Gullah Gullah Island

Gullah Gullah Island
Created by	Maria Magdalena Perez Kathleen Minton Capano Kit Laybourne
Starring	Ron Daise Natalie Daise
Theme music composer	Peter Lurye
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	61
Production
Executive producers	Maria Perez-Brown Kathleen Minton Capano Kit Laybourne
Camera setup	Videotape; Multi-camera
Running time	24 minutes
Production companies	Magnet Productions (season 1) Perez-Minton Productions, Inc.
Original release
Network	Nickelodeon
Release	July 6, 1994 (1994-07-06) – January 9, 1998 (1998-01-09)

Gullah Gullah Island is an American musical children's television series starring Ron Daise and Natalie Daise. The first TV show designed for preschoolers to feature a black family, it ran for three seasons, from 1994 to 1997.

Background

The show stars Ron Daise and Natalie Daise as "Ron" and "Natalie," along with their fictional children Shaina and James, niece (Vanessa), non-fictional children Simeon and Sara and large yellow tadpole, Binyah Binyah Polliwog. The family lived on a fictional island off the coast of South Carolina, related in its characteristics to the Sea Islands, whose people developed the Gullah culture. (Outdoor shots featured Beaufort, South Carolina and Fripp Island.) The Downtown area was featured in one episode when the family took a trip to Charleston.

The show was taped and recorded at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando at Universal Studios Florida, with the show Clarissa Explains It All shot on the same set (interior and exterior). Modifications were made, such as adding various shades of red to the home as shown on Gullah Gullah. The backyard was used on earlier episodes of All That as well.

Episodes featured singing, dancing, learning and encouraging children in the audience to think about things like taking care of yourself, animals, telling the truth, social skills, and problem solving. The show ran for 3 seasons from 1994–1997, with a total of 61 episodes.

The show also spawned a short-lived spin-off, Binyah Binyah, which lasted for only one week in February 1998.

Cast

Vanessa Baden, James Edward Coleman III, Ron Daise, and Natalie Daise- Themselves

• Manolo Villaverde - Abuelo
• Iris Chacón - Ms. Juana

• Corey Hayes - Himself
• Simeon Othello Daise - Himself
• Shaina M. Freeman - Herself (1994–1996)
• Tristin Mays - Shaina (1997)
• Cristian Sola - Miguel (1997)
• Sara Makeba Daise - Sara (1994–1997)

Mia Barrington, Gregory Davis II - Themselves

• Armando Guerra - Armando (1994–1997)
• Philip D. Garcia - Binyah Binyah (1994–1996) (Note: Philip Garcia was killed in a car accident in 1996, which is why Justin Campbell had the role of Binyah Binyah for the 3rd season)
• Justin Campbell - Binyah Binyah (1996–1998)
• Ana Christina Randolph - Marisol

Bryan Nguyen, Jessica Gorski - Themselves

and

• James J. Kroupa - Chansome

Episodes

Season 1: 1994-1995

Ep #	Title	Airdate
01	"Yes I Can"	September 8, 1994 (1994-09-08)
Shaina is upset that she can't tie her shoes and James is upset that he can't whistle. They then learn that if you keep trying and have a good attitude, you can do anything you like. (series premiere)
02	"Going Places"	September 15, 1994 (1994-09-15)
The family goes on a ride in Mr. Bradley's shrimp boat.
03	"Relaciones Familares"	September 22, 1994 (1994-09-22)
The family sees far-away relatives and learn Spanish.
04	"Rain, Rain, Go Away"	September 29, 1994 (1994-09-29)
The kids are mad when the rain spoils their plans. They then learn why rain is important and find ways to keep themselves busy and have fun indoors.
05	"Rhythm and Rhyme All the Time"	October 6, 1994 (1994-10-06)
James writes his own rap song and the family sings nursery rhymes.
06	"Look Who's Balking"	October 13, 1994 (1994-10-13)
Jessica has a new baby sister and is jealous of the attention given to her. With help from Ron, Natalie, and their kids, Jessica learns about her role as a big sister and becomes confident.
07	"Carnival"	October 20, 1994 (1994-10-20)
After Marisol & Armando's family come back from Puerto Rico the kids decide to throw their own carnival like what is traditional there.
08	"The Talent Show"	October 27, 1994 (1994-10-27)
James and his friends participate in a talent show to help raise money for Vanessa to get a new bike after her old one was broken.
09	"The Green Show"	November 3, 1994 (1994-11-03)
The family learns about saving energy and Shaina plants her first seeds in Natalie's garden.
10	"Baby Animals"	November 10, 1994 (1994-11-10)
The family learns about baby animals and how to care for them.
11	"James' Treasure Box"	November 17, 1994 (1994-11-17)
James searches for a treasure box to store his collection.
12	"The Binyah Binyah Pollywog Show"	November 24, 1994 (1994-11-24)
Binyah Binyah runs away from home after James snaps at him for breaking a broom during a Limbo game with the kids. Note: This episode was used as a skit in the "Caring" segment of Kids for Character.
13	"Please Don't Eat The Alstons!"	February 15, 1995 (1995-02-15)
Natalie makes a doll out of okra; Binyah Binyah steals cookies; Ron and James go to the supermarket and learn about healthy foods.
14	"Let the Games Begin"	April 5, 1995 (1995-04-05)
The family learns about different types of games.
15	"Ron's Birthday"	April 12, 1995 (1995-04-12)
The family celebrates Ron's birthday.

