Sid the Science Kid

Sid the Science Kid is a preschool television series produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with KCET Los Angeles. The show features real-time computer-generated puppets, using the Henson Digital Performance System. Production began in the fall of 2007 with 42 half-hour episodes of Sid the Science Kid having been ordered. The series debuted on PBS Kids on September 1, 2008,The Jim Henson Company and KCET in Production on Sid the Science Kid for PBS Kids with a two-year on-air commitment.Brandolution named licensing agent for US and Canada for The Jim Henson Company's newest preschool series "Sid the Science Kid"
The main character in the show is Sid, an "inquisitive youngster" who uses comedy to tackle questions kids have about basic scientific principals and why things work the way they do. He tries to answer questions and solve problems with the help of his classmates (May, Gerald and Gabriela), his teacher (Susie), his parents (Mort, and Alice), his Grandma and even his baby brother (Zeke).
Two DVDs of the show, The Bug Club and Change Happens, were released in August 2009Sid the Science Kid Comes to DVD.; with more DVDs following in 2009 and 2010.The Muppet Newsflash: Sid the Science Kid Merchandise August 13, 2009 In August 2009, the first ten episodes of season one were added to The iTunes Store.
The series ended on March 25, 2013 after two seasons and 68 episodes.
==Content and Structure==
The conceptual content of Sid is based in national science learning standards, cognitive learning theory, and on the preschool science curriculum, Preschool Pathways to Science.Sid the Science Kid - Educational Philosophy
Each week's episodes are built around a single scientific theme or concept, such as scientific tools and concepts, changes and transformation, the senses, and health. The Friday shows are designed to review, reinforce and summarize the central concept of the week.
One recurring segment, "Good Laughternoon", features the kids opening panels in a brightly-colored playground structure and telling jokes. The format and set borrow heavily from the closing "joke wall" of Rolan and Martin's Laugh-In, but for a pre-school audience. Other recurring segment include The Sid Survey, Rug Time, The Super Fab Lab, Susie sings, and Sid's "super-duper-schmoper" big idea. On rare occasions, Sid invites a friend over, mainly Gabriela, to play with him, such as in the episodes The Rolie Polie, My Ice Pops!, A Brush With Teeth, and Home Tweet Home.
==History and Development==
Sid the Science Kid was developed by Halle Stanford and Jim Lewis. The initial concept was to create a show to teach science concepts to pre-school kids. The series went into production in the fall of 2007.
Jim Lewis discussed his role in the creation of Sid the Science Kid in a 2008 interview, stating:
The original working title for the series was "What's the Big Idea?" and the central character, Sid, was originally named Josh.Henson Prepares to Ask "What's the Big Idea?"
Sid's personality was originally based on executive producer Halle Stanford's son Max.TV Guide Channel: Sid the Science Kid
The initial conceptual designs for the characters were completed by Elanna Allen, while Creature Shop Creative Supervisor Peter Brooke ensured that the original concepts and designs were translated into the 3D world of the Henson Digital Performance Studio. Brooke sculpted detailed maquettes of the characters to help translate the designs into three dimentions.
==Cast==
Image:Sidthekid2.jpg|Drew MasseyMisty Rosas
File:May.jpg|Julianne BuescherDana Michael Woods
File:Gerald-sid.jpg|Victor YerridAlon Williams
Image:Gabriela.jpg|Alice DinneanJohn Munro Cameron
File:SidsTeacher.jpg|Donna KimballSonya Leslie
File:Mort.JPG|Victor YerridJohn Munro Cameron
File:Alice.JPG|Alice DinneanSonya Leslie
File:Zeke.png|Donna KimballAlon Williams
File:Grandma.JPG|Julianne BuescherDana Michael Woods
Image:philbert.png|Bruce LanoilDaisy the dog
==Episodes==
Tools and Measurement 	Tools and Measurement 	Tools and Measurement 	Tools and Measurement
# 	Episode 	Topic 	Air date
101 	The Sticker Chart 	Documentations 	September 1, 2008
102 	The Rolie Polie 	Observation 	September 2, 2008
