# Poko (TV series)

Poko is a Canadian stop motion animated children's television series about a young boy, his pet dog, and his toy monkey. Produced in Canada by The Halifax Film Company, Poko was created by Jeff Rosen, and began production in 2003 and ended in 2006 after three production cycles. Poko aired in Canada on CBC Television in the Kids' CBC programming block, and was broadcast in Turkey on Yumurcak TV until the channel closed in mid-June 2016. It was narrated by actor and dancer Cory Bowles. In Brazil, it was narrated by the frontman of Capital Inicial, Dinho Ouro Preto.
The show was awarded the 2004 Gemini for Best Pre-school Program in 2003 and the Alliance for Children & Television (ACT) Grand Prize in 2007.

## Characters
### Main

* Poko is a little boy who, every day, plays in his bedroom, or out in his backyard, but he also has a magic finger. When he says "Poko pippity pop!", he can draw objects, which then become real, by tracing them in the air with his finger. Poko often encounters obstacles and gets cranky or upset, but then cheers up with the help of an unseen narrator. Voiced by Cameron Davidson.
* Minus is Poko's pet dog. He is very playful, and often causes trouble. Minus is named for the sign minus (–); while not always understanding what's going on, he is sometimes showing much more human-like behaviour, such as being able to walk on his hind feet, play soccer, or dance. He is named for his ability to erase Poko's creations from existence (when they aren't needed anymore or he doesn't like them) by using his nose like an eraser. His silly antics often cause Poko to laugh and say "Silly Minus!"
* Mr. Murphy is Poko's stuffed toy monkey, who usually just sits around. He can sometimes be seen to have moved his hands (such as to shrug, or cover his eyes), but is never seen actually moving.

### Recurring

* Bibi is a young girl who is Poko's friend. She comes over sometimes to have a play date with Poko. Bibi can use her magic sticker book in a way that resembles Poko's ability, by opening the book to a sticker of an object and then making that object real, while saying "Bibi bibbity bop!". Bibi first appeared in the second season. Voiced by Claudia Ottosen.

## Show structure

The show follows the same sequence in every episode:
* Title sequence
* Poko wakes up (longer version only in season 1)
* Indoor episode
* Play sequence
* Mighty Murph story (season 1); Poko's Playhouse (season 2)
* Play sequence
* Outdoors episode
* Play sequence
* Ending sequence

### Episodes

Each episode features two segments. The first one is indoors, after Poko wakes up. The second is outdoors, in the garden. In both, Poko encounters a problem, but usually overcomes it after observing a smaller creature (such as a bird, ladybug, worm, etc.) solving a similar problem.
Also beneficial to children, the narrator helps Poko to name and understand his feelings, and find appropriate ways to deal with them: for example, on some occasions, when Poko has become angry at Minus, he has gone and given a blast on his tuba to release his frustration. Another common solution is for Poko to give Mr. Murphy a hug. In this way, the show suggests positive methods of dealing with problems. When this happens they usually perform the following: "hug a monkey...hug him tight...hug him till you feel alright". Poko does either that, or if Mr. Murphy isn't available, Poko releases his frustration by doing a dance called "The Poko Polka". He also has choices to release his frustration: either spending time alone on his swing, or shake his frustration out.
In the second season, a new segment was added called "Poko's Playhouse", in which Poko, Minus, and Bibi perform for a stuffed toy audience on a "Grand Ole Opry" type play-stage, with children performing a background song for each episode.
Similar to Toopy and Binoo, some episodes made appearances in more than one episode.

