Popcorn (American TV series)

Last updated
Popcorn
Genre Variety show
Created by Sandra Peabody
Starring
  • Julia Markley
  • Mark Durrow
  • Kristina Yoshida
  • Aaron Cooley
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerSandra Peabody
Camera setup Videotape; Multi-camera
Original release
Network KATU

Popcorn is an American children's variety show created by Sandra Peabody, who also served as executive producer and a writer and director for the series. The series stars Julia Markley, Mark Durrow, Kristina Yoshida, and Aaron Cooley as "Popcorn reporters" who conduct interviews and explore topics relevant to children. The series features several celebrity guest stars such as Eric Heiden and Tomie dePaola

Contents

Peabody, who began her career as a child actor, retired from acting and was transitioning to a career as a freelance producer. She wanted to create Popcorn in response to the decline in children's television productions. KATU picked up the series initially as a television special before expanding it to a full fledged series. Popcorn earned several accolades during its run, such as a Primetime Emmy Award, Iris Award and a NAB award.

Production

Conception

By the mid 1980s, Peabody had retired from acting after having a successful career as an actress since childhood. [1] After teaching theatrical training to children at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, Peabody moved from New York City to Portland, Oregon and began working as a freelance producer for television programming. [1] During the development of Popcorn, local children's television was declining as an industry. [1] Peabody wanted to create more children-orientated series to fill in the lack of local content. [1] Peabody's goal for the project was to offer something different than the science fiction and animation genres. [1]

Peabody signed a contract with KATU as a part-time employee to broadcast the series. [2] To develop ideas for Popcorn, Peabody spent a lot of time visiting schools. [2] Terry Deming, the executive producer for local programming at the station, described the series as a "public service," opting not to find sponsors. [2] He stated, "Kids aren't necessarily going to sit around and watch some cheaply made puppets doing educational stuff. You've got to be kind of slick and savvy." [2] The show had an annual budget of $25,000 and no promotion. [3] Peabody would buy her props from flea markets and garage sales with a prop budget of $10. [3]

Casting

The casting process consisted of Peabody visiting gifted and talented programs in schools, attending local children's theater productions, and contacting talent and modeling agencies. [1] She later held in-studio auditions. [1] Peabody cast Julia Markley, Mark Durrow, Kristina Yoshida, and Aaron Cooley as the "Popcorn reporters," besting 50 other children. [1] Markley worked previously with Peabody on the children's series Get Movin' (1982); Durrow was involved both onstage and behind the scenes at the Firehouse Cultural Center; Yoshida was a child model and aspiring writer; and Cooley had acted in commercials. [1]

More than 400 letters from children were received by KATU asking questions such as whether they could help the "Popcorn reporters" or if they could be a reporter on the show. [4] Peabody created the "Spotlight on Kids" segment; this allowed local children to showcase their talent and be involved in the series. [4] Qualifications were broad—singing and dancing to conducting science experiments were among the skill sets allowed. [4] With over 300 children auditioning, the auditions were limited to 2-minutes, although Peabody often trimmed the official clips to showcase the best of the children. [4]

Popcorn featured several guest appearances from celebrities such as Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden and children's writer and illustrator Tomie dePaola. [5] Singer Tina Turner agreed to appear on the show. [5] Turner had to cancel after becoming ill. [5]

Cast

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResultReferences
1987 NAB award Service to Children Award Sandra Peabody Won [6]
1989 Iris Award Excellence in Local BroadcastingWon [7]
1992 Primetime Emmy Award Won [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 McDermott, Judy (December 15, 1985). "Popcorn". The Oregonian . p. 29. Retrieved 18 September 2023– via GenealogyBank.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Christensen, Mike (November 16, 1989). "Broadcasters Fight Requirements for Children's TV". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . p. 24. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  3. 1 2 Butler, Ruth (November 1, 1987). "Experts really care what goes into kids' TV". The Grand Rapids Press . Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Letters inspire talent segment". The Oregonian . March 25, 1987. p. 48. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "'Popcorn' seeks success among young viewers". The Oregonian . December 15, 1985. p. 41. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Broadcast briefs". The Oregonian . 21 July 1987. p. 36. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Popcorn". Paley Center for Media . Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  8. ↑ From staff; w. r. (June 9, 1992). "KGW, KATU RECEIVE EMMYS: [FOURTH EDITION]" . ProQuest . ProQuest   416552643 . Retrieved 18 September 2023.
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