Cyberchase

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This article is about the educational children's television series. For other uses, see Cyberchase (disambiguation).

Cyberchase
Genre
Created byThirteen/WNET New York
Directed by
  • Larry Jacobs (seasons 1–4)
  • Yvette Kaplan (The Poddleville Case)
  • Jason Groh (season 5)
  • Brandon Lloyd (seasons 6–8)
  • J. Meeka Stuart (seasons 9–13)
  • Sarah Anne Davis (season 14-present)
Starring
  • Bianca DeGroat
  • Matthew A. Wilson
Voices of
Theme music composer
  • George Guerrette
  • Julian Harris[1]
Opening theme"Cyberchase Theme" performed by Karen LeBlanc
Ending theme"Cyberchase Theme" (instrumental)
Composers
  • Peter Lurye (The Poddleville Case)
  • David W. Shaw (2002–present)
  • Edmund Eagan (also music supervisor) (2010–present)
  • Steve Pecile (season 1 only)
  • Craig Marshall (2006–2009)
  • Julian Harris (several "For Real" segments)
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Canada
[2]
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons15
No. of episodes148 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Sandra Sheppard
  • Kristin Laskas Martin (Seasons 1-4)
  • Michael Hirsh (Seasons 1 & 2)
  • Patrick Loubert (Season 1)
  • Clive A. Smith (Season 1)
  • Scott Dyer (Seasons 2–5)
  • Doug Murphy (Seasons 3–5)
  • Paul Robertson (Season 3)
  • Toper Taylor (Seasons 1 & 2)
Running time23 minutes (episodes, excluding 'For Real' Segments) 2-3¼ minutes ('For Real' Segments)
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseJanuary 21, 2002 (2002-01-21) –
present

Cyberchase is an animated science fantasy children's television series that airs on PBS Kids. it centers on Jackie, Matt and Inez, three children from Earth who are transported to the digital universe of Cyberspace in order to protect it from the villainous Hacker (Christopher Lloyd)[4] and foil his schemes using problem-solving skills along with math and environmental science. In Cyberspace, they meet Digit (Gilbert Gottfried for the first 13 seasons, Ron Pardo since), a "cybird" who helps them on their missions.[5]

Cyberchase was created by WNET New York and premiered on PBS Kids on January 21, 2002. In 2010, Cyberchase went on hiatus following the season 8 finale, but returned in 2013 for a ninth season,[6] followed by a tenth season in 2015,[7] an eleventh season on October 23, 2017,[8] and a twelfth season on April 19, 2019. A thirteenth season was announced on October 19, 2020, and premiered on February 25, 2022.[9] A fourteenth season premiered on April 21, 2023.[10] A fifteenth season premiered on April 27, 2024.[11]

Plot[edit]

Motherboard is the "brain of the giant computer system that oversees all of Cyberspace"[12] along with her technician and computer scientist, Dr. Marbles. After his assistant, Hacker, turned against them. Dr. Marbles drained his battery and banished him to the Northern Frontier, where he planned to launch a virus to attack Motherboard. When Jackie, Matt and Inez interact with a library map in the real world, they accidentally give Hacker access to Motherboard and she becomes infected with the virus. They are transported to Cyberspace and, along with Digit, a creation of Hacker that escaped his control, protect it from him and his assistants, Buzz and Delete, until they can recover the Encryptor Chip, a device which Hacker stole that can nullify the virus and restore Motherboard's strength.[13] Cyberspace consists of planet-like bodies called Cybersites which each have a theme, such as Ancient Egypt, the American Old West, Greek mythology, and amusement parks, and represent the Internet's many websites; the Cybersquad travels to the Cybersites to protect them and their Cybercitizens from Hacker.

