Lamb Chop's Play-Along facts for kids

Lamb Chop's Play-Along! was a fun children's TV show from Canada and the United States. It aired on PBS in the US from 1992 to 1995. The show was created and hosted by the amazing puppeteer Shari Lewis.

It featured her famous puppet friends: Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy. This show was all about getting kids to join in the fun. Later, a spin-off show called The Charlie Horse Music Pizza continued the adventures.

Making the Show: Production Fun

PBS asked Shari Lewis to create Lamb Chop's Play-Along! in May 1991. The show first aired in January 1992. This was a big return for Shari Lewis to television. She had been away for about 15 years.

Lamb Chop's Play-Along! was filmed in Canada. First, they filmed in Burnaby, British Columbia. Then, they moved to the CBC Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Shari Lewis dedicated the show to her father, Abraham Hurwitz. He was a college professor and known as "the official magician of New York City." The Ellensburg Daily Record newspaper described the show as "filled with jokes, games, songs, and tricks."

Shari Lewis's Goal: Play Along!

Shari Lewis had a clear goal for her audience. She wanted kids to participate, not just watch quietly. She often said, "Our goal is, don't just sit there - come play with me!"

She wanted to keep kids engaged with a fast-paced show. It used colorful electronic effects to grab their attention. Shari believed that TV shows should challenge children. She felt that if kids are challenged, they will grow into productive members of society.

She also said that making smart content for children wasn't hard. She believed it should happen more often. For her, a truly good show wasn't just about adding a positive message at the end. It was about making the whole show high-quality and engaging.

Meet the Characters: Synopsis

The main character is Lamb Chop. She is a puppet of an anthropomorphic sheep. This means she's a sheep who acts and talks like a human. Other characters are also puppets of farm animals. These include the energetic Charlie Horse and the calm Hush Puppy.

At the end of each episode, Charlie Horse would often try to sing "The Song That Never Ends". This usually annoyed Shari, but it was always funny!

Who's Who: Cast and Puppeteers

• Shari Lewis - She played herself and voiced Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy.
• Pat Brymer - The main puppeteer.
• Gord Robertson - Played Buster the Bus and was a featured puppeteer.
• Norma McKnight - Did additional puppetry.
• Bonnie Martin - Played Big Lamb Chop.
• Mark Gamez - Played Big Charlie Horse.

Lamb Chop's Playmates: The Kids in the Show

The show also featured many talented young actors who played Lamb Chop's playmates. They joined in the games, songs, and stories.

• Andrew Francis
• Brian Ito
• Amanda McAdam
• Sabrina Sánchez
• Kevin Yee
• Rachel Sandor-Gough
• Talia Gilboa
• Bryan Robinson
• Zack Moses
• Phillip Boutte
• Annick Obonsawin
• John Creery
• Ramon Choyce
• Jade Schwartz
• Emma Pollard

Episodes: Adventures with Lamb Chop

Lamb Chop's Play-Along! produced 84 half-hour episodes across four seasons. Each episode was packed with fun activities, songs, and stories.

Season 1 (1992)

The first season started on January 13, 1992. It featured episodes like "Air Charlie," "The Bully," and "Charlie's Magic Show."

Season 2 (1993)

Season two began on February 8, 1993. Some episodes included "School Daze," "What's Your Name?" (where Shari told the story of Tikki Tikki Tembo), and "Little Red Riding Hood."

Season 3 (1994)

The third season premiered on January 31, 1994. Episodes included "Monopoly," "Tattletale!," and "Lamb Chop's Pet."

Season 4 (1995)

The final season started on September 11, 1995. It featured episodes like "Charlie Horse Tells a Lie," "Lamb Chop's Glasses," and "Fighting Fair."

Show Segments: Fun Activities

Each episode of Lamb Chop's Play-Along! was made up of different short segments. These segments included various activities to keep kids engaged.

Segments from Season 1

• At Home with Lamb Chop
• Comedy Barn
• Knock! Knock!
• A Baby Lamb Chop Story
• Betcha
• Riddles
• Funny Little Poem
• Animals from the San Diego Zoo
• Tongue Twisters
• Story Time
• Sing a Little Sing-Along Song
• Playtime With Emma
• More Playtime With Emma

Segments from Season 2

• Buster the Bus
• Alphatoons
• Something Unusual/Fascinating
• A Baby Shari Lewis Story
• A Teddy Bear Tale
• A Baby Hush Puppy Story
• Sing a Little Sing-Along Song

Segments from Season 3

• Any Kid Can Draw
• Take a Look at a Book
• Buster's Brain Busters
• Magic is the Thing for You
• You Can Do It

Segments from Season 4

• Clip from The Shari Lewis Show

Awards and Recognition

Lamb Chop's Play-Along! and its star, Shari Lewis, won many awards. They were recognized for being an outstanding children's show.