Whoopi's Littleburg
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Nick-Jr-Whoopis-Littleburg.jpg
| caption =
| genre = Children
Preschool{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/83696679/|title=Southern Illinoisan from Carbondale, Illinois|work=The Southern Illinoisan|publisher=Lee Enterprises|date=February 26, 2004}}
| creator = Jonny Belt{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nick-jr-commences-production-on-season-two-of-the-backyardigans-the-hit-series-that-takes-preschoolers-on-musical-world-adventures-in-their-own-backyards-55800057.html|title=Nick Jr. Orders 20 New Episodes of the Groundbreaking CGI-Animated Series, Slated to Rollout in October 2006|work=PR Newswire|date=April 3, 2006}}
Robert Scull{{cite web|url=http://www.corusent.com/news/paramount-visits-nelvanaos-backyard/|title=Paramount Visits Nelvana's Backyard|publisher=Corus Entertainment|date=November 10, 2005}}
| writer = Alan Katz{{cite news|url=http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2016/04/04/author-alan-katz-to-speak-at-north-shelby-library/|title=Author Alan Katz to speak at North Shelby Library|work=Shelby County Reporter|last=Sparacino|first=Emily|date=April 4, 2016}}
| director = Robert Scull
Tim Hill
| creative_director =
| developer =
| presenter =
| starring = Whoopi Goldberg
Josh Gustin
Sean Curley
Sofie Zamchick
Mary Birdsong
Dr. John
| voices =
| narrated =
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = Whoopi Goldberg
Dr. John
Guy Davis
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 3
| executive_producer = Jonny Belt
Robert Scull
| producer = Whoopi Goldberg{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/atlanta/article/Whoopi-Goldberg-Addresses-SCAD-Graduates-June-4th-20110607|title=Whoopi Goldberg Addresses SCAD Graduates|work=Broadway World|date=June 7, 2011}}{{cite web|title=CAA Speakers: Whoopi Goldberg|url=https://www.caaspeakers.com/whoopi-goldberg/|publisher=Creative Artists Agency|work=CAA Speakers|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131080315/http://caaspeakers.com/whoopi-goldberg/|archivedate=January 31, 2014}}
| editor =
| location =
| cinematography =
| camera =
| runtime = 30 minutes{{cite news|title=Whoopi Goldberg to Write Children's Book|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-91391970.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911104353/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-91391970.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2016|publisher=Associated Press|work=AP Online|date=February 23, 2004}}
| network = Nickelodeon
| first_aired = {{start date|2004|1|18}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2004|6|7}}
| related =
| company = Lil' Whoop Productions, Inc.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/08/44-blue-partners-with-whoopi-goldbergs-one-ho-productions-on-multi-gen-modern-family-docu-series/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820231016/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/05/08/44-blue-partners-with-whoopi-goldbergs-one-ho-productions-on-multi-gen-modern-family-docu-series/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2016|title=44 Blue Partners With Whoopi Goldberg's One Ho Productions on Multi-Gen Modern Family Docu-Series|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 8, 2014|author=Studio City|publisher=Tribune Media}}{{cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/news/nick-slates-five-animated-whoopi-goldberg-live-series-2005|title=Nick Slates Five Animated & Whoopi Goldberg Live Series For 2005|work=Animation World Network|date=March 9, 2005|last=Baisley|first=Sarah}}
Shot in the Dark Productions
Nickelodeon Productions
(credited as Nick Jr. Productions)
}}
Whoopi's Littleburg is a musical puppet animated television miniseries of three specials produced for Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block.{{cite news|title=Names in the news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113546682.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910054212/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113546682.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2016|work=Knight Ridder|publisher=Tronc, Inc.|date=February 23, 2004 }} It was created by Jonny Belt and Robert Scull,{{cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/news/nick-jr-starts-production-backyardigans-season-two|title=Nick Jr. Starts Production on Backyardigans Season Two|work=Animation World Network|date=April 3, 2006|last=DeMott|first=Rick}} the latter of whom co-directed the show along with Tim Hill and later made the more notable Bubble Guppies also for Nickelodeon.{{cite book|title=Anima Mundi catalogo: Festival internacional de animação|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ZldAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Anima Mundi|pages=398}} The show uses a blend of puppetry and live-action characters.
