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2007 Canadian TV series or program
| Wilbur | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Kim Anton Tracey Hornbuckle Jill Luedtke |
| Voices of | Julie Lemieux Emma Pustil Ian Busher Taylor Barber |
| Opening theme | "Books are moo-ve-lous" |
| Ending theme | "Books are moo-ve-lous" (instrumental) |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 26 (52 segments) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production companies | Mercury Filmworks Chilco Productions EKA Distribution Egmont Imagination |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBC Discovery Kids (United States) |
| Release | April 16, 2007 (2007-04-16) – March 21, 2008 (2008-03-21) |
Wilbur is a Canadian live-action/puppet animated children's television series that premiered in the Kids' CBC block of CBC Television on October 30, 2006. In the United States, it first aired on the Ready Set Learn! block on Discovery Kids on April 16, 2007, later moving to TLC starting on April 23, 2007, airing until March 21, 2008.
Produced by Mercury Filmworks in association with Chilco Productions, EKA Distribution and Egmont Imagination, it focuses on an anthropomorphic calf and his friends as they solve problems by reading books with each other. 26 episodes (52 segments) were produced.
Plot
Wilbur has an episode with a basic formula: at first, Wilbur and his friends would encounter a problem. After this, Wilbur gets a wiggling sensation which prompts him to read a book that guides the group in solving their problem. The book in question is usually an animated original story or retelling for the purposes of the show, told in rhyme, and often features Wilbur and his friends in various roles.
After the story is read, the group discusses their problem and a possible idea which usually fails. Thinking that the solution is still inside the book, they decide to read through a second time, this time, with clips showing children reciting the line "Once upon a time" at the beginning, retelling the story in their own words, and finishing by saying "The end". Afterwards, Wilbur and his friends try again, this time, with an idea that works. They reflect on how the story inspired their solution, to which Wilbur ends the episode by saying his catchphrase, “Books are Moooo-velous!”.
Characters
- Wilbur the Calf (voiced by Julie Lemieux) is an anthropomorphic calf and the host of the series.
- Dasha the Duck (voiced by Emma Pustil) is one of Wilbur's friends.
- Ray the Rooster (voiced by Ian Busher) is also one of Wilbur’s friends.
- Libby the Lamb (voiced by Taylor Barber) is a cute, younger lamb who seeks the others’ help to look after. She speaks with a toddler's lisp.
Episodes
| No. | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Sensational Wilbur / Pizza Dasha" | April 16, 2007 (2007-04-16) | |
|
"Sensational Wilbur": Wilbur is having trouble catching his friends in a game of Blind Man's Bluff until he reads a book called, "Finding Home", and learns to use his other senses to help play a 'sensational' game. "Pizza Dasha": Dasha really wants to make pizza, but she doesn't know how. | |||
| 2 | "A Swingin' Time / The Big Barnyard Show" | April 17, 2007 (2007-04-17) | |
|
"A Swingin' Time": Dasha is having a great time on the tire swing, too great to give anyone else a turn. Wilbur's storybook about magic shoes shows her how to share the fun with friends. "The Big Barnyard Show": The barnyard is abuzz with excitement and everyone is practicing for the big show. | |||
| 3 | "Wilbur's Wobbly Bed / Wiggly Fun!" | April 18, 2007 (2007-04-18) | |
|
"Wilbur's Wobbly Bed": Wilbur just loves his comfy old bed except it has developed a serious wobble and clunk. A storybook gives Wilbur a great idea. "Wiggly Fun!": Ray can't wait to show his buddies his hilarious can of wigglers, but he keeps interrupting what his friends are doing. | |||
| 4 | "Mysterious Sound / Growing Pains" | April 19, 2007 (2007-04-19) | |
|
"Mysterious Sound": There's a really mysterious sound keeping the buddies awake! Ray jumps to the wrong conclusion until Wilbur's book shows them that it's a good idea to check the facts. "Growing Pains": Dasha has grown out of her favorite rubber rainboots. | |||
| 5 | "Dasha's New Friend / Ray Loses His Crow" | April 20, 2007 (2007-04-20) | |
|
"Dasha's New Friend": Dasha is upset because her caterpillar friend Carly has disappeared. Dasha and Wilbur learn from a storybook that Carly isn't gone, she's just changed into a beautiful butterfly. "Ray Loses His Crow": Ray's favorite weather vane has disappeared. | |||
