JoJo's Circus
JoJo's Circus is a stop-motion animated television series created by Jim Jinkins, David Campbell, Lisa Jinkins, and Eric Weiner and produced by Cuppa Coffee Studios and Cartoon Pizza. The series is written by Douglas Wood, the creative executive for "Tiny Toon Adventures" and "Animaniacs" and features songs with music by Jeffrey Zahn and Jim Latham and lyrics done by Judy Rothman. The theme song was performed by BECKY. It first aired on the Disney Channel as part of the Playhouse Disney lineup from September 28, 2003, to February 14, 2007. "JoJo's Circus" marks the  first stop-motion series done by Jinkins himself. Plot. The series is set in Circus Town, a self-sufficient city whose cultural center is the "Big Top" tent. The story focuses on JoJo Tickle, a 6-year-old girl clown, and Goliath, JoJo's pet lion. She and Goliath learned at the Little Big Top Circus School, where all young soon-to-be circus performers learn under their teacher Mrs. Kersplatski. Along with her friends, JoJo explores and learns while dealing with challenging situations. Recurring themes. "JoJo's Circus" relies on repetition in its structure. Each segment always begins with  JoJo searching for Goliath, who is always hiding. JoJo then is presented with the situation that will occupy the theme of the show. A song, usually about the resolution of the situation, is then performed by JoJo. At the conclusion of each episode, a supporting character asks, "What did you learn today, JoJo?", and before she can reply, JoJo is whisked away for the finale, the "spotlight moment." JoJo is then placed on a makeshift stage with various cameramen, lighting grips, and producers running about, while the "Spotlight Moment" song plays, asking what she's learned, is sung and Jojo  taps her foot along (in some episodes she also taps her hand on her leg). Subsequently, JoJo explains what she has learned in the course of the episode. Characters. The show's voice directors are Kent Meridith (United States) and Debra Toffan (Canada). Development and concept. The show stresses simple, everyday lessons such as playing with others, detecting the sequence, personal hygiene, responsibility, and safety. Also paramount is the show's focus on exercise: JoJo often asks for audience participation (such as clapping, jumping, and stretching) for the viewers. The series is animated in Claymation, which is a serious departure  to Jinkin's previous animated works. Characters JoJo and her pet lion, Goliath, re-appeared in a yoga-style exercise learning series/interstitial called Feeling Good with JoJo. Music. Each episode contains a short tune dealing with the topics of the episode. (Many of these songs can be found on three CDs: "Songs from JoJo's Circus", "Songs from Under the Big Top!", and "Playhouse Disney: Imagine and Learn with Music".) The genres of the songs range from doo-wop to funk to rock to classic punk. Phrases like "stretch your arms" and "jump up high" are common lyrics. Most  of the songs are educational — telling kids how to bow, stretch, greet people, wash their hair, and clean up after themselves — while a few are more entertaining, such as "Cotton Candy Sure Is Sweet" or "The Gum Drop Song." The theme song of the show is performed by the band Becky. Episodes. Series overview. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude>