DefunctTV: The History of Under the Umbrella Tree

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Kevin explores the history of the Canadian classic puppet show, Under the Umbrella Tree.
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[@annaadams9706]

the idea that kids were sending in stories they saw on other cartoons to be acted out on a show that later got sued for plagiarism is literally so funny

[@gsharp2187]

the first instance of funny trolling

[@gabe_s_videos]

I know for a fact that I got in trouble for doing that in elementary school at least once. Eventually my teacher just gave up and let me do one story based on Tazmania. XD I still have the book I made of it.

[@Embargoman]

Waiting for the Pee Wee’s Playhouse episode of DefunctTV.

[@PokeyStix]

an old friend of mine's an English teacher, and she regularly tells me that kids in her classes plagiarise SO MUCH on their creative writing assignments. most commonly, they plagiarise breaking bad? not surprised the show suffered from this too

[@kerisuthecynic8979]

It's actually really refreshing to have an episode where nobody is evil, nobody's dreams get crushed, and no massive failures happen xD

[@PongoXBongo]

Indeed, a great way to ring in the new year!

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

The "The Big Comfy Couch" episode is also like this, if you're looking for more like this!

[@Pdalow]

I find episodes with no scandals to be pretty boring honestly.

[@OtakuD50]

I'm gonna need an episode that's this and also has Michael Eisner.

[@AdmiralBonetoPick]

@@PongoXBongo Ring in the New Year? What calendar are you using? In the Christian calendar, New Year was more than two months ago.

[@jessicawinner3333]

This was my absolute favorite show growing up. My mom even made me an Iggy Iguana out of a Kermit plush. I wrote a postcard to Bob Stutt’s fan mail and a month later he called as Iggy Iguana. I can still remember that phone call 25 years later, and a few years back I found his contact and thanked him for that memory. Thank you so much for making this video. This show always gives me such warm memories, and is almost impossible to find content on!

[@playtimeallthetimecbeebies2272]

Wow! Lucky!

[@-psilo-9071]

@@playtimeallthetimecbeebies2272 :))

[@HBADGERBRAD]

That’s awesome 👏 you’re one lucky kid 👧

[@williekopenski8471]

Awwwwww!

[@darthgator639]

And no Eisner... yet.

[@Lemieux_channel]

“What are you doing in the pickle juice? You’re not the secret ingredient” Somehow, that statement out of context is the most hilarious thing I’ve ever heard

[@wolfstar1253]

If you’re open to suggestions, I’d love to hear a video tackling Wordgirl, especially since it’s popular right now. Even if the current hype for it dies down, it’s still a fantastic show that was way better than it had any right to be honestly.

[@polipix_]

why is it popular? why did some random tv show from my childhood suddenly blow up

[@JonathanGaeta]

I forgot that show existed

[@jofficialchannel]

It's funny, knew that it would eventually blow up. Similar thing happened with Martha Speaks a while back... next up is Cyberchase, I can feel it.

[@meatballman4329]

Bruh I haven't heard about word girl since the time I watched Kenny the shark in school.

[@dj_netwrk4901]

YES YES THIS

[@joshwhite83]

My mind is absolutely blown right now. I haven’t thought about this show in probably 20+ years. Literally 30(ish) mins before this video was released, my wife asked me if I remembered Under the Umbrella Tree. As soon as I saw this video in my feed I ran to her and said, “You’re not going to believe this.” I still can’t believe the timing of it.

[@howiegruwitz3173]

Hate it when that happens.

[@howiegruwitz3173]

She could've spent that psychic token on lotto numbers but nooo, synchronicity of childhood memories it is

[@recitationtohear]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/amHTmX2ua7-Gnrs *Do not miss* .

[@joshwhite83]

@@howiegruwitz3173 HAHA RIGHT!? I asked her how long she’d been holding out on telling me she was clairvoyant.

[@UltimateDorito]

Google is always listening

[@jawzdeadeye]

As a Canadian, I didn't know one woman was just as prolific as Jim Henson in the puppet media I was watching in the late 80s early 90s. Amazing research as always.

[@jawzdeadeye]

@Radigan I have seen all of her shows growing up. I didn't know it was the same woman that worked on them all. My statement is correct. ;)

[@jawzdeadeye]

@Radigan... Prolific doesn't mean famous... It means productive.

[@jawzdeadeye]

@Radigan I am wrong for thinking you know how to look up words on the internet. And still love you even though my original comment got 95 likes. 😘

[@fconvoy125]

@Radigan Man Radigan, learn English please if you are going to communicate using it.

[@brotherkellymatthewbarnes8882]

@@jawzdeadeye 👍 Doesn't prolific also mean the/an amount of work? 🤔 Asking for myself and anybody else who would like to know. Thank you for your time.