#### Season 1 (2003–2004)

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | American air date | Prod. code | US viewers (millions) |
| 1 | "Baby Murphy"Something Yummy for a Monkey Tummy" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | June 9, 2003 (2003-06-09) | January 6, 2004 | 101 | N/A |
| 1 | "Poko's Pool" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | June 9, 2003 (2003-06-09) | January 6, 2004 | 101 | N/A |
| 2 | "Poko and the Scary Shadow"Pirate Gold" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | June 14, 2003 (2003-06-14) | January 12, 2004 | 102 | N/A |
| 2 | "Poko Kicks a Ball" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | June 14, 2003 (2003-06-14) | January 12, 2004 | 102 | N/A |
| 3 | "Mr. Murphy in the Middle"A Super Monkey Loves to Play" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | June 19, 2003 (2003-06-19) | January 20, 2004 | 103 | N/A |
| 3 | "Reaching Mr. Murphy" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | June 19, 2003 (2003-06-19) | January 20, 2004 | 103 | N/A |
| 4 | "King Poko""Super Monkey at the Supermarket" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | June 25, 2003 (2003-06-25) | January 26, 2004 | 104 | N/A |
| 4 | "Poko's Swing" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | June 25, 2003 (2003-06-25) | January 26, 2004 | 104 | N/A |
| 5 | "Poko Gets Bugged"Mighty Murph's Street Treats" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01) | February 2, 2004 | 105 | N/A |
| 5 | "Poko Makes a Hole" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01) | February 2, 2004 | 105 | N/A |
| 6 | "Poko-Motion""Monkey Business at the Silly Circus" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 7, 2003 (2003-07-07) | February 9, 2004 | 106 | N/A |
| 6 | "Poko's Scooter" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 7, 2003 (2003-07-07) | February 9, 2004 | 106 | N/A |
| 7 | "Poko Has a Ball""A Super Monkey Needs to See" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 12, 2003 (2003-07-12) | February 16, 2004 | 107 | N/A |
| 7 | "Poko on the Slide" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 12, 2003 (2003-07-12) | February 16, 2004 | 107 | N/A |
| 8 | "Poko's Little Sister""A Super Monkey Loves to Drum" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 17, 2003 (2003-07-17) | February 23, 2004 | 108 | N/A |
| 8 | "Poko's Pool" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 17, 2003 (2003-07-17) | February 23, 2004 | 108 | N/A |
| 9 | "Baby Murphy""A Super Monkey Loves to Touch" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 23, 2003 (2003-07-23) | March 1, 2004 | 109 | N/A |
| 9 | "Poko's Lemonade Stand" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 23, 2003 (2003-07-23) | March 1, 2004 | 109 | N/A |
| 10 | "Poko and the Bunny Slippers""A Super Monkey Loves to Drum" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 28, 2003 (2003-07-28) | March 8, 2004 | 110 | N/A |
| 10 | "Poko Kicks a Ball" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | July 28, 2003 (2003-07-28) | March 8, 2004 | 110 | N/A |
| 11 | "Poko and the Scary Shadow""Something Yummy at the Zoo" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 3, 2003 (2003-08-03) | March 15, 2004 | 111 | N/A |
| 11 | "Poko's Laundry Day" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 3, 2003 (2003-08-03) | March 15, 2004 | 111 | N/A |
| 12 | "Poko's New Toy""A Super Monkey Loves to Fly" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 8, 2003 (2003-08-08) | March 22, 2004 | 112 | N/A |
| 12 | "Reaching Mr. Murphy" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 8, 2003 (2003-08-08) | March 22, 2004 | 112 | N/A |
| 13 | "Mr. Murphy in the Middle""Something Yummy for a Monkey Tummy" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 13, 2003 (2003-08-13) | March 29, 2004 | 113 | N/A |
| 13 | "Poko's Broken Toy" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 13, 2003 (2003-08-13) | March 29, 2004 | 113 | N/A |
| 14 | "Poko Alone""Something Yummy for a Monkey Tummy" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 18, 2003 (2003-08-18) | April 5, 2004 | 114 | N/A |
| 14 | "Poko's Swing" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 18, 2003 (2003-08-18) | April 5, 2004 | 114 | N/A |
| 15 | "King Poko""Pirate Gold" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 24, 2003 (2003-08-24) | April 12, 2004 | 115 | N/A |
| 15 | "Fireman Poko" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 24, 2003 (2003-08-24) | April 12, 2004 | 115 | N/A |
| 16 | "Dr. Poko""A Super Monkey Loves to Play" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 29, 2003 (2003-08-29) | April 18, 2004 | 116 | N/A |
| 16 | "Poko Makes a Hole" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | August 29, 2003 (2003-08-29) | April 18, 2004 | 116 | N/A |
| 17 | "Poko Gets Bugged""Super Monkey at the Supermarket" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 4, 2003 (2003-09-04) | April 24, 2004 | 117 | N/A |
| 17 | "Hide-'n'-Seek Poko" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 4, 2003 (2003-09-04) | April 24, 2004 | 117 | N/A |
| 18 | "Poko's Circus""Mighty Murph's Street Treats" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 10, 2003 (2003-09-10) | April 30, 2004 | 118 | N/A |
| 18 | "Poko's Scooter" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 10, 2003 (2003-09-10) | April 30, 2004 | 118 | N/A |
| 19 | "Poko-Motion""Monkey Business at the Silly Circus" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 16, 2003 (2003-09-16) | May 7, 2004 | 119 | N/A |
| 19 | "Poko's Sandcastle" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 16, 2003 (2003-09-16) | May 7, 2004 | 119 | N/A |
| 20 | "Poko's Band""A Super Monkey Needs to See" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 21, 2003 (2003-09-21) | May 13, 2004 | 120 | N/A |
| 20 | "Poko on the Slide" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 21, 2003 (2003-09-21) | May 13, 2004 | 120 | N/A |

