Higglytown Heroes is an American children's television series that used to air on the Playhouse Disney (now called Disney Junior) portion of the Disney Channel, or, on some cable networks, Playhouse Disney. The theme song of the show, Here in Higglytown, is performed by They Might Be Giants, which was also released on their second children's album Here Come the ABCs. Higglytown Heroes had reruns on Disney Junior on its cable and satellite channel replacing SOAPnet on March 23, 2012. The Higglytown Heroes TV series was made using Autodesk Maya which was used to design models and textures for the Higglytown Heroes Characters, and Photoshop which was used to create the 2D backgrounds and 2D props.
Video Higglytown Heroes
Summary
Higglytown Heroes tells the story of four children (Eubie, Wayne, Twinkle, and Kip). Along the way, whose person and environment are modeled after Matryoshka nesting dolls, explore their city and the people in it. The main non-human character, who is almost always with them, is a red squirrel named Fran.
Higglytown heroes have ranged from firefighters to dentists to snow plow operators. Voice actors for these Higglytown heroes are frequently guest celebrities. The series encourages involvement in the community, and means to inspire children to consider the importance of individuals who contribute to the world and make it a better place. The show also teaches kids about jobs and may influence them about what they want to be when they grow up.
Maps Higglytown Heroes
Characters
- Eubie - A nesting doll with blonde hair, and a yellow shirt with red stripes. Voiced by Taylor Masamitsu.
- Wayne - A nesting doll with brown hair, glasses, and a green shirt with green overalls. He is the brother of Twinkle. Voiced by Frankie Ryan Manriquez.
- Twinkle - A nesting doll with brown braided hair, and a pink shirt with a pink duck hatching on it. She is the sister of Wayne. Voiced by Liliana Mumy.
- Kip - A nesting doll with black hair, a blue shirt with a blue robot on it, and a blue jacket. Voiced by Rory Thost.
- Fran - A nesting doll who is a squirrel with red fur and is the pet of Kip. Voiced by Edie McClurg.
Hero song
The lyrics to the first "Hero" song were written by Kent Redeker, one of the show's executive producers. The song was composed and produced by Mark Harrison, the show's senior songwriter.
Each episode contains two songs. An initial "dilemma" song which sets up the "problem" which needs to be solved followed by the "hero" song which introduces the hero who solves the problem, some of the heroes later appear in later episodes and renamed to Mr., Ms. or Miss or Mrs. (depending on their gender) like the Gardener Hero who first appeared in the episode "Flower Power" who later got renamed to Mr. Gardener in the episode "Look Who's Squawking" and Mr. Electrician who first appeared in "Electric Evening" later appeared in later episodes like "A Valentine For Ms. Fern".
While every hero song has the same basic melody as the initial hero song written by Harrison, he performed and produced each song with different lyrics and instrumentation to fit the episode's specific hero.
Brad Mossman, the other principal songwriter, composed lyrics and music for a number of dilemma songs in many episodes as well.
