Poko (TV series)

Poko is a Canadian stop motion children's television series about a young boy, his pet dog, and his toy monkey.[1] Produced in Canada by The Halifax Film Company, Poko was created by Jeff Rosen, and began production in 2003 and ended in 2006 after three production cycles. Poko aired in Canada on CBC Television in the Kids' CBC programming block, and was broadcast in Turkey on Yumurcak TV until the channel closed in mid-June 2016. It was narrated by actor and dancer Cory Bowles. In Brazil, it was narrated by the frontman of Capital Inicial, Dinho Ouro Preto.

Poko
GenreChildren's animation
Created byJeff Rosen
Developed by
Written by
  • Jeff Rosen
  • Cheryl Wagner
Directed byChuck Rubin
Starring
Narrated byCory Bowles
Opening theme"Poko Theme Song"
Ending theme"Poko Theme Song" (instrumental)
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes52
Production
Executive producers
ProducerCharles Bishop
AnimatorThea Pratt
Running time25 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkCBC Television
Original releaseJune 9, 2003 (2003-06-09) 
May 25, 2006 (2006-05-25)

The show was awarded the 2004 Gemini for Best Pre-school Program in 2003 and the Alliance for Children & Television (ACT) Grand Prize in 2007.

Characters

Main

  • Poko is a little boy who, every day, plays in his bedroom, or out in his backyard, but he also has a magic finger. When he says "Poko pippity pop!", he can draw objects, which then become real, by tracing them in the air with his finger. Poko often encounters obstacles and gets cranky or upset, but then cheers up with the help of an unseen narrator. Voiced by Cameron Davidson.
  • Minus is Poko's pet dog. He is very playful, and often causes trouble. Minus is named for the sign minus (–); while not always understanding what's going on, he is sometimes showing much more human-like behaviour, such as being able to walk on his hind feet, play soccer, or dance. He is named for his ability to erase Poko's creations from existence (when they aren't needed anymore or he doesn't like them) by using his nose like an eraser. His silly antics often cause Poko to laugh and say "Silly Minus!"
  • Mr. Murphy is Poko's stuffed toy monkey, who usually just sits around. He can sometimes be seen to have moved his hands (such as to shrug, or cover his eyes), but is never seen actually moving.

Recurring

  • Bibi is a young girl who is Poko's friend. She comes over sometimes to have a play date with Poko. Bibi can use her magic sticker book in a way that resembles Poko's ability, by opening the book to a sticker of an object and then making that object real, while saying "Bibi bibbity bop!". Bibi first appeared in the second season. Voiced by Jessica Parsons.

Show structure

The show follows the same sequence every episode:

  • Title sequence
  • Poko wakes up (longer version only in season 1)
  • Indoor episode
  • Play sequence
  • Mighty Murph story (season 1); Poko's Playhouse (season 2)
  • Play sequence
  • Outdoors episode
  • Play sequence
  • Ending sequence

Episodes

Each episode features two segments. The first one is indoors, after Poko wakes up. The second is outdoors, in the garden. In both, Poko encounters a problem, but usually overcomes it after observing a smaller creature (such as a bird, ladybug, worm, etc.) solving a similar problem.

Also beneficial to children, the narrator helps Poko to name and understand his feelings, and find appropriate ways to deal with them: for example, on some occasions, when Poko has become angry at Minus, he has gone and given a blast on his tuba to release his frustration. Another common solution is for Poko to give Mr. Murphy a hug. In this way, the show suggests positive methods of dealing with problems. When this happens they usually perform the following: "hug a monkey...hug him tight...hug him till you feel alright". Poko does either that, or if Mr. Murphy isn't available, Poko releases his frustration by doing a dance called "The Poko Polka". He also has choices to release his frustration: either spending time alone on his swing, or shake his frustration out.

In the second season, a new segment was added called "Poko's Playhouse", in which Poko, Minus, and Bibi perform for a stuffed toy audience on a "Grand Ole Opry" type play-stage, with children performing a background song for each episode.

Similar to Toopy and Binoo, some episodes made appearances in more than one episode.