Characters[edit]

The Cybersquad[edit]

  • Digit (voiced by Gilbert Gottfried in seasons 1 to 13 and Ron Pardo in season 14-present) is a "cybird" who works for Motherboard and helps the Cybersquad on missions to protect Cyberspace and Motherboard from Hacker. Digit was created by Hacker and worked for him along with Buzz and Delete, but escaped after learning of his evil nature and became one of Motherboard's helpers, serving as Dr. Marbles' assistant. Digit can fly by spinning his tail feathers like a helicopter or by flapping his wings, but prefers to walk because he is afraid of heights. He carries many items in his chest, including Widget, and has the ability to transform his beak into various objects.
  • Jackie (voiced by Novie Edwards) is an 11-year-old Jamaican-American girl who prefers to keep things neat and organized in order to figure things out.
  • Matt (voiced by Jacqueline Pillon) is an 11-year-old Irish-American farm boy whose family owns a farm and a pig named Sherman. He likes skateboarding, sports, and collecting things, and tends to be impulsive and impatient. He carries a red backpack that contains yo-yos, which he is skilled at using.
  • Inez (voiced by Annick Obonsawin) is a 9-year-old Hispanic-American girl of Colombian and Mexican heritage who has an excellent vocabulary. Despite being the youngest member of the gang, she is the smartest.

Villains[edit]

  • Hacker (voiced by Christopher Lloyd), also known as The Hacker, is a mad scientist bent on taking over Cyberspace and causing chaos, but whose plans are often thwarted by the Cybersquad. Originally created by Dr. Marbles to assist Motherboard, he rebelled and was drained of his battery and banished to the Northern Frontier, later infecting Motherboard with a virus after the Cybersquad accidentally gave him access to her. Despite this, he has the potential to become good, as evidenced by his occasional assistance to the Cybersquad, such as protecting the trees in the Northern Frontier. He has two assistants, Buzz and Delete, who are often unreliable, leaving him to do things on his own.
  • Buzz (voiced by Len Carlson in seasons 1 to 4 and the episodes "Clean Sweep", "Designing Mr. Perfect", "EcoHaven Ooze" and "The Flying Parallinis" and Philip Williams in the episodes "The Halloween Howl", "The Fairy Borg Father", "Crystal Clear", "Inside Hacker", "On the Line", "A Fraction of a Chance", and seasons 6–present) and Delete (voiced by Robert Tinkler) are Hacker's henchmen; Buzz is small and spherical, while Delete is skinny and tall. While they are mostly loyal to Hacker, Delete has occasionally helped the Cybersquad and, unlike Buzz, who he cares deeply for, is kinder. In later seasons, they have been on friendlier terms with the Cybersquad, occasionally joining and aiding them.

"Cyberchase For Real"[edit]

  • Harry Wilson (portrayed by Matthew A. Wilson) is a man who is determined and free-spirited, yet careless, which usually costs him his current job. He is also creative and meticulous when he encounters a problem.
  • Bianca DeGroat (portrayed by Bianca DeGroat) uses the animated main plot to solve everyday problems. She is absent-minded and tends to be impulsive.
  • Booker Jones (portrayed by Carter Jones)
  • Courtney Chu (portrayed by Courtney Chu)

Recurring characters[edit]

  • Motherboard (voiced by Kristina Nicoll) is Cyberspace's ruler and mentor to the Cybersquad. Hacker, her former assistant, infected her with a virus, but because her firewall was not fully uploaded, she was instead weakened. The Cybersquad aims to recover the Encryptor Chip to cure the virus while protecting her from Hacker.
  • Dr. Marbles (voiced by Richard Binsley) is a mechanic who serves Motherboard and created Hacker to act as her assistant, but he later rebelled against them. A guilty Marbles drained his battery and banished him to the Northern Frontier for his actions, but Hacker vowed to return to finish them off and take over Cyberspace.
  • Widget (voiced by Gilbert Gottfried) is a small replica of Digit that is stored in his chest.
  • TW "Teeny Weeny Parallini" (voiced by Isabel de Carteret) is a square girl and a Cybercitizen of the Cybersite Paralleloland. She is not scared of Hacker and, despite her mother forbidding her from helping the Cybersquad, helps them find Diamond Joe.
  • Fluff (voiced by Austin Dilulio) is a penguin and a Cybercitizen of the Cybersite Cyberia, who plays hockey and is determined to follow in his father's footsteps and to make his family proud. He helped the Cybersquad with the Hacker's challenge.
  • Creech (voiced by Sugar Lyn Beard) is the young ruler of the Cybersite Tikiville, who becomes its Big Kahuna and in charge of its Egg of Benedicta after competing in a race with its inhabitants as well as Hacker. She quickly befriends Inez because of their similarities.
  • Jules (voiced by Miklos Perlus) is a good friend of the Cybersquad.
  • Slider (voiced by Tim Hamaguchi) is a 13-year-old skateboarder and a Cybercitizen of the Cybersite Radopolis, who builds and repairs skateboards and bikes. His father, Coop, abandoned him when he was younger to protect him and prevent Hacker from obtaining an interface card that would give him the power to transform into whatever he wishes.

