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Revision as of 00:42, 22 September 2023

CGI-animated preschool television series on PBS Kids

Super Why!
File:Sw super why.jpg
Genre	Preschool Superhero
Created by	Angela C. Santomero
Voices of	Nicholas Castel Vanderburgh Nicholas Kaegi Johnny Orlando Zachary Bloch Samuel Faraci Siera Florindo T.J. McGibbon Tajja Isen Joanne Vannicola
Theme music composer	Steve D'Angelo Terry Tompkins
Opening theme	"Who's Got the Power?"
Ending theme	"Hip Hip Hooray" (Instrumental, S1-2) "Super Readers to the Rescue" (Instrumental, S3)
Composers	Lorenzo Castelli (seasons 2-3) Jeff Morrow (seasons 2-3) Steve D'Angelo (entire run) Terry Tompkins (entire run)
Country of origin	United States Canada
Original language	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	103 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Angela C. Santomero Samantha Freeman Alpert Steven DeNure Anne Loi (S2-3)
Running time	30 minutes
Production companies	Decode Entertainment (S1) DHX Studios Halifax (S2-S3) Out of the Blue Enterprises
Animation services	C.O.R.E. Toons (S1) Gallus Entertainment (S2)

Original release
Network	PBS Kids (United States) Kids' CBC (Canada)
Release	September 3, 2007 (2007-09-03) – May 12, 2016 (2016-05-12)

Super Why! (stylized as Super WHY!) is a CGI-animated superhero preschool television series created by Angela C. Santomero for PBS Kids. The series was distributed by PBS in the United States, Decode Enterprises for season 1 and DHX Distribution for seasons 2 and 3 and produced by New York City-based Out of the Blue Enterprises in association with Toronto-based C.O.R.E. Toons (animation for season 1 only, being the company's final show produced before their closure on March 15, 2010), Gallus Entertainment (animation for season 2 only) and DHX Media (originally through its Decode Entertainment division for season one).

Originally created as a stop motion pilot in 1999 by Cuppa Coffee Animation that was pitched to Nickelodeon/Nick Jr. but later shown at the 2000 Annecy Film Festival, the show was eventually picked up by PBS Kids, changing the animation to CGI. The show debuted on September 3, 2007 and ended on May 12, 2016 with a total of 103 episodes across three seasons.

The show will return in a new short-form 2D series titled Super Why's Comic Book Adventures with 18 shorts releasing on October 18, 2023. A preview of the series was released on September 20, 2023. It will feature a new Super Reader named Paige.

Plot

The show is set in Storybrook Village, where the titular character, Whyatt Beanstalk, lives with his friends Woofster (first appearing in season 2), Littlest Pig, Red Riding Hood, and Princess Pea. In each of the episodes, one of the main characters (sometimes two characters, or even all five) has a "super big problem", a "super big question", or a "super big mystery". The main characters then discuss their situation at the Book Club, agreeing to look and fly in a book of a famous story to resolve it.

The goal of the Super Readers is to follow the storyline of the book. As they progress through the events of the story, they encounter various obstacles, which can be solved by applying their literacy skills to change the story. As they overcome each of these obstacles, they are rewarded with red glittery "Super Letters" that form the solution to whatever scenario they're investigating.

At the conclusion of the adventure, the Super Readers fly back to the Book Club. The Super Letters are put onto the giant computer screen and are spelled out to show the "Super Story Answer". Then, one of the Super Readers gives the reason why that particular word or phrase serves as the solution to their issue or mystery.

Episodes

Main article: List of Super Why! episodes

Season	Episodes	Originally aired
Season	Episodes	First aired	Last aired
1	65	September 3, 2007 (2007-09-03)	November 15, 2010 (2010-11-15)
2	15	September 12, 2011 (2011-09-12)	October 11, 2012 (2012-10-11)
3	23	August 17, 2015 (2015-08-17)	May 12, 2016 (2016-05-12)

