Jack's Big Music Show
Jack's Big Music Show | |
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Genre | Children's music |
Created by | David Rudman, Todd Hannert and Adam Rudman |
Starring |
David Rudman Alice Dinnean John Kennedy |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 26 |
Production | |
Location(s) | Music Clubhouse, Chicago, Illinois |
Running time | 22 minutes |
Production company(s) |
Spiffy Pictures Noggin Originals |
Release | |
Original network |
Noggin Nick Jr. |
Picture format | NTSC (480i) |
Audio format | Stereo |
Original release | September 12, 2005 – April 1, 2008 |
External links | |
Website |
Jack's Big Music Show is an American musical children's television series originally airing on Noggin and on the Nick Jr. television network. The show was produced by Spiffy Pictures, and was nominated for a 2008 Emmy award for Outstanding Pre-school Television Series.
The popularity of the show made the idea of appearing on it attractive to musicians. An executive from Nick Jr. in 2006 said that they were "clamoring to get onto Jack's Big Music Show."[1]
In May 2007, production was cancelled and it was announced that no new episodes would be produced. The last episode aired on April 1, 2008. However, it reran on Nick Jr. until 2012.
Production
Production on the series began in 1995 when Spiffy pictures partnered with Nick Jr., who was scheduled to run the show from 1997–2001. However, after several missed release dates: December 5, 1997, July 26, 1999, February 22, 2000, June 8, 2002, November 7, 2004 and March 12, 2005, "Jack's Big Music Show" did not premiere until September 12, 2005 on Noggin.
The series, originally named Jack's Band, also underwent several name changes before its debut. It was first renamed in 1998 to Jack's Music Band, then to Jack's Big Music Show in 2001. Prior to Mel and Mary joining the cast, also in 2001, the show was primarily about Jack playing in his own band.
Plot
The series focuses on music-loving Jack, his best friend Mary, and his drum-playing dog Mel, all of whom are puppets. The show takes place in Jack's backyard clubhouse, and centers on the characters' passion for music. The characters play music in every episode, and are often accompanied by other puppets or human musicians. Each episode usually features two music videos by children's musical artists.
Characters
Main characters
- Jack (performed by David Rudman) - A blue-colored musician and star of the show.
- Mary (performed by Alice Dinnean) - Jack's best friend, a purple-haired accordion player.
- Mel (performed by John Kennedy) - Jack's drum-playing dog.
- The Schwartzman Quartet (performed by Jerry Nelson, Kevin Clash, David Rudman) - A group of four similar-looking singers.
Additional characters
- Earl the Squirrel (appears in "Mel's Super Swell Dance Party" and "Snow Day")
- The Little Bad Wolf (appears in the episode of the same name and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- The Bongo Birds (appears in the episode of the same name and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- The Bugs (appear in "Bug Love" and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- Henry the Monster (appears in the "Music Monster" and "Jack's Big Orchestra")
- Animal Music Camp (mentioned in "Scat Cat")
- The Squirrels (appear in "Leonard the Country Squirrel," "Jack's Big Orchestra" and Jack's Super Swell Sing-Along")
- M.C. Turtle (appears in "Jack's Super Swell Sing-a-Long")
- Gertrude the Groundhog (appears in "Groundhog Day")
- Scat Cat (appears in the episode of the same name)
- Phil the Coo-Coo Bird (appears in the episode of the same name)
- Leonard the Country Squirrel (appears in the episode of the same name)
- Spunky the Alien (appears in the episode of the same name)
Guest musicians
- Yolanda Adams
- Angelique Kidjo
- Laurie Berkner
- Andrew Bird
- Buddy Guy
- Steve Burns - (He was formerly on Blue's Clues) & Steven Drozd (of the Flaming Lips).