[@sophiedegoey20]

I'm a Canadian, born well after the show concluded. That being said, I watched the DVDs RELENTLESSLY as a kid. The impact this show had on me is huge (alongside Fraggle Rock) and I have immense nostalgia for it. Now an adult with my own apartment, I recently bought a little Umbrella Tree and named it Holly Higgins. Every time I see it, I hum the theme song to myself. I never did know the extent of the backstory of the production. What a treat this video was! Thank you. Edit: I also grew up watching Ananas/Telefrancais (french immersion kid) but I had NO IDEA they were both by Noreen Young! It's all coming together.

[@Googledeservestodie]

I can't wait for Defunctland to do a multi-part series on Arthur now that it's finished. What an excellent show.

[@cradiculous]

Can't wait for their movie about the Disney Galactic Starcruiser Hotel, too

[@minespatch]

@@cradiculous Way more excited about the Galactic Starcruiser. Paying $6k to sleep in a prison cell is insane.

[@Googledeservestodie]

@did a thing HOW FING DARE YOU GET TF OUTTA HERE WITH YOUR SPAM COMMENTS

[@threethirtynine1514]

I’ve been waiting for years but he never acknowledges it. He must not like it

[@uneek35]

@@threethirtynine1514 Arthur? I mean it just finished. He can only talk about finished shows.

[@carolliinekiing]

have i ever heard of this show? no did i love watching this anyway? yes

[@peterfox5001]

Same!

[@cesarreza9063]

Great watch! First time for me too, Defunctland is High Quality Content. Really enjoyed this.

[@rachelmartin5343]

One thing that will always stick out to me about Under the Umbrella Tree: it was the first show that I remember having a Chanukah special (or maybe Chanukah was included in the Christmas special, I'm not sure). As a Jewish kid, that meant a lot!

[@TheVeeker]

That episode was also my first exposure to Judaism and made a wonderful first impression! I really appreciate how this show had an episode for just about everything, to the point that my family still often uses it as a fun point of reference.

[@meeting_meghan]

No there were separate Christmas and Chanukah 1/2 hour episodes.

[@MichaelSmith-fq6hz]

As a non-Jewish kid, Rugrats was my first exposure to Chanukah.

[@geckoguy4141]

That's exactly how I felt when watching Lamb Chop's Play Along with their Hanukah special.

[@playtimeallthetimecbeebies2272]

Actually, I learned about Hanukkah in kindie.

[@GroceryGoat]

This has made my week. I grew up with this. Canadian born in 85, so probably early 90's re-runs. Mom and I would always watch this together.. or maybe sometimes it was just me on the edge of the coffee table while she was just meters away in the kitchen occasionally checking in. I loved the cozy vibe of that couch with the large tree between it and the solarium style windows. It seems like they would really create a lot of atmosphere with those windows too. Sometimes it'd be bright and sunny, other times pelting rain in the evening. And Holly had such kind expressive eyes.. I loved her. She came across so natural.. Her and the gang were actual people having a time. Lol.. I loved all of them.

[@MichieHoward]

Canadian, 83' these were the shows!

[@shinyagumon7015]

I've never heard of this show before, but it's sounds like it's loads of fun. I especially like the characters and their designs. Also Noreen Young sounds like an awesome person, a real friend of the puppetry art.

[@DannyCoombs709]

I’m 35, this show was huge when I was a kid. I loved it so much

[@VideosSmokin]

I have. During my childhood me and my sister use to watch this on the Disney Channel all the time. I just didn't know that they were still making new episodes in 2020.

[@henriquedearruda8902]

So what company made this show again?

[@racheljackson4428]

Under The Umbrella Tree is such a Unique show for kids.

[@agentadvocate]

@@henriquedearruda8902 It was originally on our national broadcasting channel in Canada, CBC.

[@VoidNull9222]

Not gonna lie, seeing Gloria, Jacob, and Iggy in that thumbnail felt exactly like seeing three old friends

[@PizzaTimeGamingChannel]

💯. Took me right back to being a kid again.

[@procrastinator99]

Yes!

[@bofo85]

Made me feel like a 4 year old again

[@agentkmr]

I felt fear.

[@singingpepper]

I remember this show as a kid. We couldn't afford the Disney channel but one week out of the year we got a trial run & so we would watch all we could. This was one of the shows I made sure to watch. I always loved Gloria. This was a fun blast from the past. Another show I would love to see you guys cover is Eureeka's Castle. That was my other big childhood show.

[@roleat]

I also love Eureka's Castle.

[@Evergreen_77]

OMG! I LOVED this show as a kid. No one ever knows what I’m talking about when I mention it; even my siblings don’t remember it. I was obsessed with Iggy as a kid; I would doodle him all the time 🤣 thanks for the nostalgia bomb 💚

[@lukastargazer3089]

I didn't even believe myself! Random nostalgia has been showing up in my brain lately and today it was "Oh hey remember that show about some blue jay in a house? What was that again?" One search for "Blue jay house kids show" and here we are! :P

[@bitter-bit]

I loved this show!

