Mission to Mars - Today!

In case you've forgotten, or just didn't realize, the newest Backyardigans episode, Mission to Mars, is airing today. It features Alicia Keys as a Mommy Martian, and Keys' niece, Shakyra Lipscomb, as a baby martian. Judging from the music clips we've been hearing on the ads, we should be looking at another half hour of great music today.

You might also be interested in an interview by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette with Janice Burgess, the creator of the Backyardigans. It turns out that she loves action films, and uses the sense of adventure found in them as inspiration for the Backyardigans. She sees the show as fun and creative for the kids watching it, not just another educational/instructive show, but one that goes back to simple imaginative play.

Go check out the whole article to find out Burgess' reaction to being called "the artist" on her contract, her childhood in Pittsburgh, and what she thinks about Alicia Keys being on The Backyardigans.