By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith
Aug 26, 2008
Parents need not be afraid of watching "Sid the Science Kid" when it premieres on PBS Monday (9/1). The preschool program from The Henson Company was designed with humor aimed toward children and their adults, too. "That has always been the way of the Henson company," notes Lisa Henson, whose late father, Jim, of course, was the legendary puppeteer. "Going back to the earliest children's program he was involved with, 'Sesame Street,' which was so sophisticated comedically from the start, it had parents laughing on one level and kids on another."
Sid the Science Kid on PBS: "Seinfeld" for Tots?
The fun, science readiness-oriented "Sid" -- which has been likened to a "Seinfeld" for tots -- has been in the making for the past couple of years. "It's a meticulous process to make a children's show for PBS national," points out producer and former Columbia Studios chief Henson. "You have to do fund-raising as well to complete financing of the show, and concurrently, you have the development of the curriculum and the technology involved." In the case of "Sid," the technology is an innovative motion capture animation/puppetry technique that allows for animated improvisational performances.
"We've produced two seasons. When you take on something that big, it becomes the first priority of pretty much everybody at the company. We're making the show here in California. To have an animated production without even a portion being done overseas is very unusual," she adds. "With budget constraints these days, most have work done in Asia or countries where it can be done relatively inexpensively like Ireland. But we're here. We're proud of that."
EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS: With his years of success on small and big screen, Chris Noth lives a well-heeled life, but he still recalls pinching pennies when he was just getting started. "I remember riding a bike everywhere. The idea I could take a cab, or go out to eat at a restaurant was a big deal to me. I've now been comfortable with money for a while. Still, the weird thing is that 'Law & Order' is on cable all the time, but you don't make money from those [reruns] -- a lot of small change, frankly. Not anywhere near what people think. I'll get 200 checks for $48.00."
HOT SPOT: MTV guys Cisco Adler and Shwayze celebrated their new album "Buzzin" with a performance at Mansion in New York City the other night, for DJ Reach's birthday. Socialite and "Gossip Girl's" newest cast member Lydia Hearst took to the stage to show her moves. Expect to hear a lot more about her.
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