- Comic Book Heroes
- Guy Davis
- The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
- Rebecca Frezza
- Hot Peas 'N Butter
- Jerry Lawson
- Leon Thomas III
- The Mighty Weaklings
- Milkshake
- Elizabeth Mitchell & Lisa Loeb (They were formerly on Liz and Lisa)
- Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals
- Jamia Simone Nash
- Nuttin But Stringz
- Cathy Richardson
- Audra Rox
- Sweet Honey in the Rock
- David Pleasant
- The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
- The Quiet Two
Episodes
Season one
First aired September 2005 – April 2006
Episode title | Airdate | Guests | Songs performed | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Little Bad Wolf | September 12, 2005 | Steve . . . Steven Burns | Blue . . . .Traci Paige Johnson | Sidetable Drawer . . . .LaNae Allen | Tickety Tock . . . . .Kelly Nigh | Mr Salt . . . . . . . .Nick Balaban | Mailbox . . . . . .Seth'O Hickory | Periwinkle . . .Kenny Kim | "Blue Had an Accordion" (sung to the tune Blue Had a Little Lamb), "The Little Bad Wolf Had a Tuba" (sung to the tune Blue Had a Little Lamb), "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", "My Energy", "Music Everywhere" | ||||||
(2) How Blue Got His Groove Back | September 14, 2005 | Joe . . . . . . . Donovan Patton | Blue . . . . . . .Traci Paige Johnson | Sidetable Drawer . . . . . . .LaNae Allen | Tickety Tock . . . . . . . .Kelly Nigh | Mr. Salt . . . . . Nick Balaban | Paprika . . . . . . . . .Corrine Hoffman | Mrs. Pepper . . . . . . .Spencer Kayden | Mailbox . . . . . . . .Seth'O Hickory | Slippery . . . . . . . .Patrick Van Wagenen | Grandma Cayenne . . . . . . . .Veronica Shea | "Listen to the Animals", "Every Animal Has Its Groove", "Blue the Meowing Dog" (sung to the tunes Baa Baa Black Sheep, The Alphabet Song, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, and Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman), "Mister", "I Like It That Way" | |||
(3) The Music Genie | September 15, 2005 | The Miranda Genie | Steve . . . . . .Steve Burns | Blue . . . . . .Traci Paige Johnson | Sidetable Drawer . . . . . . .LaNae Allen | Tickety Tock . . . . . . .Kelly Nigh | Mr Salt . . . . . . .Nick Balaban | Paprika . . . . . .Corrine Hoffman | Pail . . . . . . .Marshall Claffy | Mrs. Pepper . . . . . .Spencer Kayden | Mailbox . . . . . .Seth'O Hickory | Slippery . . . . .Patrick Van Wagenen | Shovel . . . . . . . .Stephen Schmidit | Felt Friend . . . . . Cody Ross Pitts | "Blue's Musical Trunk" (sung to the tune 99 Bottles of Beer), "Prudence", "Yodel", "Number 1", "Under a Shady Tree" |
(4) The Baby Bird | September 19, 2005 | Joe . . . . . . .Donovan Patton | Blue . . . . . .Traci Paige Johnson | Sidetable Drawer . . . . . .LaNae Allen | Tickety Tock . . . . . . .Kelly Nigh | Pail . . . . . . . .Julia Wetherell | Mrs. Pepper . . . . . . . .Spencer Kayden | Mailbox . . . . . .Seth'O Hickory | Periwinkle . . . . . . .Kenny Kim | Baby Bird . . . . . . .Daniel Richardson | "Yeah Yeah Yeah" "The Song of the Baby Bird", "Baby Bird Beat", "Baby Bird Lullaby" (sung to the tune Brahms' Lullaby), "I Know a Chicken", "Bongo Bird" (sung to the tune Bingo) | ||||
(5) Marching Band | September 26, 2005 | Joe . . . . . . .Donovan Patton | Blue . . . . . . .Traci Paige Johnson | Sidetable Drawer . . . . .LaNae Allen | Pail . . . . .Julia Wetherell | Mailbox . . . . . . .Seth'O Hickory | Shovel . . . . . . . . . Jonothan Press | Green Puppy . . . . . . . .Adam Peltzman | "Marching Song", "Rain Rain Go Away", "Rhythms Around You", "Boots", "Bottle of Sunshine" | ||||||
(6) Bug Love | October 3, 2005 | Laurie Berkner Rebecca Frezza |
"Loud Sound/Soft Sound", "A Pretty Good Bug", "Bugs Are Really Swell" (sung to the tune The Farmer in the Dell), "B3", "I'm Me and You're You" | ||||||||||||
(7) Mel's Super Swell Dance Party | October 10, 2005 | Tracey Ellert Cathy Richardson |
"Dance How You Like", "The Mel Polka", "Rock and Roll Freeze Dance", "The Me Dance", "Dino-Sauring", "I Really Love to Dance" | ||||||||||||
(8) Space Opera | October 10, 2005 | Laurie Berkner Jerry Lawson and the Talk of the Town |
"Mary's Opera", "Space Explorer", "Space Opera", "What Are They Gonna Do About That?", "I'm Glad", "I'm Not Perfect" | ||||||||||||
(9) Grow Daddio | October 17, 2005 | Cathy Richardson Laurie Berkner |
"Where Is Mary?" (sung to the tune Ten Little Indians), "What Will Arthur Grow Up to Be?", "Playin' Jazz", "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary", "H2O + O2 + Sun", "Running Down the Hill" | ||||||||||||
