Nickelodeon’s “The JumpArounds” Aims At Kids’ Musical Sensibilities

by Karl J. Paloucek

The folks at Nickelodeon are once again stepping up their creative edge, introducing new and arguably more hip programming for preschoolers. Just announced this morning, summer 2009 will see the premiere of a new music-based series for the pre-K set. In production right now, The JumpArounds is being billed as “an energetic, vibrant new music series … packed with hip, catchy songs, dynamic choreography and clever storylines.”

At the center of the series are four friends and bandmates who attend music school. Through their musical experiences, preschoolers will acquaint themselves with basic musical concepts like rhythm, melody, tempo and … well, what they’re calling “performance styles.” (We hope this doesn’t essentially boil down to generalized music categorization, but if so, oh well — it is the iTunes generation.)

More than just about music, The JumpArounds aims to help kids solve everyday challenges, teaching them the importance of friendship, working together and respecting differences.

Oh, and in case you’re not sure of the legitimate “street cred” of the series, check out the roughly 6-year-old breakdancer in one of the two preview clips. (Though on a personal note, I’m not sure how important it is for kids’ shows to be “hip” …) Anyway, here are the links, if you care to check out the new “videos” made for the series:

“Go Go A Go Go”:
For PC:
http://www.criticalmention.com/vg/nickelodeon/Jumparounds_GoGoAGoGo.wmv

For Mac:
http://www.criticalmention.com/vg/nickelodeon/Jumparounds_GoGoAGoGo.mov

“Great Day”:
For PC:
http://www.criticalmention.com/vg/nickelodeon/TheJumpArounds.wmv

For Mac:
http://www.criticalmention.com/vg/nickelodeon/TheJumpArounds.mov

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Photo:

Credit: Randee St. Nicholas/Nickelodeon

20 Comments

  1. By the way, in case you don’t know who David Ruffin was, he was the original lead singer from The Temptations (singer of “My Girl”, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”, “The Way You Do the Things You Do”, etc.). DJ Lance Rock bears a resemblance to Ruffin, mostly because of the glasses. Check out this photo of the early Temptations (Ruffin is with glasses on the left): http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/gallery/2008/dec/23/motown-50?picture=341060871

    versus this photo of DJ Lance Rock: http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/2009/04/DjLance.jpg

    Anyone else see the similarity here? The only difference is that Ruffin was a very talented singer. DJ Lance is just…scary.

  2. Um, okay. First of all, some of the stuff that’s already on Noggin is crap. LazyTown?? What is that? And what’s with that creepy looking bad guy who looks like a real person who is sort of animated or wearing a mask?!? If that were on when I was a kid, it would have given me nightmares for weeks! Even the good guy looks creepy! And what’s it about, exactly? Trying to teach kids to exercise and be healthy…yet it’s called “Lazy Town?” HUH?

    Let’s talk about Yo Gabba Gabba for a minute. Um, WHAT THE…?? DJ Lance Rock is BIZARRO, to say the least. A freaky, skinny, rapper-type character with David Ruffin glasses and a weird orange wig (or is it a hat? I don’t even know). And he takes creepy looking toy creatures out and puts them a little stage where they come to life and he controls them. And you like to have your kid watch THIS, but not a show about singing and dancing to pop music?

    Now, in contrast, The JumpArounds appears to be about a wholesome group of teens (I know, they’re in their mid-20s in real life, but preschoolers THINK they’re teens, like we were supposed to think John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John were teens in “Grease”). Anyway, the kids sing and dance, sing boppy and catchy tunes about having a great day, friends helping each other out, and getting up and going. It’s not like this show is going to have a lot of sexual innuendo or violence! SHEESH! For those of you who prefer those other two creepy shows over this, I have to say that I think you must be in the distinct minority.

    As far as the idol worship concern goes, give me a break. Toddlers and young children learn how to behave by EMULATING adults. I’d much rather have my daughter emulate Kiki or Marina vs. DJ Lance Rock! If your kid has half a brain, he/she is not going to let television control his/her life. Just enjoy the music and wish these JumpArounds well. If my daughter loves it, then so do I.

  3. Uh…..not for Noggin. My 2 year old loves Dora and Rin-Too the Tiger, because they teach him something. I agree with the above. Jack’s Big Music Show and the Backyardigans teach music appreciation and dance. Let these 20 somethings go to Disney or Nick at Nite and NOT a place where learning is a way for preschoolers. Noggin is Noggin for a reason. These “Jump a whatevers” need to realize that 2, 3, and 4 year olds need to learn about numbers, letters, manners, and how to share.

