Kids Writes
Encyclopedia
Kids' Writes is an early program on the children's network Nickelodeon
, running from 1982 to 1987. The main cast included Jim Mairs (who also acted as director/guitarist/vocalist), Wynn White, Carlo Grossman, John Rousseau and Steve Rifkin. The cast (minus Mairs) wore similarly styled jumpsuits, each a different color.
The premise of the show was that children would compose short stories and mail them to the actors (collectively known as the Magic Carpet Band). The best stories were then acted out on camera before a live audience (in a similar vein to Whose Line Is It Anyway?
) on a unique set consisting of wooden ramps, steps, metal hoops, nets, and overhangs. Before each story or song, its title was shown, along with the author's name and hometown.
New episodes were produced from 1981 to 1983. During this period, the closing of each show included a voiceover from Mairs, requesting unique and original stories be contributed by the viewers. The request was removed when Kids' Writes ceased production in 1983; reruns were aired on Nickelodeon until 1987.
Stories portrayed on Kids' Writes would often involve typical child fantasies such as space flight, monster
s, and children becoming heroes to "save the day". Several stories featured devices known as "tickling boots", no doubt reflecting the pleasure young children associate with the act of being tickled
. Some submissions became songs where Jim Mairs and Steve Riffkin wrote the music, mostly performed by Jim on guitar or piano.
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
, running from 1982 to 1987. The main cast included Jim Mairs (who also acted as director/guitarist/vocalist), Wynn White, Carlo Grossman, John Rousseau and Steve Rifkin. The cast (minus Mairs) wore similarly styled jumpsuits, each a different color.
The premise of the show was that children would compose short stories and mail them to the actors (collectively known as the Magic Carpet Band). The best stories were then acted out on camera before a live audience (in a similar vein to Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. Originally a British radio programme, it moved to television in 1988 as a series made for the UK's Channel 4, for a 10 series run...
) on a unique set consisting of wooden ramps, steps, metal hoops, nets, and overhangs. Before each story or song, its title was shown, along with the author's name and hometown.
New episodes were produced from 1981 to 1983. During this period, the closing of each show included a voiceover from Mairs, requesting unique and original stories be contributed by the viewers. The request was removed when Kids' Writes ceased production in 1983; reruns were aired on Nickelodeon until 1987.
Stories portrayed on Kids' Writes would often involve typical child fantasies such as space flight, monster
Monster
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is somewhat hideous and may produce physical harm or mental fear by either its appearance or its actions...
s, and children becoming heroes to "save the day". Several stories featured devices known as "tickling boots", no doubt reflecting the pleasure young children associate with the act of being tickled
Tickling
Tickling is the act of touching a part of the body so as to cause involuntary twitching movements and/or laughter. The word evolved from the Middle English tikelen, perhaps frequentative of ticken, to touch lightly. The idiom tickled pink means to be pleased or delighted.In 1897, psychologists G...
. Some submissions became songs where Jim Mairs and Steve Riffkin wrote the music, mostly performed by Jim on guitar or piano.