#### Season 2 (2005–2006)

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | American air date | Prod. code | US viewers (millions) |
| 1 | "Poko the Submarine Explorer" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 5, 2005 (2005-09-05) | TBA | 201 | N/A |
| 1 | "Poko, Bibi and the Dragon" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 5, 2005 (2005-09-05) | TBA | 201 | N/A |
| 2 | "Super Poko" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 10, 2005 (2005-09-10) | TBA | 202 | N/A |
| 2 | "Poko and Bibi's Bug Adventure" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 10, 2005 (2005-09-10) | TBA | 202 | N/A |
| 3 | "Poko and Bibi at the Fancy Restaurant" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 13, 2005 (2005-09-13) | TBA | 203 | N/A |
| 3 | "Poko the Pirate" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 13, 2005 (2005-09-13) | TBA | 203 | N/A |
| 4 | "Poko Plays School" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 16, 2005 (2005-09-16) | TBA | 204 | N/A |
| 4 | "Poko's Picnic" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 16, 2005 (2005-09-16) | TBA | 204 | N/A |
| 5 | "Poko and Bibi Play House" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 20, 2005 (2005-09-20) | TBA | 205 | N/A |
| 5 | "Poko and the Dinosaur" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 20, 2005 (2005-09-20) | TBA | 205 | N/A |
| 6 | "Poko's Shadow Show" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 26, 2005 (2005-09-26) | TBA | 206 | N/A |
| 6 | "Poko and Bibi Play Soccer" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 26, 2005 (2005-09-26) | TBA | 206 | N/A |
| 7 | "Bibi's Ballet Class" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 30, 2005 (2005-09-30) | TBA | 207 | N/A |
| 7 | "Poko's Ducky Day" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | September 30, 2005 (2005-09-30) | TBA | 207 | N/A |
| 8 | "Poko's Puppet Show" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 4, 2005 (2005-10-04) | TBA | 208 | N/A |
| 8 | "Poko's Lemonade Stand" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 4, 2005 (2005-10-04) | TBA | 208 | N/A |
| 9 | "Poko's Robot" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 10, 2005 (2005-10-10) | TBA | 209 | N/A |
| 9 | "Poko Plays Golf" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 10, 2005 (2005-10-10) | TBA | 209 | N/A |
| 10 | "Hocus Pocus Poko" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 16, 2005 (2005-10-16) | TBA | 210 | N/A |
| 10 | "Poko and Bibi's Playdate" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 16, 2005 (2005-10-16) | TBA | 210 | N/A |
| 11 | "Poko's Patients" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 22, 2005 (2005-10-22) | TBA | 211 | N/A |
| 11 | "Poko Goes Camping" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 22, 2005 (2005-10-22) | TBA | 211 | N/A |
| 12 | "Poko and Bibi's Dress-Up Day" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 28, 2005 (2005-10-28) | TBA | 212 | N/A |
| 12 | "Minus Has the Hiccups" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | October 28, 2005 (2005-10-28) | TBA | 212 | N/A |
| 13 | "Poko's Puzzle" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | November 3, 2005 (2005-11-03) | TBA | 213 | N/A |
| 13 | "Nutty's Nuts" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | November 3, 2005 (2005-11-03) | TBA | 213 | N/A |
| 14 | "Mr. Murphy's Birthday" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | November 9, 2005 (2005-11-09) | TBA | 214 | N/A |
| 14 | "Poko the Gymnast" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | November 9, 2005 (2005-11-09) | TBA | 214 | N/A |
| 15 | "Poko's Masks" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | March 20, 2006 (2006-03-20) | TBA | 215 | N/A |