[@Ixen08Gaming]

Lol same here. I always mention this show and no one knows what I'm talking about. Same with the Elephant show. 😄

[@ImmundaDeus]

Now that Arthur has ended, I'd love to see the history behind that show. I haven't watched it since the 90s, but I'm sad to see it go.

[@foxymetroid]

Don't be sad it ended. Be happy we got 25 seasons.

[@kyruula6567]

Oh that would be dope! It was all I could watch since my parents locked all the other channels.

[@animationentertainment7149]

@@kyruula6567 Yeah, do DefunctTV: The History of Arthur

[@samstanford4165]

& the cancellation of Arthur has just caused the extinction of all 90s PBS Kids shows, am I right?

[@racheljackson4428]

@@samstanford4165 Yes

[@tempymcaccounterson5744]

I would love a doc on “Out of the Box!” It was one of those tv shows that I loved as a kid that just suddenly stopped airing! Wonder what happened to it and all the ins and outs of it.

[@bebespeaks7827]

Man that show was my jam in 2nd grade!

[@gracekim25]

I remember it too🙂

[@queenie_bee]

I still find myself singing the outro song sometimes.

[@averyeml]

This would be great. I don’t have a ton of distinct memories of watching it but it’s just sort of a vague mainstay for a chunk of my childhood. I saw a video a few years back now I think where the hosts got back together and sang the goodbye song and I about cried.

[@racheljackson4428]

YES Out of the Box is a Great yet Underrated show.

[@Minronis]

What's great about characters like this is that anyone can pick them up even after the original people behind them are gone, because the puppets don't age, almost like these characters are timeless.

[@KaraTheGirlie]

The puppets age if they aren't stored well lol, but yeah, this show seems incredibly wholesome, though it wasn't a part of my childhood

[@Minronis]

@@KaraTheGirlie Oh, of course, anything improperly stored will no doubt decay. I think I meant more like, these characters don't age, if that makes any sense? Like, sure the people behind them might move on, but the idea these characters represent can be carried on by others, oh, like a game of telephone! But instead of a message, its stories and they help us understand what it means to be human.

[@KaraTheGirlie]

@@Minronis right! I was just saying the puppets age, not the characters XD

[@Minronis]

@@KaraTheGirlie Ooooh, okay, apologies, didn't mean to sound condescending. I do hope those puppets are being kept in good condition though, be a shame if they weren't preserved.

[@KaraTheGirlie]

@@Minronis yeah, I feel like they are considering how they went from 1997 to 2020 without use looking the exact same

[@mecc2445]

As a U.S. citizen, I'm glad I grew up in a place close enough to Canada so I was able to watch the CBC. I got to see Fred Penner, Under the Umbrella Tree, Mr. Dress-up and Canadian Sesame Street just like the Canadian kids.

[@AVspectre]

Those were all classics for me for sure. Neat you could watch! :)

[@CPUjunkie]

What's the Trading Post show?

[@MarquisTidwell]

Me too, I was a young Detroiter and I loved the Canadian programing. I was definitely a TVO kid. 👍🏾

[@kaziu312]

I watched it all the time down here in California via the Disney Channel.

[@pnuttio]

Disney Channel had it i watched in Florida.

[@flameswilllive]

Oh boy, time to watch a 25 minute video essay on something I never even knew existed.

[@jennzifur]

You missed out!

[@austinreed5805]

These old 80’s and 90’s puppet shows are a classic to kids, who grew up in that era. It’s nice that this channel documents them all.

[@threethirtynine1514]

He hasn’t done hey arthur

[@gracekim25]

Mmm I love learning

[@M0rbidCuriositea]

This was my absolute favorite show as a preschooler. I would never miss it!

[@wvu05]

@@threethirtynine1514 Arthur only recently ended. Give him time.

[@jaysonklein6018]

Now if only somebody could look up the puppet special called The Moonstone Gem. It used to show on Nick in the late 80s and early 90s.

[@emred4653]

I have huge respect for people making sweet and nice child television shows like these.

[@KonsumerWhore]

I was absolutely convinced this show was a dream I had. I would try to describe it to people and nobody knew what the ever living hell I was talking about. I wasn't hallucinating. This show was real. And I remember loving it.

[@sabined8946]

My school recently did some puppeteering workshops with Noreen Young and Bob Stutt! It was incredible to hear them break down the processes of this era of puppets in television and get to experience their wit and talent firsthand (and I got to help puppeteer the OG Iggy with Bob!!).

[@princesskristan]

THIS WAS MY SHOW AS A KID! This is one of the shows that I thought was a fever dream

[@NicholasMoreau]

Not sure if they're available internationally, but there's quite a number of official uploads on this channel, run by the Canadian television industry: kzbin.infosearch?query=Umbrella

[@princesskristan]

@@NicholasMoreau THANK YOU! I'll check it out because this was one of my favorite things to watch as a kid in the 90s

[@glennstarkey7087]

I thought it was given i only saw it when I was home sick lol

[@princesskristan]

@@glennstarkey7087 That was me with Pappyland lol

[@wolfsbaneandnightshade2166]

Hell yeah!!