Episodes
Season 1 (2004-05)
"Up A Tree"/"Missing Grandpop" September 12, 2004
- Donald Faison - Firefighter Hero
- Kathie Lee Gifford - Mail Carrier Hero
- Jim Ward - Grandpop Krank
"Twinkle Tooth"/"Flower Power" September 19, 2004
- Camryn Manheim - Handy Plumber Hero
- Steven Weber - Gardener Hero
"First Snow"/"Snow Dazed" November 13, 2004
- Betty White - Grandmama
- Katey Sagal - Policewoman Hero
"Flappy's Not Happy"/"Electric Evening" November 16, 2004
- Frances Conroy - Veterinarian Hero
- Lance Bass - Electrician Hero
"All Tire'd Out"/"Great Un-Expectations" November 28, 2004
- John Michael Higgins - Tow Truck Driver Hero
- Tim Curry - Librarian Hero
"Smooth Operator"/"Stinky Situation. December 27, 2004
- Cyndi Lauper - Telephone Operator Hero
- Jim Wise - Sanitation Worker Hero
"Weather or Not"/"Green in the Gills" December 31, 2004
- Susan Lucci - Weathergirl Hero
- Miguel Sandoval - Painter Hero
"Halloween Heroes" (aka "Higgly Halloween") October 19, 2004
- Travis Tritt - Farmer Hero
"Smells Like a Mystery"/"Ship Ahoy!" October 15, 2004
- Katey Sagal - Police Officer hero
- Ed McMahon - Tug Boat Captain Hero
"Soup With Stars"/"The Happy Friendly Sparkly Toast Club" November 1, 2004
- Smokey Robinson - Grocery Clerk Hero
- Ricki Lake - Carpenter Hero (Alice)
"Catch Up With Ketchup"/"Star Struck" November 8, 2004
- Stuart Pankin - Bus Driver Hero
- Wally Kurth - The Eye Doctor Hero
"Twinkle's Wish" December 12, 2004
- John Astin - Santa Claus
- Sean Astin - Pix the Elf
"Twinkle's Masterpiece"/"The Egg-cellent Adventure" January 2, 2005
- Sharon Stone - Nicki the Blind Art Teacher
- Anne Heche - Gloria the Waitress
- Dee Bradley Baker -The Chicken Farmer Hero
"Wayne's Ripping Adventure"/"Meet Eubie's Cousin" January 4, 2005
- Matt Cavenaugh - Tailor Hero
- Raven-Symoné - Playground Monitor Hero
- Jesse Corti - Jax
"Say What"/"Higgly Harmonies" January 6, 2005
- Nathalia Hencker - Translator Hero
- Jamie-Lynn DiScala - Miss Fern
- David Naughton - Orchestra Conductor Hero
"Wayne's Good Guess"/"Wayne's 100 Special Somethings" February 6, 2005
- Jamie-Lynn DiScala - Miss Fern
- Cicely Tyson - Great Aunt Shirley
"Patty Cake"/"Havin' A Ball" February 6, 2005
- Rocco DiSpirito - Baker Hero
- Steve Harris - Sports Coach Hero
"Bright Sights, Big City"/"Kip's Shadow" April 4, 2005
- Marissa Jaret Winokur - Taxi Driver Hero
- Carlos Alazraqui - Shelter Worker Hero
- Jesse Corti - Jax
"Fran Takes a Hike"/"Mystery at Kip's House" April 4, 2005
- Irene Bedard - Forest Ranger Hero
- Henry Dittman - Detective Hero
"Kip Joins the Circus"/"Baby Boom" May 8, 2005
- Donald Faison - Firefighter Hero
- Erik Estrada - Ambulance Driver/Paramedic Hero
- Kevin Michael Richardson - Uncle Lemno
- Rob Paulsen - Barber
- Mindy Sterling - Mrs Barber
"Twinkle's Favorite Author"/"Don't Fence Me In" May 16, 2005
- Diedrich Bader - Crane Operator Hero
- Anne Heche - Gloria the Waitress
- Masasa - Judge Hero
"Higgly Hoedown"/"Eubie's Turbo Sled" June 20, 2005
- Trace Adkins - Cowboy Hero
- Serena Williams - Snow Plow Driver Hero
"Kip's Dad Gets a Strike"/"A Really Hot Day" August 19, 2005
- Thomas F. Wilson - Truck Driver Hero
- Phil LaMarr - Lifeguard Hero
