The Huggabug Club

The Huggabug Club is an American educational TV series for preschoolers. It aired on PBS Kids from January 1, 1995 to July 30, 2000. It also has aired on Smile ever since the channel was launched in 2005.

The Huggabug Club
Genre	Children's television series
Created by	Audrey Landers Judy Landers Ruth Landers
Starring	Audrey Landers Judy Landers Bret Shefter Ilysia J. Pierce Susan Solomon
Theme music composer	Audrey Landers Judy Landers
Opening theme	The Huggabug Club (performed by the cast) Jamie Starr
Ending theme	The Huggabug Club (performed by the cast) Jamie Starr
Composers	Audrey Landers Ralf Stemmann
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	5
No. of episodes	48 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	Ruth Landers
Producers	Audrey Landers Judy Landers Ruth Landers
Production locations	New York City Tampa, Florida
Camera setup	Single
Running time	30 minutes per episode
Production companies	WEDU Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Release
Original network	PBS/Smile
Picture format	Color
Audio format	Stereo
First shown in	1995–2000
Original release	January 1, 1995 – July 30, 2000

Cast

Adults

• Audrey Landers - Miss Audrey
• Judy Landers - Miss Judy

In addition to Miss Audrey and Miss Judy, the program features full-body puppets who magically appear with the help of a computer: Uncle Huggabug, a cowboy-insect; Miss Oops-A-Daisy, a clumsy flower; and Aunty Bumble, a grandmotherly bee. The cast also includes the "Buggsters", a group of multi-cultural kids who sing and dance.[1]

Season 1

• Jamie Starr - Ernie
• Alexie Agdeppa - Grace
• Lindsey Landers - Kelly
• Briahnna Odom - Kim
• Jessica Villareal - Maria
• Christie Lee Piazza - Sally
• Landon Prairie - Spencer
• Kristy Landers - Tria

Season 2

• Michael Minden - Alex
• Alexie Agdeppa - Grace
• Manner Washington - Jamie
• Lindsey Landers - Kelly
• Briahnna Odom - Kim
• Jessica Villareal - Maria
• Christie Lee Piazza - Sally
• Kristy Landers - Tria

Season 3

• Bryce Cotton - Bobby
• Alexie Agdeppa - Grace
• Valentino Moreno - Jose
• Lindsey Landers - Kelly
• Philip Jacobs - Leroy
• Jessica Villareal - Maria
• Christie Lee Piazza - Sally
• Kristy Landers - Tria

Production

The series was co-created by veteran actresses and sisters Audrey and Judy Landers, as well as their manager/producer/mother Ruth Landers, who also served as executive producer. The series was also broadcast in South Africa, Jordan, Canada and Zambia. The Landers sisters co-wrote over 150 original songs for the series.[1]

An advisory board of teachers and a child psychologist helped to guide the series towards "life skills"-teaching themes. The themes were: integrity; initiative; flexibility; perseverance; organization; sense of humor; effort; common sense; problem solving; responsibility; patience; friendship; curiosity; cooperation; and caring.[1]

Episodes

Season 1 (1995)

1. Express Yourself: Feelings & Emotions
2. Finders Keepers Not!: Honesty
3. This Land is Your Land: The Environment
4. Safety First: Safety
5. New Kid in Town: Making New Friends
6. Farmer Jo-Ann's Farm: Going To The Farm
7. School Days: Everyday School Routine
8. Fitness is Fun: Fitness Routine & Keeping Healthy
9. Our Five Scent-Sational Senses: The 5 Senses
10. Wheels, Wings, and Moving Things: Transportation
11. Let's Go to the Zoo: Zoo Animals
12. Rainy Days Are Fun!: Rainy Day Activities
13. Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker: Occupations
14. Surprise Pets: Exotic Pets
15. Remember When...: Memories
16. Huggabug's Cuddly Christmas: Christmas Traditions

Season 2 (1996)

1. Head to Toe: The Human Body
2. Tell It Like It Is: Honesty
3. And Baby Makes Four: Families & Babies
4. Don't Be Bugged by a Bug: Bugs & Insects
5. Dinosaurs Are Dynamite!: Dinosaurs
6. Surprises From the Sea: The Ocean & Beach Activities
7. I'm One of A Kind: Individuality
8. That's What Friends Are For: Friendship
9. Wacky Weather: The Weather Forecast
10. Please Don't Tease: Respect
11. What Do You Say?: Good Manners
12. You Can't Win 'Em All: Teamwork
13. Let's Celebrate: Holidays
14. Silly Scientists: Science
15. Magical, Musical Day: Musical Instruments & Styles Of Music
16. Dance-A-Thon: Dancing

Season 3 (2000)

1. A Package to Mexico: Mexico
2. Helping Others: Helping
3. Outer Space is Out of Sight: Outer Space
4. Curious Kids: Being Curious & Smart
5. We'll Always Be Family: Family Members
6. Get Neat to the Beat: Keeping Clean
7. USA Melting Pot: The USA
8. 1, 2, 3 Learn Your ABC's: Letters & Numbers
9. Willie Has Wheels: Transportation
10. Fantastic Firefighters: Firefighters
11. Imagine This, Imagine That: Imagination
12. Rootin' Tootin' Reptiles: Reptiles
13. Doctor Day: Doctors
14. Sing Along and Learn: Singing
15. Native Americans: Native Studies

Accolades

The television series and videotape releases have been awarded The Parents Choice Award, The Dove Foundation Award, and The Kids First Award for quality in children's media.[2]

References

1. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1995_June_20/ai_17093488
2. http://www.landersproductionz.com/huggabug.html

External links

• The Huggabug Club at IMDb