CityKids
Encyclopedia
CityKids is a television series that aired late Saturday Mornings on ABC
from 1993 to 1994. The show consisted primarily of live action performances, with Muppet portions of the show, courtesy of Jim Henson Productions, interspersed in between. These Muppets were composed of original characters designed specifically for the show, not ones taken from Sesame Street
or The Muppet Show
. These original characters often served as the Greek chorus
for the show, commenting on the situations of the human characters, but not actually interacting with them.
Unlike most shows airing on ABC Saturday Mornings and produced by the Jim Henson Company at the time, CityKids was primarily targeted to a teenage audience, not to mention an urban one. Unfortunately, the show failed to generate desirable ratings from any demographic, especially the teenage one, and the show was cancelled by ABC after one season. As of December 2007, no plans for a DVD release have been made.
The show's main theme song was composed by Malik Yoba
, who also composed other songs for the series and served as Musical Creative Supervisor for the show.
Brian Henson
and Laurie Meadoff-Hill served as executive producer
for the show.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
from 1993 to 1994. The show consisted primarily of live action performances, with Muppet portions of the show, courtesy of Jim Henson Productions, interspersed in between. These Muppets were composed of original characters designed specifically for the show, not ones taken from Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
or The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
. These original characters often served as the Greek chorus
Greek chorus
A Greek chorus is a homogenous, non-individualised group of performers in the plays of classical Greece, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action....
for the show, commenting on the situations of the human characters, but not actually interacting with them.
Unlike most shows airing on ABC Saturday Mornings and produced by the Jim Henson Company at the time, CityKids was primarily targeted to a teenage audience, not to mention an urban one. Unfortunately, the show failed to generate desirable ratings from any demographic, especially the teenage one, and the show was cancelled by ABC after one season. As of December 2007, no plans for a DVD release have been made.
The show's main theme song was composed by Malik Yoba
Malik Yoba
Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba , better known by his stage name Malik Yoba, is an American actor and occasional singer. He is perhaps best known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the FOX police drama series New York Undercover or as Yul Brenner in Cool Runnings...
, who also composed other songs for the series and served as Musical Creative Supervisor for the show.
Brian Henson
Brian Henson
Brian Henson is an Academy Award-winning puppeteer, director, producer, and technician. The son of puppeteers Jane and Jim Henson, Brian was born in New York City, New York....
and Laurie Meadoff-Hill served as executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
for the show.
Live action
- Angelica (portrayed by Cyndi Cartagena) -
- Snoopy/Christian (portrayed by Hassan Elgendi) -
- John (portrayed by Dulé HillDulé HillKarim Dulé Hill is an American actor and tap dancer. He is best known for his roles as personal presidential aide Charlie Young on the NBC drama television series The West Wing, and as pharmaceutical salesman-private detective Burton "Gus" Guster on the USA Network television comedy-drama Psych...
) - - Susan (portrayed by Anne Ho) -
- Tito (portrayed by Renoly SantiagoRenoly SantiagoRenoly Santiago is a Puerto Rican actor, singer and writer who has appeared in a number of high-profile Hollywood productions....
) - - Nikki (portrayed by Diana Smith) -
- David (portrayed by Brad Stoll) -
- Frida (portrayed by Audrey Ince) -
- Mr. Lester (portrayed by Don ChastainDon ChastainDon Chastain was an American actor and screenwriter.He worked in television in Los Angeles and New York and toured the United States and Canada with major productions...
) - - Unknown Character (portrayed by Dash MihokDash MihokDashiell "Dash" Mihok is an American actor.-Life and career:Mihok was born in New York City, New York, the son of actors Andrea and Raymond Thorne . He attended the Bronx High School of Science and was raised in Greenwich Village. While at the Bronx High School of Science, Dash played baseball as...
) - - Unknown Character (portrayed by Michelle Ingkavet) -
Muppets
- Captain -
- Dread -
- Frankie Frank (performed by David RudmanDavid RudmanDavid Rudman is a puppeteer, voice actor and producer, best known as a performer of many of Sesame Street's Muppets. He originated the role of Baby Bear, and has been nominated for two Emmy Awards for his work replacing Frank Oz in the role of Cookie Monster...
) - An anthropomorphic hot dog that is the lead singer of Frankie Frank and the Footers. - Libido -
- Lieutenant -
- Toya (voiced by Cenophia Mitchell) -
- Trish (voiced by Elizabeth Regen) -
Cast
- Cyndi Cartagena - Angelica
- Don ChastainDon ChastainDon Chastain was an American actor and screenwriter.He worked in television in Los Angeles and New York and toured the United States and Canada with major productions...
- Mr. Lester - Hassan Elgendi - Snoopy, Christian
- Dulé HillDulé HillKarim Dulé Hill is an American actor and tap dancer. He is best known for his roles as personal presidential aide Charlie Young on the NBC drama television series The West Wing, and as pharmaceutical salesman-private detective Burton "Gus" Guster on the USA Network television comedy-drama Psych...
- John - Anne Ho - Susan
- Audrey Ince - Frida
- Michelle Ingkavet -
- Dash MihokDash MihokDashiell "Dash" Mihok is an American actor.-Life and career:Mihok was born in New York City, New York, the son of actors Andrea and Raymond Thorne . He attended the Bronx High School of Science and was raised in Greenwich Village. While at the Bronx High School of Science, Dash played baseball as...
- - Cenophia Mitchell - Toya (voice)
- Elizabeth Regen - Trish (voice)
- Renoly SantiagoRenoly SantiagoRenoly Santiago is a Puerto Rican actor, singer and writer who has appeared in a number of high-profile Hollywood productions....
- Tito - Diana Smith - Nikki
- Brad Stoll - David
Muppet Performers
- John HensonJohn HensonJohn Morris Henson is an American comedian, talk show host, and actor. He is the co-host of ABC's Wipeout, a prime-time series game show now in its fourth season.-Biography:...
- - Noel MacNealNoel MacNealNoel MacNeal is a puppeteer, writer, and director of children's television, best known as the voice and puppeteer of Bear in Bear in the Big Blue House and Breakfast with Bear...
- - Joey Mazzarino -
- Alison Mork -
- Carmen OsbahrCarmen OsbahrCarmen Osbahr is an American actress who has puppeteered Rosita in the popular US children's series Sesame Street, since 1991. Osbahr has also puppeteered Kiki Flores in The Puzzle Place...
- - Don Reardon -
- David RudmanDavid RudmanDavid Rudman is a puppeteer, voice actor and producer, best known as a performer of many of Sesame Street's Muppets. He originated the role of Baby Bear, and has been nominated for two Emmy Awards for his work replacing Frank Oz in the role of Cookie Monster...
- Frankie Frank - Carlo Yanuzzi -
Later appearances
- Some of the puppets from this show later made appearances in the Puppet Up!Puppet Up!Puppet Up! – Uncensored is a live show produced by The Jim Henson Company combining puppetry and improvisational comedy. The show is advertised for "adults only" and as "uncensored." However one rare and "exclusive" set of shows "for children" were held in Edinburgh in 2006.The sketches in the live...
shows.