The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon
The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon (originally named Swamp Critters) is an American children's television series created by Bobby Goldsboro. Targeted for children aged 2 to 6, the show featured characters brought to life by actors. [1] The show aired on PBS and The Learning Channel and, according to the show's website, currently airs on the America One Television Network.[2]
Swamp Critters | |
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![]() Left to right: Big Al Gator, Billy Bob Possum, Gumbo Fiddler Crab, Ribbit E. Lee, Ima Dilla, and Joe Raccoon | |
Genre | Education, Children's |
Created by | Bobby Goldsboro |
Written by | Bobby Goldsboro |
Voices of | Bobby Goldsboro |
Theme music composer | (Bobby Goldsboro) |
Opening theme | "Rollin' Down to Lost Lagoon" |
Composer(s) | (Bobby Goldsboro) |
Release | |
Original network | PBS, The Learning Channel, Smile of a Child, America One Television Network, TCT Kids |
Picture format | 4:3 |
Original release | Currently Airing |
Characters
Band
- Karina "Kari/K.D." Watson (tambourine, guitar, violin, drums, oboe, vocals), the leader of the group
- William Robert "Billy Bob" Possum (lead singer, tambourine, bass player), the problem-solver of the group
- Joe Raccoon (banjo/guitar, harmonica, saxophone, vocals)
- Gumbo the Fiddler Crab (fiddle)
- Ribbit E. Lee (drums, vocals)
- Ima Dilla (dancer, vocals)
- Alouisous "Big Al Gator" Reptilicus (piano, accordion, vocals), the owner of the cafe where the Swamp Critters normally play
- Rancid DuBois (keyboard, bass player, cello, vocals)
- Todd Bender (bass player, keyboard, cameraman {rehearsals only})
Other characters
- Bobby Q. Pig
- Melvis Weasley
- Phinneas Phatrat
- Susan Annette "Suzy Ann" Possum - Billy Bob's older sister
Development
Goldsboro funded the show using his own money instead of getting investors to back it. According to him, "the minute somebody puts in money, they think they have the right to say, 'You know, Barney is so successful, why don't you make that alligator purple instead of green?' I've got enough to worry about without having to appease somebody else." Goldsboro also decided to start the show on a PBS affiliate rather than on a network affiliate. According to him, if he had gone to a network he "would have had to have a lot more action on the show. On the network shows, everything is fast cuts and fast movements. They think that's what kids want to see in this day and age of video games."[3]
Music
Each half-hour episode contains four to six songs, with the music ranging from blues and Dixieland jazz to pop and classical and country music. For the first two seasons, over 100 songs were written. According to Goldsboro, "it's music that's on a children's show but it's not children's music. I've never understood talking down to kids and treating them like they're imbeciles. Several shows do that."[3]
Animatronics
Each of the main characters' costume heads contains over $20,000 worth of animatronics, which are used to control their facial expressions and mouth movements.[3]
Cast and crew
- Karina "Kari/K.D." Watson - Samantha Caras
- William Robert "Billy Bob" Possum - Charlie Rose
- Joe Raccoon- Jeff W. Maddux
- Alouisous "Big Al Gator" Reptilicus - Joe Hitch
- Ima Dilla Armadillo - Dianne Goldsboro
- Rancid DuBois - Mario Bailey
- Gumbo Fiddler Crab - Puppeteer -Daniel. W. Peeler
- Samuel Watson {Kari's Grandfather} - Tom Bosley
- Ethel Watson {Kari's Grandmother} - Marion Ross
- Phinneas Fatrat - Dan Povenmire
- Todd Bender - Seth Adkins
- Ribbit E. Lee - Jim Demetrius
- Director - Daniel W. Peeler
- Storyboards, costume fabrication, puppets - Peeler-Rose Productions, Dallas, TX
- Sets, props - Jim Demetrius
References
- ↑ . classicbands.com http://www.classicbands.com/goldsboro.html. Retrieved 25 Nov 2010. Missing or empty
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(help) - ↑ "Swamp Critters Television!". bobbygoldsboro.com. Retrieved 25 Nov 2010.
- 1 2 3 Pamela Davis. "Goldsboro plays new tune on PBS". South Coast Today. Retrieved 25 Nov 2010.
External links
The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon at the Internet Movie Database