Minor and guest stars[edit]

Cyberchase has had many guest stars over the years, including Jasmine Guy, Tony Hawk, Al Roker and Geoffrey Holder.

Episodes[edit]

Main article: List of Cyberchase episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
126January 21, 2002 (2002-01-21)August 7, 2002 (2002-08-07)
214February 14, 2003 (2003-02-14)October 28, 2003 (2003-10-28)
312May 3, 2004 (2004-05-03)December 31, 2004 (2004-12-31)
410April 15, 2005 (2005-04-15)October 7, 2005 (2005-10-07)
510October 31, 2006 (2006-10-31)September 3, 2007 (2007-09-03)
610November 7, 2007 (2007-11-07)October 27, 2008 (2008-10-27)
77April 20, 2009 (2009-04-20)October 6, 2009 (2009-10-06)
85June 25, 2010 (2010-06-25)July 23, 2010 (2010-07-23)
95November 4, 2013 (2013-11-04)April 15, 2014 (2014-04-15)
105November 9, 2015 (2015-11-09)November 13, 2015 (2015-11-13)
1110[14]October 23, 2017 (2017-10-23)April 20, 2018 (2018-04-20)[14]
1212April 19, 2019 (2019-04-19)May 8, 2020 (2020-05-08)
1310February 25, 2022 (2022-02-25)May 20, 2022 (2022-05-20)
144April 21, 2023 (2023-04-21)May 11, 2023 (2023-05-11)
158April 27, 2024 (2024-04-27)present

Cyberchase For Real[edit]

Each Cyberchase episode is followed by "Cyberchase For Real", a live-action educational supplement linking concepts learned in the show to real life experiences. The actors Bianca DeGroat and Matthew A. Wilson (known as Harry Wilson on the show) are in their 30s, but amusingly act in a manner similar to the age of the target audience. "For Real" is produced by WNET in and around New York City after production is completed on the animated segments. These "For Real" segments are broadcast exclusively on PBS in the United States where the program runs longer and fills the time gap where there might be breaks for "commercials". Some "For Real" segments can also be viewed online.[15] In 2012, "Oh Noah", shorts that teach kids to speak Spanish, were used instead of re-running the "For Real" segments.[16] The "For Real" segment returned in season 9.

Development[edit]

Conception[edit]

Cyberchase was conceived in 1999 as an educational show that aims to show kids that math is everywhere and everyone can be good at it. The series encourages viewers to see, think, and do mathematics in their world. The show and supporting activities have been designed to support math education and reflect the curriculum standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.[17] The show's philosophy is to foster enthusiasm for math, to model mathematic reasoning, to help children improve their problem-solving skills and to inspire all children to approach math with confidence and a "can-do" attitude.[18] Later seasons place less emphasis on math and more on environmentalism and wellness. For example, in season 11, the theme of episode 2 is habitat fragmentation, episode 3 is about the effects of temperature on marine ecology, and episode 4 discusses using plants to improve indoor air quality.

