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| + | #REDIRECT [[Oobi (disambiguation)]] |
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| − | {{dablink|the series|the title character|[[Oobi (character)]]}}<br /> |
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| − | {{Infobox television show |
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| − | |name = Oobi |
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| − | |image = Oobi Logo.png |
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| − | |imagesize = 250px |
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| − | |genre = Preschool |
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| − | |creator = Josh Selig |
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| − | |country = United States |
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| − | |no_episodes = 47 shorts<br>26 full-length episodes |
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| − | |runtime = 3 minutes (shorts)<br>22 minutes (full-length) |
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| − | |first_aired = April 7, 2003 |
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| − | |last_aired = February 11, 2005 |
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| − | |imdb_id = 0352085}} |
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| − | '''''Oobi''''' is an American children's TV series created by [[w:c:muppet:Josh Selig|Josh Selig]], who is known for his work on ''[[Wonder Pets!]]'' and ''Sesame Street''. It stars a cast of bare-hand puppets played by performers from the Jim Henson Company. Its concept is based on a technique used by puppeteers learning to lip-sync, in which they use their hands and a pair of ping pong balls instead of a puppet. |
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| − | ''Oobi'' was the only preschool series created by [[Noggin]] while both the Jim Henson Company and Sesame Workshop controlled the channel's programming. The two companies' influence over Noggin led to the cast of ''Oobi'' consisting entirely of Muppet alumni. Creator Josh Selig had worked on ''Sesame Street'' since its first season and later became one of the main writers. He left the show to create what he envisioned as his own version of ''Sesame Street'', which ended up being ''Oobi''. |
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| − | [[File:Noggin Oobi TV Series Grampu Kako.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The characters in "Sign Language!"]] |
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| − | ''Oobi'' ended with 47 shorts and two seasons of full-length episodes (26 in total). The show is currently available as part of the Noggin mobile subscription service. |
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| − | ==History== |
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| − | ===Production=== |
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| − | [[File:Noggin Nick Jr. Oobi TV Series Cast.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The main cast.]] |
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| − | The idea for ''Oobi'' was conceived while watching performers audition for the Polish ''Sesame Street'' co-production ''[[w:c:muppet:Ulica Sezamkowa|Ulica Sezamkowa]]''. It also drew inspiration from hand-themed ''Sesame'' sketches, such as "[[w:c:muppet:Episode 0007|There Once Was a Hand]]".<ref>[https://www.claimfame.com/casting-call/get-cast-disney-channels-pilot-right-hand-guy/ "Right Hand Guy" - Claimfame]</ref> Early promotional statements for ''Oobi'' referred to the characters as "furless Muppets" and the show was filmed at Kaufman Astoria Studios, where ''Sesame Street'' has been taped since 1993. |
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| − | ''Oobi'' was originally commissioned as interstitial programming for Noggin. Forty-seven shorts and twenty-six full-length episodes were produced. The premiere of the "Uma Preschool!" episode on September 6, 2004 posted a 2.35 Nielsen rating among the preschool age group, making it the highest-rated premiere of a Noggin original series.<ref>[http://www.littleairplane.com/press/newsweek/index.html "Oobi Does It" - Newsweek]</ref> Production ended in 2004 and reruns of the series continued to air until the Noggin channel's closure. It was also seen on the [[Nickelodeon]] base channel for a brief period of time in 2003, as part of the [[Nick Jr.]] block. |
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| − | The show has been described as "a puppetry purist's puppet show"<ref>[http://oldschoollane.blogspot.com/2012/07/old-school-lanes-nickelodeon-tribute_06.html Old School Lane's Nickelodeon Tribute: Interview with Cheryl Blaylock]</ref> by actress [[w:c:muppet:Cheryl Blaylock|Cheryl Blaylock]]. Elements of the series were made as simple as possible to emphasize the puppetry and fully engage young viewers. |
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| − | On the thought process behind ''Oobi'', Selig says: |
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| − | ''"I was convinced that children's television had gotten too busy. I wanted to see what would happen if I distilled every element of a show - from the puppet design to the language - to its essential elements...it was an experiment, and I'm delighted to see that it seems to have worked."'' |
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| − | ===Adaptations=== |
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| − | An adaptation of ''Oobi'' in the Persian language, titled ''[[w:c:oobi:Dasdasi|Dasdasi]]'', was created for Iran's [[:wikipedia:IRIB TV2|IRIB TV2]] in 2012.<ref>[http://www.jamejamonline.ir/papertext.aspx?newsnum=100829938457 Interview with the producer of ''Dasdasi'']</ref> The original puppeteers were not involved in it. ''Dasdasi'' has never been aired outside of Asia, but full episodes can be viewed online [https://vimeo.com/dasdasi here.] |
