Nobody Knows Anything

Welcome to Diane Patterson's eclectic blog about what strikes her fancy

The Backyardigans

Posted on Written by

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.)

 

§ 

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. our hole class is the backyardigans haha we love that show we watch it every day..
    Tyrone..Brannon
    Tasha..Honey
    Pablo..Sean
    Uniqua..Kigidi
    Austin..Kani
    Ohh Yeahh! ha!
    P.S. were 15 n we *LOVE* the backyardigans!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Ok, thank you Nick Jr! Once I get home, all my DVR picks up are all the episodes from the entire day. And they are all enjoyable! My baby girl is 9 months old and loves it each and every time! Once she hears the theme song come on she wiggles and bounces all over the livingroom! (And my husband and I cant help but dance along too!)

  4. My son and I love the backyardigans. He is 15 months old and has been watching them for about 6 months. My favorite episode is Mission to mars, i love the songs. I sing the songs in my head while i get ready for work in the morning. I think it is a great show for kids, it really teaches them a lot!

  5. My daughter turns 1 year old this week and she and I both absolutely love the backyardigans. She has loved it from the first day we watched it when she was 3 months old. Her face just lights up and is totally immersed into the show until its over. In fact the other night she was almost asleep and the theme song came on tv and she immediately woke up and wanted to watch. I saw they finally made a stage show,yipppeeee….Now I just have to hope it comes near here so I can take her.

  6. wow this site has grown. i havent been on here for like 2 years! any serious backy fans that havent found this site: http://www.backyardiganfans.com , find it! its the biggest backy fan site i have found, and its heaps of fun. LOVE ! austin xXxXxXx

  7. HI, I LOVE the Backyardigans!!!!! I am 16 years old and my friends and family think i’m crazy. Uniqua is my favorite and i got my 5th grade brother addicted to the show too! I find myself singing the songs all the time! I love them!

  8. Yet another backyardigans fan I have my sons birthday coming up in may I need the backyardigans to be there
    can anyone help me. I can not find anything. on anyone who does this. Please help “I gotta win this race”!

  9. I first started watching the Backyardigans when I was pregant with my first child. Since then, I’ve had 3 kids and they’ve all watched the show since birth. Even at 3 months old, my kids were just drawn to it. My oldest is 3 and she pretends she’s a different Backyardigan every day and reacts scenes from various episodes! Her favorite is “Help! I’m trapped in the snow!” (From the Snow Fort.) My son is 2 and he absolutely loves Pablo. Anytime the Backyardigans is on, he doesn’t talk or even move! He sits there with his mouth gaping wide open, totally intrigued. Even my 6 month old bounces up and down when they start singing. I love this show because they’ve learned so much from it and they dance and sing all the time! Even when the show first came out, I started recording all the episodes. We have 2 full tapes of nothing but Backyardigans! But I’m falling behind! I haven’t taped any in a while! I just wanted to say thanks so much for making the Backyardigans. My kids and I absolutely love it!

  10. Hey everyone! I just found the site and am yet another serious Mommy fan of the show! My son adores it, and has several books and of course shows on DVD and one of the CD’s. But I must confess I sometimes listen to it in the car when he isnt even there! I have been looking for Backyardigan’s underwear….anyone have any ideas?? If so, send me an e-mail at jennluisi@yahoo.com Thanks!! 🙂 BTW, my favorite is Austin, but my son adores Pablo!

  11. hey! I just love the backyardigans! My mom, my brother, and I watch it all the time! My brother likes Tyrone, and his favorite line from him is “Well that certainly is convenient”. My mom likes Uniqua. I like Austin. Lately, my brother and I have been arguing about something. In all the episodes we have seen, Austin’s friends have never gone to his house for a snack. We were wondering if Austin even has a house. If his friends did go to his house in one of the episodes, we would like to know which episode!

  12. Watch Backyardigans all the time. Love it. Just a comment on Uniqua…Someone mentioned her being a ladybug. Perhaps she is not any critter in particular, she is unique…..hence her name….Uniqua. Just a thought.

  13. Yes they do go to Austin’s house, I can’t remeber which episode exactly but he lives across the fence and I recently seen one (about a month ago) where they went through the fence for their snack.

