Template:Short description Template:Pp-vandalism Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox television
Higglytown Heroes is an American CGI-animated children's television series created by George Evelyn, Holly Huckins, Denis Morella, Kent Redeker, and Jeff Ulin. Produced by Wild Brain and Happy Nest, the series aired on the Playhouse Disney block on Disney Channel in the United States. The show's characters are shaped like Russian nesting dolls. In the show, four children Eubie, Wayne, Twinkle, Kip, and their best friend, Fran the Squirrel, learn about all of the important jobs that people do in Higglytown.[1] 65 episodes were produced.[2]
The theme song of the show, Here in Higglytown, is performed by They Might Be Giants, which was also released on their second children's album Here Come the ABCs. After its series finale originally aired on January 7, 2008, reruns aired on Playhouse Disney until March 29, 2009. Disney Junior (the channel) then aired it in reruns from March 23, 2012 until May 16, 2014. The show was added to Disney+ in April 2021. The Higglytown Heroes TV series was made using Alias Maya which was used to design models and textures for the 3D characters, and Photoshop which was used to create the 2D backgrounds and props.[3]
Plot
Each episode focuses primarily on different occupations and the problems that they solve; the characters with these occupations are referred to as "Heroes", due to both the work they do every day, as well as how they assist the characters with resolving conflicts. As the show is a musical, there are at least two songs every episode, relating to both the conflict and the Hero. Sometimes, Heroes may return in later episodes to assist the other characters, in order to demonstrate both effective teamwork, as well as how interconnected each occupation is within everyday life.
Characters
- Eubie (voiced by Taylor Masamitsu) is the oldest of the gang. He lives with his aunt, uncle and their pet parrots. He is kind and gentle and always finds the brighter side of any minor situation.
- Wayne (voiced by Frankie Ryan Manriquez) is Twinkle's older brother. He has an obsession with toast and sometimes he is dramatic in a situation.
- Twinkle (voiced by Liliana Mumy) is Wayne's younger sister. She tends to think of grand ideas that are usually shot down by Fran. She loves ballet dancing and she is the most artistic of the gang.
- Kip (voiced by Rory Thost) is the youngest of the gang. He is very spontaneous and full of energy. His catchphrase is "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go, let's go, let's go!".
- Fran (voiced by Edie McClurg) is an adult red squirrel and is the neighbour of Kip. She usually acts as a chaperone for the kids. She is the only animal in the gang. Generally, she is sitting or standing up on Kip's head.
Cast
Main voices
- Taylor Masamitsu – Eubie
- Frankie Ryan Manriquez – Wayne
- Liliana Mumy – Twinkle
- Rory Thost – Kip
- Edie McClurg – Fran
- Dee Bradley Baker – Pizza Guy
- Jamie-Lynn Sigler – Ms. Fern
Supporting voices
- Alanna Ubach - Plunkie, Twinkle and Wayne's mom, Mrs. Whiskers
- Kevin Michael Richardson - Uncle Lemmo, Twinkle and Wayne's uncle
- Mindy Sterling - Eubie's Aunt Mellie
- Dee Bradley Baker - Grandpop Krank, Eubie's grandfather, Eubie's Uncle Zooter
- Valyn Hall - Wiki & Tini (Season 1 Only) Kip's big sisters
- Lara Jill Miller - Wiki & Tini (Seasons 2 And 3) Kip’s big sisters, Pookie (Season 2 Only In 3 Episodes: “Cry Baby Pookie”, “Me And My Shadow” And “Amazing Museum”) Kip's baby sister
- Jim Wise - Fripp, Kip's dad
- Rachel York - Bitty, Kip’s mom
- Betty White - Grandma-Ma, Kip’s grandmother
- David Jeremiah - Grandpa-Pa, Kip’s grandfather
- Cicely Tyson And Gayla Goehl– Great Aunt Shirley
Guest voices
- Donald Faison – Firefighter Hero
- Kathie Lee Gifford – Mail Carrier Hero (Post Carrier Hero in UK dub)
- Camryn Manheim – Plumber Hero
- Steven Weber – Gardener Hero
- Katey Sagal – Policewoman Hero
- Frances Conroy – Veterinarian Hero
- Katrin Petersen - School Principal Hero
- Mark Therrell - Construction Worker Hero
- Jimmy Hayward - Military Career Hero
- Lance Bass – Electrician Hero
- John Michael Higgins – Tow Truck Driver Hero
- Tim Curry – Librarian Hero, Higgsquatch
- Cyndi Lauper – Telephone Operator Hero
- Jim Wise – Sanitation Worker Hero, Tour Guide Hero
- Susan Lucci – Weathergirl Hero
- Miguel Sandoval – Painter Hero
- Travis Tritt – Farmer Hero
- Ed McMahon – Tugboat Captain Hero