[@danielleverdant1100]

My partner's username for everything has "Iggy" in it because of how much he loved this show. Great work! It's so awesome to hear about all of these local places and the actors/people involved💜

[@paisleepunk]

is your partner also a fan of the stooges and iggy pop's music in general?

[@SoraKoudo]

I’ve never seen these characters before but.. I can absolutely see the impact they had on others growing up I’m absolutely in love with them :’)

[@PinkPhox]

Literally had chills looking at the thumbnail. So glad this show was real and not a fever dream when I was a kid lmao

[@Retrorevelations]

This and Eureeka's Castle were great early 90s shows, that carried on that Henson Muppet style tradition. Loved both as a kid, of course.

[@PhazonOmega]

Never really got to see that one, but I always wanted to as a kid!

[@katemkat5115]

omg I loved Eureeka's Castle and Whimzee's Playhouse!

[@cwmofficial240]

He could also do rainbow

[@Amanda-kw1vi]

I LOVE Eureeka's Castle!!!! I need DVDs of it!!!! Been looking for years but to no avail😞 hopefully soon!

[@elizabethoquinn6431]

Eureeka’s castle, Allegra’s window, Gullah Gullah island.

[@00Noir]

This woman is a Canadian icon. She made the je suis pineapple puppet!! That is a huge piece of Canadian history. Seemed like she also had a really funny wit to her as well. Super interesting and well crafted video! :)

[@rci-9160]

My cousins and I loved Umbrella Tree and hated that pineapple man. Never would have guessed they came from the same woman!

[@CelticMagician]

I actually met Noreen Young a few times in my lifetime. Very talented lady. Wild to have seen this treasure of the past covered by you, thanks so much for the memories!

[@The_Steele1]

Dang thought we wouldn’t see Defunctland till next year especially after that big of a vid on the Disney Fastpass. Glad to see your dedication to keep doing projects even when they maybe too big to fathom. I can’t begin to comprehend the amount of effort that you pour into each video. Let alone the Disney Fastpass. Basically what I’m saying is you did and do a knockout job.

[@cddll24]

You thought they would go an entire year without posting a video?

[@syxepop]

This is Kevin Perjurer's answer to "What Should I Do After This Hit?" . Just wait.... (now Clownfish TV is waiting for Kevin's take on The Galactic Starcruiser thing at WDW after the 1-2 years it will be operating, which I think will be less...) 🤣🤣🤣

[@The_Steele1]

@@cddll24 Let's just say Defunctland knows fellow friends and creators who absolutely actually have this problem.

[@Aydrenn]

Does anyone else remember The Wackey Adventures of Ronald McDonald? It was so odd and bizarre. It had puppetry, human actors, suit actors, and an oddly impressive set. I would love to see a video on that!

[@zehlua]

I think Yesterworld Entertainment did one!

[@CarsynCunningham]

I Did. I thought it was pretty good.

[@KittyChibiWaifu]

I was going to say this show deserve more than it got, but it actually got a lot of love. More love than some current Disney shows today where they won't even fund them passed 2-3 seasons. The fact it almost ended yet revived itself once Disney aired it proving how strong of a show it really was. Only remember bits and pieces, but I teared up watching this. Reminds me how much heart goes into these puppet children shows and how much they impacted my childhood.

[@Tonberry2k]

Omg, the Elephant Show. I'd like to see a Defunctland on that some time. Awesome job with the video. This dredged up all kinds of long-buried memories.

[@UltimateDorito]

This is always such a trip. You pull shows out of the deepest recesses of my subconscious memories and watching them feels like a fever dream... I love it.

[@brutalbasspro]

Same I thought the characters looked familiar and I heard the theme song it all came back to me!

[@AnkhJack]

OMGGGGG I’ve tried to talk to friends about this show for years and no one remembered it! I feel so seen 😭😭💕

[@MsDisneylandlover]

You are not alone, lol.

[@kritsadventures]

Same.

[@OriginalPineapplesFoster]

Few of the shows you've covered have special importance to me, and this isn't one of them. But the other day I was thinking about "Today's Special" and how cool it would be to see a DefunctTV episode about it - and here it is making an appearance! Around age 6, I loved Muffy the mouse so much that I convinced my mom to sew me one of my own design (a miserable copy but a treasure nonetheless); and my teenage brother would prank me into thinking the show was cancelled by pointing out shop windows with signs bearing two of the few words I was able to read: "Today's Special". (What a cruel boy, but I was a pain to be around....) Anyway my point is, it would be really really great if you'd consider doing an episode about that show. But I'll still love watching your stuff regardless, and appreciate how much Canadian content shows up on this channel. 📺🍍

[@amberyoung7219]

Today's special is my forever favorite show! I can still hear the theme song! Today's special! Yell it loud and clear! I loved this one though too and had no idea it was the same creator. It gives me memories of playing hookie from school and having the play room and tv all to myself!! No brothers and sisters hating on my jams!

