Pappyland
A drawing-based children's series teaching art and life lessons.
Pappyland is an American half-hour children's television series that originally aired on PBS stations from 1993 to 1996, then moved to TLC's Ready Set Learn! block for new episodes from September 30, 1996, until 1997, with reruns continuing until February 21, 2003. The show was written by Jon Nappa and centered on an artist character who taught drawing to young viewers.
Quick Facts
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- Presenter
- Michael Cariglio
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Network
- PBS Member Stations (1993–1996)
- TLC (1996–1997)
- Spacetoon
- First aired
- 1993
- Last aired
- 1997
- Executive producers
- Eric J. Roberts
Facts from the source article.
Production
Michael Cariglio played Pappy Drew-It, a gold-rush-style artist whose home echoed Pee-wee's Playhouse. Eric J. Roberts, a children's writer, penned over 30 episodes and executive-produced the series. Benette Whitmore contributed 35 episodes and created Doodle Bug. More than half the show used bluescreen technology.
Format
The main activity on each episode of Pappyland was watching the title character draw, though singing, dancing, and life lessons were also part of the half-hour show. A camera pointed straight down at his paper, and Pappy explained his techniques step by step so children at home could copy his picture. Starting in season two, kids who mailed in their artwork might see it featured in the “Hall of Frames” segment near the end of the program and during the credits. The series aired on public television through WCNY in Syracuse, New York, and was produced by two Syracuse-based nonprofits: Craftsman & Scribe’s Creative Workshop and Creative Media Solutions TV. Viewers sent their drawings to a Syracuse post office box. Years later, Michael Cariglio hosted Inspiration Station on Smile of a Child TV. Pappyland is now sold on DVD and streams on Roku’s Family TV channel.
Characters
Pappy Drewitt, portrayed by Michael Cariglio, is an artist and host who loves to draw. He wears a hat, suspenders, glasses, a green bandana, yellow shirt, and khaki pants, resembling a forty-niner. The theme song suggests he drew Pappyland. A running gag involved him breaking a crayon while coloring, prompting him to say "Whoops. Pappy broke a crayon," teaching kids not to discard broken crayons. He also occasionally colored outside the lines to show it is acceptable. He uses various transportation methods including the Pappy Pad Express, the Much More Door, the Wishing Wheel, the Pappyscope, and the Color Copter. Elmer, performed by Joe Cariglio, is an old, wisecracking, sometimes grumpy man who sits in a rocking chair in front of Pappy's desk, tells jokes, works at the Pappy Mines, and often shouts "Hey, sonny! Don't you know what time it time?" He smoked a pipe in the original VHS. Binky is a talking paintbrush who originally lived in the Brushlands but later moved to Pappy's cabin. Lily, performed by Marilyn Arnone, is a talking flower who originally lived in a flower field but later moved to a windowsill in Pappy's cabin, where Pappy would give her water at the start of most episodes. Grandpappy Drewitt, also played by Cariglio, is a painting of Pappy's grandfather and Snacker Jack's uncle, appearing in the original VHS. Belle, performed by Marilyn Arnone, is a talking telephone with a Southern accent who lives in Pappy's cabin starting in the second season and delivers news. The Color Copter is a sentient biplane/helicopter that serves as transportation and sometimes speaks.
Episodes
Episodes include: Tree O Shares The Sunlight, where Oakie, Miss Maple and Birchwood argue over sunlight until learning about sharing; Chucky Loses His Toothbrush, about Chucky Woodchuckles upset over losing his toothbrush; I'm Not a Turtle, I'm a Rock, where Turtle Lou thinks he is a rock but learns it is okay to be yourself; Faithfulness, where Lily learns about faith; Pumpkid Grows Patience, where Pumpkin Pop and Pappy teach an impatient Pumpkid about patience; Donkey Dan Gets A Special Visit, about commitment; Buddy Bear Learns About Love, where Pappy teaches about different kinds of love; First Things First for Binky, about setting priorities; Wanda The Woodpecker's Rude Day, about obedience after being rude; Turtle Lou Gives Some Respect, where Pappy learns about respect; Lily Loves Her Friends, about loving friends despite differences; Pumpkin Pop Keeps His Word, about keeping promises; Donkey Dan's Goofy Giggles, where Pappy catches giggles from Donkey Dan; Buddy Bear Wakes Up to Work, about diligence; Binky Brushes Up His Confidence, about discouragement; Miss Maple Leaves Her Kindness, about kindness; Wanda the Woodpecker Won't Forgive Chucky, about forgiveness; Turtle Lou Comes Out of His Shell, about bravery; Forget Me Not Forgets She's Special, about being special; Pumpkid Makes A Mistake, about admitting mistakes; Donkey Dan's Disorganization, about disorganization; and Staying Fit (later reworked as Buddy Bear Gets A Honey Of A Belly), about staying healthy and fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which network aired Pappyland?
Pappyland aired on PBS Member Stations (1993–1996), TLC (1996–1997) and Spacetoon.
How many episodes of Pappyland are there?
Pappyland has 99 episodes across 6 seasons.
More in First-run Syndicated Children's Television Series
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