New series, Animal Jam debuts February 24

[Phillip Chapman]

Just a reminder that the new Henson series Animal Jam will debut February 24 on The Learning Channel and on March 3 on Kids Discovery Channel.

Here is some more info on the show when they completed production on the 30 episodes last summer...

http://www.muppetcentral.com/news/2002/070202.shtml

Animal Jam also has an official Web site...

http://www.animaljamtv.com/

If you would like to write a review of this new show, you can submit it below. Please watch several episodes as this will help to get an idea of how things change from show-to-show.

http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/submit.shtml

Are you looking forward to this new show? What are your hopes and expectations?

[kansasteen14]

it looks good for the pre-school set, I saw some of the filming at MgM, I like some of those vivid colors.

[Phillip Chapman]

Kansasteen14, thanks for the input on the nice colors. Can you give us some more input on your thoughts of the filming? Did you see any of the characters? Were the kids responsive to what was going on?

[BoyRaisin2]

Originally posted by kansasteen14
it looks good for the pre-school set, I saw some of the filming at MgM, I like some of those vivid colors.

Back up. THIS is was filmed at the Disney-MGM Studios as well?

And, telling by the pictures, I think (and hope) it will be a cool new Henson brand. The characters look--I hate these words--cute and cuddly, and I hope I'll be up early enough to check it out.

Hope it won't share the fate of Hallmark's "Telling Stories with Tomie dePoala."

[Phillip Chapman]

Here's a little more info on Animal Jam (which debuts tomorrow by the way). Most notable is that it will air commercial free and the children's block will have a penguin host.

Attention, parents of preschoolers! Monday morning, cable's TLC network will launch "Ready Set Learn!" -- a commercial-free, sponsor-free weekday programming block.

It will consist of five curriculum-based series: Scholastic's "The Magic School Bus," "Brum," "The Save-Ums" and "Hi-5," as well as Jim Henson's "Animal Jam."

Host for the morning is Paz, a penguin character, whose short adventures are interlaced with the longer series. Airing Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 a.m., "Ready Set Learn!" also airs twice, starting at 5 a.m., on Discovery Kids Channel.

[beaker]

Originally posted by Phillip Chapman
Here's a little more info on Animal Jam (which debuts tomorrow by the way). Most notable is that it will air commercial free and the children's block will have a penguin host.

Aw, as in Muppet shpw penguin? Interesting...only a few hours to go...I dont have cable, but Im hoping a few people post their thoughts on this. I mean look at the strange motley ensomble cast, it must be worth a watch!

[Luke]

Hi-5 is (at least over here) an Australians childrens show where they all dance, sing and talk slowly to kids liiiikkkeee thiiiiis. You just know those teen presenters are doing the job so they can get recognised and become Britney clones. :eek:

[Warrick]

Its not a Muppet Penguin, Well i dont know that for sure...

But my brain is telling me that it isnt, So i will listen to him - Hehe !


see ya

[Luke]

Exactamondo Wozza ...... but it SHOULD have been a Muppet Penguin, ratings would have soared - lets never lose sight of that ! :D

[beaker]

Originally posted by Luke
Exactamondo Wozza ...... but it SHOULD have been a Muppet Penguin, ratings would have soared - lets never lose sight of that ! :D

Um, so its a Sesame styled penguin?

Heyyyyy...wait a second...its Feb 24th...WHERE THE HECK is the Animal Jam initial thoughts? Geez, youd think at least a few JHC fans were tuning in that have net access. *sigh*

[Warrick]

Its just a Penguin Puppet, Not a Henson puppet.


see ya

[scarecroe]

Originally posted by beaker
WHERE THE HECK is the Animal Jam initial thoughts? It's crap.

[Phillip Chapman]

A fan review by Howard Bowers of the new Henson series Animal Jam is on-line. You can read it at the link below.

http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/reviews/tv-film/animal_jam.shtml

If you'd like to submit your review of Animal Jam you can do so here...

http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/submit.shtml

[Luke]

Phil's link got kinda munched - the right link is :-

http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/reviews/tv-film/animal_jam.shtml

BTW - if Scott submits his review (above) it's gonna take a lot of pictures to pad that page out ! LOL ! :eek:

[Phillip Chapman]

Thank you Luke. The link is fixed. I copied it from yesterday's post.

