been watching that episode called High Tea and was clearly craving for me, but sadly it appears that they’re not gonna show it anytime soon (if they will and I hope they will)! What bummer! Sure, if I could find some episodes on VCD or DVD, I’m gonna spend a little bit money on ’em.

  32. My son is a huge fan too–he is only a year old, but will not even glance at any other show. There are actually four dvds out right now–each w/ 4 episodes, high tea is on one of them. We bought all four for his birthday. I emailed NickJr today, actually, about new episodes. I admit, my husband, me and my 12 year old son sing the songs constantly. It is a great show, if it had been around for my older son–he would have been hooked!

  33. I LOVE the Backyardigans! Aside from the one released CD, would anyone happen to know exactly how many other songs are available? I’d like to compile them all onto one CD. If anyone else has a full song listing from the series to date that they’d be willing to post, I’d greatly appreciate it! I wouldn’t want to overlook any of those terrific songs! Thanks!

  34. OhMahGawd!!! i ♥ the backyardigans soo much…i didn’t find out about them until my baby sister started demanding them OnDemand (which is strange seein that she’s only 2) i think they have the best songs EVER! My favorites are “Scrurvy Pirate” and “Into the Thick of It”. I actually watch it myself…of course everone says its morally wrong for a teen to sit and watch kiddy shows…i dont care ;P

  35. My daughter loves the Backyardigans. We made the mistake of buying an audio cd of them and anytime we are in the car she yell’s for Yetties, which is what she cause them becuase of the Yetti episode. She is just now getting to where she calls each by name. We have seen some stuff at Kohls and other stores but have not been able to find much. I really hope they get more stuff out.

  36. My daughter loves the Backyardigans. She is almost 2 years old and loves Pablo. Every time we mention his name she yells “gotta go” from the episode Race around the World.

  37. I bought the CD, but it didn’t include “Racing Day” which I’m hoping to play at my daughter’s birthday party coming up. Does anyone know where to find an mp3 version of that song? – Thanks!

  38. We -my 20 moth old, my husband, my mom and dad our aunties and myself also love the backyardigans!

    It started with my son, who loves music and began to see the show on discovery kids (we live in Mexico). Then some how the whole family ended up loving the show and singing the songs. The dvd in mexico comes in english and spanish versions and my son actually sings along in both languages (well, in his very own toddler way, of course =)
    We are celebrating his second birthday soon and it is a shame we can`t find any backyardigans party supplies. I hope we can see them on stores soon!

  39. this boy in my class actually does the singing voice of tyrone. i love the show too, especially the songs!

  40. Ilove the backyardigins. I think that they are so cute especially Uniqua. These little kids have some tight harmony. Nick jr needs to keep the goo work up. 😉

  41. The choreography is the BEST. I love this show. I am not only tempted to watch it when my son is not around…I do!

  42. The choreography is the BEST. I love this show. I am not only tempted to watch it when my son is not around…I do!

  43. Im watching it right now as we speak for the first time

    I love it…

    Stomp stomp stomp… Yeti Yeti Yeti…

    I need to get all the shows….

  44. My now 3 year old daughter is addicted to this show, the characters, the songs and all the toys available. We incorporate these songs into our daily life. ‘You gotta hold on tight’ is used often, especially at the park!

  45. I have a 10 month old daughter and TV doesn’t grab her attention, i tried showing her different cartoons so she’d give me free time to clean up, she didnt sit still and watch anything. Until, the BACKYARDIGANS! She amazes me, the way she tries to sing along with them and how she dances when anyone sings a backyardigan song to her. Party supplies wont be available till mid 2007. ANYTHING you need to know about the backyardigans, lyrics,# of episodes they have out(20),etc. Go to Wikipedia.org & type in Backyardigans.

  46. I love them so much my daughter is 10 months and she bops along with the cute little songs. Does any one know where you could buy the party set for them?

  47. We love this show in the UK too. I have two girls aged 3 and 5. Molly, my youngest was ‘surfing’ on the coffee table just the other day singing ‘surfs up, surfs up, ho daddy’!

    My personal favourite is Castaways! Trying to download some tracks now …

  48. Uniqua is not a lady bug. She isn’t anything in particular. She is “unique”.

    My daughter loves them too. So do I. I have the CD in my car and love it. My 16 year old nephew from NYC visited and kept putting it on too. He thought it was great.

    I wish they would make little 3 or 4 inch figures for my daughter to play with. I can only find the beanie babies and they don’t have Tasha and Austin.

  49. my god-daughter adores Backyardigans and I’m trying to buy any related toy in Mexico. Does anybody know where can I buy them?
    thanks!

  50. Until I read your comment about Uniqua being a ladybug, I always thought of her as being an ant.
    I looked on the Nick Jr website, and it makes no mention of each of the characters identity, although I do believe that Austin is a kangaroo. I wish that he would be included in more episodes. I liked the “surfer” one where he was the shy lifeguard pointing the way to Pablo and Tyrone where Tiki beach was.