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| − | ''Oobi'' has also been featured in a variety of non-Nickelodeon media, such as a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGHevQoWsGA music video] by [[:wikipedia:The Format|The Format]] and a [https://www.kulzy.com/work/68270/durex/digital-viral-films/durex-oobi-commercial-farewell-elizabeth/ parody commercial] from [[:wikipedia:Durex|Durex]]. |
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| − | == Plot == |
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| − | The series focuses on a bare-hand puppet named Oobi, his sister Uma, his best friend Kako, and his grandfather Grampu. Every character speaks in simplified sentences so that children learning to speak and listen will be able to comprehend them easily. |
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| − | == Characters == |
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| − | [[File:Oobi_Grampu_Uma_Kako_Noggin_Nick_Jr._Hand_Puppet_TV_Show.png|thumb|right|175px|From top to bottom: [[Grampu]], [[Kako]], [[Oobi (character)|Oobi]] and [[Uma]].]] |
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| − | ===Main characters=== |
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| − | *'''[[Oobi (character)|Oobi]]''' is the protagonist of the show. He is a young male hand puppet in grade school, and a very curious character. |
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| − | *'''[[Uma]]''' is Oobi's younger sister. She wears a purple-and-blue barrette in the full-length episodes. |
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| − | *'''[[Kako]]''' is Oobi's slightly arrogant best friend. He is supposedly of Spanish descent and can usually be found wearing a red hat. |
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| − | *'''[[Grampu]]''' is Oobi's wise, caring, and sometimes rather unlucky grandfather. He often says "Lovely!" and is an excellent role model. |
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| − | ===Recurring characters=== |
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| − | *'''[[Inka]]''' is Oobi's piano teacher, who speaks with a thick accent and usually wears jewelry. She has never interacted with Uma. |
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| − | *'''[[Angus]]''' is one of Oobi's friends. He is almost always nervous and talks in a nasally voice. |
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| − | *'''[[Mrs. Johnson]]''' is a senior citizen living in the same neighborhood as Oobi. She has a cat named Kitty, whom she cares for deeply. |
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| − | *'''[[Maestru]]''' is the director of the local community center's singing group. He can seem strict at times. |
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| − | *'''[[Frieda]]''' is a young foot, first introduced in the "New Friend!" episode. Unlike most other characters in the series, she is not a hand puppet. |
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| − | ==Cast== |
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| − | [[File:Oobi_Grampu_Eyes_-_Hand_Puppet_Street_Art.jpg|thumb|right|"Grampu" graffiti at a street art gallery in Digbeth.]] |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Tim Lagasse|Tim Lagasse]] as Oobi |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Tyler Bunch|Tyler Bunch]] as Grampu |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Stephanie D'Abruzzo|Stephanie D'Abruzzo]] as Uma and Inka |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Noel MacNeal|Noel MacNeal]] as Kako |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Kevin Clash|Kevin Clash]] as Randy |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Matt Vogel|Matt Vogel]] as Angus |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Pam Arciero|Pam Arciero]] as Mrs. Johnson |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:James Godwin|James Godwin]] as Maestru |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Cheryl Blaylock|Cheryl Blaylock]] as Frieda the Foot |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Heather Asch|Heather Asch]] as Moppie |
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| − | *[[w:c:muppet:Lisa Buckley|Lisa Buckley]] as Bella |
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| − | ==Reception== |
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| − | The series was given a 5-star rating by Common Sense Media.<ref>[https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/oobi ''Oobi'' TV Review - Common Sense Media]</ref> The review stated that "when it comes to preschool programming, ''Oobi'' really breaks the mold, succeeding in its simplicity." The show has received a variety of awards and nominations from organizations such as Parents' Choice, Prix Jeunesse, and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.<ref>[http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=3214 ''Oobi'' - Parents' Choice Awards]</ref><ref>[http://www.prixjeunesse.de/themen/festival/2004/pdf/2004_TVfinalists.pdf Prix Jeunesse Finalists 2004]</ref> |
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| − | ==References== |
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| − | <references/> |
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| − | {{Wikialink|oobi|Oobi Wiki}} |
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| − | [[Category:Cancelled Shows]] |
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| − | [[Category:Nick Jr. shows]] |
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| − | [[Category:Live-action shows]] |
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| − | [[Category:Noggin]] |
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| − | [[Category:Educational Shows]] |
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| − | [[Category:Shows with wikis]] |
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Latest revision as of 14:08, 26 March 2020
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