103 	Enough With the Seashells! 	Estimation 	September 3, 2008
104 	The Whale Episode 	Measurement 	September 4, 2008
105 	Super Science Tools 	Tools and Measurement Review 	September 5, 2008
Transformation and Change	Transformation and Change 	Transformation and Change 	Transformation and Change
# 	Episode 	Topic 	Air date
106 	My Mushy Banana 	Decay 	September 8, 2008
107 	My Shrinking Shoes 	Growth 	September 9, 2008
108 	My Ice Pops! 	Change Caused by Cold 	September 10, 2008
109 	The Perfect Pancake! 	Change Caused by Heat 	September 11, 2008
110 	No More Changes! 	Transformation and Change Review 	September 12, 2008
Senses 	Senses 	Senses 	Senses
# 	Episode 	Topic 	Air date
111 	The Itchy Tag 	Texture 	September 22, 2008
112 	What's That Smell? 	Smell 	September 23, 2008
113 	Grandma's Glasses 	Sight 	September 24, 2008
114 	Too Much Noise! 	Hearing 	September 25, 2008
115 	All My Senses 	Senses Review 	September 26, 2008
Health 	Health 	Health 	Health
# 	Episode 	Topic 	Air date
116 	A Brush With Teeth 	Dental Hygiene 	October 20, 2008
117 	I Want Cake 	Nutrition 	October 21, 2008
118 	The Big Sneeze 	Germs 	October 22, 2008
119 	Must See TV 	Exercise 	October 23, 2008
120 	Sid's Health Day 	Health Review 	October 24, 2008
Simple Machines 	Simple Machines 	Simple Machines 	Simple Machines
# 	Episode 	Topic 	Air date
121 	The Broken Wheel 	Wheels 	February 9, 2009
122 	My Slide 	Inclined Planes 	February 10, 2009
123 	Sid's Amazing Invention 	Levers 	February 11, 2009
124 	The Tree House 	Pulleys 	February 12, 2009
125 	Climb, Ignatz, Climb 	Simple Machines Review 	February 13, 2009
Backyard Science 	Backyard Science 	Backyard Science 	Backyard Science
# 	Episode 	Topic 	Air date
126 	Hello Doggie 	Animal Communication 	February 16, 2009
127 	Home Tweet Home 	Animal and Insect Habitats 	February 17, 2009
128 	The Dirt on Dirt 	Dirt 	February 18, 2009
129 	Don't Forget the Leaves 	Leaves 	February 19, 2009
130 	The Bug Club 	Backyard Science Review 	February 20, 2009
Human Body 	Human Body 	Human Body 	Human Body
# 	Episode 	Topic 	Air date
131 	Special Mom Day Meal 	Digestion 	May 4, 2009
132 	I Have Muscles Where? 	Muscles 	May 5, 2009
133 	Sid's Amazing Lungs 	Lungs 	May 6, 2009
134 	How Did My Dog Do That? 	Bones 	May 7, 2009
135 	Now That's Using Your Brain 	Human Body Review 	May 8, 2009
Weather 	Weather 	Weather 	Weather
# 	Episode 	Topic 	Air date
136 	Sid's Rainy Play Date 	Rain 	September 14, 2009
137 	Special Sunny Dad Day 	Sun 	September 15, 2009
138 	Sid's Holiday Adventure 	Temperature 	September 16, 2009
139 	The Wind Did It 	Wind 	September 17, 2009
140 	Sid the Weatherman 	Weather Review 	September 18, 2009
Specials 	Specials 	Specials 	Specials
# 	Title 	Topic 	
Air date
141 	Getting A Shot: You Can Do It! 	Vaccinations 	October 26, 2009
201 	No School Sing-Along Special! 	Sing-Along 	June 21, 2010
Force and Motion 	Force and Motion 	Force and Motion 	Force and Motion
# 	Title 	Topic 	Air date
202 	Slide to the Side! 	Friction 	October 4, 2010
203 	That's the Way the Ball Bounces 	Elasticity 	October 5, 2010
204 	Ignatz's Inertia 	Inertia 	October 6, 2010
205 	Sid's Super Kick! 	Force 	October 7, 2010
Light and Shadows 	Light and Shadows 	Light and Shadows 	Light and Shadows
# 	Title 	Topic 	Air date
206 	Let There Be Light 	Light 	November 8, 2010
207 	Discovering Darkness 	Darkness 	November 9, 2010
208 	Shadow Smile 	Shadows 	November 10, 2010
209 	A Rainbow Every Day 	Rainbow 	November 11, 2010
Environmental Systems 	Environmental Systems 	Environmental Systems 	Environmental Systems
# 	Title 	Topic 	Air date
210 	Where Did The Water Go? 	Water 	April 18, 2011
211 	Clean Air 	Air 	April 19, 2011
212 	Redused Robot 	Recycling 	April 20, 2011
213 	Save The Stump 	Habitats 	April 21 2011
Special 	Special 	Special 	Special
# 	Title 	Topic 	Air date
214 	Sid’s Backyard Campout! 	Camping 	June 20, 2011
215 	Halloween Spooky Science Special 	Halloween 	
216 	I Want to Be a Scientist 	Biology/Robotics/Chemistry/Astronaut	
==Awards and Honors==
In 2009, Sid the Science Kid was awarded the Parents' Choice Award and was called "Recommended Television for the spring of 2009" by the organization.
