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The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon

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Swamp Critters
Left to right: Big Al Gator, Billy Bob Possum, Gumbo Fiddler Crab, Ribbit E. Lee, Ima Dilla, and Joe Raccoon
Genre
  • Education
  • Children's
Created byBobby Goldsboro
Written byBobby Goldsboro
Voices ofBobby Goldsboro
Theme music composerBobby Goldsboro
Opening theme"Rollin' Down to Lost Lagoon"
ComposerBobby Goldsboro
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Original release
Network
ReleaseFebruary 3, 1996 (1996-02-03) –
January 27, 2001 (2001-01-27)

The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon (originally named Swamp Critters) is an American children's television series created by country music star Bobby Goldsboro. Targeted for children aged 2 to 8, the show featured characters brought to life by actors.[1] The program aired on PBS and The Learning Channel from February 3, 1996 to May 24, 1997, and was renewed for a third season which ran from November 4, 2000 to January 27, 2001. According to the show's website, it currently airs on the America One Television Network and on TCT Kids.[2]

Characters

Band

  • William Robert "Billy Bob/Will" Possum (lead singer, bass player, harmonica), The problem solver of the group.
  • Joseph "Joe" Raccoon (banjo/guitar, harmonica, saxophone, vocals)
  • Gumbo the Fiddler Crab (fiddle/violin, vocals)
  • Ribbit E. Lee (drums, vocals)
  • Ima Dilla Armadillo (tambourine, dancer, vocals)
  • Alouisious "Big Al Gator" Reptilicus (piano, accordion, vocals), the owner of the cafe where the Swamp Critters play.

Other characters

  • T. Bone Willie
  • Slim Pig
  • Bobby Q. Pig
  • Cashew Squirrel
  • Melvis Weasley
  • Picasso "Speedy" Cottontail as the Easter Bunny
  • Lumpkin the Pumpkin
  • Henrietta Hen
  • Stormy Weathers
  • Dr. Betterfeel
  • Shecky Dangerfield-Mouse
  • Snorkel Elephant
  • Harry Bear
  • Willie Hank "Country" Weston
  • Granny Muskrat
  • Bonnie and the Bunnies
  • Phineas Phatrat
  • William Snakespear
  • Farley Phatrat as Phineas' nephew
  • Lil' Rock Raccoon as Joe's nephew
  • Lil' Pedro as Big Al's next restaurant neighbor
  • Chanel Skunk as Lil' Pedro's business partner
  • Jefferson Opossum as Pioneer, Billy Bob's great-great grandfather

Cast and crew

  • Billy Bob Possum - Charlie Rose
  • Joe Raccoon - Jeff W. Maddux
  • Big Al Gator - Joe "Mudfish" Hitch
  • Ima Dilla Armadillo - Dianne Goldsboro
  • Gumbo Fiddler Crab - puppeteer Daniel. W. Peeler
  • Bobby Q. - puppeteer Paul Taylor
  • Granny Muskrat - puppeteer Russi Taylor
  • Melvis Weasley - Jeff Bennett
  • Slim Pig - Jack Reilly
  • Phinneas Phatrat - Dan Povenmire
  • Ribbit E. Lee - Jim Demetrius

Development

Goldsboro funded the show using his own money instead of getting investors to back it. According to him, "the minute somebody puts in money, they think they have the right to say, 'You know, Barney is so successful, why don't you make that alligator purple instead of green?' I've got enough to worry about without having to appease somebody else." Goldsboro also decided to start the show on a PBS affiliate rather than on a network affiliate. According to him, if he had gone to a network he "would have had to have a lot more action on the show. On the network shows, everything is fast cuts and fast movements. They think that's what kids want to see in this day and age of video games".[3]

Music

Each half-hour episode contains four to six songs, ranging from blues and Dixieland jazz to pop and classical and country music. For the first two seasons, over 100 songs were written. According to Goldsboro, "it's music that's on a children's show but it's not children's music. I've never understood talking down to kids and treating them like they're imbeciles. Several shows do that."[3]

Animatronics

Each of the main characters' costume heads contains over $20,000 worth of animatronics, which are used to control their facial expressions and mouth movements.[3]

Episodes

Season 1 (1996)

  1. Bobby Q. Runs Away
  2. Bayou Jamballa Jubilee
  3. Where's Ima?
  4. Bluesville
  5. Yellowbeard the Pirate
  6. Phatrat & the Manatees
  7. Foggy Bottom Fiddlin' Contest
  8. Promise Them Anything
  9. Blues in My Shoes
  10. Classic Gumbo
  11. The Easter Show
  12. The Halloween Show
  13. The Christmas Show

Season 2 (1997)

  1. Back to the Fifties
  2. Another Jubilee
  3. Big Al Finds Courage
  4. Joe Writes a Hit
  5. Big Al Meets Cupid
  6. Disco Here, 'Dat Go There
  7. The Taffy Pull
  8. Eager Beaver
  9. Easter Egg Mornin'
  10. The Opening Act
  11. Little Lie, Big Lie
  12. Ribbit Goes to Mexico
  13. Savin' the Everglades

Season 3 (2000–01)

  1. Ribbit to the Rescue
  2. Songs of Love & Inspiration
  3. The Ballad of Country Weston
  4. The Best That You Can Be
  5. School Daze
  6. Rainy Daze (God's River of Love)
  7. The Shot Heard Round the Swamp

Sing Along Special (2001)

  1. Sing Along with the Swamp Critters

References

  1. ^ "Bobby Goldsboro". classicbands.com. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  2. ^ "Swamp Critters Television!". bobbygoldsboro.com. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Pamela Davis. "Goldsboro plays new tune on PBS". South Coast Today. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
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