Oobi (TV series)

For the computer-related acronym, see OOBI. For the toy, see Oobi (toy)

Oobi (pronounced OO-bee) is an American children's television series. Based on an award-winning short-form series, the show is directed toward preschoolers. It is currently broadcast on Noggin.

Style

Oobi uses bare-handed puppetry, in which the hands themselves are puppets, costumed with the characters' eyes, clothing and hair, and some token props. The thumbs are used to represent mouth movement, and the fingers flutter, clench, and make other movements to indicate emotions. The hands also serve usual purposes, such as holding objects and turning doorknobs. A majority of the characters are right-handed, but two (Mrs. Johnson and Paula) are left-handed.

The characters' speech is similar to that of characters in shows such as poop and Fimbles. Their vocabulary is simple, and they speak in simple sentences. For example, "Uma school first day" is said in place of "It's Uma's first day of school" or "It's my first day of school." This is considered speech vandalism to some people, and this show is criticized because of it.

Concept

Oobi focuses on the everyday adventures of the "title" character, his younger sister Uma, his best friend Kako, and his grandfather, Grampu. It mirrors the life of its young audience, in which everything is new. The show is intended to build skills such as mathematics, early literacy, and logical thinking. The show is considered miraculous to some parents and caregivers of autistic children, who find the simple sentences easier to communicate.

During breaks between each episode (there are 2 per show) the characters leave their home to talk to real toddlers. They interact according to the theme of the episode. One girl, Kate, appears often in these segments, and has the same voice as the girl in the closing credits who says, "This has been a Little Airplane Production," so one might assume she is related to one of the producers.

According to Little Airplane Productions, Oobi has been out of production for several years and The Noggin Channel has no plans to order more episodes.

Main characters

• Oobi - The show's main character, a young boy. At the end of each episode, he looks at the screen and says, "Oobi you friends". Voiced by Tim Lagasse
• Uma - Oobi's younger sister. She loves singing, pretending, and chickens. Her catch phrase is "Nice". She also says "Tasty-good" when she eats. Voiced by Stephanie D'Abruzzo
• Kako - Oobi's best friend. He usually wears a hat. His catch phrase is "Perfecto", the Spanish word for perfect. Voiced by Noel MacNeal.
• Grampu - Oobi and Uma's grandfather. His catch phrase is "Lovely". Voiced by Tyler Bunch.

Other characters

• Inka – Oobi's piano teacher and Grampu's love interest.
• Angus – Friend of Oobi and Kako from Oobi's piano class. His eyes are underneath his hand instead of on top.
• Mrs Johnson – One of Oobi's neighbors. She owns a cat (named Kitty) and has one of the best-decorated houses on Halloween.
• Maestru – Director of the singing group at the community center. His index finger is always pointing upward.
• Amy - a deaf girl who befriends Oobi and Kako in the park; they call her the "Cup-Ball Queen."
• Tulla – Oobi and Uma's dance teacher.
• 'Papu and Mamu – Kako's parents.
• Paula – Uma's preschool teacher.
• Moppy, Tarrow and Fred – Uma's preschool classmates and friends.
• Bella – Grampu's friend, a greengrocer.
• Sheila – A young mother who Oobi and Grampu meet in the park.
• Sophie – Sheila's baby daughter, to whom Oobi attends for one day.
• Frieda – A young girl Oobi meets in the park. Unlike most other characters, Frieda is a foot.
• Frankie - Frieda's friend, also a foot. He has a Southern accent and plays "Piggies" and "Shoes" with Frieda.
• Randy – Oobi and Uma's babysitter. Uma doesn't get along with him at first ("Randy not Grampu -- hmmph!"), but thanks to some polka music they get along great. He comes up with the nicknames "Oobi-Dude" and "Uma Zooma"; Uma in turn calls him "Randy Candy" (because Randy gave her a nickname that rhymed, that was probably the catalyst for Uma to call Randy "Randy Candy")
• Nick – Owner of a Chinese restaurant where Uma learns how to use chopsticks.
• Dr. Rose – Oobi's pediatrician.
• Ray & Mimi – Singers in the community center singing group.
• Chauncy - A boy Oobi plays with (briefly) at Dr. Rose's office, in the waiting room.
• Ladies - The ladies seated with Grampu at the theater are Bella, Mamu, and Mrs. Johnson. Bella brings grapes for everyone to snack on, and Grampu seems overly eager for the show to begin.

Pets

• George – Uma's class pet, a hamster.
• Oobi gets a pet turtle, which initially makes Kako jealous when a playdate becomes all about the turtle
• Kako has a puppy, which Oobi "puppy-sits" one afternoon -- walking him, feeding him, bathing him, and eventually playing with him.

Songs

• Theme song

Oobi's like me, Oobi's like you -- Oobi's got a lot of big things that he's gonna do -- Uma's his sis, he's big, she's small -- Kako is his very best friend, Grampu loves them all -- Oh Oobi -- Oobi Oobi Oobi Oobi Oobi -- He's got a lot to see, he's got a lot to do -- And he's always with you

• Rockabye Lullaby (performed by Randy, Oobi & Uma in "Babysitter!")
• Trip Wow (performed by Uma, Oobi, Kako & Grampu in "Trip!")
• Little Red Riding Hood (performed in "Theater!" by Oobi (Wolf), Uma (Red Riding Hood), Kako (Grandma) & Angus (Woodsman))
• Get Better Uma (performed by Oobi & Kako)
• Neighborhood (performed by Oobi, Kako, Uma & Grampu)
• Clean Room (performed by Oobi, Uma & Kako)

Season 1 2000

• Nature Walk
• Halloween
• Uma Preschool
• Shopping
• Kako Dinner
• Uma Trip
• Babysitter
• Parade
• Chez Oobi
• Grown-Up
• Dinosaur
• Chopsticks
• Fishing
• Oobi Checkup
• Theater
• Recital
• Sing
• Superheroes

Funding

• Corporation For Public Broadcasting (2000)
• Viewers Like You (2000)