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The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon

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The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon was a 1995 American children's television series created by Bobby Goldsboro. Targeted for children aged 2 to 6, the show featured characters brought to life by actors. Goldsboro wrote the scripts and music, played all the instruments, and even did all the character voices for the show.[1] The show aired on PBS and The Learning Channel and, according to the show's website, currently airs on Dish Network and the America One Television Network.[2]

The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon
The Swamp Critters band
The Swamp Critters band. From left to right: Big Al Gator, Billy Bob Possum, Gumbo Fiddler Crab, Ribbit E. Lee, Ima Dilla, and Joe Raccoon.
GenreEducation, Children's
Created byBobby Goldsboro
Written byBobby Goldsboro
Voices ofBobby Goldsboro
Original release
NetworkPBS, The Learning Channel, Dish Network, America One Television Network

Characters

Band

  • Billy Bob Possum (lead singer, bass player), the problem-solver of the group
  • Joe Raccoon (banjo/guitar, harmonica, saxophone, vocals)
  • Gumbo the Fiddler Crab (fiddle)
  • Ribbit E. Lee (drums, vocals)
  • Ima Dilla (dancer, vocals)
  • "Big Al" Gator (piano, accordion, keyboards, vocals), also the owner of the cafe where the Swamp Critters normally play

Other characters

  • Bobby Q. Pig
  • Melvis Weasley
  • Phinneas Fatrat

Development

Goldsboro funded the show out of his own pocket 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, with the music 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]

Cast and crew

  • Billy Bob Possum - Charlie Rose
  • Joe Raccoon-Paul W. Taylor (Pilot); Jeff W. Maddux (Series). Voice similar to Pat Buttram.
  • Big Al Gator Joe "Mudfish" Hitch
  • Ima Dilla Armadillo - Dianne Goldsboro
  • Gumbo Fiddler Crab - Puppeteer -Daniel. W. Peeler
  • Phinneas Fatrat - various
  • Ribbit E. Lee - Jim Demetrius
  • Director - Daniel W. Peeler
  • Storyboards, costume fabrication, puppets - Peeler-Rose Productions, Dallas, TX
  • Sets, props - Jim Demetrius

References

  1. ^ "Bobby Goldsboro". classicbands.com. Retrieved 25 Nov 2010.
  2. ^ "Swamp Critters Television!". bobbygoldsboro.com. Retrieved 25 Nov 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Pamela Davis (9 Apr 1997). "Goldsboro plays new tune on PBS". South Coast Today. Retrieved 25 Nov 2010.

The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon at IMDb

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