[@Bobo411]

I loved Under the Umbrella Tree and Today's Special! Just found this channel, loving the blast from the past.

[@TheoRae8289]

The puppet cast of this show were so adorably designed. Kinda wish I had found it as a kid. Sounds like I would have loved it.

[@brycevo]

So glad to see Defunct again. I'm sure this episode will be awesome!

[@mevb]

I hope Kevin starts doing Defunct rides again. Wanna him cover The Wonders of Life, Horizons and Kitchen Kabaret/Food Rocks amongst others.

[@MeghanClark825]

Love seeing Defuntland/DefunctTV back! Would love to see one on Wishbone, Lamb Chop, or Sharon Lois and Bram's Elephant show! 😄

[@TheRealPsychicLeoBrown]

Growing up in the 90's. I loved this show. I wanted to be Holly and Iggy. Thank you for paying homage to this awesome show.

[@dr4gonfruiiit]

I never realized that Noreen was behind Ananas! I never wanted to learn French but I just loved the puppet of Ananas! I’m glad I now know of the puppeteer so that I can see her other work!

[@wolfstar1253]

You know it’s gonna be a good evening when Defunctland posts

[@TheMightyPika]

These jokes are legit funny. "It's a box, Jacob" had me crackin'. Muffy the Mouse was amazing. My autistic kid brain interpreted the talking store mannequin guy as representation.

[@Ace_Ang]

I had no idea that Noreen Young was such a huge part of my childhood haha. Telefrancais was a huge part in French learning for me.

[@nerdpiggy]

I've never heard of this show before, but I'm in love with Noreen's puppet designs. They're so cute and beautiful!!

[@SketchpadLad]

I eat this show up like *candy* dude. Such a fun series you’ve got here, super informative and easy to watch and listen to. Love it

[@meaganlongley618]

MAN, talk about a distinctive style- I took one look at the puppets in the thumbnail and I KNEW Noreen Young had made Ananas. As a Canadian middle aged being, I love learning about Canadian kids programming history like this, DefunctTv is the best.

[@RogueSahara]

Mind. Blown. I grew up near Almonte and Ottawa and always knew about the Puppets Up festival, but I never knew how it came to be and its connection to one of my staple childhood shows. Not to mention, it's always jarring (in an good way!) to hear about Ottawa in media NOT from Ottawa. We're a pretty low-key city so to hear local names gets me excited. Thanks for another fun video guys!

[@charissascrazy242]

I wonder if anyone else from Canada remembers Mr. Dressup? It was basically our version of Mr Rogers. Would love to see a video about it.

[@siukong]

Most Canadians around 30-35 and older probably remember Mr. Dressup, and quite fondly.

[@MichieHoward]

Mr. Dressup and Fred Penner were the two most amazing people on TV!

[@dragmire3D]

I vaguely remember Mr. Dressup. Remembering him also made me remember Polka Dot Door with its' weird girraffe dragon mascot.

[@vanessazorro6297]

I watched the show in the US via satellite dish.

[@a11starme]

When I was a kid like you mentioned Disney was still premium cable…that probably is strange to kids now. There would be those brief weekends where Disney would be offered as a free preview every so often and I would get super excited because I could watch Under the Umbrella tree for the time Disney was free. I would look forward to those free Disney previews just so i could watch it!

[@epn9394]

Same! My Grandpa would record a few hours for me to watch later, I loved watching those shows!

[@mtfan]

My mom had the VCR on record all week during those free previews! Usually twice a year in our area, on TCI Cable.

[@daytonapeanut]

Ikr? Free Disney weekends were the best part my year!

[@Dong_Harvey]

I would go to my neighbors house, where they tuned into Disney via the real satellite connection that was available back then

[@CarbyGuuGuu]

My parents would tape Disney Channel, and other premium channels, when they were on previews.

[@djhannnah]

Not that you need suggestions, but I'd absolutely LOVE to see you cover Mr. Dressup. I grew up in northern Washington but we picked up some Canadian TV and that was my absolute favorite show, but I only ever saw the later seasons. I'm super interested in learning about the show's long history.

[@GroceryGoat]

I second this.

[@Desmaad]

Funnily enough, Ernie Coombs, who played Mr. Dressup, was originally from Maine. He came up with Fred Rogers during the latter's brief tenure with the CBC and decided to stay.

[@djhannnah]

@@Desmaad I didn't know that! I imagine there's a lot more to know since that show was on air for so long!

[@materialdialectics]

YES

[@sansprobus7209]

This is the first show I've seen on Defunct TV that I've never seen or heard of, but wished I did.

[@jasonavery]

I was born in 1986, I live in the U.S. However, we had a satellite dish that picked up Canadian and British TV (BBC and CBC). I used to watch “Under the Umbrella Tree” and it was my favorite tv show when I was young. I used to ask kids if they watched it, and nobody knew what I was talking about. Haha, as an adult I understand why. Kids in Florida weren’t watching CBC. This show is a staple of my childhood, it was wonderful. I got hit so hard with nostalgia when I heard that theme song.

