Janice Burgess created the Nickelodeon animated show “The Backyardigans.”
- Died: March 2, 2024 (Who else died on March 2?)
- Details of death: Died of breast cancer at the age of 72.
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Janice Burgess’ legacy
Burgess initially planned to work as an art historian, but after graduating with a degree in art history, she got a job at her local PBS station – Pittsburgh’s WQED – instead. She worked her way up from jobs like craft services, eventually moving on to the Children’s Television Workshop (now known as the Sesame Workshop). There, she worked on “3-2-1 Contact” and “Ghostwriter.”
Burgess next joined Nickelodeon, working in production for Nick Jr. After working on such shows as “Blue’s Clues” and “Little Bill,” she began developing her own idea for a children’s program. Her initial concept was for a live-action, puppet-based musical show, “Me and My Friends.” She was drawn to creating a musical show because she knew children connect with music. The puppet idea didn’t pan out, but she was able to revamp her concept into the Nick Jr. animated musical series “The Backyardigans,” which premiered in 2004 and ran for four seasons. Burgess noted that one of the show’s five main characters, the ringleader Uniqua, was based on herself as a child.
“The Backyardigans” received eight Daytime Emmy Award nominations, and Burgess was honored with an Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program in 2008. She went on to work on the Nickelodeon show “Winx Club.”
Burgess on perseverance:
“Sometimes your first attempt is just not all that great. In this case, my second attempt was much better.” —from a 2009 interview for Investor’s Business Daily
Tributes to Janice Burgess
Full obituary: PennLive.com