| 6 | "Wish You Were Here / Sheep Shape" | April 23, 2007 (2007-04-23) | |
|
"Wish You Were Here": Ray wishes he could have fun at a Mexican fiesta, but he can't go to Mexico. With the help of Wilbur's storybook, his friends bring the fiesta to him. "Sheep Shape": Libby can't do what her bigger buddies can do and she doesn't like being small. | |||
| 7 | "Can't Wait / Bubbles for Libby" | April 24, 2007 (2007-04-24) | |
|
"Can't Wait": Ray is bringing a surprise and Libby can't wait! Wilbur's book shows them that finding something fun to do while waiting will make the waiting easier. "Bubbles for Libby": Libby is so dirty and smelly that her friends are unhappy and don't want to play with her. | |||
| 8 | "Rhyme Time / The Sound of Moosic" | April 25, 2007 (2007-04-25) | |
|
"Rhyme Time": Dasha wants to play a rhyming game but is having trouble until Wilbur's book helps by showing her how to rhyme, then nothing can stop her. "The Sound of Moosic": The Barnyard Buddies have taken all the musical instruments and are rockin' out with glee. | |||
| 9 | "Rain Dance / Milk and Sandwiches" | April 26, 2007 (2007-04-26) | |
|
"Rain Dance": It's raining and Ray is not happy. Wilbur's storybook about dancing cowboys turns Ray into a disco king, as he learns he can even enjoy a rainy day. "Milk and Sandwiches": A huge mound of hay bales is in Dasha's way and is too heavy to move. | |||
| 10 | "Libby's Picnic / Squeaker Come Home" | April 27, 2007 (2007-04-27) | |
|
"Libby's Picnic": Libby has never been on a picnic and refuses to go until she learns from a storybook about a Princess' picnic, just how much fun they can be. "Squeaker Come Home": Wilbur can't find his favorite squeaky toy anywhere. | |||
| 11 | "Libby's Bubbles / High Slide" | April 30, 2007 (2007-04-30) | |
|
"Libby's Bubbles": Libby blows the biggest bubble ever, but then it pops. Wilbur's book helps to make her feel better by showing that while some things that you make won't last, you can always make another one. "High Slide": Libby wants to go down the slide, but she is afraid! | |||
| 12 | "Scarecrow / Oh Solo Moo" | May 1, 2007 (2007-05-01) | |
|
"Scarecrow": Something has scared Libby, and the buddies see that it is just the scarecrow. Wilbur's storybook helps Libby see for herself that a scarecrow isn't scary, except to crows. "Oh Solo Moo": Wilbur is stacking milkcans and wants to do it by himself. | |||
| 13 | "Hay Day / Wilbur's Camp Out" | May 2, 2007 (2007-05-02) | |
|
"Hay Day": It's a sack race and everyone is having fun except Dasha, she wants to win the race every time. Wilbur's storybook shows that having fun is the best part. "Wilbur's Camp Out": The buddies are loving camping under the stars until night noises keep Ray and Wilbur awake. | |||
| 14 | "Getting into Shapes / The Wright Stuff" | September 10, 2007 (2007-09-10) | |
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"Getting into Shapes": Wilbur and Ray set up the Great Shapes Game and invite Libby to play. She needs some help and help comes from Wilbur's book. "The Wright Stuff": Wilbur wants to know what it feels like to fly. A story about the Wright brothers inspires Wilbur. | |||
| 15 | "Ray's Socks / Spilled Apples" | September 11, 2007 (2007-09-11) | |
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"Ray's Socks": Ray can't play tag without his pink polka dot socks. A story called 'Same Way Rene' shows Ray that trying new ways can be fun. "Spilled Apples": Dasha is determined to move a really heavy basket of apples all by herself. Wilbur's book shows it's OK to ask for help. | |||
| 16 | "Leaf It to Dasha / Hay Fever" | September 12, 2007 (2007-09-12) | |
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"Leaf It to Dasha": Dasha is upset when the leaves start changing color-it means her favorite season of summer is over. "Hay Fever": The buddies set up to play croquet but first they need to sweep up the hay. Libby just wants to play. | |||
| 17 | "Wilbur's Nap / Broken Toy" | September 13, 2007 (2007-09-13) | |
|
"Wilbur's Nap": Wilbur is sleepy and needs a nap but his buddies keep making so much noise he can't sleep. "Broken Toy": Ray has built a beautiful model plane which Dasha accidentally breaks. | |||
| 18 | "Two Reds Are Better Than One / Thanks for Everything" | September 14, 2007 (2007-09-14) | |
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"Two Reds Are Better Than One": The buddies are playing Little Red Riding Hood and Wilbur is the wolf, Dasha is Red and Libby is Red. "Thanks for Everything": Ray wonders why Dasha doesn't say thank you when he helps her. | |||
| 19 | "Funny Dress-Up Night / All That Glitters" | November 23, 2007 (2007-11-23) | |
