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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 LOVE the backyardigans. I’m 25 years old, my boyfriend is 30 and we can’t get enough of it! We love how they dance, infact they teach us a couple of moves, and we love how they sing. Great show!

  2. I have a 7 month old daughter, and she’s been watching the backyardiagans since she was 3-4 months, I was flipping for children shows and the show was on, so we watched it, and she loves it and watched it ever since, so I know all the episodes (her favorite one is Pirate Treasure) Now that she can sit up, everytime they sing she bounces on her butt, and it’s just the cutest thing. I am waiting for birthday supplies to come out also because I want her first birthday party to be Backyardigan style because she just loves them (and they’ve grown on me too)

  3. I love the backyardigans music. My favorite is the mermaid lullaby, it is so sweet, I wish they had some songs on cd. This is the cutest show my two year old watches. Most of them I tolerate, but this one I actually love watching.

  4. I cannot tell who likes the show more – me or my 3-yr-old son. His favorite passtime now is playing “Backyardigans” (I usually play the part of Pablo, and do my best to be neurotic and have an occassional meltdown). He would fit right in with the gang, as his imagination seems to know no bounds. What I like best about the show is that it encourages kids to use their imagination, which is widely recognized as a precursory step to development of the parts of the brain that are responsible for logical thought processes, and performing things like “what if” analyses. The most special aspect of this show is that we don’t have to encourage kids to watch it (and gain the inherent benefits in the process). Kids (of all ages) just seem to be drawn to this show.
    This past weekend I was shocked to discover a new episode. I missed most of the “Castaways” episode because I thought I had them all recorded so I didn’t pay attention to when they were on cable anymore – I actually stumbled onto the new one by accident!! A quick check on the internet TV listings shows me that there’s another new one this weekend (“Superheros and Supervillains” or something like that). It’s good to see they’re making more episodes. I hope this show is around for a long long time. With the exception of “Castaways” I have every episode they’ve ever made on DVD, and I’ll add each new one as soon as it comes out. My son has come to expect it, and still doesn’t understand why daddy can’t show him the “Castaway one with Austin and his new song” any time he wants to see it…

  5. I love the jazz-funk background music. I am interested in the artist(s) that provide it. Can anybody help me?

  6. I have a 6 month old daughter who will wake up out of a sound sleep when she hears The Backyardigans theme song come on. It’s pretty amusing. I can’t wait for some merchandise to get on the shelves. N E one up for a petition? 8) Someones gotta keep us informed.

  7. I am one of those moms who enjoy the Backyardigans as much if not more than, my 11-month old. I am planning her first birthday party in that theme and there is nothing manufactured yet. Howevever, if you go on the Nick Jr. Web site (I think the one for parents) it has some printables. I am going to get a sheet cake and have it decorated like the yard and add some little plastic houses from either a party or craft store. I am going to print out the characters on card stock and glue them to popsickle sticks or toothpicks and I have an instant Cake! I am also getting some iron-on transfers and printing out some pictures on that and ironing it onto white tablecloths from a Dollar store. I am going to use all different brightly colored plates and cups (the colors of the characters) and do the same with streamers. Go to the site and save as many of the pictures as you can and use them to enlarge them into other things. There are quite a few little things they have that you can be creative with (still not as many as other shows, though).

    I also found a great gal who does custom party favors and baby showers. She is going to make lables for bubbles with my little girl’s name and use the backyardigans pictures (don’t tell Nick!!) She is very talented and has some great products. Email her at ohbaby@myacc.net and her name is Debby. I told her I’d post this so please contact her!!!

  8. Yea! More Backyardigans fans! Me, my three year old son and one year old daughter are all hooked! I love Tyrone- “that makes me nervous”. And the adjective “delictable” is now a standard in our house. My husband doesn’t get it, so it is a little secret word between me and my son! So much fun!

  9. My family also has all the episodes to date, tivo’d. We all love it. Just 5 minutes ago you would have found my husband, myself and two daughters, 11 yrs and 16months all piled on the couch watching our tivo’d viking episode! We give massive kudos to Nick for this one.

    Melissa, Mano, EmaLeigh & Aislen

  10. We just discovered the Backyardigans. My four year old loves it, and his seven year old sister tolerates it. It’s now passed Blues Clues, Dora, and Stanley in his TIVO selection order.
    My husband also loves the background music, but noted that they may change the music genre by episode. The Yeti episode was very jazz/funk fusion, while the Tarzan episode was classical/operatic. His he crazy or has anyone else noticed this?

