Pappyland

Pappyland was a live action children’s television show originally written by Jon Nappa. More than 65 episodes were written by award-winning children’s writer, Benette Whitmore. It was originally broadcast on TLC from September 30, 1996 to December 1999. Then, after cancellation, aired reruns until February 21, 2003. The show starred acclaimed cartoonist-artist Michael Cariglio as Pappy Drewitt, an artist/49er type character who lived in a magical cabin in a bizarre land with many different creatures and people. More than half of the show was shot on bluescreen. During each half-hour segment, Pappy and other characters danced, sang, taught life lessons and other children’s television fare but the main focus of the show was watching Pappy draw pictures. The camera was positioned directly above his paper and he would carefully explain the purpose of each technique used. The purpose was for children viewers to be able to follow along with Pappy and create the same image as he did. Viewers who sent in their artwork, had their drawing shown during the “Hall of Frames” segment near the end and the closing credits. When shown on public television, WCNY in Syracuse, New York presented the show, which was produced by the non-profit Craftsmen and Scribes’ Creative Workshop and Creative Media Solutions TV, also based in Syracuse, New York. In fact, the P.O. Box plug mentions Syracuse as being the city where home viewers sent in their drawings. Today Michael Cariglio is hosting “Inspiration Station” on Smile of a Child TV. “Pappyland” is now available on DVD. The series can be viewed on digital streaming device Roku’s Family Time TV channel.