The Backyardigans

**The Backyardigans** is a computer-animated musical children's television series created by Janice Burgess. The series was written and recorded at Nickelodeon Animation Studio. It centers on five animal neighbors who imagine themselves on fantastic adventures in their backyard. Each episode is set to a different musical genre and features four songs, composed by Evan Lurie with lyrics by McPaul Smith. The Backyardigans' adventures span many different genres and settings. The show's writers took inspiration from action-adventure movies, and many episodes are parodies of movies.

## Plot

The show centers around a group of five animal neighbors: Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, and Austin. They share a large backyard between their houses. In each episode, they meet in the backyard and imagine themselves on a fantastical adventure. Their adventures span a variety of different genres and settings; many episodes involve visiting different parts of the world, traveling back or forward in time, and using magic or supernatural powers. The characters give themselves different jobs or roles depending on the episode's imaginary setting, such as detectives, knights, or scientists. From the second season onward, many episodes are parodies of action-adventure films such as *James Bond*, *Star Trek*, *Indiana Jones*, and *Ghostbusters*.

The openings and endings of the episodes follow a similar pattern. The stories begin with the characters in the backyard, introducing themselves and explaining the scenario they are about to imagine. When the Backyardigans finish their adventure, the fantasy sequence fades, restoring the original backyard setting. The characters sing a closing song, then walk inside their houses for a snack and close the door. As the episode ends, at least one character reopens the door and shouts a phrase related to the adventure.

The show follows the format of a stage musical. Each episode is set to a different genre of music and features four songs. The characters sing and dance to the songs with original choreography. The song and dance routines are often used to introduce a character's imaginary role, further the plot, or explain a problem. In addition to singing songs in a new genre each episode, the show's background music changes to match, scoring all of the Backyardigans' actions.

## Characters

* Uniqua (speaking voice by LaShawn Tinah Jefferies, singing voices provided by Jamia Simone Nash in Seasons 1 & 3 and Avion Baker in Season 4 in the US and voiced by Lizzie Waterworth in the UK) is a pink-spotted unique creature who is curious, self-confident, and adventurous. She likes to tell jokes and make her friends laugh. The series uses the name "Uniqua" for both the character and her species. She usually imagines herself having roles that require brains and courage, such as a scientist or pirate captain. Creator Janice Burgess describes Uniqua as the child she wishes she was like as a child. She is the only Backyardigan to appear in every episode.
* Pablo (speaking voices by Zach Tyler Eisen in Season 1, Jake Goldberg in Seasons 2 - 4 and singing voice provided by Sean Curley in the US and voiced by Janet James in the UK) is a blue penguin who is high-strung, frenetic, and tends to overreact. Due to his energy and impetuousness, he often goes into a "panic attack" when he faces an obstacle, running around in circles and telling everyone not to worry until someone gets his attention by calling his name three times. Pablo's panic attacks became less prominent after the first season, though in the later episode "The Flipper!", his propensity for getting overexcited is the main plot point.
* Tyrone (speaking voices by Reginald Davis Jr. in Seasons 1 & the first 3 episodes from the second season, Jordan Coleman in Seasons 2 - 3, Christopher Grant, Jr. in Season 4 and singing voices provided by Corwin C. Tuggles in Season 1, Leon Thomas III in Seasons 2 & 3, Damani Roberts in Season 3 and Tyrel Jackson Williams in Seasons 3 & 4 in the US and voiced by Maria Darling in Seasons 1 & 2 and Emma Tate in Seasons 3 & 4 in the UK) is a red-haired orange moose who is laid-back and cool-headed. He is best friends with Pablo, and he is almost the complete opposite of Pablo in terms of personality, with his calm and easygoing character. Tyrone is known for his sarcastic comments, one of them being "That certainly was convenient." At the end of most episodes, he says, "That was an excellent *(type)* adventure, don't you think?" Despite not appearing to wear pants, Tyrone somehow manages to put his hands in his pockets.
* Tasha (speaking voices by Naelee Rae in Seasons 1 & 2, Gianna Bruzzese in Seasons 3 & 4 and singing voices provided by Kristin Klabunde in Seasons 1 - 3 and Gabriella Malek in Seasons 3 - 4 in the US and voiced by Maria Darling in Seasons 1 & 2 and Emma Tate in Seasons 3 & 4 in the UK) is a strong-willed yellow hippopotamus who is rational, skeptical, and highly motivated to get her own way. She is the most serious of the Backyardigans, though she can be just as easy going as the others from time to time. Her catchphrase is "Oh, for goodness sakes." Nickelodeon describes Tasha as "deceptively sweet" and "tough-as-nails."
* Austin (speaking voice by Jonah Bobo, singing voices provided by Thomas Sharkey in Seasons 1 & 3 and Nicholas Barasch in Season 4 in the US and voiced by Lizzie Waterworth in the UK) is a shy but fun-loving purple kangaroo. In the first season, he is reserved and soft-spoken due to recently moving into the neighborhood. In later episodes, Austin becomes more outgoing and is revealed to be smart and imaginative. Austin rarely appears in the spotlight, but takes the role of the lead character in several episodes. Beth Bogush described him as "the one pulling up the rear. He's kind of a get-along guy."