The world of animation and children’s entertainment mourns the loss of Janice Burgess, the brilliant mind behind the beloved show ‘The Backyardigans.’
Janice Burgess passed away at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy that has touched the hearts of viewers of all ages. The news of Burgess’s passing was confirmed by animation writer Fracaswell Hyman, who paid a heartfelt tribute to his dear friend on social media. Hyman shared memories of his early career, where he first crossed paths with Burgess when she served as the Executive in Charge of Production while he was a head writer. What started as a professional relationship quickly blossomed into a deep friendship, with Hyman praising Burgess for her sharp wit, impeccable style, and unwavering support. He wrote,
“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. 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…”
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‘The Backyardigans’ is an animated children’s television series that aired on Nickelodeon. The show follows the adventures of five colorful animal friends – Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, and Austin – who use their imaginations to go on exciting adventures in their backyard. Each episode features original music and dance numbers as the characters embark on imaginative journeys to different locations and time periods. ‘The Backyardigans’ encourages creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, making it a popular and educational show for young viewers, becoming a staple in many households.
Following the news of her passing, many fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to her. One fan tweeted, “RIP Queen Janice Burgess 
and thanks for The Backyardigans plus this into goes in HARD 
” Another said, “Janice Burgess creator of ‘The Backyardigans’ has passed away. She brought so much joy into the world, rest in paradise Queen 
” A third added, “Rip to Janice Burgess the creator of The Backyardigans No one could’ve done this but you. you will be missed
”
As people remember Janice Burgess, they are determined to celebrate not only her contributions to the world of animation but also the kindness, mentorship, and friendship she offered to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of fans and colleagues who got to witness her magic of storytelling.
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