[@AriaAsacura]

Okay this one feels pretty nice though. Usually I fall in love with these series I've never heard of before, then cry when I find out how they're dead forever. This is being kept alive with little specials, which feels really nice and sweet. I love the style of these puppets so much!

[@killiankillz]

Ah! l'anana parle? C'est impossible! That is all I remember from my elementary school french classes, I am very happy you brought up Téléfrancais. If any of you haven't had the pleasure of watching téléfrancais, I wholly recommend it. The theme some is catchy, and Les Squelettes has some great hits. It's such a silly show, and I'd love to see a full episode on it! This show was before my time, but this was a great episode as always!

[@SpencerN.C.]

I HAD FORGOTTEN THIS SHOW EXISTED. Thank you Purj, this brought back some great memories!

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

Ah, gosh. This is so many feels. I had no idea Noreen brought them together again for a covid special. It's always been a very, very good show and that's so heartwarming. I still do the counting thing about thunder and lightning and I'm in my middle 30s lol. Might not always be accurate, but it's a good way to gauge if it's safe to go tend to the livestock or not.

[@playtimeallthetimecbeebies2272]

Uncle Deadly: Holly, Gloria, Iggy, and Jacob got back together?! Bobo: Ooh, remember? (starts singing) Together Again… (Deadly joins in) Gee, it's good to be… Tex Richman: Gentlemen, please! No singing in my office!

[@megavolnutt4629]

This was awesome! A very nostalgic show that no one ever talks about. I'd love to see an episode about Sharon, Lois and Bram's Elephant Show too. The theme song, Skinnamarink, is just one of those things embedded in me from childhood

[@johncoxmastercartoonist9390]

I loved that show when I was a kid. I was born a year or two after Nick, Jr. took it off, but my parents recorded it for my two elder brothers before I was born and I got to see it that way.

[@bigolbugg]

Holy shit so THATS where my mom got skinnamarink! She used to sing it a lot in my childhood but I always figured it was jus a gibberish nursery rhyme kinda thing

[@RxYouth]

I absolutely loved this show as a kid, so much so that my parents took me to a live performance in a large theater in our town. As soon as it started I immediately started crying and we left within about 5 minutes lol. All I remember is it being extremely loud and overwhelming for my 4 or 5 year old brain to handle. I hadnt thought about this memory or SL&B in a very very long time until I saw the short clip in this video and it all came flooding back. Its weird how memories can work sometimes.

[@pagingdrbitchcraft]

As soon as I read this comment, I could hear the song in my head. It's hardwired. I don't know if I could forget that song if I tried 😂

[@rainbowlack]

I'm a bit young to have watched the show, but IIRC my older cousins, who my mom would often babysit, would watch it. My mom sang the theme song a lot when I was younger, and I still remember it :)

[@MnMsandOreos]

I know it’s a deep cut for anyone who isn’t from Canada, but I would love to see an episode on Telefrancais. I did French Immersion school in Ontario and every Friday in grade one, we would watch an episode of Telefrancais, and I loved it

[@pagingdrbitchcraft]

Same! I'm not from Canada, but Michigan. That was the beauty of being so close to Windsor. A great deal of my childhood was Canadian tv and it was great.

[@SNEEDANDBREED]

French immersion school sounds creepy af. No wonder canada is going down in flames.

[@assortedlunatics4381]

What a fucking nightmare. Curious as to what year you were born because I remember the same thing and guess I was was one of the last ones to watch it. Was born in 2003 and figure I watched Telefrancais in 2011.

[@MnMsandOreos]

@@assortedlunatics4381 I was born in 98 so I watched in 2004-2005

[@MnMsandOreos]

@@SNEEDANDBREED does it just sound creepy because we watched a creepy pineapple puppet? 😂

[@stephaniestratman5489]

This seriously unlocked a repressed memory. I remembered this show, but not the name of it. Holly was the reason I wanted to become an artist!

[@sakume7969]

You have no idea how much this episode meant to me. I loved this show. Edit: And I found a comment on the big comfy couch episode where I requested it! I know you probably didn't do it for me, but it's so appreciated to see you paying attention to your comments and viewers, we love your work.

[@nash6472]

These are videos I watch randomly at 2 am and love every second of

[@Saavykaas]

I was starting to think I’d never see this show again, I couldn’t remember the name for the life of me.

[@NicholasMoreau]

Not sure if they're available internationally, but there's quite a number of official uploads on this channel, run by the Canadian television industry: kzbin.infosearch?query=Umbrella

[@jeremy28135]

x2. This is the positive power of social media that never gets touched on

[@FigmentForever]

@@NicholasMoreau they are! I have them all saved. I even wrote to Noreen Young when they still were making the DVD volumes & managed to get every Volume they released. So glad they are getting the love here on KZbin as well.

[@starberrycupcake]

I love how you include so many puppet-related shows in this section, I enjoy seeing the great work all the people behind the scenes put in making these shows look so natural and organic from a child viewer standpoint. If you ever wanted to add to you DefunctTV puppet tv show series collection the 90s Disney/Henson Dinosaurs, I'd be forever grateful.

[@matthewcornish3086]

Having been born in 1987 and grew up watching this show, this brought back a lot of memories. Thank you. You really did this show justice.

[@jennzifur]

Loved this show. Didn’t it come on at 9am (EST) on Disney? I remember it after Dumbo’s Circus. And I am officially of age ✌🏾Oh, and loved Today’s Special!

[@tlozwarlock]

Yup! The lineup was Pooh's Corner, Dumbo's Flying Circus, Under the Umbrella Tree, and then Alice in Wonderland. My school mornings in Elementary school.

[@veryberry39]

Maybe this is why I'm finding that blue jay in particular to look so familiar. I can't remember the show itself at all, but that blue jay is so dang familiar, lol (and I used to watch Dumbo's Circus before school!)

[@bofo85]

YES! The OG Disney Channel morning lineup. Great memories watching those shows at my grandparents’ house

[@mike407r]

Same line up right before I hit the bus stop lol

[@PizzaTimeGamingChannel]

This was my show! I remember watching it all the time in kindergarten and preschool. And then after that it just felt like it ceased to exist! Thank you so much!

[@lindsaystern7812]

This was one of my absolute favorite shows as a kid, and when watching it as an adult I actually enjoy it just as much, if not more, now. The writing is solid but still very kid friendly, the characters are relatable and fun, and it just makes me feel warm and comforted. I'm thrilled that at least some episodes are up on KZbin. I definitely remembered all the ones you talked about in this episode!

[@kikib8434]

I've lived most of my life in Ottawa and grew up watching all of these shows. It's cool learning about all of the background stuff as an adult. Love this KZbin channel 😁🖤.

[@myriadmediamusings]

Holy cow I didnt expect a new DefunctTV episode! Will be the first new one I’m seeing after I subbed. As for what I’d like to see for a possible DefunctTV episode, even if this one may be a challenge, perhaps Arthur would be a good subject now that it has ended? An alternative that would be neat to see is Shining Time Station.

[@emilyholasek63]

Yes please to both! Also, more defuncted amusement park rides and parks in general!

[@AskDrannik]

I second Shining Time Station. It was my first exposure to George Carlin, who became an ever-present presence in my life. I'm sure the same was true for other kids.

[@johncoxmastercartoonist9390]

I wanna see one on Shining Time Station, too! I loved that show when I was little. All I know about the history of that one is it introduced Thomas The Tank Engine in the US. How the show as a concept came to be is what I'd like to know.

[@Eddy1_kenobi]

Yes! Thank you for covering this! When I was little we had a cassette tape with random kids shows recorded on it and an episode of this show was on it. Good memories.

[@mcbaby]

I distinctly remember watching this on CBC when I was 4 years old and loving it. I never knew of anyone that watched this show as I got older and thought that I was the one of the few people that remembered this classic show. Greatly appreciate the childhood nostalgia.

[@energizerbunnn]

Defunctland is always making me emotional over old childrens tv I’ve never heard of

[@Imasuky]

I adored this show as a child, it's so crazy to see it talked about.

[@JordynLWatts]

Man, I LOVED this show as a kid. I even have a dwarf Schefflera in my room because I remembered how cool I thought that was 30 some odd years ago.

[@HuyenTueDao]

I had the best wave of nostalgia wash over me seeing this pop up in my subscriptions. My sister and I periodically talk about this show, especially now that she has a kid of her own. Thanks for this: it's always awesome to learn about the lovely people that made all these wonderful memories for us. And OMG I used to love Today's Special! I haven't thought about it in maybe *cough* 30 years. If you ever had time and more things to share about that show, I wouldn't be unhappy about it. Just saying.

[@notastrawhat2574]

We need a defunct tv on shining time station

[@brittanyedwards6043]

I can’t explain how much I loved this show in the early 90s. I wish we could get this on Disney+. Thank you for this!

[@octiveon2968]

I have no idea what this is, I have never heard or seen this once in my life, however I fully believe that Defunctland can give me the knowledge to appreciate it :)

[@amberfox9543]

I’m very happy that the puppets are so obviously cared for ❤

[@JJMHigner]

Finally someone found his old show. Thanks for this memory!

[@turboking9238]

I love these puppet designs! I've never heard of this show but I really need to check it out, it looks absolutely cozy!

[@Riako]

This video opened up quite literally decades of buried memories. I saw this show maybe one time as a kid, because when the Disney Channel started up, it was RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE. Basically, imagine paying the price for an entire Verizon internet and phone service, for a SINGLE CHANNEL. It was ridiculously pricey. My aunt used to buy tons and tons and tons of blank VHS tapes and start each morning recording a whole days worth of the Disney channel for me. She'd start the day, press record and just leave it going until the tape filled up, then when it stopped, she'd replace it with another blank VHS and then continue. Under the Umbrella was still in the 'preview' stage. I saw tons of commercials leading up to it, but sadly everytime my aunt would record her stuff, she would always miss it so very very rarely I had a chance to actually watch it. I always got Welcome to Pooh Corner instead.

[@johncoxmastercartoonist9390]

I never saw it all. The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Pooh Corner and Dumbo's Circus were the only "classic" Disney Channel shows my parents recorded. I did see a couple of episodes of Adventures in Wonderland on video, but they were official home video releases.

[@rachelw1076]

Oh wow. It was on public television here in Canada. You just needed a set and a pair of bunny ears!

[@AviatrixDown]

Gotta love relatives like that. My step grandpa had a double VHS set up and would rent and copy lots of kids movie for us.

[@EBThisThat]

I had nearly forgotten this ! I grew up with this, never knowing it was Canadian produced. Even at a young age, I enjoyed cartoons from all around the country and loved them immensely. I always thought Gloria, Jacob and Iggy were beautiful ! I guess growing up with Sesame, Fraggle Rock, Big Comfy Couch, Bear in the Big Blue House, Zoobomafoo and others. I can't believe I still remembered the songs ! Core childhood memory, unlocked !

[@KyleTaylorDesigns]

Oh my childhood. It's nice to see all of those clips again. When I was 2-3 years old, my parents built a house just down the road from Noreen Young's ranch. Getting to see her work shop in person and would eventually date one of her puppeteer apprentices in high school. The show always holds a special place in my heart and I want to introduce my son to that world as well.

[@Akuzastar]

Never seen a single episode personally, but this was definitely a good watch to see them doing so much with them more recently too, especially around the pandemic 👍

[@rachel-lou3318]

My sister and I loved this show. We sometimes still quote it.

[@Decipher13]

What a rush of fond memories. Thanks for this.

[@JupiterMutt]

i love discovering old tv shows through you, its always such a pleasure! i would love to see you cover The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin show, i and some of my friends absolutely love the show & would love to see it get the attention it truly deserves ❤️

[@agentkmr]

*HE HAD A SHOW?*

[@Relli80]

Well this solves the mystery for me why Miffy and Gloria looked so much alike!

[@zippersocks]

Man. This took me back. I remember watching this with my grandmother and her sisters a lot. It was funny that my great aunt happened to be named Gloria, and myself Jacob. Had to add that I teared up after watching this. Thank you for throwing my memory back to good times that I had forgotten!! An amazing story to an amazing show!!

[@ScooterinAB]

That was fascinating. More proof of how good Canadian content can be, but how little support it gets. It's also interesting that you say the three puppet characters felt as real as anyone else. I wrote a paper about the Muppet Show for school several years ago that said something similar. So much kids content is basically just trash, but when you have skills crafters and performers doing real work, you don't even realize you're watching puppets. There was a time, ironically at the same time kids programming was predatory as all hell, when care was taken to make a good show, rather than just a show to fill a timeslot.

[@noahstackhouse9818]

This brought back so many memoried for me, since I actually grew up in the same town in the Ottawa Valley where Bob Stutt lived and went to school with his kids. Bob Stutt is a very friendly energetic guy, I remember he came to our school with the Molly puppet from the Big Comfy Couch and talked about his craft. If my memory serves correctly his daughter appeared on an episode. Iggy was of course my favourite character.

[@lozosalazar]

I literally have been watching the episodes on encore+’s KZbin channel every day for past couple of weeks. So happy that you chose to do cover UTUT. Such an underrated classic everyone that everyone loves.

[@racheljackson4428]

really enjoyed the episode on UTUT. Did you watch the Carmen Sandiego one?

[@rwolfheart6580]

I chose this episode randomly and wasn't expecting a story so relevant to me. I live in Ottawa and work with puppeteers (albeit in theatre rather than TV), and somehow I'd never heard of Noreen Young. I watched a lot of older shows with puppets as a kid (Mr. Dressup, Mr. Rogers, Sesame Street) but missed out on Under the Umbrella Tree. Glad I could learn about it here!

[@ultimatewitcherfan6677]

Under The Umbrella Tree taught many great lessons including being considerate of others, putting things away when you’re done with them, not playing music too loud, not borrowing someone else’s stuff without permission, cleaning up after yourself, and having good sportsmanship. I was born in 1995, shortly before the show was cancelled. I did watch the re-runs on the Disney channel, though. I miss that show and I really hoped it would’ve had more episodes, but the funding was cut off because the show wasn’t making a profit despite its popularity. Will the show ever come back for more seasons? Probably not.

[@deadlynightshade5797]

I was so confused when I saw the thumbnail for this video that it had the same lizard puppet that I had seen a couple days earlier for a local puppeteering workshop. makes much more sense that this show was made in Almonte lol