Chica

"Who knew that one little chicken could do so much?"

―Kelly, Behind the Squeak

Performer	various
Debut	2007

Chica in 2007.

Potential designs for the puppet.

Chica in a blue dress.

Chica in the original Sunny Side Up Show intro.

Chica in Behind the Squeak.

Chica in a fake magazine cover in 2014.

Steven Binnig and Chica making funny faces.

Chica in Live Sprout.

Chica and a crew member.

Chica holding a remote control.

Chica as a magician wearing a Shop Sprout shirt.

Chica in The Squeak.

Chica is an original character created for Sprout. She was the co-host of The Sunny Side Up Show, but later got her own show, The Chica Show.

Chica is the hosts' on-air sidekick. Chica is four years old and unable to speak, instead communicating through squeaking noises only those around her can understand. Chica represents the viewers ("Sproutlets") at home - she knows what they are seeing and what they know about. Originally, Chica produced surprise eggs that were cracked open to link into clues, games, and jokes. According to Mr. C in Behind the Squeak, once Chica was hatched from an egg, she started to dance.

Why do viewers love Chica so much?

"She has a gal-on-the-go chicken attitude. If you want to play, whatever the game is, she is so excited to be a part of it. She has a lot of energy and a big heart. All of those qualities appeal to preschoolers and their parents. Because we have created Chica to represent a preschooler, there’s a sweetness to her… a real charm. The fact that she squeaks is something very endearing, too. You really have to listen to understand what she’s saying, but you can understand… or kind of understand. It’s very much like having a conversation with a preschooler!" (link)

History

Creation

When The Sunny Side Up Show was still in development, Sprout's Andrew Beecham really wanted the puppet co-host to be an animal, and Betsy Oliphant suggested it be a chicken because the block's title was a reference to eggs, although Beecham didn't think preschoolers could connect well with chickens. Sprout executives started to work with a designer to make sure that the character would be cute enough. After a few puppet design pitches (including a dancing turkey and a purple hen), the team settled on the final one, designed by Victoria Ellis, which was used.

2000s

Chica's first ever appearance was in The Sunny Side Up Show pilot. The Sunny Side Up Show officially launched on September 26th, 2007 (Sprout's second anniversary), along with Musical Mornings.

On The Sunny Side Up Show's first anniversary (as well as Sprout's third anniversary) in 2008, Sprout aired Chica's Big Birthday Surprise, which ran from 6PM to 9PM. The special featured children's band The Dream Jam Band, kids and characters such as Roary saying happy birthday, and encouraged viewers to send in a birthday card or wish for Chica.

2010s

Following the block's success, Sprout gave Chica her first very own show, The Chica Show, which premiered on November 24th, 2012. Behind the Squeak was a promotional video about Chica's beginnings and success. Despite The Chica Show continuing until 2013, Chica would still appear on The Sunny Side Up Show. The squeaky chicken has also gotten merchandise such as plush and backpacks on Shop Sprout.

At first, Chica resided in the Sunshine Barn, but later moved to a city apartment with the hosts in 2015 for Sprout's tenth anniversary rebranding. This was when Chica started to play a backseat to the hosts, making her appear lesser and getting replaced by Sproutlets in segments.

When Sprout House replaced Sunny Side Up in 2017, Chica was replaced by the talking Snug, even though she would occasionally appear in segments such as "Chica Goes to School."

Performer History

• Forrest Harding - 2007, The Chica Show
• Edward Pokropski
• Jenn Santee
• Scott McClennen - 2015 - 2016
• Jackie Payton - 2015 - 2016
• Kim Diaz - 2016
• Matt Fornwald - 2016
• Brendon Gawel - 2008 - 2014

Awards and Honors

• Chica, as performed by Ed Pokropski, was nominated an Emmy in 2008 for Best Weather Anchor.

Notes

• Chica's name was also used for a character in Five Nights at Freddy's.
• A Chica costume, as well as her nest, was a feature in My Little Sproutlet.
• According to Andrew Beecham, one of the reasons for her squeaking is because her puppeteer is an associate producer. However, Chica could talk in books like one Dennisha read at the Garden State Discovery Museum in 2012.
• Chica's favorite color is red because it is hot, sassy, and vibrant.
• Chica's favorite toy is a basket of eggs.
• Chica's shell was orange with yellow and red polka dots
• The sound of Chica's signature squeak is made with something called a "mosquito whistle."
• Chica's favorite snack is popcorn.
• Chica's favorite holiday is Halloween.
• Chica's Sunny Side Up Show opening was of her in school, a boy kissing her in footage reused from her introduction promo (which was also used in the Wiggly Waffle theme), and her running with Sproutlets, footage reused from the "Squeaka with Chica" music video.
• From 2008 to at least 2013, Chica had a superhero alter ego in Nutrition Chicken, who encouraged children (and hosts) to eat healthier.

See also

• The Chica Show
• The Chica Awards
• Chica's Big Birthday Surprise
• Nutrition Chicken
• Chica's Healthy Checklist
• Tell Chica
• Chica's Choice
• Chica's alternate identities
• Chica Through the Years
• Chica artstyle through the years