Pappyland

Pappyland was an award-winning live action children's television show, which originated from a VHS released in 1990. It was originally broadcast on TLC from January 1996 to December 1999. Then, after cancellation, aired reruns until February 21, 2003. The show starred acclaimed cartoonist-artist Michael Cariglio (born in Whitesboro, New York) as Pappy Drewitt, an artist/49er type character who lived in a magical cabin in a bizarre land with many different creatures and people. More than half of the show was shot on bluescreen. Pappy and other characters danced, sang, taught life lessons and other children's television fare but the main focus of the show was watching Pappy draw pictures. The camera was positioned directly above his paper and he would carefully explain the purpose of each technique used. The purpose was for children viewers to be able to follow along with Pappy and create the same image as he did. Viewers who sent in their work, had their drawing shown during the closing credits. His friend Sing-a-Song Sam was portrayed by Mike Curley (born in Birmingham, England).

When shown on public television, WCNY in Syracuse, New York produced the show. In fact, the P.O. Box plug mentions Syracuse as being the city where home viewers sent in their drawings.

Characters

Pappy Drewitt (Michael Cariglio) is an artist who loves to draw. The theme song suggests that he created Pappyland. He lives in Pappyland and has many friends who live there. A running gag in the series was that whenever he coloured the picture he drew earlier in the episode he would break one of his crayons. This was done so Pappy could teach kids that you don't have to throw away a crayon just because it breaks. In the original VHS, he was portrayed as a hillbilly.

Elmer (Joe Cariglio) is an old, wisecracking man who sits in a rocking chair on Pappy's desk. He tells a lot of jokes to Pappy. At the beginning and end of each episode, he would shout "Hey Sonny! Dontcha know what time it is", indicating that it was time to say hello to everyone, or that it was time to leave. He smoked a pipe in the original VHS.

Binky is a paintbrush that lives in Pappy's cabin. He likes to paint pictures.

Lily is a talking flower who originally lived in a flower field, but later lived in Pappy's Cabin.

Mailbird (Ted Long) is a bird who appeared in later seasons of the show. He delivered Pappy's mail and often crashed into his cabin when doing so. He was very disorganized, but Pappy later helped him get organized.

Sing-a-Song Sam (Mike Curley) is a singer who sang a song about the lesson learned in the episode.

Buddy Bear (Ted Long) is a bear who loves honey. He lives in a cave in Pencil Point. Like Pappy, he likes to draw, and would sometimes draw for the home viewers in situations where Pappy encountered a problem he couldn't get out of. He has a pen pal named Elizabeth who is hearing impaired.

Chucky Woodchuckles (Peter Johanns voiced as fill in for a few episodes) is a beaver who wore glasses and a propeller hat. He lives in a dam. He is very friendly but tended to lose things he borrowed from others, such as Pappy's crayons. Pappy taught him about responsibility.

Tree-O are a group of three trees that lived in a forest. They didn't appear in later episodes, as they were replaced by Woody.

Woody is a tree that lived at the entrance of Pappyland. He once thought he had no friends, but Pappy cheered him up by drawing a picture of him. He appeared in the original VHS, and sang the song "Big Ole Tree". He is the only character besides Pappy, Elmer, and Grandpappy to appear in the actual show, but he didn't appear until later episodes.

Pumpkin Pop and Pumpkid are father and son pumpkins that lived on a cart next to Woody.

Turtle Lou is an Italian anthropomorphic turtle who lives by a river on the path to pencil point. He likes to fish. He originally appeared to look like a non-anthropomorphized regular turtle. Pappy called him "Turtle Louie"

Doodlebug is a bug who was introduced in later episodes. He tries to stump Pappy by doodling something for Pappy to finish. Pappy, however, always wins.

Duggan is a small parrot who appeared in a few episodes. He is usually unjustifiably angry and sometimes violent towards the other residents of Pappyland. A drawing or soothing talk from Pappy often placates him, but more often he uses it as an excuse to criticize Pappy.

Grandpappy is a painting of Pappy's grandfather. He also appeared in the original VHS.

Fur Bear was a skinny bear who lived in Pappyland in the original VHS. He spent his whole hibernation rinding an elephant. In the Christmas special he invoked the name "Jesus" in what turned out to be an awkward moment for the characters and viewers.

McBride was a pirate who lived in a ship in a bottle in the original VHS. He is currently searching for his pirate captain, Captain Jack.

Fishface was a mean-spirited fish that Pappy eventually won over with his kindness and drawing. He lived in the lake near Turtle Lou and did appear in later episodes.

References

1.Arnone, Marilyn P. (2005). "Motivational Design: The Secret to Producing Effective Children's Media". Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0810850370 2.Connors, Dennis J. (2006). "Crossroads in Time: An Illustrated History of Syracuse". Syracuse, N.Y. : Onondaga Historical Association. ISBN 0815681496

External links

* [http://www.pappyland.org/homepage.htm Official website]
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