Hi-5 (American TV series)

Hi-5 (also known as Hi-5 USA) is an American children's television series produced by Kids Like Us, which aired on Discovery Kids and TLC on the Ready Set Learn blocks of both networks. It is based on the original Australian series of the same name, created by Helena Harris and Posie Graeme-Evans. The program is known for its educational content, and pop music appeal, with the cast of the show known collectively as Hi-5. The series premiered on February 24, 2003. The program was nominated for three Emmy Awards.
Format.
"Hi-5" is a variety-style series for preschoolers which features music as an integral part of its premise. The program features five presenters who are collectively known as Hi-5, and perform songs as a group as well as presenting individual segments.
The "Puzzles and Patterns" segment has a focus on logical thinking and mathematics, with a puppet named Jup Jup used as a tool for the presenter to complete puzzles or solve problems. The presenter of "Body Move" encourages children to participate in movement and dance, developing physical coordination and motor development. Linguistics and aural skills are at the centre of the "Word Play" segment, featuring a puppet named Chatterbox who assists in the exploration of language through stories and rhymes. "Shapes in Space" focuses on visual and spatial awareness, with the presenter exploring shapes, colour and everyday materials such as boxes and playdough. Musicality is explored through "Making Music", with an emphasis on pitch, rhythm, beat, melody, and using a variety of real and pretend instruments. The final segment in which the cast comes together is entitled "Sharing Stories", where a story is told that explores interpersonal relationships and emotions.
The episodes are bookended with a "Song of the Week"; a pop-style feature song which corresponds with the weekly theme and sets an educational topic for the week's episodes.
Production.
Due to the popularity and international appeal of the original "Hi-5" series in Australia, it was announced in 2002 that a local American series would be introduced. The U.S. version was filmed in the Australian studios from September 2002 to February 2003 and made its debut in February, premiering on TLC and Discovery Kids. The cast consisted of Kimee Balmilero, Karla Cheatham Mosley, Curtis Cregan, Jennifer Korbee (née Peterson-Hind) and Shaun Taylor-Corbett. The series was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
The final group of 10 episodes from the second season premiered on September 25, 2006.
In late 2006, Cheatham Mosley and Taylor-Corbett left the cast to pursue other ventures. New touring members Sydney James and Yasmeen Sulieman joined Balmilero, Cregan, and Korbee, but were not featured in the television series. The group last performed together in Puerto Rico in 2008.
Cast.
Presenters.
Sydney James and Yasmeen Sulieman joined the group in late 2006, replacing Taylor-Corbett and Cheatham Mosley, respectively, but were not featured in the television series.
Series overview.
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Other media.
Music.
The program uses music as an integral part of its concept, and like the original Australian group, the cast of the American series became a recognised musical group for children outside of the show, known collectively as Hi-5. The debut album of the group, "Jump and Jive with Hi-5", corresponded with the first season of the show and was released in September 2004 by Koch Entertainment. A special holiday album, "It's a Hi-5 Christmas", was released in October 2005. The cast also toured malls and theaters in the U.S., performing songs from the television series. After Cheatham Mosley and Taylor-Corbett departed, the group continued to tour around America with Sulieman and James throughout 2007 before the group's final performance in Puerto Rico in 2008. Chris Harriott is the primary composer of the show, with the songs written for the Australian group also being used for the American cast.
Home media.
MGM Home Entertainment, through the MGM Kids label, released 3 VHS/DVD's on August 3, 2004, titled "Color Craze", "Music Magic" and "Game Time!". Each volume contained three episodes.
In 2006, the home video rights were transferred over to Well Go USA, who would release many DVDs based on the show, eventually releasing the complete series on four DVD boxsets from 2008 until 2009.
Awards and nominations.
The series was nominated for an Emmy in 2005, 32nd Daytime Emmy Awards 2006, 33rd Daytime Emmy Awards 2007 34th Daytime Emmy Awards.