Janice Burgess, who as an govt, producer or creator had a hand in among the most seminal Nickelodeon animated collection of the previous 20 years, died Saturday in Manhattan, based on the New York Times. She was 72.
In 1998, Burgess created the primary iteration of what would ultimately turn out to be The Backyardigans, a whimsical present the place 5 animal neighbors in a communal yard think about new settings and adventures. The first season of 20 episodes aired in 2004, with critics praising its enchantment for each children and oldsters in addition to its “artistic exactitude” when portraying totally different genres and setting.
The collection ran for 4 seasons on Nick Jr. (by way of 2013) with Burgess taking dwelling the Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program in 2008. During that point, she additionally labored because the story editor for Nickelodeon’s revival of Winx Club and is credited as a author on Bubble Guppies.
After working for Children’s Television Workshop within the early ’90s, Burgess joined Nick in 1995 as executive-in-charge of manufacturing, overseeing the event of Blue’s Clues and Little Bill. She later turned the vp of Nick Jr.
Writer Fracaswell Hyman, who met Burgess whereas each when he was head author on Nick’s Gullah Gullah Island and he or she the exec answerable for manufacturing, wrote on Instagram, “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.”
Hyman continued, “Her script/story critiques were astute, clear and constructive…and oh, how we laughed! I will miss my dear friend. RIP.”