Tough Pigs News Extra
August 7, 2002
Bear
Responds to 9/11
Press release posted on Newstream.com
August 6, 2002
Reprinted entirely without permission
A special hour-long episode of the Emmy Award-winning series Bear in the Big Blue House from Jim Henson Television, illustrating for young viewers and their parents/caregivers how a community comes together to cope with unexpected adversity, will be presented each day -- Monday, Sept 9 through Friday, Sept 13 (1:00-2:00pm, ET/PT), during Disney Channel's learning-based programming block for preschoolers, Playhouse Disney.
Rich Ross, President, Entertainment, Disney Channel, said, "Preschoolers and parents have come to depend on Bear to help decipher a world that is always new and often challenging. During these times of uncertainty, we thought that this special episode which focuses on community response to unexpected trauma would be a helpful tool for kids and caregivers alike."
Mitchell Kriegman, executive producer and creator, said, "When we started the new season of Bear, September 11th happened and we just couldn't avoid thinking about how it might affect children. The Big Blue House is the ultimate safe haven for kids and we thought it would be the ideal setting to address some of the fears and concerns they might have. This one-hour special introduces Bear's world -- the town of Woodland Valley -- and creates a safe and engaging parable for kids about September 11th, addressing how communities come together when times are difficult."
"As a leading producer of children's educational programming, we hope that this very special episode of Bear in the Big Blue House will prove to be a useful tool for both parents and educators in continuing the healing process among America's youth," said Juliet Blake, President, Jim Henson Television, US.
The series features Bear, a seven-foot, warm and understanding bear who invites the audience into his home each day to play, learn and sing with his friends. The one-hour special episode entitled "Welcome to Woodland Valley" (part 1 and part 2), depicts how Bear's community unites to help make it better and stronger after a storm causes a big tree to fall into the local library. Bear (a member of the Woodland Valley Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company) hosts a town meeting at the Big Blue House where Doc Hog, Tutter, Ojo, Pip & Pop, and other members of the Woodland Valley community, plan to rebuild the library. Through it all, they reassure each other that everything will work out for the best. Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond) and comedian Gilbert Gottfried provide the voices of possums that live in the tree and are affected by the damage to their home.
For the first time since the series premiered in October 1997, viewers will see Bear visit other locales in Woodland Valley including the General Store and Post Office, the Movie Theater, Fire Station and Library. Additional upcoming episodes of Bear in the Big Blue House continue the theme of community and heroes with stories about volunteering, charity and bravery.
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