The miniseries focuses on a five-year-old piglet named Spencer, who has recently moved to the town of Littleburg. Young children and puppets make up the majority of the population and hold the community's jobs, and very few adult characters are seen. The only major adult characters are Spencer's mother and Mayor Whoopi (portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg), whose behavior resembles that of a preschool teacher.{{cite news|last=Cortisoz|first=Ann|title=A special place for Whoopi|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7832212.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911172529/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-7832212.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2016|work=The Boston Globe|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC|date=January 18, 2004 }} The setting was modeled after a nursery school classroom. Multiple original songs are woven into each story, normally in conjunction with the episode's moral.{{cite web|url=http://www.nickjr.com/home/shows/littleburg_landing/about_littleburg.jhtml|title=About Littleburg|publisher=Viacom International, Inc.|work=NickJr.com|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051129145833/http://www.nickjr.com/home/shows/littleburg_landing/about_littleburg.jhtml|archivedate=November 29, 2005}} Whoopi Goldberg, Dr. John, and Guy Davis composed the theme music.{{cite web|url=http://www.mixonline.com/news/news-articles/sessions-studio-news/425143|title=Sessions & Studio News|work=Mix Magazine|date=June 1, 2003|author=Mix Staff}}{{cite web|url=http://www.guydavis.com/biography.html|title=Bio - The Routes of Blues|work=GuyDavis.com|last=Davis|first=Guy|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107013312/http://www.guydavis.com/biography.html|archivedate=January 7, 2007}}{{cite news|title=Davis/Rabson Concert for McNeese State University Banners Series|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1253065961.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911183207/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1253065961.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2016|work=Federal News Service|date=April 10, 2007 }}
Characters
=Main=
- Spencer Piggle (performed by Josh Gustin and voiced by Sean Curley) is a light-pink pig and the newest Littleburg citizen. He is five years old.
- Mayor Whoopi (played by Whoopi Goldberg) is Spencer's tour guide around Littleburg, and the only major human character in the series.
- TJ/Tiger Jane (performed by Sofie Zamchick) is a light-purple cat who is Spencer's closest friend. She is six years old.
- Mrs. Peg Piggle (performed by Mary Birdsong) is Spencer's mother, who teaches him about the town through song.
- Peggy Piggle is Spencer's baby sister.
- The Sun (voiced by Dr. John) is an anthropomorphic Sun (who can set and become the Moon at night) seen above Littleburg.
- Phil is a horse with a love of painting. He is dressed in a necktie.
- Dave is a chicken who is almost always seen with his favorite food, pretzels.
- Gordy (performed by Timothy Doner) is a male bird that is green and yellow. He is the town shouter. He is two years old and learns new words.
=Guest stars=
Rosie Perez,{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/21/tv/for-young-viewers-if-the-shell-fits-wear-it.html?_r=0|title=In Littleburg, Big Talent Comes in All Sizes|work=The New York Times|last=Shattuck|first=Kathryn|date=March 21, 2004}} Mary Testa,{{cite web|url=http://www.nickjr.com/home/shows/littleburg_landing/meet_littleburg_creators.jhtml|title=Meet the Creators of Littleburg|work=NickJr.com|publisher=Viacom International, Inc.|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204065047/http://www.nickjr.com/home/shows/littleburg_landing/meet_littleburg_creators.jhtml|archivedate=February 4, 2005}} and Sandra Bernhard{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-17-et-heffley17-story.html|title=Whoopi's town worth kids' visit|work=The Los Angeles Times|last=Heffley|first=Lynne|date=January 17, 2004|publisher=Tronc, Inc.}} made guest appearances on the show.
Episodes
=Pilot (2003)=
|background=#B00033
|title=36
|airdate=20
|country=US
|episodes=
{{Episode list
|Title = Pilot
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2003}}{{cite news|last=Reed|first=Valerie|title=A Doylestown man makes props and artwork for 'Sesame Street': Artist a success, 'Street'-wise|url=http://articles.philly.com/2003-08-03/news/25454315_1_graphic-designer-web-sesame-street|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923181658/http://articles.philly.com/2003-08-03/news/25454315_1_graphic-designer-web-sesame-street|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 23, 2015|work=Daily Local News|publisher=21st Century Media|date=August 3, 2003}}
|ShortSummary = Spencer, a piglet, moves to a town inhabited by preschoolers. "Welcome to Littleburg" uses a similar plotline.
