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Janice Burgess, Creator Of ‘The Backyardigans,’ Dead At 72

Janice Burgess was a creative executive at Nickelodeon who led production for 'Little Bill,' 'Blue's Clues,' and more.

Hyman praised Burgess’ vibrant and assertive presence, and recognized her hand in shows including Taina and Little Bill before she created The Backyardigans. After winning an Emmy, she told Investor’s Business Daily in 2009 that she didn’t enjoy traveling in “art circles,” which led to her pursuing a career in television. Burgess created a pilot for a live-action full body puppet show titled Me and My Friends in 1998, but that idea was reconceptualized and was made into The Backyardigans.

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