Sid the Science Kid | |
---|---|
Also known as | Jim Henson's Sid the Science Kid |
Genre | Children's television series Education Cartoon series |
Created by | The Jim Henson Company |
Written by | Bradley Zweig |
Voices of | Drew Massey Alice Dinnean Victor Yerrid Julianne Buescher Donna Kimball |
Theme music composer | Dena Diamond Mike Himelstein |
Opening theme | "Sid the Science Kid" |
Ending theme | "Sid the Science Kid" (instrumental) |
Composers | Michael Turner Mike Himelstein |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 67 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers | Brian Henson (Season 1 only) Lisa Henson Halle Stanford Bradley Zweig |
Producer | Chris Plourde |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Production companies | KCET Los Angeles The Jim Henson Company |
Original release | |
Network | PBS Kids |
Release | September 1, 2008 – March 25, 2013 |
Sid the Science Kid, also known as Jim Henson's Sid the Science Kid, is an American children's computer-animated educational television series produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with PBS affiliate KCET, that aired on PBS Kids from September 1, 2008, to November 15, 2012. [1] The show is created using digital puppetry. Each character required two puppeteers working in concert, one performing the face and mouth using a remote manipulator or Waldo, and the other performing the body using motion capture.
Development began in early 2007 under the original working title of "What's the Big Idea?" and with the title-character being originally named Josh. [2] In the fall of 2007, the show was retitled "Sid the Science Kid" and the original Josh was renamed to become the title-character. In mid-November 2007, the title-character was altered and, by the end of the month, Gerald, May and Gabriella joined the series as main characters, bringing the total to four. In early December 2007, Susie joined the character list as the only adult, bringing the total to five. Production began in January 2008 with 40 half-hour episodes (in addition to a special) being ordered for the first season as a two-year on-air commitment. [3]
On May 17, 2010, the series was renewed for a second season with 20 episodes (in addition to six specials) that premiered on June 21, 2010, with the "No School Sing-Along Special" and later aired the season's first episode on October 4, 2010. 66 episodes were produced.
Reruns of the show later aired on PBS Kids Sprout from March 25, 2013 (the same day as the premiere of the series finale movie) to December 28, 2015. It was the last PBS show added to Sprout's lineup before NBCUniversal (via its acquisition by Comcast) took full ownership of the network in November 2013. Further reruns continued on the PBS Kids Channel through June 25, 2023.
The main character in the show is Sid, an "inquisitive youngster" who uses comedy to tackle questions kids have about basic scientific principles and why things work the way they do. He tries to answer questions and solve problems with the help of his classmates (May, Gerald, and Gabriela), Teacher Susie, and his family (his mother Alice, his father Mort, his Grandma Rose and his baby brother Zeke). In "Hello Doggie," Sid's Grandma adopts a dog from the animal shelter (which she names Philbert – voiced by Bruce Lanoil,[ citation needed ] motion captured by Daisy the dog).
The conceptual content of Sid is based in national science learning standards, cognitive learning theory, and on the preschool science curriculum, Preschool Pathways to Science. [4]
In Season 1, each week's episodes are built around a single scientific topic or concept. The first week (episodes 1 – 5) focuses on scientific tools and concepts (such as charts, observation, estimation, and measuring). The second week (episodes 6 – 10) focuses on changes and transformation (including decay, growth, freezing and melting, and the effects of heat). The third week (episodes 11 – 15) focuses on the senses (including touch, smell, sight, taste, and hearing). The fourth week (episodes 16 – 20) focuses on health (including brushing teeth, eating good-tasting food, sneezing and exercise). The fifth week (episodes 21 – 25) focuses on simple machines (including wheels, inclined planes, levers and pulleys). The sixth week (episodes 26 – 30) focuses on backyard science (including animal communication, animal homes, dirt and leaves). The seventh week (episodes 31 – 35) focuses on weather (including rain, sunblock, temperature and wind). The eighth week (episodes 36 – 40) focuses on the human body (including digestion, muscles, lungs and bones). The Friday shows are designed to review, reinforce and summarize the central concept of the week.
A TV movie titled Sid the Science Kid: The Movie premiered on PBS Kids on March 25, 2013 (the same day that reruns of the show were added to sister network, PBS Kids Sprout). It featured the original voice cast of the show, with special guest voice Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Bonanodon. In the movie, Sid and his friends enter a contest and win a trip to a new science museum in town. Sid and Gabriela won the contest and are allowed inside the museum before it officially opens to the public. Along the way, they meet some new friends; such as Yang Yang, Niu Niu, and BobbyBot. However, BobbyBot malfunctions, causing the museum to be in total chaos and havoc, putting the grand opening of the museum in jeopardy. It's up to Sid and his friends to save the museum before it opens up. This also serves as the series finale of Sid the Science Kid.
"Save the Stump!" won in the Children's Programming category Saturday at the 26th Genesis Awards, presented by the Humane Society of the United States. Additionally, the series has received a total of six Daytime Emmy Award nominations and a TCA Award nomination. [6]
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