  11. My little brother (2), watches that show all the time! I thought it was so funny the first time I watched it, I got hooked on that show! My friend is hooked too! She acually is going to spend the night on sunday, so we can watch the marathon/2 hr. special! I’m 12 and she’s 13. ya we might be a little old but we dont care. My brother (Bart) love the yeti stomp.

    YETI, YETI,YETI,YETI!!!!!

  12. I have home daycare and my kids watch little TV but this is one they can’t miss, and I’m so glad. I love it, too. My question, though, is who does their voices? I think I can picture the girl who does Uniqua, she used to sing an alphabet bit for disney. But I’d love to see a behind the scenes clip, (If you’re reading this Nick Jr.)

  13. WE are excited to watch the Backyardigan’s movie on monday (president’s day) about the flying rock. I thought that Austin was a cat but I found out that he is a kangaroo.

  14. I am 18 years old and I’m definately not ashamed to admit that I came across the Backyardigans about a month ago flipping through channels and I’ve been hooked ever since. I even have my 23 year old sister watching it too. We call each other whenever it is on, and neither of us have kids (just for our pleasure)! I’m 4 months pregnant and already planning on getting backyardigans videos and toys, etc. for my unborn child!

    I’m addicted,…my favorite is when they have reggae and hiphop performances! 🙂

  15. Along with everyone else I LOVE THE BACKYARDIGANS!
    My daughter is only 11 months old but she is just mesmorized whenever it comes on. I wanted to get the DVD for her birthday but nothing is out. If anyone know’s where or when I can get their songs on a CD or a DVD of their episodes please let me know

  16. The Backyardigans are AWESOME. I watch it all the time with my younger sisters and my nieces. The songs are great to sing to and I think the songwriters are geniuses. The overall story plots are just great. I just LOVE it. I mean, who wouldn’t??

  17. 36 year old father. Hate cartoons, hate musicals, dancing generally, etc. Love the Backyardigans. “I want my river back…”

  18. Well, I have to say that since we found the Backyardigans, it has been the most watched program in my house. My Chelsea is just turning 2, and loves them… and still no birthday products. I am going to attempt to do a cake for her birthday free hand with different frosting colors, I don’t know if I am quite that artistic!! I wish they would put out more episodes… I love the ones that are available… and Chelsea now acts like a pirate ” Aargh” and sings “Stomp, Stomp, Stomp” , the latter being one of her first true words other than mom. Along with “Yeti Yeti Yeti!” Sounds cute from a kid who still has very few words you can understand!! Can’t wait to the new movie on Monday!!

  19. My whole family loves the backyardigans !!!!!! I want to decorate my two youngest sons room with them and I’m just waiting for all the marketing to start!!!

  20. My 10 month love this show. She gets so excited every time she hears the music. She love the show and I love it too. I hope you guys keep it going.

  21. I actually found this page while looking for Backyardigans birthday supplies. My 4 year old daughter LOVES, LOVES, LOVES this show! She gets out of pre school and we race home so we don’t miss it. As for the songs, there was a promo. cd that came out and I think that is where the songs are coming from. I will check back for updates on bday supplies.

  22. Best show since Dora came out! We love to watch it over and over again. My son loves the pirate treasure one and we act them out in our living room, along with making maps and digging up the treasure. I am looking for books and cannot find them anywhere. If anyone finds any let me know! Thanks

  23. I love the Backyardigans! My kids 6 and 4 watch it all the time and the songs are so catchy I do end up siging them all the time!! I think also Uniqua is unique and not a ladybug and Austin is a kangaroo. I really think the dancing and singing is what get my kids going. This and Lazytown are their favorite shows because of the music. It is not a sit down and be boring cartoon. Keep up the great work!

  24. My kids love these showes as well… If you want to know who the voices of the Backyardigans’ are then check out this link from IMDB…
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0439349/

    Jonah Bobo …. Austin (voice)
    LaShawn Jefferies…. Uniqua (voice)
    Kristin Klabunde…. Tasha (singing voice)
    Jamia Simone Nash…. Uniqua (singing voice)
    Naelee Rae …. Tasha (voice)
    Thomas Sharkey …. Austin (singing voice)
    Corwin C. Tuggles…. Tyrone
    Zach Tyler …. Pablo (voice)