Production[edit]

Originally, Thirteen produced the show in partnership with Ontario-based Nelvana for PBS Kids. It aired on PBS Kids since 2002, and on V-me (dubbed in Spanish) and PBS Kids Go! from 2004 to 2013. Cyberchase has been animated by Pip Animation Services Inc. since season six; Right Path Pictures did post-production, and Curious Pictures did the original character design. Twelfth Root Music produces the sound track for Cyberchase. Thirteen/WNET New York and Nelvana produced the first five seasons, while Thirteen, in association with Title Entertainment and WNET.ORG, produced seasons six and on.[19][20] Seasons 1 to 5 used traditional animation, while the sixth season onward used Flash animation.

Broadcast syndication[edit]

The show was syndicated worldwide to countries like the United Kingdom until 2004.[citation needed]

Brand extension[edit]

There are two apps that Cyberchase has released to date:

  1. Cyberchase 3D Builder[21]
  2. Cyberchase Shape Quest[22]

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

On the site Common Sense Media, the show was for ages 5 and up and rated four out of five stars. The reviewer, Joly Herman, commented that "the adventures aren't scary, violent, or sexually inappropriate" but "require fortitude and brain power". Proposed discussion points sprouting from the series include "Can your child take the skills learned in each episode and figure out how to apply it to everyday life?" Herman noted that the only downside was that the adventures did not take place in the "real world" but added that the "For Real" segments solved this problem. The show was given a rating of three out of five smiley faces under "The Good Stuff" section.[23]

Carey Bryson of About.com gave the show a rating of four out of five stars. Bryson noted that the series' explanations of "simple mathematical idea[s]" are "usually explained well and woven throughout the story in a fun and interesting way". The review commended the series for its accessibility: "Children can easily learn from the example in the cartoon story" and praised the "Cyberchase For Real segment that follows each episode". Citing an example from the series using codes, Bryson explained how the show could be used to expand upon the curriculum: "Not only did [her five-year-old] learn about codes, but she also got in a ton of spelling practice". Bryson commended the series: "Educationally, Cyberchase delivers".[24]

Awards[edit]

Cyberchase has been nominated for five Daytime Emmys and won in 2007 in the Outstanding Broadband Program category.[25] Cyberchase also won a CINE Golden Eagle in 2006.[26]

Year Category Recipient(s) Result
2003 Parent's Choice Award for Spring 2003 Television Cyberchase Silver Honor[27]
2006 Parent's Choice Award for Spring 2006 Website Cyberchase Approved[28]
2007 Outstanding Broadband Program – Children's See below Won
2008 Outstanding New Approaches – Children's See below Nominated
Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program[29] Christopher Lloyd Nominated
2009 Outstanding New Approaches – Daytime Children's See below Nominated
2009 Parent's Choice Award for Spring 2009 Television Cyberchase Recommended[30]
2010 Parent's Choice Award for Spring 2010 Television Cyberchase Recommended[31]
2010 Parent's Choice Award for Fall 2010 Website Cyberchase Silver Honor[32]
2012 Outstanding New Approaches – Daytime Children's See below Nominated
2014 Parent's Choice Award for Spring 2014 Television Cyberchase Silver Honor[33]
2014 Parent's Choice Award for Spring 2014 Television Cyberchase For Real Silver Honor[34]
2016 Parent's Choice Award for Spring 2016 Television Cyberchase Silver Honor[35]
2016 Parent's Choice Award for Spring 2016 Mobile Apps Cyberchase Shape Quest Recommended[36]

