Roundhouse (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roundhouse |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 52 |
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| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Rebel Entertainment |
| Distributor | CBS Television Distribution |
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| Original network | Nickelodeon |
| Original release | August 15, 1992 – December 24, 1996 |
Roundhouse is an American television series that aired on Nickelodeon from 1992 through 1996.
Contents
Background
Roundhouse debuted as a part of the original SNICK lineup on Nickelodeon in 1992 and continued airing on the network through the end of 1996.
Buddy Sheffield, a former writer for In Living Color, and Rita Sheffield Hester created and produced the series. Recording artist Benny Hester was the music producer as well as co-producer of the series. They titled the show in reference to the roundhouses used by railroad companies to turn trains around and get them on the right track. This was in line with the show's theme song, in which the characters stated "we can go anywhere from here". In addition, the stage for the show mirrored the interior of a roundhouse.
Episode format
Each episode revolved around the Anyfamily and their problems in daily life. The half-hour show, taped in front of a visible live audience, was broken up into sketches, dance sequences, and musical performances by both cast members and the house band. After everything is resolved story-wise, a cast member would say the words "Reprise the Theme Song and Roll the Credits"; the cast then sang the opening theme a cappella and closed the show with a dance number. All music used on the show was written specifically for Roundhouse. Crystal Lewis and Shawn Daywalt were the principal vocalists for many of the songs in the first season. After Lewis left the series to pursue a career in Christian contemporary music, she was replaced by Lisa Vale, who in turn was replaced by Amy Ehrlich and Jennifer Cihi for Season 3. Natasha Pearce became the series' principal vocalist in Season 4, but Vale returned for the fourth season as well.
Cast
- Bryan Anthony (Season 4)
- Alfred Carr Jr.
- Jennifer Cihi (Season 3)
- John Crane
- Mark David
- Shawn Daywalt
- Ivan Dudynsky
- Micki Duran
- Amy Ehrlich (Season 3)
- Seymour Willis Green
- Crystal Lewis (Season 1)
- Dominic Lucero (Seasons 1 and 3)
- Shawn Muñoz (Season 3)
- David Nicoll (Season 4)
- Natalie Nucci
- Natasha Pearce (Season 4)
- Julene Renee-Preciado (as "Julene Renee")
- David Sidoni
- Lisa Vale (Seasons 2 and 4)
Death of Dominic Lucero
Following the show's first season, cast member Dominic Lucero was diagnosed with lymphoma and left the show for treatment, later returning for three episodes in the show's third season. Lucero died during production of the fourth season on July 1, 1994 at the age of 26. The series finale was dedicated in his memory (opening with "This one's for our friend Dominic, who couldn't be here"). At Lucero's request, his condition was not made public; the audience was unaware of his condition as a result. Despite his absence, Lucero's name and picture remained in the opening credits for the series' entire run.
Roundhouse band
- Jack Kelly – drums
- John Pena – bass guitar
- James Raymond – keyboards
- Marty Walsh – guitar
- Will MacGregor – bass guitar (season 3)
- Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums (season 4)
Episodes
Season 1 (1992–93)
- New Kid in Town
- You Can't Fire Your Family
- Last One Picked
- School Daze
- First Date
- Crushes/Idealism
- TV on Trial
- Meat Market
- The Clock Strikes Back
- Conflict
- Lifestyles
- The School Play
- What If?
Season 2 (1993)
- The Game of Popularity
- Environment
- Pets
- Step Family Feud
- In Trouble
- Independence
- Fears
- Best Friends
- And Baby Makes Three
- Summertime Blues
- Technobabble
Season 3 (1993–94)
- Happy Holidays
- Women vs. Men
- Talent
- Rock Stars
- Greed
- Prejudice
- Generation Gap
- Puberty
- Privacy
- Self-Esteem
- The Joke's on You
- Running Away
- Lies
Season 4 (1994–96)
- The Big Quake
- Summer Camp
- Change
- Nobody's Perfect (Live Episode)
- Dropout
- The History of the Anyfamily - Part I
- The History of the Anyfamily - Part II
- Justice
- Superstitions
- Stress and Success
- Obsession
- War & Peace
- Endings
Sets
The first season was filmed on Stage 19 at Nickelodeon Studios in Universal Studios Florida, with the opening credits filmed in the New York section of the park.
The final 3 seasons were shot on Stage 4 at CBS Studio Center in Hollywood, California.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Result | Award | Category | Recipient |
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| 1993 | Won | Young Artist Awards | Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Youth Series or Variety Show | Cast |
| 1994 | Nominated | Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Cable or Off Primetime Series | Cast | |
| 1993 | Won | CableACE Award | Original Song ("I Can Dream") | Benny Hester and Buddy Sheffield |
| 1995 | Nominated | Original Song ("Second Chance") | Eric Hester | |
| 1994 | Won | Youth In Film Awards | Best Original Song ("Can't Let Go") | Benny Hester and Marty Walsh
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| 1994 | Won | Ollie Award | Excellence in Television Programming for America's Children - American Center for Children's Television
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Roundhouse Producers
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Syndication
YTV in Canada also aired the series during its initial run on Nickelodeon. After the show ceased production in 1994, reruns aired on both BET and MTV. The TeenNick late-night block NickRewind began sporadically re-running the series in 2015 as part of its initial rebrand as The Splat.