So, who else has seen the show this week? What did you think?

[scarecroe]

Originally posted by Luke
BTW - if Scott submits his review (above) it's gonna take a lot of pictures to pad that page out ! LOL !
Heh, I suppose that would be true ;)

I posted about it at TP, but basically the show's just a waste of time. There's no magic, and it's all hyper-charged glitter meant to keep your kid wired. There's zero reason why there needs to be a tiny tot version of Amercian Bandstand on TV :rolleyes:. My daughter will be skipping it and sticking to SS, Bear and TMS :D.

[Luke]

Actually Scott thats really interesting, because although i've not seen 'Animal Jam' i have seen 'Hi-5' which is in the same programming block and that too seems to be based on this new fangled idea of jazzing up childrens TV so i guess they've got some new trendy programme director in or something. I've never liked it either.

[scarecroe]

Something along the same lines that was much better was "Mickey Mousercise" years ago on the Disney Channel. It had the female Jane Fonda-type host that led the kids in a series of excercises to start their day. They even had the full body Mickey, Goofy and Donald come in to do one or two sets with them. An updated version of that would be a much more useful show I think than this drivel if you ask me.

[Drtooth]

Originally posted by scarecroe
Something along the same lines that was much better was "Mickey Mousercise" years ago on the Disney Channel. It had the female Jane Fonda-type host that led the kids in a series of excercises to start their day.

LOL... my mom used to torcher me with that tape!

Anyway, from the reviews, it seems to be like Monster Clubhouse with different characters and such...:sleep:

Anyway, is it possibly as bad as or (:eek: GASP) worse than Tommie DiPaloa?

[Hays]

Didn't even know about this series; until the new season of SS comes out, it's been Wiggles every day (sigh, pull hair out)

When I first saw the review, I was hoping that this would be a replacement for the Wiggles, whom I don't particularly enjoy (I agree wholeheartedly with the reviewer about them - it's just that their song and script WRITING is so inane!)

I like any kind of TV that gets my son up and moving, though, so we'll give it a shot on Monday as soon as I figure out the time slot in our neck of the woods. Keep y'all posted!

It's crap.

BTW, Scott - gotta love somebody who calls it like it is! I will watch with the appropriate amount of apprehension.

During college I used to do after-school daycamp. On rainy days, we'd try to get the kids to Mousercize, and the kids thought it was the worst torcher ever invented. I've been hoping for some kind of "dance party" with muppets, to make exercise more palatable. This sounds really over-produced, and I hate that. Bummer.

[Hays]

And I have to say, I agree verbatim with the reviewer. The unfortunate thing is, if they followed his advice, it would be a really terrific show. Bizarrely enough, I was also instantly reminded of "Death to Smoochy!"

The choreography is terrific, very simple and easy to follow - based on the live-animal videos in the background. That part really kept my boy's attention, but I could see that he wasn't able to follow the choreography because of all the spinning lights and colors. The muppets are a little too wired for my taste (they remind me of my least favorite muppets, Davey and Joey monkey,) but a lot of that could be addressed in toning down the set a little, and having fewer kids on the dance floor.

All in all, I could see that my boy was relieved when the slower-paced Wiggles came on (sigh, tear hair out.) I don't think keeping kid's TV - particularly for the preschool set - at a frenetic pace is a good idea, though it seems to be an industry trend.

It is clearly still a Henson production, though - the songs are complex and interesting, the muppets are well-designed and well-performed, and the writing - even though it lacks focus - wasn't done by a third grader (unlike said Wiggles.) I'd like to see what parents of school-age kids think of this show.

[Smoosh]

The penguin is a Henson product and the muppeteer inside is a Sesame performer. On of my friends is one of the DJ's on Animal Jam and he knows first hand.
Laterz

[FellowWLover]

Originally posted by Smoosh
The penguin is a Henson product and the muppeteer inside is a Sesame performer. On of my friends is one of the DJ's on Animal Jam and he knows first hand.
Laterz

I liked the penguin.

:zany:

[Warrick]

Originally posted by Smoosh
The penguin is a Henson product and the muppeteer inside is a Sesame performer. On of my friends is one of the DJ's on Animal Jam and he knows first hand.
Laterz


I stand corrected...