^2007 Outstanding Broadband Program nominees : Frances Nankin, Sandra Sheppard, Ellen Doherty, Jill Peters, Bob Morris, Suzanne Rose, Michelle Chen, Elizabeth Hummer, Arash Hoda, Anthony Chapman, David Hirmes, Bianca DeGroat, Matthew A. Wilson, George Arthur Bloom[25]
^2008 Outstanding New Approaches nominees : Sandra Sheppard, Frances Nankin, Ellen Doherty, Jill Peters, David Hirmes, Kelly Lafferty, Michelle Chen, Tanner Vea, Bob Morris, Matthew A. Wilson[37]
^2009 Outstanding New Approaches nominees : Sandra Sheppard, Frances Nankin, Ellen Doherty, David Hirmes, Tanner Vea, Denyse Ouellette, Gilbert Gottfried, Phil Williams, Robert Tinkler[38]
^2012 Outstanding New Approaches nominees : Frances Nankin, Sandra Sheppard, Jill Peters, Marj Kleinman, Ellen Doherty, Kristin DiQuollo, Michelle Chen[39]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "ABOUT". julian-harris-music.
  2. ^ "WebVoyage Record View 1". cocatalog.loc.gov.
  3. ^ a b "Cyberchase". PIP Animation Services. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  4. ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 143. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  5. ^ "Cyberchase. About - PBS Parents". PBS. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  6. ^ "Cyberchase – Timeline Photos – Facebook". facebook.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  7. ^ "Cyberchase | Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  8. ^ "THIRTEEN's Emmy® Award-Winning Series Cyberchase Launches Season 11 with Halloween-Themed Episode October 23 on PBS KIDS". Pressroom. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  9. ^ "Upcoming Family Night Schedule".
  10. ^ "Cyberchase, Season 14". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "WHRO TV and Radio Schedules". schedule.whro.org. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  12. ^ "Cyberchase How it all Started". Archived from the original on June 12, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  13. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 227–228. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  14. ^ a b "Thirteen's Emmy Award-Winning Series Cyberchase Launches Season 11 with Halloween-Themed Episode October 23 on PBS Kids". Thirteen Media (Press release). WNET. October 23, 2017. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  15. ^ "Cyberchase Videos". Thirteen. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  16. ^ Miramar-Garcia, Gabriel (September 17, 2012). "PBS to broadcast Oh Noah! with Cyberchase for Hispanic Heritage month". Rapid TV News. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  17. ^ "National Council of Teachers of Mathematics". Nctm.org. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  18. ^ "Cyberchase Learning Goals". Pbs.org. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  19. ^ "About Cyberchase". Pbs.org. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  20. ^ "Cyberchase. Home I PBS Parents". PBS. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  21. ^ "Cyberchase 3D Builder Mobile Downloads – PBS KIDS". pbskids.org. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  22. ^ "Cyberchase Shape Quest Mobile Downloads – PBS KIDS". pbskids.org. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  23. ^ Herman, Joly. "Cyberchase". common sense media. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  24. ^ Bryson, Carey. "Cyberchase – TV Show Review". About.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  25. ^ a b "34th Annual Creative Arts & Entertainment Emmy Awards Presented At Star-Studded Hollywood Gala". The Emmy Awards. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  26. ^ "2006 Winner Directory" (PDF). Cine Golden Eagle Film & Video Competition. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 16, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  27. ^ "Cyberchase". Parents' Choice Foundation.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "Cyberchase Online". Parents' Choice Foundation.[permanent dead link]
  29. ^ "The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the 35th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations". The Emmy Awards. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  30. ^ "Cyberchase". Parents' Choice Foundation.[permanent dead link]
  31. ^ "Cyberchase". Parents' Choice Foundation.[permanent dead link]
  32. ^ "Cyberchase". Parents' Choice Foundation. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  33. ^ "Cyberchase". Parents' Choice Foundation.[permanent dead link]
  34. ^ "Cyberchase For Real". Parents' Choice Foundation. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  35. ^ "Cyberchase". Parents' Choice Foundation.[permanent dead link]
  36. ^ "Cyberchase Shape Quest". Parents' Choice Foundation.[permanent dead link]
  37. ^ Awards for "Cyberchase". The Internet Movie Database. Accessed September 24, 2012.
  38. ^ "Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards: 36th Annual Nominations Announcement". The Emmy Awards. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  39. ^ "The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations". The Emmy Awards. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2012.

External links[edit]

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