"Kip's Sweet Tooth"/"Wayne's Lollipop" July 20, 2005
- Gwendoline Yeo - Dentist Hero
- Rob Paulsen - Barber Hero
"Eubie's Pink Dots"/"Two Bees or Not Two Bees" July 22, 2005
- Naomi Judd - School Nurse Hero
- Kate Pierson - Beekeeper Hero
- Betty White - Grandmama
"Higgly Frog Day"/"Eubie's Elly-Fantastic Adventure" August 15, 2005
- Maggie Wheeler - Street Sweeper Hero
- Alyson Reed - Zookeeper Hero
Season 2 (2006)
"Twinkle Twinkle Little Fish"/"All the Wrong Moves" January 9, 2006
- Jesse Corti - Submarine Captain Hero
- Debbie Allen - Dance Instructor Hero
"Kip Gets Swing Fever"/"Wayne's Pieces of Gold" January 16, 2006
- Gregory Jbara - Tree Trimmer Hero
- Mo Collins - Science Fair Judge
- Simon Templeman - Banker Hero
"All Warm Inside"/"Calling All Ducks" February 23, 2006
- Philip Anthony-Rodriguez - Furnace Repairman Hero
- Jentle Phoenix - Environmentalist Hero
"A Totally Secret Valentine"/"A Valentine for Miss Fern" April 23, 2006
- Dee Bradley Baker - Pizza Guy
- Lance Bass - Mr. Electrician
- Jamie-Lynn DiScala - Miss Fern
"Cry Baby Pookie"/"Wait for Me" April 29, 2006
- Rain Pryor - Pediatrician Hero
- Wally Wingert - Waiter Hero
- Dave Wittenberg - Mr. Baker
"Balloon-a-Palooza"/"Wayne's Day Out" May 28, 2006
- Michael T. Weiss - Mountain Rescue Squad Hero
- Katey Sagal - Police Woman Hero
- Matthew St. Patrick - Police Man Hero
- Cicely Tyson - Great Aunt Shirley
"The Fran in the Moon" June 23, 2006
- Jane Kaczmarek - Astronaut Hero
"Me and My Shadow"/"Out to Sea" June 30, 2006
- Jorge Garcia - Dog Trainer Hero
- Jamie-Lynn DiScala - Ms. Fern
- Debi Mae West - Lighthouse Keeper Hero
"Don't Wayne on My Parade"/"Twinkle's Terrific Twirl" July 7, 2006
- Nicole Parker - Window Washer Hero
- Pete Siragusa - Ice Resurfacer Hero
"Wayne's Big, Big Discovery"/"Dirigible Day" July 23, 2006
- Mo Collins - Paleontologist Hero
- Roberto Alcaraz - Air Traffic Controller Hero
"The Legend of Higgsquatch" August 23, 2006
- Kathy Najimy - Photographer Hero
- Tim Curry - Higgsquatch
"Eubie's Big Boat Float"/"A Slippery Situation" January 31, 2006
- Anne Heche - Gloria the Waitress
- Matthew Kaminsky - Drawbridge Operator Hero
- David Jolliffe - Radiographer Hero
- Wayne Brady - Doctor
"Kip's Rocket Rescue"/"Let's Get Moving" August 26, 2006
- Henry Winkler - Printer Hero
- Neil Kaplan - Mover Hero
- Betty White - Grandmama
"Corn to Be Wild"/"Overnight Moose" September 1, 2006
- Joey Fatone - Bulldozer Operator Hero
- Jessica Walter - Motel Manager Hero
"Higgly Island" October 20, 2006
- Wilmer Valderrama - Helicopter Pilot Hero
"Shear Luck"/"Big Night Out" October 30, 2006
- Gayla Goehl - Sheep Shearer Hero
- Betty White - Grandmama
- Alanna Ubach - Babysitter Hero
"Calling All Cars"/"Amazing Museum" November 6, 2006
- Jonathan Adams - Road Worker Hero
- Aisha Tyler - Museum Curator Hero
"Frozen Fish Follies"/"Look Who's Squawking" November 13, 2006
- Dave Wittenberg - Sled Dog Musher
- Stephnie Weir - Animal Control Officer Hero
- Henry Dittman - Gardener
"Wayne's Day to Shine"/"Wayne Listens Up" November 20, 2006
- Jess Harnell - Laundry Worker Hero
- Wayne Brady - Doctor Hero
- Jamie-Lynn DiScala - Ms. Fern
"A Hoppin' Poppin' Problem"/"Hay Hay Hay!!" November 27, 2006