Characters

Whyatt Beanstalk/Super Why (voiced by Nicholas Castel Vanderburgh in season 1, Nicholas Kaegi in season 2, and Johnny Orlando in season 3) is the host of the series and leader of the Super Readers. He is the brother of Jack, the protagonist of the English folktale of the same name, and lives with his parents Mrs. Beanstalk and Mr. Beanstalk, who write and illustrate stories together, along with his baby sister, Joy. Jack appears in some episodes but is generally away at college. His symbols are a blue book and a question mark and his signature colors are green and blue. He has "the power to read", which focuses on vocabulary.
Littlest Pig/Alpha Pig (voiced by Zachary Bloch in seasons 1 & 2 and Samuel Faraci in season 3) is referred to in the credits as "The Littlest Pig," he introduces himself at the book club as "P is for Pig!" but throughout the show, he is simply known as "Pig". He enjoys pretending and dressing up like his father, who is a construction worker. His symbol is a triangle and his signature colors are blue-violet and orange. He has "alphabet power", which focuses on the alphabet, as well as a toolbox with various equipment in it.
Little Red Riding Hood/Wonder Red (voiced by Siera Florindo in seasons 1 & 2 and T.J. McGibbon in season 3) is referred to as "Red" in the TV series. The title character from the fairy tale, she only refers to herself as "Red Riding Hood". Her symbol is a spiral and her signature colors are red and purple. She has "word power", which focuses on rhyming and word families like "OP", "AT", "UN", "UMP", "OG", etc. In the episode "Judith's Happy Chanukah", it is revealed that Red is Jewish, as she invites Whyatt over to her grandma's house for Hanukkah.
Princess Pea/Princess Presto (voiced by Tajja Isen) was named after the children's story "The Princess and the Pea", and her parents are the prince and princess from the story. Her symbol is a star, which matches her Magic Spelling Wand and her signature colors are pink and green. She has "spelling power", which focuses on spelling.
Puppy/Woofster (voiced by Joanne Vannicola) is a brown dog owned by Whyatt and his family. His symbol is a dog bone and his signature colors are blue and red. He has dictionary power, which allows him to find the meaning to any word.

Reception

Super Why! was received positively on Common Sense Media, where reviewer Emily Ashby rates the show 4/5 in the categories positive messages, positive role models, and educational value. Ashby's review additionally states while extremely mild sequences of suspense and peril do occur and how the show partnered with Post Consumer Brands for a branded cereal, there are low amounts of violence/scariness and consumerism, as well as no sexual content, profanity, or drinking, drugs, and smoking. Ashby additionally credits the merit of the show to its usage of classic children's fairy tales and the usage of characters from them, specifically the Three Little Pigs.

Susan Stewart, a reviewer for The New York Times, criticized the show for taking classic fairy tales with traditionally dark lessons, specifically the Three Little Pigs and Hansel and Gretel, and morph them into etiquette lessons. Stewart also criticized the use of interactive questions for viewers to answer and their length, specifically questions like "what comes after the letter E?". Despite its flaws, Stewart does state that the show is brilliant in educational value.

Promotions and other media

Live show

In 2012, a live show was launched across the United States, titled Super Why Live: You've Got the Power. Produced by SB2C entertainment, Super Why Live was promoted for having aerial stunts and "cutting-edge technology", and due to its high levels of audience engagement, was jokingly referred to by Santomero as “‘the Rocky Horror Picture Show’ for preschoolers”. The show, which follows Super Why, Alpha Pig, Wonder Red, Princess Presto, and Woofster, premiered in Monroe, Louisiana and toured into spring 2013, where the tour concluded in Albany, New York on May 10.

The live show's soundtrack was produced by Jack Antonoff, who consulted his preschool daughter for her reaction to the series and how to compose for it. Antonoff noted that being natively skilled in indie rock, writing for the show was not very different, though the lyrics needed to be much less open to interpretation and easy to understand when composing for a young audience.

References

"Official Program FAQ". PBS. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
"Portfolio". www.cuppacoffee.com:80. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
"Film Index". www.annecy.org. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
"Will Super Why! Return For a Season 4 on PBS // Renewed or Canceled? | TV Next Season". tvnextseason.com. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
https://www.scetv.org/stories/2023/next-pbs-kids
"About Super Why | PBS Kids Shows". PBS KIDS for Parents. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
"Super Why! - TV Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. February 20, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
Stewart, Susan (September 10, 2007). "And They All Read Happily Ever After". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
"Super Why! live show set to fly". Retrieved September 22, 2022.
Rodman, Sarah (April 6, 2013). "PBS's 'Super Why!' comes to life onstage". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
Super Why Live: Spring 2013 Tour Announcement!, retrieved September 22, 2022
Lopez, Korina. "Jack Antonoff adds some fun. to Super Why! Live tour". USA Today. Retrieved September 22, 2022.