- Smokey Robinson – Grocery Clerk Hero
- Ricki Lake – Carpenter Hero (Alice)
- Stuart Pankin – Bus Driver Hero, Captain Steve
- Kirsten Peterson - Bus Aid Hero
- Wally Kurth – The Eye Doctor Hero
- John Astin – Santa Claus
- Sean Astin – Pix the Elf
- Sharon Stone – Nicki the Blind Art Teacher
- Anne Heche – Gloria the Waitress
- Dee Bradley Baker – Egg Farmer Hero
- Matt Cavenaugh – Tailor Hero
- Raven-Symoné – Playground Monitor Hero
- Jesse Corti – Jax, Submarine Captain Hero
- Nathalia Hencker – Translator Hero
- David Naughton – Orchestra Conductor Hero
- Rocco DiSpirito – Baker Hero
- Steve Harris – Sports Coach Hero
- Marissa Jaret Winokur – Taxi Driver Hero
- Carlos Alazraqui – Shelter Worker Hero
- Irene Bedard – Forest Ranger Hero
- Henry Dittman – Detective Hero, Gardener, Sign Language Interpreter Hero, Higglytown Coast Guard Hero
- Erik Estrada – Ambulance Driver, Paramedic Hero
- Rob Paulsen – Barber Hero
- Mindy Sterling – Mrs. Barber, Musician Hero #2
- Diedrich Bader – Crane Operator Hero, Mr. Librarian
- Masasa – Judge Hero
- Trace Adkins – Cowboy Hero
- Serena Williams – Snow Plow Driver Hero
- Thomas F. Wilson – Truck Driver Hero
- Phil LaMarr – Lifeguard Hero
- Gwendoline Yeo – Dentist Hero
- Wayne Brady – Doctor Hero
- Farrah Fawcett – School Nurse Hero
- Stacey Hendrickson - Pharmacist Hero
- Kate Pierson – Beekeeper Hero
- Maggie Wheeler – Street Sweeper Hero
- Alyson Reed – Zookeeper Hero
- Debbie Allen – Dance Instructor Hero
- Gregory Jbara – Tree Trimmer Hero
- Mo Collins – Science Fair Judge, Paleontologist Hero
- Simon Templeman – Banker Hero
- Philip Anthony-Rodriguez – Furnace Repairman Hero (Boiler Repairman Hero in UK dub)
- Jentle Phoenix – Environmentalist Hero
- Rain Pryor – Dr. Ferguson the Pediatrician Hero (Paediatrician Hero in UK dub)
- Wally Wingert – Waiter Hero, Hector the Donkey Guide Hero
- Dave Wittenberg – Mr. Baker, Sled Dog Musher
- Michael T. Weiss – Mountain Rescue Squad Hero
- Matthew St. Patrick – Police Man Hero
- Jane Kaczmarek – Astronaut Hero
- Jorge Garcia – Dog Trainer Hero
- Debi Mae West – Lighthouse Keeper Hero, Physical Therapist Hero
- Nicole Parker – Window Washer Hero
- Pete Siragusa – Ice Resurfacer Hero
- Roberto Alcaraz – Air Traffic Controller Hero
- Kathy Najimy – Photographer Hero
- Matthew Kaminsky – Drawbridge Operator Hero
- Matt Nolte - Caveman Hero
- David Jolliffe – Radiographer Hero
- Henry Winkler – Printer Hero
- Neil Kaplan – Mover Hero
- Joey Fatone – Bulldozer Operator Hero
- Jessica Walter – Motel Manager Hero
- Wilmer Valderrama – Helicopter Pilot Hero
- Leanza Cornett – Airplane Pilot Hero
- Gayla Goehl – Sheep Shearer Hero
- Frank Welker - Sheriff Hero
- Alanna Ubach – Babysitter Hero
- Jonathan Adams – Road Worker Hero
- Aisha Tyler – Museum Curator Hero
- Stephnie Weir – Animal Control Officer Hero
- Jess Harnell – Laundry Worker Hero
- Leslie Boone – Mechanic Hero, Bessy the Cow, Farmer Lulu, Dump Truck Driver Hero
- Meghan Strange – Camp Counselor Hero
- Bill Farmer – Janitor Hero Jay (Caretaker Hero Craig in UK dub)
- Billy Vera – Ferry Boat Captain Hero
- Charlie Schlatter – Receptionist Hero
- David Jeremiah- Mapmaker Hero
- Catero Colbert – Camel Rider
- Tom Kenny – Reporter Hero
- Dee Bradley Baker, Mindy Sterling, & Alanna Ubach – Musician Heroes
- Jeff Bennett – Auctioneer Hero
- Michael T. Weiss – Country Veterinarian Hero
- Julianne Grossman – Roofer Hero
- Jon Curry – Allergist Hero
- J. Grant Albrecht – Locksmith Hero
- J. P. Manoux – Bike Repair Hero
- Scott McShane – Bridge Builder Hero
- Leslie Boone – Dump Truck Driver Hero
- Jo Anne Worley – Customer Service Clerk Hero
- John O'Hurley – Freight Train Engineer Hero
- Bobby Holiday – House Painter Hero
- Kevin Michael Richardson – Uncle Lemmo the Short-Order Cook Hero
- Charlie Janasz – Photographer Hero
- Kimberly Brooks – Ski Patrol Hero
- Jeffrey Tambor – Radio Announcer
- Wes Brown – Phone Repairman Hero
- Debra Wilson Skelton – Marine Biologist Hero
- Chris Carmack – Referee Hero
- Joey Gian – Stan the Bricklayer Man Hero
- They Might Be Giants – The Supertasters
- Shawn King – Usher Hero
- Ruth Williamson - Cafeteria Lady Hero
- Anna Maria Perez de Tagle – Shelby the Safety Patroller Hero
Episodes
Series overview
Season 1 (2004–2005)
Season 2 (2005–2006)
Season 3 (2006–2008)
References
Cited works
- Victor C. Strasburger and Edward Donnerstein, 1999. "Children, Adolescents, and the Media: Issues and Solutions," Pediatrics, volume 103, number 1: pp. 129–139: Open Access Copy