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Roundhouse
Roundhouselogo.png
Created by
Developed by
Written by
  • Bernie Ancheta
  • Becky Hartman-Edwards
  • Sheila R. Lawrence
  • Nancy Neufeld Callaway
  • Buddy Sheffield
  • Rita Sheffield
Directed by
Music by
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes52
Production
Executive producers
Production locations
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companyRebel Entertainment
Release
Original networkNickelodeon
Original releaseAugust 15, 1992 (1992-08-15) –
December 24, 1996 (1996-12-24)

Roundhouse is an American comedy-variety television series that aired on Nickelodeon from 1992 through 1996.[1]

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.[2]

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 (or everyone in the final episode) would yell the words "Reprise the Theme Song and Roll the Credits"; the cast then sang the opening theme a cappella in Southern Gospel style 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

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.[3]

Roundhouse band

Episodes

Season 1 (1992–93)

Season 2 (1993)

Season 3 (1993–94)

Season 4 (1994–96)

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
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
–
1994 Won Ollie Award[4] Excellence in Television Programming for America's Children - American Center for Children's Television
–
 Roundhouse Producers
–

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 sporadically reran the series beginning in 2015 as part of its initial rebrand as The Splat.

Home media

To date, two episodes have been released on VHS.

Episode VHS Title
"New Kid In Town" SNICK: Volume 1: Nick SNICKS Friendship
"You Can't Fire Your Family" SNICK: Volume 2: Nick SNICKS The Family

References

  1. ^ "The Huffington Post - AolTV.com - April 15, 2009 - 'For The Love Of God, Revive Roundhouse!'". AolTV.com.
  2. ^ "The Huffington Post - AolTV.com - April 15, 2009 - 'For The Love Of God, Revive Roundhouse!'". AolTV.com.
  3. ^ "Dominic Lucero Grave". Find a Grave.
  4. ^ "The American Center For Children's Television - 'Ollie Award'". CenterForChildrenAndMedia.org.

External links

Former Nickelodeon original programming
Categories