The Birthday Show was an original series created by Sprout. A precursor to The Sunny Side Up Show, The Birthday Show launched with Sprout on September 26th, 2005, alongside The Good Night Show.
Unlike the blocks following it, The Birthday Show wasn't really a block, but was briefly one for Sprout's first anniversary in 2006.[1]
Premise
The Birthday Show was hosted by Kevin Yamada, who read Sproutlets' birthday cards (sent in by Mr. Mailman, who also showed today's date complete with the year) and shared bottom-of-the-screen name scrolls sent in by Big Sprouts. Yamada's role was a throwback to the early days of children's television, where the hosts would interact with the viewers.
Rounding out the package were clips of recipes, crafts, and games featuring kids (these were recycled in promos and in iTunes' Birthday Parties podcast, which was also in Sprout Player) and characters singing a Birthday song, followed by Yamada telling viewers Sprout's address and how to send in a birthday card.
Activities
- Guests create a special party favor whose blooms will last and last. Sprout's Sprouting Flower Pot
- Angelina Ballerina - Ballerina-inspired goody bags that the birthday child can make for her guests. Angelina's Tutu Treat
- The Berenstain Bears - Kids can enjoy a picnic party any day of the year, indoors or out! Berenstain Bears' Picnic Party with Paper Bag Baskets
- Bob the Builder - A theme party with crafts and costumes for your Bob the Builder fan. Bob the Builder's Construction Party with Shoebox Toolboxes
- Boohbah - This colorful craft yields treats for every party guest. Boohbah Colored Birthday Surprise Ball
- Dragon Tales - Children create dragons using paint, craft foam, and imagination. Dragon Tales' Egg-celent Dragon Craft
- Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks - Farm animals come to life in this energetic dancing game. Jakers! Farm Frenzy Freeze Dance
- Jay Jay the Jet Plane - Kids create their own party pizzas in fun airplane shapes. Jay Jay's Sky High Pizza Pie
- The Many Adventures of Mr. Mailman - Kid-friendly charades where party guests act like their favorite Sprout friends. The Mr. Mailman Delivery Game
- Make Way for Noddy - Goody bags are even more special when they’re made by the birthday child. Noddy's Traffic Light Goody Bag
- Pingu - A fun project that transforms party guests into igloo architects. Pingu's Sugar Cube Igloo
- Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat - Kids create paper sculptures that resemble Chinese lanterns. Sagwa's Chinese Lantern Craft
- Sesame Street - An edible art project starring Grover from Sesame Street. Grover's Funny Fruit Face
- Teletubbies - Kids customize their party treats to look like their favorite Teletubbie. Teletubbies' Birthday Cupcakes
- Thomas & Friends - A clever train cake that’s sure to delight fans of Thomas & Friends. Thomas Train Car Cakes
- Zoboomafoo - A kid-friendly bingo that’s played with favorite animals instead of letters. Zoboomafoo Animal Bingo
History on Sprout
When Sprout launched as a linear channel on September 26th, 2005, The Birthday Show was often featured in between shows.
On September 11th, 2006, when Sprout celebrated its first anniversary, The Birthday Show became a block airing on the channel, hosted once again by Yamada. It featured kids opening presents delivered to them by Mr. Mailman that would unveil birthday-themed episodes of shows. It also featured Sprout characters wishing the channel a happy birthday.
In September 2007, The Birthday Show closed down transmission for the last time, replaced by The Sunny Side Up Show. Both Yamada and Mr. Mailman would go on to the new live block.
Structure
Opening
An animated version of Mr. Mailman blows a party horn and we see a boy (the same one in the "Road" ident and 2005 - 2007 promos) blowing out candles, and kids with party horns in circles.
Closing
Mr. Mailman blows the party horn again, summoning the Sprout logo.
Notes
- It is possible the show was to be called "The PBS KIDS Sprout Birthday Celebration."[2]
- The series was also called "Birthday interstitials."[3]
- The show was simply called "Birthdays" in a press release in 2006.
- The show was called "The Birthday Show" as early as 2006, and a trademark with that name was filed on January 31st, 2007.
- Each show with an activity also got a Sprout Diner snack.
- Also like Sprout Diner, the characters' voice actors reprised their roles in the Birthday Song, including Dean Wendt (Barney), Annie Bovaird (Caillou), Donna Cherry (Jay Jay), Kevin Clash (Elmo), and David A. Kaye (Noddy).
- Tim Kubart currently hosts a series of the same name on the Hellosaurus children's app.
- Kevin also hosted The Let's Snow Show, Papa Bear's Day Celebration, and Hooray for Mother's Day (Sprout's first live broadcast) on the set.
- Star mentions The Birthday Show in the Birthday card craft segment in The Good Night Show episode about Numbers.
- Once The Birthday Show was pulled from Sprout, the Boohbah activity was themed after Chica, promoting Chica's Big Birthday Surprise.[4]
- Additionally, several activities became unthemed once the shows they were themed after stopped airing, including Dragon Tales and Jakers!.
Gallery
Videos
External links
References
- ↑ PBS KIDS Sprout Celebrates First Birthday With Month-Long Bash August 25, 2006 Retrieved September 24, 2024
- ↑ Birthday Celebration Entrant Release January 16, 2006 Retrieved September 27, 2024
- ↑ ASCAP number 322799139
- ↑ Birthday Week September 22, 2008 Retrieved September 27, 2024