:sympathy:


If only Cory were here to see it !

[Warrick]

Make sure you get some of the Penguin on the video !


:D

[FellowWLover]

Originally posted by Warrick
Make sure you get some of the Penguin on the video !


:D

You are such a demanding little Hairbo!

(Warrick... make sure you download those two songs for me, write that freakin' letter, and go out to buy issue #4.)


:D

[Warrick]

Originally posted by FellowWLover
You are such a demanding little Hairbo!

(Warrick... make sure you download those two songs for me, write that freakin' letter, and go out to buy issue #4.)


And you call me demanding - Whooo !


;)

[Smoosh]

Yeah, my bud Andy Stone is DJ3, the leopard... we have known each other for years, he was very excited to be able to develop and voice a character for the first time after being "supporting cast" up until now.

[Drtooth]

This doesn't look good for Henson! I mean, with the success of AVMMCM and the current Palisades lines (all sold out! crud!) they are ahead now. Unfortunately, this show is a clunker that Henson doesn't need right now. It could be a hit with little kids, or it could drive adults away from the Muppets just as easy. it could be a full scale flop, or a forgetable, shortlived show like it's predicessor Tomi DePaola.

Personally, it doesn't look like something I'd watch. maybe once or twice.

Why can't they just bring back Stinky and Jake instead.

Never send a cow monkey to do a skunks job!:sleep:

[Hays]

My husband's comment: "It's Ross Perot and the Fruit Stripe Gum icon!"

[Phillip Chapman]

Cindy's been watching Animal Jam. Find out what she thinks about the show in the latest review...

http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/reviews/tv-film/animal_jam.shtml

By the way, Animal Jam is now airing on TLC and the Discovery Kids Channel daily.

[Des]

My son looks forward to Animal Jam every morning now. He has 'special needs' and Animal Jam gets him awake, smiling and JAMMIN' now! Thanks for the upbeat, silly, and downright awesome kids show!

will be looking for Paz as well... always did have a fondness for penguins!

Des

[VEND-O-FACE]

Hi,

I'm the writer of the first Animal Jam review. If you want to know what the real problem with the show is, just go to the official website (www.animaljamtv.com) and read the "About" and "curriculum" pages.

It all reads like a dissertation -- the show has obviously been "consulted" to death. Sesame Street is highly educational, but most of the time it's so well disguised that the program seems like pure enjoyment. Animal Jam is like broccoli. You know it's good for you but you really don't want to eat it unless it's covered in cheese.

[BoyRaisin2]

Originally posted by VEND-O-FACE
Animal Jam is like broccoli. You know it's good for you but you really don't want to eat it unless it's covered in cheese.

Well, I hate broccoli with cheese. And coincidentally I hate Animal Jam. And I've only had a taste of both once. Funny how things turn out...

[Luke]

Originally posted by Phillip Chapman
Cindy's been watching Animal Jam

I guess there are times when a husband needs to stand firm and re-take possesion of the remote control ! LOL No, seriously, i agree with what Cindy said. I think deep down (from what i've heard) Henson have a good idea there - giving kids a workout in the morning before school but making it fun and putting some characters and a story around it, just seems they need some more dynamic puppet personalities and to slow it down a tad. Maybe the penguin should host the show !

[VEND-O-FACE]

Except preschooler's don't go to school. :)

[Hays]

Well...mine's going to PRESCHOOL in the fall...

Sorry; just being catty.

Still curious what people with older kids have to say - you know, early grade-school.

[loucormanmik]

Watched the debut with my 5 year old daughter. We both loved it.
My daghter participated throughout the whole show.
She is begging me to take her and watch a filming in Florida.
Does anyone have any information on when they will be filming any more episodes? Also any info on where she could sign up to participate?
Thanks to any and all who can give me some info.
We are watching the show daily now on DiscoveryKids.:flirt:

[Mr.Penguin]

BOZARK IS JUST PLAIN CREEPY.... ;)


-:zany:

[Luke]

OK now kookily enough i've now seen this show and i have to kinda agree with Scott - ie:- It's crap !

