Phred on Your Head Show is an original series produced by Noggin. It is a variety show hosted by a small green character named Phred, who hops across different people's heads to find a new co-host in each episode. The show was followed by a spin-off called The URL with Phred Show.
Kids voted for Phred to be Noggin's mascot in a section of Noggin.com called "Build Noggin." On June 6, 1999, a preview edition aired on Nickelodeon and Noggin. At the end of the preview show, Phred got stranded on Pluto and needed kids to make Nogga-Watts to power the Big Head Rocket by using the games on Noggin.com to bring him back home in time for the next premiere on July 26, 1999.
The show's runtime varied, depending on the day on which it would air. In the beginning (until November 22, 1999), the show was two hours long and aired twice a day. Later, hour-long episodes were aired on both weekdays and weekends, and half-hour episodes were aired on weekend mornings.
Logline
The show's official summary from Noggin's programming site:
- "The Phred on Your Head Show features Noggin’s first original character, Phred. The animated Phred hops onto a real kid’s forehead to host the show. (Of course he does!) Together Phred and his kid co-host introduce programming from both the Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop libraries, and highlight segments about real kids doing real things. All of Phred’s games — both on TV and online — encourage participation and foster interactivity between Phred, his co-host and the audience. It's phun!" (source)
Plot
Phred, the former mascot for Phantastic Pickles, hosts his very own TV series showcasing other Noggin productions.
Format
At the beginning of each episode, the unseen announcer Big Voice tells Phred about the episode's host. Following BV's description, Phred exits his home in the dot in Noggin.com, the channel's official website, and hops from head to head searching for his co-host. When Phred finally finds the host, he tells his off-screen crew to "pickle" him or her (which teleported them into Noggin.com). Later, the duo introduces episodes of various Noggin programs.
Vignettes
Opening prologue
The show opens with an explanation of the central character, Phred. It describes how he was a mascot for the fictional pickle distributor, Phantastic Pickles, until his pickle jar rolled off of a supermarket shelf and set him free (causing him to search for a place to think, which resulted in him choosing the dot of Noggin.com).
Featured content
The show features episodes or segments from other Noggin shows. Examples include Doug, The Bloodhound Gang (from 3-2-1 Contact), The Electric Company, and Wild Side Show. Sometimes, a "Snick Snack" or Short Films by Short People selection would air as well. In the meantime, Phred interacts with the host, the host talks about himself or herself, and Phred hosts his own insert segments.
Theme song
After Doug (in the hour version at least), when Phred finally locates the host and he or she arrives at Phred's room in the dot of Noggin.com, the Girls sing the stop-motion theme song (designed by Tricky Pictures). It has replaceable lyrics that change to fit in the host's name.
Other segments
- Pickles to Pluto - A linking game
- Tête-à-tête with Phred - Phred interviews historical figures
- Phred's Got Mail - A piece starring Phred as he reads fan-mail aloud
- You Know It - Videos sent by kids showing off their knowledge
- Pickle Phacts - Pickle facts delivered by kids wearing a pickle costume
- Cecile and Her Very Own Universe - An animated miniseries made specially for the show
- A Walk in Your Shoes - A series of three shorts that later spun off into a separate long-form show
Closing
The Theme Song is reprised, with the closing lyrics. In half hour episodes, the closing theme is abbreviated and split-screened with the goodbye scene.
The URL with Phred Show
- Main article: The URL with Phred Show
A spin-off based on Phred on Your Head Show aired in 2001, titled The URL with Phred Show. It focuses on user-generated content submitted to Noggin.com. After the new show replaced Phred on Your Head, the half hour version continued to air on weekends.
Videos
Original series on Noggin
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Daytime block
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Phred on Your Head Show • A Walk in Your Shoes (seasons 1–2) • Oobi • Citizen Phoebe • Big Kids • On the Team • The URL with Phred Show • Sponk! • Play with Me Sesame • Jack's Big Music Show • The Upside Down Show | |
The N block
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A Walk in Your Shoes (season 3) • Out There • LOL with The N • Girls v. Boys • O'Grady • Miracle's Boys • South of Nowhere • What Goes On | |
Streaming app
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Yoga Friends • School of Yum • Kinderwood • Noggin Knows • The Noggins • Balloon Builders |