Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen offers a viewing tip for the coming week.
Even after the director says, “Cut!,” sometimes puppeteers stay in character.
“I said all my lines right!” said Donkey Hodie, as performed and voiced by former Point Park University student Haley Jenkins. And she said it in Donkey’s voice.
“It’s a little too Little Caesars,” she said in Duck Duck’s voice between takes before cameras rolled again with a single “thank you” uttered.
It was just another day on the set of “Donkey Hodie,” a puppet show spin-off of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” for PBS Kids that debuts at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday on WQED-TV.
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‘Donkey Hodie’ Teaches Kids to Dream Big and Persevere
Details
Series Premiere Monday, May 3 on WHRO Kids
A new PBS Kids series empowers kids to dream big, be resourceful and persevere to realize their goals.
The colorful multi-platform show follows the adventures of Donkey Hodie, granddaughter of the original Donkey Hodie character from
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (now known as “Grampy Hodie”). The original puppet appeared in 59 episodes of the beloved children’s series. Inspired by the quirky, funny side of Fred Rogers,
Donkey Hodie, furthers the children’s TV pioneer’s mission of helping young viewers navigate the challenges of childhood. The series features original new music along with reimagined versions of Rogers’ songs.
Just like Mister Rogers, the new series aims to help preschool-aged children navigate the challenges of childhood. The show is set in Someplace Else, the imaginative land Fred Rogers created for his show. Donkey Hodie will include original music and reimagined versions of the iconic songs from Mister Rogers. These songs will reinforce the show s themes and adventures. As kids laugh and sing along with Donkey Hodie and her friends, they will learn important life lessons about teamwork, empathy and resilience to help them see a world full of possibilities, said Linda Simensky, PBS Kids head of content.
The series was created by Spiffy Pictures co-founders Adam and David Rudman and developed by Ellen Doherty, the chief creative officer at Fred Rogers Productions. All three will serve as executive producers.