Sid the Science Kid, also known as Jim Henson's Sid the Science Kid, is an American animated educational children's television series produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with PBS affiliate KCET, that aired on PBS Kids from September 1, 2008 to March 25, 2013. The show is created using digital puppetry. Each character required two puppeteers working in concert, one performing the face and mouth using a remote manipulator or Waldo, and the other performing the body using performance capture.
Development began in early 2007 under the original working title of "What's the Big Idea?" and with the title-character being originally named Josh. In the fall of 2007, the show was retitled "Sid the Science Kid", and the original Josh was renamed to become the title-character. In mid-November 2007, the title-character was altered and, by the end of the month, Gerald, May and Gabriella joined the series as main characters, bringing the total to four. In early December 2007, Susie joined the character list as the only adult, bringing the total to five. Production began in January 2008 with 40 half-hour episodes (in addition to a special) being ordered for the first season as a two-year on-air commitment.
On May 17, 2010, the series was renewed for a second season with 20 episodes (in addition to six specials) that premiered on June 21, 2010, with the "No School Sing-Along Special" and later aired the season's first episode on October 4, 2010. 67 episodes were produced.
Reruns of the show later aired on PBS Kids Sprout from March 25, 2013 (the same day as the premiere of the series finale movie) to October 3, 2014. It was the last PBS show added to Sprout's lineup before NBCUniversal (via its acquisition by Comcast) took full ownership of the network in November 2013. Since the series' cancellation, reruns continued on the PBS Kids Channel until June 25, 2023.
Since it's debut, Sid the Science Kid became a worldwide sensation, praised for teaching science, active play and staying healthy, even gaining Cult following.
A reboot is currently in the works at the Jim Henson Company.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
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