| 15 | "Poko Plays Croquet" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | March 20, 2006 (2006-03-20) | TBA | 215 | N/A |
| 16 | "Poko and Bibi at the Toy Store" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | March 26, 2006 (2006-03-26) | TBA | 216 | N/A |
| 16 | "Jungle Jim" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | March 26, 2006 (2006-03-26) | TBA | 216 | N/A |
| 17 | "Bibi's Pop-Up Book" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 2, 2006 (2006-04-02) | TBA | 217 | N/A |
| 17 | "Poko’s Piñata" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 2, 2006 (2006-04-02) | TBA | 217 | N/A |
| 18 | "Poko and Bibi's Treasure Hunt" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 8, 2006 (2006-04-08) | TBA | 218 | N/A |
| 18 | "Poko and Minus Play Tag" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 8, 2006 (2006-04-08) | TBA | 218 | N/A |
| 19 | "Poko's Harmonica" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 14, 2006 (2006-04-14) | TBA | 219 | N/A |
| 19 | "Poko's New Friend" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 14, 2006 (2006-04-14) | TBA | 219 | N/A |
| 20 | "Minus the Babysitter" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 20, 2006 (2006-04-20) | TBA | 220 | N/A |
| 20 | "Poko's Monster Truck" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 20, 2006 (2006-04-20) | TBA | 220 | N/A |
| 21 | "Poko and Bibi Play Statue" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 26, 2006 (2006-04-26) | TBA | 221 | N/A |
| 21 | "Poko the Pilot" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | April 26, 2006 (2006-04-26) | TBA | 221 | N/A |
| 22 | "Poko's Pie" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 1, 2006 (2006-05-01) | TBA | 222 | N/A |
| 22 | "Poko and Bibi Play Fairies" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 1, 2006 (2006-05-01) | TBA | 222 | N/A |
| 23 | "Poko's Messy Room" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 7, 2006 (2006-05-07) | TBA | 223 | N/A |
| 23 | "Poko and Bibi of the Arctic" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 7, 2006 (2006-05-07) | TBA | 223 | N/A |
| 24 | "Poko's Flowers" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 13, 2006 (2006-05-13) | TBA | 224 | N/A |
| 24 | "Poko's Windy Day" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 13, 2006 (2006-05-13) | TBA | 224 | N/A |
| 25 | "Poko and Bibi's Petting Zoo" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 19, 2006 (2006-05-19) | TBA | 225 | N/A |
| 25 | "Poko's Balloon Ride" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 19, 2006 (2006-05-19) | TBA | 225 | N/A |
| 26 | "Poko and Bibi Play Musical Chairs" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 25, 2006 (2006-05-25) | TBA | 226 | N/A |
| 26 | "Minus Gets a Bath" | Chuck Rubin | Jeff Rosen and Cheryl Wagner | May 25, 2006 (2006-05-25) | TBA | 226 | N/A |

### Play sequence

Two thirty-second shorts exist in each episode where Poko, Minus and Mr. Murphy play against a monocolor background. They may be swimming, surfing, riding an imaginary Roller coaster, or doing other activities or even dressing up like a ball.

### Mighty Murph

In the middle of each show in season one, Poko reads a Mighty Murph story. Each one is made using Macromedia Flash, in cartoon style, and involves a baby Mr. Murphy in some dilemma, such as being hungry, or having nowhere to play. He then imagines he is Mighty Murph (a superhero who is a parody of Superman, as Mighty Murph can be seen doing a scene which is a reference to the Superman 1940s film series), and flies around to find a solution to his problem. His search is fruitless, and he realizes the best place is just where he is, as his own self with his mother. The stories are told by the narrator.

## Awards

* Gemini - Best Pre-School Program (2004)
* ACT Award - Grand Prize (2007)
* ACT Award - Animation Age 3-5 (2007)