October 11, 2004(2004-10-11)– July 12, 2013(2013-07-12)
The Backyardigans is an American animated musical children's television series created by Janice Burgess for Nickelodeon and ran on October 11, 2004 to July 12, 2013.
The show ran for four seasons totaling 80 episodes. Most episodes are on weekday mornings. In 2009, the show was planned to continue beyond the fourth season. However, in 2010, the show's creator Janice Burgess decided to move onto a different show: Nickelodeon's revival of "Winx Club". Burgess worked as a creative director and writer for "Winx Club" before retiring from Nickelodeon in 2014.
Characters
Uniqua (voiced by LaShawn Tinah Jefferies in the US dub, and Lizzie Waterworth in UK dub) is a pink unique creature. She's one of a kind. She is bold, fearless, and quick with a quit.
Pablo (voiced by Zach Tyler Eisen (seasons 1-2) and Jake Goldberg (seasons 2-4) in the US dub, and Janet James in the UK dub) is a blue penguin. He is full of ideas and energy. Sometimes his nerves get the better at him.
Tyrone (voiced by Reginald Davis Jr. (seasons 1-2), Jordan Coleman (seasons 2-3) and Christopher Grant Jr. (season 4) in the US dub, and Maria Darling (seasons 1-2) and Emma Tate (seasons 3-4) in the UK dub) is an orange moose. He can find a solution to any problem.
Tasha (voiced by Naelee Rae (seasons 1-2) and Gianna Bruzzese (seasons 3-4) in the US dub, and Maria Darling (seasons 1-2) and Emma Tate (seasons 3-4) in the UK dub) is a yellow hippopotamus. She's stylish, she's tough, and she's got a hippo-sized stubborn streak.
Austin (voiced by Jonah Bobo in the US dub, and Lizzie Waterworth in UK dub) is a purple kangaroo. He's shy, but he always tries hard and loves being in on the action.
Crew
Supervising Producers: Jane Crawford, Pam Westman
Art Director: Rob Walton
Modeling and Texturing: Stefanie Gignac
Lip Sync Artist: Hong Qi
Picture Editor: Maggie Greenwald
Education Consultant: Lori Plummer, M.Ed.
Storyboard Artists: Chris Giggie ("Riding the Range", "The Key to the Nile", "Knights Are Brave and Strong", "Viking Voyage", "Polka Palace Party" & "Race Around the World"), Lyndon Ruddy (seasons 3-4), Steven Boeckler
Storybord Revisionist & Storyboard Artist: John D. Williamson
Design: Lyndon Ruddy (seasons 3-4)
Animation Department and Splitting Supervisor: Lyndon Ruddy
Animation Department: Dave Pemberton, Chris Giggie, John D. Williamson
In the United States, the show's 80 episodes were released across a series of 21 DVD releases. Ten episodes of the first season were also released to VHS across five volumes. Viacom's Paramount Home Media Distribution published all of the show's video releases. Outside North America, Paramount released DVDs under a separate deal with Nelvana, with this worldwide deal later transitioning to Fremantle Home Entertainment.