  14. the voice of tyrone is my frnd
    we call him reggie well we used to talk but we lost contact
    he goes to my school
    cool kid im surprised he didnt tell me this tho

  16. My 3 year old daughter and I watch the Backyardigans every day! I’ve noticed that her dad even waits until the show goes off before he turns to “his shows”. With any other show, he’s like, “okay, it’s daddy’s turn to watch tv.” She says she’s Tasha and I get to be Uniqua.

  17. We started watching the Backyardigans when my daughter was about 6 months… she would go crazy when she would hear that first little … “Dun dunnnnn!” At the begining of the opening song…. (lol.. we all know that dun dunnnn… LoL)
    Anywhoo.. Like everyone here I to became a HUGE fan.. We then spent WAYYY to much and did an all out backyardigans first birthday party (omg we even bought the dang 5 foot Uniqua! LoL ) we had five huge round tables and every table was a different characters table with coordinating colors and goodies …..
    Anywhoo a lot of people (adults) who had never even heard of them now watch it themselves after attending the party and asking “what’s a backyardigan???” Lmao!
    Poor people … there is no simple answer to that question! I ALWAYS have to go into detail…
    My daughter is now just over two years old and EVEN MORE in love with them then before.. LoL..
    The tail of the mighty nights is by far all of our favorites….. (daughter, husband and myself)
    The music and plot is awesome and whenever she sees mountains in the distance or ANY dragon type anything she gets soooo excited and squeals “Oooh ohh… TOP TOP DRAGON MOUNTAIN!!”… yeah not exactly the right words.. LoL.. but hey.. in the eyes of a two year old! LoL….
    In a nut shell… we love these guys and the episodes are getting better and better… well this last one sure was! 🙂

  18. I was wondering if a new design of the backyardigans bedding is getting ready to be released everywhere I look they are out of stock except ebay. I am looking for toddler bedding hopefully something girly.

  19. My family LOVES the Backyardigans!!! I actually found this site searching for some form of birthday cake toppers for my daughter’s two year old birthday. No store around me carries the theme… BOOOO! Anywho, she is obsessed. She has to watch her “Pabo and Tashy” as she calls them every morning when she gets up and before bed. She has quite a few of the toys, including the bedtime Pablo that she has to sing with before she dozes off. This show is extraordinary! Very catchy and keeps my little girl out of my hair when I have something to do! We need more episodes though. I have seen all nine of them (also on my DVR) about a hundred times each and can quote each episode word for word as if it were my favorite movie. Come on Nick Jr! Let’s get a new season going! I can’t wait to see what they come up with!!

  20. P.S. Isn’t the one where they go to Austin’s house for snacktime “Surf’s Up”? I can’t remember exactly but I think so… Also, our favorite episodes are “Into the Deep” (with the Mermaids) and both of the pirate ones. My daughter actually says “Argh” when we ask if she’s a pirate!

  21. My 3 year old son’s whole world revolves around the Backyardigans! Does anyone have a clue as to where I could find some Backyardigans underwear for him?! Every once in a blue moon, they put a single package of them up for auction on eBay, but so far, I’ve been unsuccessful in getting my hands on any. If anyone else is having the same problem, please contact nick jr. and make a request for them to carry them in their online store.

    http://shop.nickjr.com/helpdesk/index.jsp?display=store&subdisplay=contact

    Maybe if they realize how in demand this stuff is they’ll do something about it. Thanks.

  22. hey there! I just found this site while looking for a site showing who does the voices for the show. My son LOVEs them all, he’s almost 4. His upcoming birthday party will be Nick Jr., with them included. He is so cute singing the songs, and he knows the dances as well. He actually wears a bucket on his foot for the episode of Pablo with the peg-lieg, lol. I am collecting the DVD’s as well, and Nick jr. has a dvd out with other shows and them as well.

    Also, Austin does have a house. If you look when they do a sky shot, there are 5 houses in a half circle that all share a yeard, and the colors or the houses match the characters. And I believe Austin is an Aardvark 😀

  23. My question is where in the world do we find backyardigan clothing? Besides the few things you see online, we cannot find any for my 2 year old son.
    This is the only show he’ll watch on tv, thank goodness, and it sucks so much that they have tigger & pooh, elmo, diego & dora… but no backyardigans? Quite possibly one of the best shows made for children since it teaches kids to have fun & explore & imagine OUTSIDE!!! and being a dance teacher myself, i love the choreographed dances! 🙂