External links

Official website
Super Why! at IMDb

Former PBS Kids original programming

1960s–1980s debuts

PBS

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968–2001)
The Electric Company (1971–1977)
Zoom (1972–1978)
Rebop (1976–1979)
Once Upon a Classic (1976–1980)
Studio See (1977–1979)
3-2-1 Contact (1980–1988)
Reading Rainbow (1983–2006)
Don't Look Now (1983)
Newton's Apple (1983–1999)
WonderWorks (1984–1992)
OWL/TV (1985–1990)
Square One Television (1987–1992)
Shalom Sesame (1988–1992; 2010–2011)
Zoobilee Zoo (1988)
Ramona (1988–1989)
Shining Time Station (1989–1995)
Long Ago and Far Away (1989–1993)

Syndicated

Hodgepodge Lodge (1970–1984)
Inside/Out (1972–1973)
Villa Alegre (1973–1980)
The Letter People (1974-1976)
Big Blue Marble (1974–1983)
Vegetable Soup (1975–1978)
Readalong (1976–1979)
Mathmakers (1978–1980)
Polka Dot Door (1981–1988)
Powerhouse (1982–1983)
Size Small (1982–1990)
Today's Special (1984–1994)
Storylords (1984)
′′The Voyage of the Mimi′′ (1984)
The Secret City (1985–1993)
Captain Kangaroo (1986–1992)
Learn to Read (1987–1988)
′′The Second Voyage of the Mimi′′ (1988)

1990s debuts

PBS

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1991–1995)
Barney & Friends (1992–2010)
Lamb Chop's Play-Along (1992–1995)
Ghostwriter (1992–1995)
Behind the Scenes (1992)
Kino's Storytime (1992–1997)
In the Mix (1993–2012)
Bill Nye the Science Guy (1994–1999)
The Magic School Bus (1994–1997)
The Puzzle Place (1995–1998)
Plaza Sésamo (1995–2010)
Wishbone (1995–2001)
Katie and Orbie (1995–1997)
Kratts' Creatures (1996)
Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? (1996–1997)
Adventures from the Book of Virtues (1996–2000)
Tots TV (1996–2002)
Arthur (1996–2022)
Theodore Tugboat (1996–2002)
Wimzie's House (1997–2001)
The Charlie Horse Music Pizza (1998–1999)
Teletubbies (1998–2004)
Noddy (1998–2000)
Zoom (1999–2005)
Zoboomafoo (1999–2001)
Dragon Tales (1999–2005)

Syndicated

The Wind in the Willows (1990–1993)
Mark Kistler's Imagination Station (1991–1998)
Gerbert (1993–1997)
Pappyland (1993–1997)
Whirligig! (1993)
Jack Houston's ImagineLand (1994–2000)
Kidsongs (1994–1998)
The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon (1994–1999)
The Huggabug Club (1995–2000)
The Big Comfy Couch (1995–2009)
Preschool Power (1995)
The Shelley T. Turtle Show (1995–1997)
The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon (1995–1997)
Get Real! (1995–1997)
Bloopy's Buddies (1996–1998)
The Reppies (1996)
Animal Tales (1996–1998)
′′Crossroads Cafe′′ (1996)
Groundling Marsh (1997–2000)
Skinnamarink TV (1997–1999)
The Slow Norris (1997–1999)
Salty's Lighthouse (1997–1998)
Backyard Safari (1997–1998)
Mikhail Baryshnikov's Stories from My Childhood (1998–2001)
Someday School (1998–2001)
Salsa (1998–2002)
Once Upon a Tree (1998–2000)
′′Reading Allowed′′ (1998-2001)
NASA Connect (1998–2005)
Adventures with Kanga Roddy (1999–2001)
Wish*A*Roo Park (1999–2001)
Hello Mrs. Cherrywinkle (1999–2001)
Ricky's Room (1999–2000)

