Jack's Big Music Show

Infobox Television
show_name = Jack's Big Music Show


caption =
genre = Children's
creator =
developer =
presenter =
starring =
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
country = USA
language = English
num_seasons = 2
num_episodes = 26
list_episodes =
producer =
executive_producer =
location =
camera =
runtime = 22 minutes approx.
network = Noggin
picture_format = NTSC (480i)
audio_format = Stereo
first_run =
first_aired = September 12, 2005
last_aired = April 1, 2007
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related =
website = http://www.noggin.com/shows/jacks.php
imdb_id = 0471488
tv_com_id = 71993

"Jack's Big Music Show" is a children's television program shown on the Noggin television network. The show premiered on September 12, 2005. Jack's Big Music Show was nominated for a 2008 Emmy award for Outstanding Pre-school Television Series.

The main characters are Jack, his best friend Mary, and his drum-playing dog Mel, all of whom are puppets. The show takes place in Jack's backyard clubhouse, and centers on the characters' love for music. Each episode runs without commercials for a duration of approximately 22 minutes. The characters play music in every episode, and are often accompanied by other puppets or human musicians. Each episode also features two music videos by children's musical artists.

According to Noggin's website: :The mission of "Jack’s Big Music Show" is to expose and foster an appreciation of music. Music and musical instruments help children expand their universe and develop memory, language, literacy, and reasoning skills as well as the cognitive, social, and motor skills that are needed to excel in school. [ [http://www.noggin.com/parents/jacks_learningactiv.php Learning Goals and Activities] Noggin Website]

The show is produced by Spiffy Pictures—David Rudman, Todd Hannert, and Adam Rudman. David Rudman, who also stars as Jack, is a veteran of the long-running public TV children's show "Sesame Street", playing such popular Muppets as Baby Bear, Cookie Monster, and half of the Two-Headed Monster. Adam Rudman won six Emmys for his writing on "Sesame Street"; [ [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=355211 'Sesame Street' alums add zip to 'Jack's Big Music Show'] , Jeanne Spreier, "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel", September 12, 2005] Mary's Alice Dinnean and Mel's John Kennedy are also "Sesame Street" alums.

The popularity of the show makes the idea of appearing on it attractive to musicians. An executive at Noggin says that they're "clamoring to get onto "Jack's Big Music Show"." [ [http://www.salon.com/ent/music/feature/2006/06/24/kindie/index3.html Kindie Rock] , Scott Lamb, Salon.com, June 24, 2006]

Guest Puppets

* The Little Bad Wolf
* The Bongo Birds
* The Bugs
* Henry the Monster
* Animal Music Camp
* The Squirrels
* Gertrude the Groundhog
* Scat Cat
* Phil the Coo-Coo Bird
* Leonard the Country Squirrel
* Spunky the Alien
* The Schwartzman Quartet

Guest musicians

Most episodes feature a music video by popular children's musician Laurie Berkner. The music videos are produced by SnapFilms in New York.

Musician Cathy Richardson joins the characters in the clubhouse in multiple episodes, and also provides the voice of Jack's mother, who speaks off-camera with Jack at the beginning and end of every episode. When she appears in the clubhouse, she greets Mel with the catchphrase "What up, dawg?"

In one episode, Chicago blues legend and guitarist Buddy Guy appears as the "King of Swing," Jack's favorite musician. In another episode, violinist and vocalist Anne Harris appears as "Prudence," the music genie who especially loves yodeling.

Other musicians featured on the show, appearing either in videos or with the puppets, include:
* Yolanda Adams
* Andrew Bird
*kahil middelton
* Steve Burns (formerly of Blue's Clues) & Steven Drozd (of the Flaming Lips)
* Comic Book Heroes
* Guy Davis
* Dirty Sock Funtime Band
* Rebecca Frezza
* Hot Peas 'N Butter
* Jerry Lawson and the Talk of the Town
* The Mighty Weaklings
* Milkshake
* Elizabeth Mitchell & Lisa Loeb (formerly Liz and Lisa)
* Music for Aardvarks & Other Mammals
* Jamia Simone Nash
* Nuttin But Stringz
* Cathy Richardson
* Audra Rox
* Sweet Honey in the Rock
* Dan Zanes

Influences

In an interview on the Nick Jr. website, Rudman says that "The Jack Benny Show" was an influence on "Jack's Big Music Show" (along with "The Little Rascals"). [ [http://www.nickjr.com/shows/jacks_parents/behind_scenes/jack_meet_creators.jhtml Meet the Creators of "Jack's Big Music Show"] Nick Jr. Website] The names Jack, Mary, Mel, and the "Schwartzman Quartet" are references to characters on "The Jack Benny Show" (Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Mel Blanc, and the Sportsmen Quartet).

Hannert says that the music is influenced by Chuck Berry and the whole history of rock and roll.Fact|date=May 2007

Episode guide

eason One

First aired September 2005–February 2006

eason Two

First aired January 2007–April 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.noggin.com/shows/jacks.php Jack's Big Music Show] Noggin Website
* [http://www.spiffypictures.com Spiffy Pictures]
* [http://www.snapfilms.tv SnapFilms]