Good Night Show

The "Good Night Show" is a television programming block on PBS KIDS Sprout which premiered on September 26, 2005. Programming starts at 6:00pm ET (5:00pm CT) each evening [ [http://www.sproutonline.com/sprout/info/schedule.aspx TV Schedule | PBS KIDS Sprout ] ] . Throughout the three-hour block, which is repeated three times over the course of the evening, viewers (referred to as "Sproutlets") are encouraged to participate in host-led games, songs, crafts, and lessons in yoga and sign language. Activities and games generally revolve around a theme, and take place between theme-appropriate cartoon episodes. These themes include issues of interest to preschool children and their parents, such as imaginary friends, teddy bears, shadows, opposites, dreams, or babysitters.

The original host of the Good Night Show was "Melanie", played by Melanie Martinez. "Melanie" introduced cartoon episodes with the aid of "Hush", a live-action goldfish who served as the Good Night Show's mascot. In July 2006, Martinez was fired because of concerns over inappropriate dialogue in an independent short film in which she had starred several years earlier, before joining PBS Kids Sprout. [ [http://www.pbs.org/ombudsman/2006/08/more_about_melanie.html PBS | Ombudsman | More About Melanie ] ] Shortly before Martinez's departure, a new character was introduced to the Good Night Show: a large plush star-shaped puppet named "Star" (voiced by Stacia Newcomb), who provided the show with a naive, childlike character and sidekick.

On September 10, 2006, Noel MacNeal debuted as special guest host "Leo". Both "Star" and "Hush" remained as recurring characters during his tenure, but the cast was also expanded to include "Lucy", a puppet firefly. MacNeal had a long background in children's television, including his portrayal of "Bear" on Disney's "Bear in the Big Blue House" [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173664/ "Bear in the Big Blue House" (1997) ] ] .

On December 18, 2006, Michele Lepe [ [http://michelelepe.com MICHELE LEPE :: actor ] ] debuted as the permanent host of The Good Night Show as "Nina". [ [http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6388409.html?display=Breaking+News Sprout Finds New Good Night Host - 11/6/2006 12:01:00 AM - Multichannel News ] ] [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1395930/ Michele Lepe ] ] Lepe's second season on The Good Night Show premiered on September 26, 2007, featuring footage of real children participating in activities, and also debuting a facelifted Star.

Hosts

Current Hosts

*Nina, portrayed by Michele Lepe, is the current host of "The Good Night Show". She also makes occasional appearances on "The Sunny Side Up Show" .

*Star, a star-shaped puppet, is the co-host of "The Good Night Show". Star serves as the child character of the show, asking questions about the evening's theme, or encouraging viewers to follow him as he performs nighttime routines such as brushing his teeth or reading a bedtime story.

*Lucy is a firefly puppet used to introduce shows on "The Good Night Show" She is also featured in games, such as "Lucy Light the Way"; in this game, viewers are shown parts of a picture (as though they were illuminated by a firefly's light) and viewers then guess what the picture represents.

*Hush is a real-life goldfish who was used to introduce episodes on "The Good Night Show". He currently still appears at the end of every show, as Nina closes the show by "saying good night to Hush" and reciting a poem in which viewers are encouraged to "make a wish".

Previous Hosts

*Melanie was the original host of "The Good Night Show" when it premiered in 2005. She was portrayed by Melanie Martinez. She left the show abruptly in 2006, reportedly due to concerns over inappropriate content in a film she had appeared in while in college. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/05/arts/television/05pbs.html?_r=1&ex=1155441600&en=fd54f884c076286f&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin PBS Firing of Host of ‘The Good Night Show’ Draws Protests - New York Times ] ]

*Leo, played by Noel MacNeal, was the interim host of "The Good Night Show" after Melanie's dismissal. He filled in as guest host of "The Good Night Show" until Nina became the new host of "The Good Night Show" in late 2006.

hows

#" Angelina Ballerina (2005-present)
#" The Berenstain Bears (2005-present)
#" Birthday Show (2006-2007)
#" Caillou (2008-present)
#" Dragon Tales (2005-present)
#" Jakers (2006-2008)
#" Kipper (2005-present)
#" Make Way for Noddy (2005-present)
#" Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2005-2008)
#" Thomas and Friends (2005-present)
#" The Sunny Side Up Show (2007-present)

References