  25. As A Father I usually hate all the mushy stuff that my 6 and 3yr old watch, but I have to say I really enjoy watching the backyardigans….even when my son isn’t watching. The are very educational and I love the theme song. I hope I see some Merch soon and videos for sale. Thank you Dustin Sevilla Boise Id

  26. I liked the Quest for The Rock. There are 9 other episodes Americans have not seen yet(Shush Canadians, Please). They are:
    1. Castaways
    2. Superheroes VS Supervillians
    3. Polka Palace Party
    4. Surf’s Up
    5. Eureka
    6. Race Around The World
    7. Monster Detectives
    8. Cavepeople
    9. High Tea

  27. me and my 3 yr old son LOVE the backyardigans he is learning piano and this theme song is a great one to add it taught my son so much its like i have a stage child he put on plays for me just singing the songs and dance he just learned this show was created by the person who did lil bill way to go true african american flare at its best good job

  28. I love this show. My 3 year old daughter sings all the songs (she makes crazy faces singing the Yedi one) and being from Texas I love that they’re going to Texas and Ridin the Range. My 4 1/2 month old daughter is also getting into it!

  29. Backyardigans is the best show out right now, and I have wondered and wondered what Uniqua was, I thought she was an ant (never even thought of ladybug even though she has spots, duh) my kids thought she was an alien, but I found information on the show as to what they characters are:The five high-spirited stars include: Pablo, an energetic, enthusiastic and excitable penguin; Pablo’s best friend Tyrone, an easy-going, confident young moose; Uniqua, a one-of-a-kind character with an adventurous nature; Tasha, a deceptively sweet and girlish hippo; and Austin, a resourceful, but shy, kangaroo. rest of article here: http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=12144

  30. I’m a 31 year old male Texan, and I think the Backyardigans are the greatest thing since Popeye (I know there are no similarities, but I love Popeye)! I watch my 4 year old nephew a couple days a week and he just loves to sit in my lap, rocking in the rocking chair, watching for hours! I turn on the “closed captioning” and I can’t help but sing along, I even sing when alone! Especially “Ridin the Range”, and “A Pirate Says… ARR!” :o)

  31. I’m 13, and me and my friend were just hanging out (I spent the night and we were just waking up) and The Backyardigans came on. We ended up watching it for about 5 hours (It was a marathon, hehe) My favorite had to be the Spy Episode.
    We got hooked on the show, and on Tyrone, the hunky moose. We both are hoping he and Uniqua get together sometime soon.

    BACKYARDIGANS ARE AWESOME!
    Please, let me know where we can get pictures of TYRONE THE HUNKY MOOSE.

  32. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE BACKYARDIGANS!!!!!! THEY ROCK!!!!! MY DAUGHTERS 3RD BIRTHDAY IS COMING AND I HAVE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHERE FOR PARTY SUPPLIES AND HAVENT HAD ANY LUCK SO MAYBE I WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR BUT THATS OK CAUSE I LOVE THEM SO MUCH IM WILLING TO WAIT!!!! MY FAVORITE IS UNIQUA SHE IS SO CUTE AND PINK MY FAVORITE COLOR…… I ALSO WATCH THE SHOW WHEN IM ALONE AND WHEN MY KIDS COME IN WE ALL GET EXCITED TOGETHER…. THIS IS BETTER THAN FRAGGLE ROCK WHEN I WAS A CHILD. IM 23 YEARS OLD.

  33. My 2 year old daughter LOVES the backyardigans. Im really happy to because there is not alot of shows made by african american that my children can relate to. Every morning my daughter watches it. I had searched and searched the internet for backyardigans birthday party supplies. The closest I’ve gotton was ebay. No luck really.I hope they make some soon. My daughters birthday is Friday though looks like shell have to do without.WE LOVE THE BACKYARDIGANS!!!

  34. Whenever my daughter hears the theme music start up no matter where she’s at in the house she goes a running to the tv and all I hear in this loud bold voice” WE’RE YOUR BACKYARD FRIENDS THA BACKYARDIGANS………. oh my god that is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. She knows every song, every word, every episode, so yes it’s time to move on to the next chapters and give these kids more of a variety.
    The creaters did some very good idea crunching when they developed this show. BRAVO………. YOUR STRUCK GOLD, BIG TIME.

    I’m waiting for all the backyardigans toys, video’s, etc.
    You better get the wheels a rolling, I prodict them to be number one sellers this year for the holidays if they start putting products out on the shelf…… that’s probably when they will start loading up the store shelves around christmas time.
    I love that show and I definetly know my daughter loves it. Like I said it’s her ultimate favorite. We sing the songs together and that’s a great way to spend time with her while she’s learing many adventures….
    Thank you for this website it’s very truthful and interesting to know how other’s feel about the show.

