Bear in the Big Blue House was a children's television show created by Mitchell Kriegman that aired on Disney Channel from 1997 to 2006. The show followed the adventures of a 7-foot-tall bear and his friends in the Big Blue House, teaching children about various life lessons, emotions, and social skills. The show was a huge success and became a staple of many children's childhoods, especially those with special needs, due to its calming nature and Bear's gentle caregiving. The show ran for four seasons, with 118 episodes produced, and spawned a spin-off series, Breakfast with Bear. Despite being phased out of Disney Channel, the show remains a beloved and impactful part of many people's childhoods.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Walt Disney Company made significant changes to The Disney Channel in mid-1997.
2. The Disney Channel debuted as a premium subscription-based service in 1983.
3. The channel transitioned into basic cable in the early 1990s.
4. Nickelodeon was doing well at the time, with popular cartoons and live-action TV shows.
5. Disney Channel wanted to remain kid-oriented throughout all of their shows.
6. In 1997, Disney decided to structure the channel's programming differently, with a focus on preschool programming in the morning and older children in the afternoon and evening.
7. Bear in the Big Blue House premiered on October 20th, 1997.
8. The show was created by writer and producer Mitchell Kriegman, who had previously created Clarissa Explains it All.
9. The show was produced by Jim Henson Television, with puppet designer Paul Andrejco creating the characters.
10. Bear was operated and voiced by Noel MacNeal, a longtime puppeteer.
11. Many of the characters, including Tutter and Pip, were puppeteered by Peter Linz.
12. Luna the moon was voiced by Lynne Thigpen, well-known for her career on Broadway and in the Carmen Sandiego TV series.
13. The first season consisted of 26 episodes, airing between October 20th and November 24th, 1997.
14. Each episode of the first season followed a similar format, with a focus on explaining a simple concept or scenario.
15. The show was an instant success, with positive comparisons to Mister Roger's Neighborhood.
16. Bear in the Big Blue House was a breakout hit and the most successful show on Disney Channel's newly branded preschool block, Playhouse Disney.
17. A second season of Bear in the Big Blue House aired throughout 1998, with the last episode airing in February of 1999.
18. A live stage show based on the series premiered at Disney-MGM Studios in June 1999.
19. The show went on hiatus for nearly three years after the third season, before returning for a fourth season in 2002.
20. The fourth season had a new focus on the characters and locations of Woodland Valley.
21. The show was retooled to remove the kids' interview segments, and Luna had a more orange appearance.
22. The fourth season also addressed the events of September 11th in its first two episodes.
23. A spin-off series, Breakfast with Bear, aired from 2002 to 2006.
24. Both Bear in the Big Blue House and Breakfast with Bear were phased out of Playhouse Disney after 2006.
25. Disney acquired the Muppets and other Jim Henson properties, including Bear in the Big Blue House, in 2004.
26. The show had a total of 118 episodes produced.
27. Bear in the Big Blue House was a staple of many people's childhoods, with a lifespan of nearly a decade.
28. The show was hugely impactful on children with special needs, specifically those on the autism spectrum.