In May 2009, Sid the Science Kid ws nominated at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in two categories - "Outstanding Children's Animated Program" and "Outstanding Achievement in Main Title & Graphic Design".
The series was nominated by the Television Critics Association for a TCA Award in "Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming."
==Crew==
For full credits, see the Sid the Science Kid credits on the Henson Digital Performance System Wiki.
*Executive Producers: Brian Henson, Lisa Henson, Halle Stanford, Bradley Zweig
*Producer: Chris Plourde
*Directors: Brian Henson, Hugh Martin, Allan Trautman, Katy Garretson, Dean Gordon, David Gumpel
*Head Writer: Bradley Zweig
*Writers: Bradley Zweig, Jim Lewis, Eric Shaw, Corey Powell, Joe Purdy, Craig Bartlett, Will Shepard, Elise Allen
*Story Editors: Craig Bartlett, Joe Purdy
*Character Designs: Ellanna Allen, Peter Brooke
==Merchandise==
For more coverage, see the Sid the Science Kid merchandise category on the Henson Digital Performance System Wiki.
===Albums===
Music from the series was first released on May 4, 2009 as an Amazon.com exclusive. Sid the Science Kid: Soundtrack - Volume 1 features 18 original songs from the first half of the series. The albums was released both on CD and for digital download.
;Album titles
:
*Sid the Science Kid: Soundtrack - Volume 1
===Videos===
DVDs of the series are being released by the Jim Henson Company and NCircle Entertainment. Single-disc collections of four similar themed episodes are being released. Starting in August 2009, full episodes of Sid the Science Kid became available for purchase and downloading via the iTunes Store.
;DVD titles
*The Bug Club
*Change Happens
*Weather Kid Sid
*Felling Good Inside and Out
*The Ruler of Thumb
*Gizmos and Gadgets
*Sense-Ational Adventures
*Sid's Sing Along
*Sid's Sense-ational Adventures
*Going Going Green
===Books===
HarperCollins Children's Books and The Jim Henson Company are releasing a series of books based on the program. The first titles hit book stores in December 2009.The Muppet Newsflash: Sid the Science Kid Merchandise August 13, 2009
;Book titles
:
*Why Are My Shoes Shrinking?
*Why Did My Ice Pop Melt?
*A Cavity Is a Hole in Your Tooth
*Everybody, Move Your Feet!
*Why Can't I Have Cake For Dinner?
*The Trouble with Germs
*What's That Smell?
===Toys===
In February 2009 The Jim Henson Company appointed Hasbro, Inc. the master toy and game licensee for Sid the Science Kid. The four-year license grants Hasbro the rights to introduce an array of Sid the Science Kid products. Hasbro's line of Sid the Science Kid toys and games is slated to debut at retailers in the fall of 2009.Henson Compant Press Release The first set of toys, a series of mini plus dolls and the Talkin' Sid plush doll were released in November 2009.
*Gotta Know Microphone
*Talking Sid the Science Kid doll (with bonus DVD)
*Mini plush dolls
==iPhone App==
In fall 2009 the Jim Henson Company released an iPhone application of Sid's microphone. The apps design and audio effects replicate the functions of the microphone Sid has on the show. On the iPhone, users can record their own voices, or other sounds, for up to 20 seconds and then play them back. The Sid's Microphone app was developed by Stevo Brock from Sunset Magicwerks in partnership with PBS and The Jim Henson Company. The app was released as a free download.
File:iPhone-sid.jpg|Sid's Microphone app
==Movie==
On March 26, 2012, The Jim Henson Company announced a Sid The Science Kid movie featuring Christopher Lloyd.Muppet Central - Henson announces "Sid the Science Kid: The Movie" in 3-D It was released on March 2013. The movie also served as the series finale.
==Sources==
==External Links==
* Official Website
* Henson.com - "Sid the Science Kid"
* The Big Cartoon Database episode guide
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Category:Henson Company TV Shows
Category:Animated TV Shows