|LineColor = B00033
}}
}}
=Season 1 (2004)=
|background=#3000CA
|overall=6
|title=30
|airdate=20
|country=US
|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Welcome to Littleburg
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2004|1|18}}{{cite news|last=Kronke|first=David|title=Watch-o-Rama Highlights and Lowlights of the Coming TV Week|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9044265.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911180720/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9044265.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2016|work=Los Angeles Daily News|publisher=Digital First Media|date=January 18, 2004 }}
|ShortSummary = Spencer attempts to make new friends.{{cite book|title=TV guide: This week's TV programs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9mPvAAAAMAAJ|date=January 18, 2004|publisher=Triangle Publications|pages=94}} Guest star: Mary Testa as the Sock Lady
|LineColor = 3000CA
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Tah-Dah! Day
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2004|3|19}}
|ShortSummary = Spencer worries that he has trouble thinking of a talent to demonstrate at Littleburg's Tah-Dah! Day celebration, so his friends must help him find it. Guest star: Sandra Bernhard as the Macaroni Lady
|LineColor = 3000CA
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = But I Still Like You
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2004|6|7}}
|ShortSummary = Spencer and TJ forget the importance of friendship after arguing and deciding to not speak to each other after TJ accidentally breaks Spencer's flashlight that his dad had given him. So Mayor Whoopi and Spencer's mother must help them understand that, even though friends and family members get mad at each other sometimes, that doesn't mean they won't love each other anymore. Guest star: Rosie Perez as the Flashlight Lady
|LineColor = 3000CA
}}
}}
Release
Whoopi's Littleburg was first announced at Nickelodeon's upfront presentation on March 24, 2003.{{cite news|author=Cable World Staff|title=BRIEFS: New shows for Nick|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99254083.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911055927/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99254083.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2016|work=Cable World|date=March 24, 2003 }}{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Linda|title=Nick adds shows in down market|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99309468.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911055933/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99309468.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2016|work=Multichannel News|publisher=Fairchild Fashion Media|date=March 24, 2003 }} In June, it joined the channel's 2004–05 programming slate.{{cite news|last=Mason|first=M.S.|title=Nick's not kidding around with '04 slate: Developing 15+ projects for the 2004-05 season|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-105515070.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910045157/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-105515070.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2016|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=June 26, 2003 }} It was advertised as a series of specials.{{cite web|title=Whoopi to write book: Goldberg for children?|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/75861156/|work=The Pantagraph|publisher=Lee Enterprises|date=February 24, 2004}} Episodes were aired sporadically throughout 2004, with reruns shown once weekly.{{cite web|title=Daytime: January 19–23|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2032418/|work=The Salina Journal|publisher=Newspapers.com|date=January 17, 2004}}{{cite web|title=The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/134575135/|work=The Palm Beach Post|publisher=Cox Enterprises|date=March 21, 2004}} During its run, VITAC representatives deemed Littleburg "educational enough" to receive free closed captioning and subtitling.{{cite news|title=Captioning the Friedmans; Local closed-captioners face new federal regs|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-652660521.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911204628/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-652660521.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2016|work=Pittsburgh City Paper|publisher=Steel City Media|date=March 10, 2004 }} In 2006, the series' soundtrack was released to Nick Jr. Radio, a webcasting station featuring songs from preschool-oriented programs.{{cite web|title=Nick Jr. Radio: Whoopi's Littleburg|url=http://www.nickjr.com/kids_landing/assets/kids_radio/final.swf|work=NickJr.com|publisher=Viacom International, Inc.|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515011901/http://www.nickjr.com/kids_landing/assets/kids_radio/final.swf|archivedate=May 15, 2006}}
Reception
The miniseries received positive reviews from critics, many of which praised its music and appeal towards multiple age groups. The Hollywood Reporter{{'}}s Marilyn Moss stated that Whoopi's Littleburg was "a lively and educational adventure into a friendly television space" and that the series was "likely to attract a wide audience."{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2068651 |title=Whoopi's Littleburg review |work=The Hollywood Reporter |last=Moss |first=Marilyn |date=January 15, 2004 |url-status=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040302180553/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2068651 |archivedate=March 2, 2004 }} Writing for The New York Times, Kathryn Shattuck called the series a "saga of empowerment" and dubbed the series' songs "fanciful." Lynne Heffley of the Los Angeles Times praised the show's music, saying that it "is a standout component, woven deftly throughout." In his review for The Christian Science Monitor, M.S. Mason noted that "this amusing, sweet-natured show for tiny tots will earn kudos from parents as well. Whoopi Goldberg has a wonderful ability to make kids giggle with the aid of puppets."{{cite news|last=Mason|first=M.S.|title=Tuning in: On TV this week|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112221451.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910053858/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112221451.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2016|work=The Christian Science Monitor|publisher=Christian Science Publishing Society|date=January 16, 2004 }} Jacqueline Cutler of the Hays Daily News lauded Goldberg's performance in particular and felt that "Goldberg emanates no-nonsense warmth. When she talks to the puppets, she neither camps it up or talks down, and that even approach makes the show work."{{cite web|title=Gov. Arnold? So why not Mayor Whoopi?|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1163694/|work=Hays Daily News|publisher=Newspapers.com|date=January 16, 2004}}
References
{{Reflist|40em}}
External links
{{wikiquote}}
- {{IMDb title|0399292}}
- [http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/whoopis-littleburg/466958/ Whoopi's Littleburg] at TV Guide
- [http://www.moviefone.com/tv/whoopis-littleburg/122813/main/ Whoopi's Littleburg] at Moviefone
{{Former Nickelodeon original series}}
{{Nick Jr.}}
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Treehouse TV original programming
Category:2000s Nickelodeon original programming
Category:Nick Jr. original programming
Category:American children's musical television series
Category:American preschool education television series
Category:American television shows featuring puppetry
Category:2000s preschool education television series
Category:2004 American television series debuts
Category:2004 American television series endings
Category:2000s American children's television series
Category:2000s American music television series
Category:2000s American television miniseries
Category:Children's television series about talking animals
Category:Television series about cats
Category:Television series about chickens
Category:Television series about horses