I very much like the idea of a workout show for kids when they get up in the morning (so much so, i might steal the idea myself) but as other people have said, they really have tried too much to be educational rather than fun. When it's early in the morning - you wanna chuckle, not start to learn - if you are gonna get them to learn its better to do it subliminally. I think they should have put more effort into developing much stronger and funnier characters rather than going full on with the whole 'Animal' theme which i think gets a bit tired after about ooooh 3 minutes. It doesn't really need that, it could be just a fun puppet show where they prepare the kids for the day ahead. I liked the build up to the elephant coming on and the way he got his groove on but if i was doing it i would have had puppets dancing along with the kids probably and giving them more instruction as they went but in a light hearted way and maybe even individual to each kid. The segments inbetween the dancing aren't bad but suffer from it being hard to get to know the charcters - for a start calling them DJ 1, 2 & 3 is very impersonal. It gets about a 2 out of 5 from me - i think the channel they are on kinda demands how they are doing it rather than how maybe kids would like them to do it.

Remember the scene in MFS where Sam is excercising the chickens, and also the scene in VMC where the pig character is the dance instructor giving instruction. I'd love to have that kinda thing going on while teaching the kids to excercise. Maybe make it a small segment of a more general morning kids show.

I was also dissapointed by the Penguin. He's too cutesy and bland. Penguins are fun and zany - they're supposed to jump in the air and make you feel like you wanna wear your pants on your head (well, maybe thats just me). I would have liked a Muppet penguin, rather than *ack* an educational penguin ! *spits*

As the official spokesperson and president of the society against the gratuitous use of penguins i may well have to censure that channel for gratuitously using a penguin to educate the children of the country while betraying his own wacky heritage !

[BoyRaisin2]

I've only seen the show twice, but it's the one Henson show I've seen that I can confidently say is CRAP. It's truly awful in my own humble opinion. They should've just revived "Jim Henson's Animal Show with Stinky and Jake" or SOMETHING.

The elephant, whatever his name is, is cool though.

[Buck-Beaver]

I finally sat down to watch an episode of this and I think I'm down with the general consensus - great idea, lousy execution.

Maybe that's not fair. "Animal Jam" is a good show, but it is in need of a good dose of K.I.S.S. - keep it simple, stupid. I 100% agree with Cindy's review - great idea, great puppets, great music and easy to learn dances. The only problem is it's way too fast. Now, I know that was part of the concept, but I think it was the wrong way to go. I had trouble at first figuring out what was going on in the episode I watched. I also think there are too many kids, it's overwhelming. They'd do better with a smaller number of children like Barney. All the puppets are great, but there are almost too many and they don't stay around long enough to give you the impression that they are well-rounded characters like you have on Sesame Street.

Having a curriculum for a show isn't a bad thing, but Vendo-O-Face was right, this show does look like it had too many hands on it during development. I'd be interested to see what Nick Jr. would have done with this concept, they seem to do a better job of developing preschool shows than anybody else these days.

I also think there are other (existing) shows that do a better job of getting kids up off the couch too. "Big Comfy Couch" and "Ants in Your Pants" (which is pre-Animal Jam but a variation on the same idea) have a slower pace and work better with young children from what I have seen.

Plus, in the end, if you really want kids to be active its best to leave the TV off in the first place....then again I can't find a cute little "cow-monkeys" in my backyard. :zany:

[Mr.Penguin]

When I first saw it I thought Paz was saying "I'm spazzed!"...... :cool: ......okay that made no sense.....

- :)

[BoyRaisin2]

Not really no. That and I don't know who Paz is.

[beaker]

Do they still have the kid studio audience? That too me is just super cheesey, and more akin to something from Barney, Greg the Bunny, UHF, or Death to Smoochy than anything JHC related.

[Drtooth]

Like you mean, something like Uncle Nutzi's/Stanley Spidowski's Clubhouse or Sweet Knuckle Junction?

To me, those are like local, low budget cable shows.

[muppet maniac]

I agree with all of you!!

Animal Jam is terrible! That big scary-looking blue elephant (what's his name again?) scares me! He even gave me a nightmare once!

!:eek: He doesnt scare me that much anymore
--------

My daughter will be skipping it and sticking to Sesame Street, Bear and TMS .
--------

Me too! :smirk: