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Janice Burgess, 'The Backyardigans' Creator and 'Little Bill' Executive Producer, Dead at 72

The Emmy-winning producer and writer died Saturday in hospice.

Janice was one of the greats--inherently creative and kind, and dedicated to the preschool audience everywhere," a rep for the children's television network shared. According to Nickelodeon's Animation website, Burgess was inspired to create the show -- which focuses on a group of friends exploring their backyard and imagining up adventures -- by her own experiences as a child. "Janice created THE BACKYARDIGANS and guided countless other shows for Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, Disney and Apple TV.

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