Season 2: 1995-1996

Ep #	Title	Airdate
16	"The Pet Show"	October 25, 1995 (1995-10-25)
Vanessa is given the task of watching the class pet rabbit over the weekend. But when the rabbit goes missing, it's up to Vanessa and James' new club, The Lost and Found Agency, to find him.
17	"Simeon's Day"	November 1, 1995 (1995-11-01)
Simeon has a special day with many surprises, including hot dogs for breakfast and a puppet show.
18	"Friendship - Just the Perfect Blendship"	November 8, 1995 (1995-11-08)
Shaina has a new friend; James and Vanessa go crabbing.
19	"What's Up With Jobs?"	November 15, 1995 (1995-11-15)
The kids learn about jobs and what people do during work.
20	"Binyah Binyah the Barbarian"	November 22, 1995 (1995-11-22)
On the 15th anniversary of Natalie and Ron's marriage, the family celebrates. Binyah Binyah learns the importance of manners with the kids.
21	"Food, Glorious Food"	November 29, 1995 (1995-11-29)
The family helps to make a pot-luck dinner and Shaina learns the importance of trying new foods.
22	"Miss Ella Mae Breadsticks"	December 6, 1995 (1995-12-06)
Shaina is embarrassed by her imaginary friend; the kids learn about driftwood art.
23	"The School Show"	December 13, 1995 (1995-12-13)
Shaina and Sara visit a kindergarten classroom.
24	"Charleston Market"	December 20, 1995 (1995-12-20)
The family goes to the Charleston Market in Charleston, South Carolina.
25	"My Favorite Things"	January 3, 1995 (1995-01-03)
The family shares with each other their favorite things. Shaina is determined to find her 'favorite favorite' thing.
26	"Chansome's Big Surprises"	January 10, 1995 (1995-01-10)
Chansome the seagull has a big surprise for the family.
27	"The Big Sleepover"	January 17, 1996 (1996-01-17)
The children feud over who gets to sleep in the living room during a sleepover.
28	"Get Out Of My Hair!"	January 24, 1996 (1996-01-24)
Simeon gets his first haircut, James puts on a beard and the girls have their very own hair show.
29	"The Troll that Ate Gullah Gullah Island"	January 31, 1996 (1996-01-31)
All the kids act to their own version of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff."
30	"Things That Go Bump in the Night"	February 7, 1996 (1996-02-07)
The family is awakened at night but why?
32	"Natalie's Sick"	February 14, 1996 (1996-02-14)
The kids take care of Natalie while she is sick with the cold and Binyah Binyah picks her flowers.
33	"Big and Small"	February 21, 1996
The family goes on a bicycle outing; Shaina teaches Simeon many new things.
34	"Christmas Special"	February 28, 1996 (1996-02-28)
Shaina dreams that she is in the North Pole. The family celebrates Christmas.
35	"Mercy Mercy Me!"	March 5, 1996 (1996-03-05)
In honor of Nature Day the gang learns to recycle and organizes their very own cleanup.