(10) The Grumpy Squirrel | October 24, 2005 | Laurie Berkner Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals |
"It's Fun to Invent Your Own Instrument", "Clap Your Hands", "Lullaby" (instrumental), "Music Is the Best", "Grumpy" "I'm Gonna Catch You", "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" | ||||||||||||
(11) The Music Monster | October 31, 2005 | Laurie Berkner |
"This Song", "If You're Scary and You Know It" (sung to the tune If You're Happy And You Know It), "Monster Boogie", "Scared" | ||||||||||||
(12) King of Swing | February 6, 2006 | Buddy Guy |
"The Welcome Song" (sung to the tune Let's All Go to the Lobby from Regal Cinemas), "List", "Shama Lama", "Clean It Up", "New Shoes" | ||||||||||||
(13) Silly Show | April 1, 2006 | Laurie Berkner |
"Silly Song", "Bologna Sandwich", "Silly Things", "Googleheads", "Deep Down" |
Season two
First aired January 2007 – April 2008
Episode title | Airdate | Guests | Songs performed |
---|---|---|---|
(14) Snow Day | January 6, 2007 | Anne Harris Laurie Berkner |
"Beach Party", "Wiki Wiki Hele Hele", "Sing a Winter Song", "Mahalo", "Polar Bear" |
(15) Leonard the Country Squirrel | January 7, 2007 | Laurie Berkner |
"Found Sounds", "We're a Jugband", "Jugband Jamboree", "I Am a Sad Squirrel", "I Am a Happy Squirrel", "Farm Song", "No Good Reason Party" |
(16) Spunky the Alien | January 13, 2007 | Laurie Berkner The Mighty Weaklings |
"Yo Yo Yo", "Gotta Power Up", "Spunky's Lament", "Fleeber", "Rocketship", "Rocketship Run" |
(17) Jack Bunny | January 14, 2007 | Anne Harris |
"Mel the Musical Magical Magician", "The Hop", "Bugle Bunnies", "Magic Box", "Wombo Lombo" |
(18) Phil the Coo-Coo Bird | January 20, 2007 | Laurie Berkner Music for Aardvarks and Other Mammals |
"The Twisty Twist", "The Dance", "Phil the Coo-Coo Bird" (sung to the tune London Bridge is Falling Down), "Move Your Feet", "Who's That?" |
(19) Jack's Big Oops! | January 21, 2007 | Andrew Bird J. Walter Hawkes |
"Strings", "Dr. Strings", "Just Tell the Truth", "What Have I Got to Lose?", "Thunder" |
(20) Jack's Big Orchestra | January 27, 2007 | Laurie Berkner Dirty Sock Funtime Band |
"Being a Conductor Would Rock", "Sneaks", "Super Spies", Orchestral Song |
(21) Scat Cat | January 28, 2007 | Laurie Berkner |
"I Have A Friend (Super Swell Friends)", "Scat-Scat-a-Tat-Tat", "The Wiggle Dance", "The Cat Came Back", "You're the One Who's Made for Me and I Was Made for You" |
(22) Groundhog Day | February 2, 2007 | Laurie Berkner |
"Hip Hip Hooray For Groundhog Day", "First Day of Preschool", "When Will Spring Be Sprung?", "I Hog the Ground", "I Had a Friend" |
(23) Jack's Super Swell Sing-Along | February 2, 2007 | Laurie Berkner & Susie Lampert Rebekah Jordan |
"Sing-Along Song", "Samba", "Just Stopped By", "Down at the Barbershop", "Kelly Green", "I Like to Rap", "This Is Zydeco", "Jenny Jenkins" |
(24) Laurie's Big Song | February 4, 2007 | Laurie Berkner |
"Get on the Train", "A Little Bitty Rhythm", "You Can't Call an Elephant Without an Elephant Call", "Purple People Eater", "Duck 4" |
(25) Mel's Bath Day | October 13, 2007 | Cheryl Hines Laurie Berkner |
"You Must Take a Bath", "Super Sudsy Bubblestein Bubbles", "I'm a Mess", "I Hope My Mama Says Yes", "A Bath Is Alright" |
(26) Jack and the Beanstalk | April 1, 2008 | Tyler Bunch |
"Up", "Sha-La-La", "Anyone Can Make a Song", "In the Clouds", "Deegah Joyah" |
Influences
In an interview on the Nick Jr. website, Rudman says that The Jack Benny Show was an influence on Jack's Big Music Show (along with The Little Rascals).[2]
The names Jack, Mary, Mel, and the "Schwartzman Quartet" are references to characters on The Jack Benny Program (Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Mel Blanc, and the Sportsmen Quartet). Other possible name references to Jack Benny Program regulars include the squirrels Sheldon and Leonard (Sheldon Leonard), Phil the Coo-Coo Bird (Phil Harris), and Gertrude the Groundhog (Bea Benaderet's recurring character Gertrude Gearshift).
The ring around Mel's eye is an obvious homage to Pete the Pup from The Little Rascals.
Hannert says that the music is influenced by Chuck Berry and the whole history of rock and roll.
References
- ↑ Kindie Rock, Scott Lamb, Salon.com, June 24, 2006
- ↑ Meet the Creators of Jack's Big Music Show Nick Jr. Website
External links
- Official website
- Jack's Big Music Show at the Internet Movie Database
- Jack's Big Music Show at TV.com