The creator of kids' TV show The Backyardigans has died aged 72.
Janice Burgess' passing was confirmed in a heartbreaking social media post by animation writer Fracaswell Hyman. Penning the news on his social media, he paid tribute to the Nickelodeon star with a lengthy message about his "dear friend".
Hyman wrote: "Janice Burgess 1952-2024. 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." He added: "This is the person the network sends to the set to make sure the money is not going to waste."
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Fracaswell went on to praise Janice's "acid-tongued wit, flowing Hermes scarves and omnipresent cigarettes". He added: "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."
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Reeling off her TV credits, he said: "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. Oh, how we laughed…"
Another former colleague continued tributes in the post's comments section, adding: "I'm in shock. Janice gave me my first break in kids tv. What a woman. What an amazing spirit. Sending you and her family so much love." While someone else replied: "I am sooooooo sad to hear this! I remember Janice so fondly from so many different projects at CTW and Nickelodeon - she was an inspiration creatively as well as sartorially.
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"Janice was style AND substance. Cas, if you have a moment, please DM me as I hadn't heard this and am wondering what happened... RIP, dear Janice!!" Gutted fans of The Backyardigans also joined the long list of touching tributes.
One penned: "the backyardigans was such a special show for me when i was younger :(( RIP." Another added: "The Backyardigans helped raise us. Gullah Gullah Island helped my siblings and I love our skin, our heritage, being Caribbean in Brooklyn it was the background to many memories." They continued the sweet message: "Thank you both for the contribution and the love to so many children. RIP to a legend."
A final concluded: "Man, this really breaks my heart to find out. The Backyardigans were a huge part of my childhood and it felt like a joyous journey every time I watched it. It was so colorful and welcoming, and I know Janice played a huge role in that.
"I didn’t even know she carried that same sense of adventure onto Winx Club! She was truly a jack of all trades, a phenomenal creative who knew her audience. I’m all worked up in my feelings over this, the end credits theme just 10x more emotional than it ever was. RIP to an icon of media," they added amongst the heartbreaking messages.
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