  24. We All Love the Backyardigans at our house. My daughter who is now almost 18 months has been seriously watching the show since she was about 3 month old. Her bedroom is done completely in the characters from the show. It is her “Backyardigans Room” in which she is very proud of. Yes I do get accused of liking them more than her but, its okay and its all in good fun. We live in Cincinnati and I know for those who are searching for the bedroom set, I just recently found the updated toddler bed with built in rails, the bedding/sheet set, toy box, and table and chairs along with a few other items at a local kmart. they are also avail. on the kmart website. Also Lowes carry the wall stickers, border and wall hangings. Im just wondering if anyone knows where to find the fabric. I’m interested in making her some personalized items. One more thing before I leave this site full of adult backyardigan fans, if anyone lives close to Kings Island Amusement part in Mason, Ohio Pablo is one of the main characters there and there is many opportunities to meet him. Also they have Backyardigans theme rides and attractions.

  25. My four year old daughter and I have been watching the Backyardigans for some time now…..and we BOTH LOVE THEM ALL!! My daughter’s favorite episode is “The Volcano Sisters” and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE “Mission to Mars” (and the “Boinga” song??!! LOVE IT!!). It’s really nice to have an educational program for children that is entertaining AND engaging. We recently went to see their live show…and although my little princess was a slightly alarmed to see that the gang was larger that they appear on TV, it was still an excellent program.

  26. I’m 14 years old and i’ve been watching the backyardagins for approx. the last 3 years. I like it. if my younger sibs watch it, i sit down and watch it with them. it’s so cute and their adventures always bring to mind the imagination of my younger years. the music is catchy(for a kids show…lol) and again, it’s the cutest thing on earth..=P

  27. My son and daughter LOVE to watch the Backyardigans. They have been huge fans since the show came out, and I’ve had birthday parties for both featuring the Backyardigans, along with pajamas and other items.

  28. My 20 month old son Jojo and I love backyardigans. They are so great. We are fanatics of the backyardigans. I’m planning his 2nd birthday party with the backyardigan theme again, but I have a question. This year I want a character to come, whether it be pablo , tyrone, uniqua, austin,tasha, does anyone know where i can buy or rent an adult costume or find someone who will do it. the party is in april 2009, so i have enough time….thanks brenda

  29. You said in your post that Uniqua is a ladybug. Everything I’ve read about her, even on Nick Jr., says that she is a made up animal, a “Unique”-wa. I’m interested to find out why or where you read she was a ladybug.

  32. y son love love the Bacyardagians. we watch is everyday. I gotten his grandmother to start watching it and now she is finding herself at work watching the show in the morning. one thing i try to do is figure out the songs and where they orignate from because each song comes from a childs song they just change the words. my favorite is Austin i think he is so cute espically on the DVD surf’s up. He is the mystery life gaurd ad he is so cool and mellow like i just love the show and i think it helps for children to use their imgaination when they are out playing.

  33. MY DAUGHTER LOVE THIS SHOW VERY MUCH. SHE IS ONLY 10 MONTHS OLD AND SHE HAS BEEN WATCHING IT WHEN IT WAS A BABY. I LIVE IT TOO AS HER MOTHER. I LOVE THE REGGAE SONGS AND ALL THE CHARACTERS. IT IS SO ENTERTAINING. MOST OF ALL THE DANCING.

  34. I am a brand new grandma of now a 2year old. We have tapes, tivo, and on demand Backyardigans. My granddaughter Sky saw them live and loved it. My Love to Diane who helped me win an arguement with my daughter that Uniqua is a Ladybug. You are also right to think Austin is a kangaroo. We find ourselves still watching long after Sky has dropped off to sleep. I hope they last as long as Seseme Street.

    Thank you
    Grandma

  35. My kids love this show and so do my husband and I. We recently DVR an episode with tyrone the mailman and Uniqua, Pablo and Tasha as Bikers. I didn’t get the beginning and my kids watch it over and over again. I can’t seem to find that episode again. If anyone knows if it’s out on tape please let me know. There’s a great new one called “a giant problem”, It’s awesome you guys. Everybody please watch that one you’ll love it.

    Paula Nelson

  37. Does anyone know where I can buy or rent an adult Pablo costume for my nephew’s first birthday.
    It’s in two weeks and I’m desperate!!! Please, HELP!

  38. if any one is interested i make hand made goody-bags and they are handpainted as well…of the backyardigans if interested in pic. please email me to llally1524@yahoo.com