Janice Burgess, creator of ‘The Backyardigans,’ has passed away at the age of 72
Bollywoodfever, March 4: Janice Burgess, the creator of ‘The Backyardigans’ has sadly passed away at the age of 72.
Her colleague and head writer of GULLAH GULLAH ISLAND confirmed the news on Instagram.
Fracaswell Hyman wrote on Instagram, I met Janice Burgess early in my career when I was head writer on GULLAH GULLAH ISLAND and she was assigned to be our Executive in Charge of Production. This is the person the network sends to the set to make sure the money is not going to waste.
Janice swept in with her acid-tongued wit, flowing Hermes scarves and omnipresent cigarettes. Instead of an overseer, she became a friend. She recognized my magic before I did and made sure I was in the room and under consideration for many of the shows that came my way including LITTLE BILL and TAINA.
Janice created THE BACKYARDIGANS and guided countless other shows for Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, Disney and Apple TV. Her script/story critiques were astute, clear and constructive – and I really thank her for that.
Janice, Maria Perez-Brown and I developed shows together, gossiped together and oh, how we laughed! I will miss my dear friend. RIP.
About Janice Burgess
Janice Burgess, born in 1952, is an American former television executive, screenwriter, and producer renowned for her contributions to children’s television, particularly at Nickelodeon.
She is best known for creating the beloved Nick Jr. series “The Backyardigans,” a show celebrated for its imaginative storytelling and musical elements, aimed at preschoolers. Burgess’s career at Nickelodeon also included serving as a writer and creative director for the network’s revival of “Winx Club.”
Her journey at Nickelodeon began in 1995, where she initially joined as an executive-in-charge of production, overseeing notable shows like “Gullah Gullah Island.” Later, she pitched her own show, leading to the creation of “The Backyardigans.” The series revolves around five animal friends who embark on imaginary adventures in their backyard, showcasing Burgess’s ability to blend education with entertainment. Her work has not only delighted children around the world but also set a high standard for educational content in children’s programming.
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