  35. I LOVE the Backyardigans! I stumbled upon the show one Saturday morning and stopped to watch when I heard “Riding the Range”. My 9 month old and I have been tuning in ever since.

  36. Hey everyone! My mom is a daycare provider and the backyardigans is all of the kids’ favorite show! I was just wondering if anybody knew where I could find the words to the lullaby that was sung to the mermaid on the Viking Voyage episode!! My sister is pregnant and I would LOVE to sing that song to her baby. Thanks A Bunch!!!

  38. Hello, my name is Lynn Williams, 30 years old and I AM A BACKYARDIGANS ADDICT. Yes, I am not afraid nor ashamed to admit it anymore. I am a terrible mother my son who is 2 is a BACKYARDIGAN ADDICT as well. Please help!!! Where are the new episodes? Does anyone know the words to the theme song? Are the DVD’s out yet. People I must support my habit!!! (LOL)

    I think this is a wonderful show, which is kind of ironic because this is one show that I am not cringing when my son wants to see it a thousand times. Everyone enjoy and pass along to all parents in need of some sanity.

    The Backyardigans will live forever. (LOL)

  39. My daughter and I just discovered this show as a promo on a Blue’s Clues tape! There’s about one minute of Backyardigans and she makes me rewind it again and again to watch it! Every time it comes on she yells “I WANT TO SEE BACKYARDIGANS!” I’m glad to know it’s on CBS Saturday mornings–I’m going to tape an episode tomorrow if it’s on.

  40. Hey, I’m 18 and I love this show. Doing theater for the past eight years the quality is amazing

  41. I was planning on getting a snake and daggar tatoo on my arm…after watching some clips of this crazy show at a friends house yesterday, I’ve changed my mind…I’ll get a UNIQUA instead. I’m 31yrs old and, judging from the comments here…I’m definately not too old for this stuff.

  42. I’m so glad I did a search on line, and found such a fan group. I’m 26 and my fiance’ is 27 and we can’t miss this show. We weren’t planning on having kids yet, but I thought I was going to have to sooner just for an excuse to watch even more. I want to find a DVD set of the episodes because we want to put it on our wedding registry! I LOVE the yeti song and sing it in my head all the time. I also see total value now to spy maple syrup!

  43. I completely love the Backyardigans! It is unlike any cartoon around. My fiance and I (28 and 24 years old) gather around the TV to watch! Does anyone know if there is a video out there yet???

  44. I am currently home on maternity leave and I happened to catch the Backyardigans with my 3 year old son. I absolutely love that show. I watch it practically everyday now – sometimes even without my son. I don’t know what I will do when I have to return to work.

  45. I am the mother of a 12 year old and a 14 month old and I have to say this is the most watched show in our home. We do have a CD that was made and given to us by a friend (THANK YOU SO MUCH JENN) and it is the ONLY thing that will make my 14 month old stop crying when we are on car trips. He LOVES these songs and just cracks up whenever we sign (sign language) the Please and Thank you song. THANK YOU NICK JR!!!!!

  46. I am 13 years old and I love the backyardigans its my favorite show! I love how they sing all those awesome songs and do hip hop moves…me and my friends actually learn some cool moves from this show! I think it its the best show for little kids and every little kid should watch it. Pablo is my favorite. Just how he sings and the was he acts. This show is the best and I wish they will make a CD of it because I would buy it!

  47. Hey im 14 and I luv the backyardigans. I made a bunch of my friends wake up at 9 in the morning on Monday to watch the marathon. Their all sooo cute an the songs are awsome to sing along to. Its the greatest show ever.

  48. hi i am 4 years old and pablo is my favorite
    my mommy watches it with me we do all the sing alongs and activatys thank you nick junior for the backyardigans.

  49. I never thought my soon to be 3 yr old daughter would like any show better than Dora and Dragontales. Well, Backyardigans is that show! I too have all the episodes on TIVO and find myself dancing and singing with her (sometimes). I had to end up burning some episodes to DVD for long road trips.

  50. Backyardigans is awesome. My little brother loves the show. Everytime it comes on he yells my name and I have to come up from the basement to watch it with him. I know all of the songs and I sing and dance around with Ryan to them. It’s the show that we watch together. It’s great for five year olds and evidently seventeen year olds.