Season 3: 1996-1997

Ep #	Title	Airdate
36	"A Day At The Beach"	June 7, 1996 (1996-06-07)
The kids prepare for a day at the beach.
37	"All Boats Away"	June 8, 1996 (1996-06-08)
Mia and the kids help build a paper boat.
38	"How You Sound"	June 9, 1996 (1996-06-09)
The family sings and acts in their very own band.
39	"Shaina's Birthday Party"	June 15, 1996 (1996-06-15)
Shaina celebrates her fifth birthday.
40	"A Barrel of Laughs"	June 21, 1996 (1996-06-21)
The gang tries to make each other laugh on Tickle My Ticklebone Day.
41	"The Gullah Gullah Games"	June 22, 1996 (1996-06-22)
Pro-basketball player, Dennis Scott, teaches James to play basketball and the importance of practice.
42	"Family Day"	June 29, 1996 (1996-06-29)
James is upset when Saturday doesn't go as he planned.
43	"Binyah Binyah's Parade"	July 5, 1996 (1996-07-05)
Binyah Binyah wants to play parade right now! Only no one wants to play with a pesky polliwog. If only he could learn a little patience.
44	"Animal See, Animal Do"	September 25, 1996 (1996-09-25)
Shaina is sad when she can't have a horse.
45	"Special Places"	June 7, 1997 (1997-06-07)
Feeling a little crowded in the room she shares with Shaina, a frustrated Vanessa finds a special place of her own. But feeling all alone turns out to be a lot lonelier than she expected.
46	"Fixing A Hurt"	June 14, 1997 (1997-06-14)
Ranger Mike takes Shaina to see how to help and injured animal at the vets after Shaina hurt her knee at the house earlier that day.
47	"The Collection Show"	June 21, 1997 (1997-06-21)
The kids show their collections.
48	"Shapes and Colors"	June 28, 1997 (1997-06-28)
The kids learn about shapes and colors.
49	"We Are Family"	July 5, 1997 (1997-07-05)
The kids learn about the importance of family.
50	"Beat It!"	July 12, 1997 (1997-07-12)
The gang learns about rhythm.
51	"James' New Friend"	July 19, 1997 (1997-07-19)
The family is introduced to James' new friend; Vanessa and Jessica bicker.
52	"The Magic Show"	July 26, 1997 (1997-07-26)
James can't seem to get his magic tricks to work.
53	"Gullah Gullah Ghoul-land (Halloween Special)"	October 31, 1997 (1997-10-31)
The kids get scared while sleeping outside.
54	"Home Alone With Grandma"	November 7, 1997 (1997-11-07)
When Natalie and Ron are away, James and Vanessa's grandmother comes to visit.
55	"The Mighty Cootas"	November 14, 1997 (1997-11-14)
Shaina and Binyah Binyah play baseball for "The Mighty Cootas", and learn the importance of teamwork and learning from one's mistakes.
56	"Campout"	November 15, 1997 (1997-11-15)
The family goes camping. Shaina's nervous because it is her first camping experience, so Ron and Natalie show her the things that make camping fun and there's nothing to worry about.
57	"Feelings Soup"	November 16, 1997 (1997-11-16)
The kids and family learn all about different feelings.
58	"The Hottest Day of the Year"	November 17, 1997 (1997-11-17)
The air conditioning at the house breaks and everyone tries to find new ways to cool off.
59	"Polliwog Day"	December 12, 1997 (1997-12-12)
The family learns all about polliwogs.
60	"Say What?"	December 19, 1997 (1997-12-19)
The kids learn to listen to all the sounds around us.
61	"Here Come the Hatchlings"	January 9, 1998 (1998-01-09)
Vanessa stays home while the family goes with Ranger Mike to see turtles hatch.

Syndication

Reruns of Gullah Gullah Island aired on Noggin (now Nick Jr.) from February 2, 1999-April 2004 and again from 2008–January 1, 2012, in its latter years primarily as overnight filler programming.

Home release

Numerous home videos have been released by Sony Wonder from 1995-1996 and later by Paramount from 1996-1998. And VHS and DVD releases were sold from Sony Wonder to Paramount. in 2002. As of February 7, 2012, every season of the series is being released to DVD through Amazon.com's MOD (Make On Demand) program.

See also

• Gullah

External links

• Gullah, Gullah Island's homepage including much of the info found above.
• Gullah, Gullah Island at IMDb
• Template:Tv.com show