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"Funny Dress-Up Night": Costumes abound but Dasha hasn't found one and the party is about to start! A story about silly hats shows Dasha that she can use her imagination to make up a costume. "All That Glitters": Ray has ordered a fancy new 'Ultra Sphere' better than Wilbur's plain ball. | |||
| 20 | "Snowflake Festival / Snowbuddies" | November 26, 2007 (2007-11-26) | |
|
"Snowflake Festival": Dasha can't wait to get presents, it's the best part of the Festival. Wilbur suggests that giving is also fun. "Snowbuddies": Snow is falling and it's perfect for building snow buddies. The decorations don't quite work until Wilbur reads a story about a great stew. | |||
| 21 | "Friendship Day / Repeat After Me" | February 11, 2008 (2008-02-11) | |
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"Friendship Day": The buddies are making friendship day cards and Libby wants to sign her name but can't. "Repeat After Me": Dasha wants to repeat the sounds that Wilbur is making on his drums. It is too hard until they read a story that shows them how to make it easier. | |||
| 22 | "Sheep Need Sleep / Libby's Marbles" | March 17, 2008 (2008-03-17) | |
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"Sheep Need Sleep": Libby is having so much fun, she wants to stay up and play all night. "Libby's Marbles": Wilbur and Ray slip on the marbles Libby has left on the floor. | |||
| 23 | "The Fence / The Magic Word" | March 18, 2008 (2008-03-18) | |
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"The Fence": The buddies each want to paint a fence their favorite color. They make a mess until Wilbur's story about sky painters shows them how they make a rainbow using their favorite colors. "The Magic Word": Ray wants to show off his new crow, but can't get his way. | |||
| 24 | "Libby's Apples / On Dasha's Pond" | March 19, 2008 (2008-03-19) | |
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"Libby's Apples": Libby wants to bring three apples for she, Wilbur and Dasha, but she doesn't know what three means. "On Dasha's Pond": It's winter in the barnyard and the buddies are skating on the frozen pond. Libby shows up in a bathing suit and she wants to swim. | |||
| 25 | "Spring Egg Hunt / Spring Bees" | March 20, 2008 (2008-03-20) | |
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"Spring Egg Hunt": Wilbur has hidden an egg for each of his friends while Libby has trouble finding hers. "Spring Bees": Dasha is upset when she sees blossoms on the cherry tree. | |||
| 26 | "Wilbur's Birthday / Me First, You First" | March 21, 2008 (2008-03-21) | |
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"Wilbur's Birthday": It's Wilbur's birthday and Wilbur is very excited except he can't find his friends. He decides to have his birthday by himself. "Me First, You First": The buddies want to be first on the swing and on the slide. Wilbur's book about a band of merry men gives them an idea. | |||
Production
The franchise existed as a series of videotapes produced in 1997. A pilot for Wilbur was produced by Cuppa Coffee Studios in 2001.
References
- "Mom Entrepreneurs Create Popular Discovery Kids' TV Show". Cison. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- "Wilbur - TV Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. April 16, 2007. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- Ball, Ryan (April 5, 2007). "Discovery Unearths Wilbur". Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
External links
Categories:- 2000s Canadian animated television series
- 2000s Canadian children's television series
- 2000s preschool education television series
- 2007 animated television series debuts
- 2007 Canadian television series debuts
- 2008 Canadian television series endings
- Animated preschool education television series
- Animated television series about children
- Animated television series about ducks
- Animated television series set on farms
- Canadian children's animated fantasy television series
- Canadian children's animated musical television series
- Canadian flash animated television series
- Canadian preschool education television series
- Canadian television series with live action and animation
- Canadian television shows featuring puppetry
- Discovery Kids original programming
- Canadian English-language television shows
- Children's television series about talking animals
- Reading and literacy television series
- Television series about cattle
- Television series about chickens
- Television series about sheep
- TLC (TV network) original programming