2000s debuts

PBS

Between the Lions (2000–2010)
Caillou (2000–2013)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000–2003)
Corduroy (2000–2001)
Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse (2000–2002)
George Shrinks (2000–2004)
Seven Little Monsters (2000–2004)
Timothy Goes to School (2000–2001)
Jay Jay the Jet Plane (2001–2005)
Anne of Green Gables (2001–2002)
Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2001–2002)
DragonflyTV (2002–2008)
Angelina Ballerina (2002–2006)
Liberty's Kids (2002–2003)
The Berenstain Bears (2003–2004)
Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (2003–2007)
Clifford's Puppy Days (2003–2006)
Boohbah (2004–2006)
Thomas & Friends (2004–2017)
Maya & Miguel (2004–2007)
Postcards from Buster (2004–2012)
Bob the Builder (2005–2012)
Make Way for Noddy (2005–2007)
It's a Big Big World (2006–2010)
Franny's Feet (2006–2010)
Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman (2006–2010)
Curious George (2006–2024)
Design Squad (2007–2012)
Super Why! (2007–2016)
WordGirl (2007–2015)
WordWorld (2007–2011)
Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies (2007–2008)
Animalia (2008)
Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures (2008)
Martha Speaks (2008–2014)
Sid the Science Kid (2008–2013)
Lomax, the Hound of Music (2008)
The Electric Company (2009–2011)
Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (2009–2010)
Dinosaur Train (2009–2020)

Syndicated

The Dooley and Pals Show (2000–2003)
Lil' Iguana (2000–2001)
Elliot Moose (2000–2001)
Redwall (2001–2002)
MythQuest (2002)
Mary Lou's Flip Flop Shop (2002)
The Toy Castle (2003–2004)
Real Wheels (2003–2004)
My Bedbugs (2004–2005)
Curiosity Quest (2004–2015)
The Biscuit Brothers (2004–2012)
Auto-B-Good (2005–2006)
Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld (2005–2008)
The Shapies (2005–2007)
Mustard Pancakes (2005–2007)
Danger Rangers (2005–2006)
The Zula Patrol (2005–2008)
Signing Time! (2006–2008)
Nanalan' (2006)
The Saddle Club (2006–2009)
Sheira & Loli's Dittydoodle Works (2006–2007)
SeeMore's Playhouse (2006–2008)
Peep and the Big Wide World (2007–2011)
Miffy and Friends (2007)
Biz Kids (2008–2017)
Raggs (2008–2009)
Jonathan Bird's Blue World (2008)
Wunderkind Little Amadeus (2008–2009)

2010s–2020s debuts

PBS

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–2018)
SciGirls (2010–2023)
Peg + Cat (2013–2018)
Bob the Builder (2015–2018)
Nature Cat (2015–2024)
Ready Jet Go! (2016–2023)
Splash and Bubbles (2016–2018)
Let's Go Luna! (2018–2022)
Esme & Roy (2019–2021)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019) (2019–2022)
Hero Elementary (2020–2022)
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (2023)
Mecha Builders (2024)

Syndicated

Pocoyo (2010–2011)
Scientastic! (2010)
Wild Animal Baby Explorers (2010–2014)
Space Racers (2014–2016)
Mixed Nutz (2014)
Thomas Edison's Secret Lab (2015–2016)
Bug Bites (2016)
Ruby's Studio (2016)
Mack & Moxy (2016)
Young Voices for the Planet (2016–2019)
′′Kids for Positive Change′′ (2021-2024)

Current original series template
All programs were distributed by PBS unless noted.
Aired on select public television stations via American Public Television (APT) or another program distributor.
Instructional program.

Categories:

Revision as of 00:19, 22 September 2023 edit2603:7000:b8f0:960:7df5:f5ac:a539:56b4 (talk)No edit summaryTags: Reverted featured article or good article template added or removed Mobile edit Mobile web edit← Previous edit		Revision as of 00:42, 22 September 2023 edit undo2603:7000:b8f0:960:7df5:f5ac:a539:56b4 (talk)No edit summaryTags: Reverted Mobile edit Mobile web editNext edit →
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