Season 1 (2003)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateAmerican air dateProd.
code
US viewers
(millions)
1"Baby Murphy"
Something Yummy for a Monkey Tummy"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJune 9, 2003 (2003-06-09)January 6, 2004101N/A
"Poko's Pool"
2"Poko and the Scary Shadow"
Pirate Gold"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJune 14, 2003 (2003-06-14)January 12, 2004102N/A
"Poko Kicks a Ball"
3"Mr. Murphy in the Middle"
A Super Monkey Loves to Play"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJune 19, 2003 (2003-06-19)January 20, 2004103N/A
"Reaching Mr. Murphy"
4"King Poko"
"Super Monkey at the Supermarket"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJune 25, 2003 (2003-06-25)January 26, 2004104N/A
"Poko's Swing"
5"Poko Gets Bugged"
Mighty Murph's Street Treats"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJuly 1, 2003 (2003-07-01)February 2, 2004105N/A
"Poko Makes a Hole"
6"Poko-Motion"
"Monkey Business at the Silly Circus"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJuly 7, 2003 (2003-07-07)February 9, 2004106N/A
"Poko's Scooter"
7"Poko Has a Ball"
"A Super Monkey Needs to See"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJuly 12, 2003 (2003-07-12)February 16, 2004107N/A
"Poko on the Slide"
8"Poko's Little Sister"
"A Super Monkey Loves to Drum"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJuly 17, 2003 (2003-07-17)February 23, 2004108N/A
"Poko's Pool"
9"Baby Murphy"
"A Super Monkey Loves to Touch"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJuly 23, 2003 (2003-07-23)March 1, 2004109N/A
"Poko's Lemonade Stand"
10"Poko and the Bunny Slippers"
"A Super Monkey Loves to Drum"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerJuly 28, 2003 (2003-07-28)March 8, 2004110N/A
"Poko Kicks a Ball"
11"Poko and the Scary Shadow"
"Something Yummy at the Zoo"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerAugust 3, 2003 (2003-08-03)March 15, 2004111N/A
"Poko's Laundry Day"
12"Poko's New Toy"
"A Super Monkey Loves to Fly"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerAugust 8, 2003 (2003-08-08)March 22, 2004112N/A
"Reaching Mr. Murphy"
13"Mr. Murphy in the Middle"
"Something Yummy for a Monkey Tummy"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerAugust 13, 2003 (2003-08-13)March 29, 2004113N/A
"Poko's Broken Toy"
14"Poko Alone"
"Something Yummy for a Monkey Tummy"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerAugust 18, 2003 (2003-08-18)April 5, 2004114N/A
"Poko's Swing"
15"King Poko"
"Pirate Gold"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerAugust 24, 2003 (2003-08-24)April 12, 2004115N/A
"Fireman Poko"
16"Dr. Poko"
"A Super Monkey Loves to Play"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerAugust 29, 2003 (2003-08-29)April 18, 2004116N/A
"Poko Makes a Hole"
17"Poko Gets Bugged"
"Super Monkey at the Supermarket"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 4, 2003 (2003-09-04)April 24, 2004117N/A
"Hide-'n'-Seek Poko"
18"Poko's Circus"
"Mighty Murph's Street Treats"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 10, 2003 (2003-09-10)April 30, 2004118N/A
"Poko's Scooter"
19"Poko-Motion"
"Monkey Business at the Silly Circus"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 16, 2003 (2003-09-16)May 7, 2004119N/A
"Poko's Sandcastle"
20"Poko's Band"
"A Super Monkey Needs to See"
Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 21, 2003 (2003-09-21)May 13, 2004120N/A
"Poko on the Slide"

Season 2 (2005–2006)