- Leslie Boone - Mechanic Hero, Bessy the Cow, Farmer Lulu
Season 3 (2007-08)
"Happy Campers"/"All Washed Out" January 1, 2007
- Meghan Strange - Camp Counselor Hero
- Bill Farmer - Janitor Hero
- Jamie-Lynn DiScala - Ms. Fern
"Hat's All Folks"/"Hop Hop Hooray" January 2, 2007
- Billy Vera - Ferry Boat Captain Hero
- Charlie Schlatter - Receptionist Hero
"Shuffleboard Buddies"/"All Mapped Out" January 3, 2007
- Debi Mae West - Physical Therapist Hero
- David Jeremiah- Mapmaker Hero
"12-Pie Abe"/"The Day the Diner Stood Still" February 5, 2007
- Catero Colbert - Camel Rider
- Tom Kenny - Reporter Hero
- Anne Heche - Gloria the Waitress
"Saturday Night Higgly"/"Monster Sandwiches" February 12, 2007
- Dee Bradley Baker, Mindy Sterling, & Alanna Ubach - Musician Heroes
- Jim Wise - Tour Guide Hero
"The Big Pink Elephant Sale"/"Higglies on Horseback" February 19, 2007
- Jeff Bennett - Auctioneer Hero
- Michael T. Weiss - Veterinarian Hero
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler - Ms. Fern
"Buki-Buki Boo-Boo"/"Signs of Spring" March 7, 2007
- Julianne Grossman - Roofer Hero
- Henry Dittman - Sign Language Interpreter Hero
"Easy to Get Sneezy"/"Unlock the Magic" March 20, 2007
- Jon Curry - Allergist Hero
- Grant Albrecht - Locksmith Hero
"Wayne's Cycle Recycle"/"Wayne's Wet Pet" April 22, 2007
- J. P. Manoux - Bike Repair Hero
- Camryn Manheim - Plumber Hero
"X Marks the Spot"/"Eubie's View" May 7, 2007
- Scott McShane - Bridge Builder Hero
- Leslie Boone - Dump Truck Driver Hero
"Whing-A-Ding Whirly Box"/"Windy Watchers" May 27, 2007
- Jo Anne Worley - Customer Service Clerk Hero
- Henry Dittman - Higglytown Coast Guard Hero
"Choo-Choo Zucchini"/"Something Ducky Going On" June 25, 2007
- John O'Hurley - Freight Train Engineer Hero
- Bobby Holiday - House Painter Hero
- Betty White - Grandmama
"Fripp's Flip-Flap Flop"/"Say Cheese" July 23, 2007
- Kevin Michael Richardson - Uncle Lemmo the Short-Order Cook Hero
- Charlie Janasz - Photographer Hero
"Canyon Capers"/"High-Country Hiccups" July 31, 2007
- Wally Wingert - Hector the Donkey Guide Hero
- Kimberly Brooks - Ski Patrol Hero
"Calling All Heroes" August 23, 2007
- Jeffrey Tambor - Radio Announcer
"Happy Flappy Birthday"/"The Cuckoo County Caw-Caw Contest" September 9, 2007
- Wes Brown - Phone Repairman Hero
- Leanza Cornett - Airplane Pilot Hero
"Little Big Fish"/"Good Sports" October 20, 2007
- Debra Wilson Skelton - Marine Biologist Hero
- Chris Carmack - Referee Hero
"'Tis the Season to be Snowy"/"Bingo Bongos" December 1, 2007
- Joey Gian - Stan the Brick layer Man Hero
- They Might Be Giants - The Supertasters
- Shawn King - Usher Hero
"Wayne's Toasty Invention"/"Spell it Safe" January 7, 2008
- Jamie-Lynn DiScala - Ms. Fern
- Ruth Williamson - Cafeteria Lady Hero
- Anna Maria Perez de Tagle - Safety Patrol Hero
Related studies
- Victor C. Strasburger and Edward Donnerstein, 1999. "Children, Adolescents, and the Media: Issues and Solutions," Pediatrics, volume 103, number 1: pp. 129-139: Open Access Copy
References
External links
- Official website
- Higglytown Heroes on IMDb
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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