  4. My daughter loves them! She wants me to find her Marina’s outfit. Where can I get the music?

  5. People who comment that this stuff is bad for kids must have A LOT of issues. The JumpArounds are just giving children a chance to bop to the music! There are a lot more important things in the world to worry about than bashing this cute little group!

  6. i agree with some of the people when they say the kids are to old for noggin.my son 3 yrs and 1yrs love them wants me to buy the videos and all.again i don’t think its a bad show but again not for noggin put it on nick.my babys will still watch it.

  7. Thank you noggin for finally jumping on the disney tween music bandwagon. In this case they aiming it at our preschoolers. I guess I wont be watching because I don’t want my child to learn about music from Hannah Montana Jr and Poochie the rapping dog.

  8. I think the jump arounds are great! My 3yr old and my 2 yr old love them. It is so cute how they jump and dance around the family room to the jumparounds music video. Please Noggin keep the music videos coming.

  9. I find it amusing that the red-haired jump around was on Days of Our Lives playing a 20 something. I agree with the comment about idol worship, since in the first video I saw, the older jump arounds each had a mini-me dressed just like them. Otherwise I’m indifferent because, afterall, I can turn it off. We have a few noggin shows we watch, that’s it. If you just let it run all day, then yes, you no longer have control over the content.

  10. My son is 3 and he LOVES the music videos on Noggin. I have no problem with the idea that The Jump-Arounds are “geared towards 4-7 year olds” on a pre-school channel. I think they seem like sweet kids and there is only happy and up-beat lyrics in their songs. Those of you who think their dancing and singing is terrible… think about this… ITS NOT FOR ADULTS! These singers and dancers have to dance in a way that my child has a chance of learning the dance moves so he can do it too with the video (which he tries to do) or singing along with it. Its more fun for kids when it isn’t too difficult for them to learn and have fun with it. They might not be the best singers… but its a kid show for crying out loud! Lay off of them!

  11. I was just writing about this on Cafemom. My daughter watches Noggin, and I really don’t appreciate a show that is geared for children ages 4-7 on a channel that is supposed to be for toddlers. It is like High School High. I have even seen articles that say it is “Preschool High.” My GOD!!! Noggin feels like the only educational programming for my youngster, and now we have to deal with this drivel. I mean, yeah they are cute and hip, but I don’t want my daughter watching shows with attractive teenagers and one that raps. I think Jacks Big Music show is adorable and teaches music appreciation in an age appropriate way. Please don’t put this on Noggin!!!!

  12. The Jump Arounds are like musical packing foam. There is no substance here at all. If I want my child to listen to vapid, insidious pop crap, I know where to find it, thanks — Disney! We watch Noggin specifically because it’s *NOT* Disney or Nick. Please stop dumbing down my son’s “preschool on television.”

  13. This show is so NOT appropriate for noggin…take it elsewhere. Give us back Jack’s Big Music Show or more of Lazy Town. I know I am already sick to death of seeing these lousy dancers and the horrible job of lip syncing they do. Get Rid of It before it spreads. YUCCCCCCCK

  14. The Jump-Arounds are absolutely horrible! Please don’t air this on Noggin…actually, please don’t air this anywhere! If you don’t believe me…there are plenty of other people that agree!!! Just Google it.

  15. I think the show is gonna be great!!! Often times as parents (and in my case, an auntie), we forget that kids shows are supposed to be aimed at kids so I think it’s great that it’s “hip” because it’s marketed towards a younger audience and a new generation. Can’t wait til the show premieres because my niece loves the commercials already.

  16. This show is for kids and I like that it’s entertaining and has catchy songs. My 2 1/2 and 8 month old always stop what they are doing to starting dancing and having fun when they hear their sonds.

  17. To me. it reminds me of the Archies music. But the way I always wanted it to be, when I was young… with REAL people. I think it’ll be just fine!
    (a new parent at 49)

  18. The “commercials” for the jumparounds are on all the time on Noggin. I can’t put my finger on it, but it seems like it’s encouraging idol worship. My daughter is 4.25 and she wants to watch them on the computer all the time. Maybe this is my own crap from the past, but it seems when kids watch this stuff, it ultimately will get them hooked on sitcoms which, when watched often, skew a person’s expectations of what life is supposed to be like, ultimately resulting in disappointment. Anyway, I am glad we are getting rid of the TV when we move.

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