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateAmerican air dateProd.
code
US viewers
(millions)
1"Poko the Submarine Explorer"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 5, 2005 (2005-09-05)TBA201N/A
"Poko, Bibi and the Dragon"
2"Super Poko"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 10, 2005 (2005-09-10)TBA202N/A
"Poko and Bibi's Bug Adventure"
3"Poko and Bibi at the Fancy Restaurant"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 13, 2005 (2005-09-13)TBA203N/A
"Poko the Pirate"
4"Poko Plays School"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 16, 2005 (2005-09-16)TBA204N/A
"Poko's Picnic"
5"Poko and Bibi Play House"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 20, 2005 (2005-09-20)TBA205N/A
"Poko and the Dinosaur"
6"Poko's Shadow Show"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 26, 2005 (2005-09-26)TBA206N/A
"Poko and Bibi Play Soccer"
7"Bibi's Ballet Class"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerSeptember 30, 2005 (2005-09-30)TBA207N/A
"Poko's Ducky Day"
8"Poko's Puppet Show"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerOctober 4, 2005 (2005-10-04)TBA208N/A
"Poko's Lemonade Stand"
9"Poko's Robot"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerOctober 10, 2005 (2005-10-10)TBA209N/A
"Poko Plays Golf"
10"Hocus Pocus Poko"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerOctober 16, 2005 (2005-10-16)TBA210N/A
"Poko and Bibi's Playdate"
11"Poko's Patients"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerOctober 22, 2005 (2005-10-22)TBA211N/A
"Poko Goes Camping"
12"Poko and Bibi's Dress-Up Day"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerOctober 28, 2005 (2005-10-28)TBA212N/A
"Minus Has the Hiccups"
13"Poko's Puzzle"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerNovember 3, 2005 (2005-11-03)TBA213N/A
"Nutty's Nuts"
14"Mr. Murphy's Birthday"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerNovember 9, 2005 (2005-11-09)TBA214N/A
"Poko the Gymnast"
15"Poko's Masks"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerMarch 20, 2006 (2006-03-20)TBA215N/A
"Poko Plays Croquet"
16"Poko and Bibi at the Toy Store"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerMarch 26, 2006 (2006-03-26)TBA216N/A
"Jungle Jim"
17"Bibi's Pop-Up Book"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerApril 2, 2006 (2006-04-02)TBA217N/A
"Poko’s Piñata"
18"Poko and Bibi's Treasure Hunt"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerApril 8, 2006 (2006-04-08)TBA218N/A
"Poko and Minus Play Tag"
19"Poko's Harmonica"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerApril 14, 2006 (2006-04-14)TBA219N/A
"Poko's New Friend"
20"Minus the Babysitter"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerApril 20, 2006 (2006-04-20)TBA220N/A
"Poko's Monster Truck"
21"Poko and Bibi Play Statue"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerApril 26, 2006 (2006-04-26)TBA221N/A
"Poko the Pilot"
22"Poko's Pie"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerMay 1, 2006 (2006-05-01)TBA222N/A
"Poko and Bibi Play Fairies"
23"Poko's Messy Room"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerMay 7, 2006 (2006-05-07)TBA223N/A
"Poko and Bibi of the Arctic"
24"Poko's Flowers"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerMay 13, 2006 (2006-05-13)TBA224N/A
"Poko's Windy Day"
25"Poko and Bibi's Petting Zoo"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerMay 19, 2006 (2006-05-19)TBA225N/A
"Poko's Balloon Ride"
26"Poko and Bibi Play Musical Chairs"Chuck RubinJeff Rosen and Cheryl WagnerMay 25, 2006 (2006-05-25)TBA226N/A
"Minus Gets a Bath"

Play sequence

Two thirty-second shorts exist in each episode where Poko, Minus and Mr. Murphy play against a monocolor background. They may be swimming, surfing, riding an imaginary Roller coaster, or doing other activities or even dressing up like a ball.

Mighty Murph

In the middle of each show in season one, Poko reads a Mighty Murph story. Each one is made using Macromedia Flash, in cartoon style, and involves a baby Mr. Murphy in some dilemma, such as being hungry, or having nowhere to play. He then imagines he is Mighty Murph (a superhero who is parodied as Superman as Mighty Murph can be seen doing a scene which is a reference to the Superman (Fielscheir animated series), and flies around to find a solution to his problem. His search is fruitless, and he realizes the best place is just where he is, as his own self with his mother. The stories are told by the narrator.

Awards

  • Gemini - Best Pre-School Program (2004)
  • ACT Award - Grand Prize (2007)
  • ACT Award - Animation Age 3-5 (2007)

References

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