The Puzzle Place

The Puzzle Place
Created by	Cecily Truett Suzanne Singer Rob Stork Ellis Weiner David Yazbek
Starring	Alice Dinnean Carmen Osbahr Jim Martin Noel MacNeal Eric Jacobson Peter Linz Matt Vogel Drew Massey Alison Mork Stephanie D'Abruzzo Terri Hardin Allan Trautman
Theme music composer	Steve Horelick Janet Weir
Composers	Steve Horelick Janet Weir
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	75
Production
Executive producers	Cecily Truett Larry Lancit Stephen Kulczycki (seasons 1–2) Patricia Kunkel (season 3)
Camera setup	Videotape; Multi-camera
Running time	30 minutes
Production companies	KCET Lancit Media
Release
Original network	PBS Kids
Picture format	NTSC
Original release	January 16, 1995 (1995-01-16) – December 4, 1998 (1998-12-04)

The Puzzle Place is an American children's television series produced by KCET in Los Angeles and Lancit Media in New York City. Although production was dated and premiered on two Los Angeles PBS stations, KCET and KLCS, on September 15, 1994, it did not officially premiere on all PBS stations nationwide until January 16, 1995, with its final episode airing on December 4, 1998, and reruns airing until March 31, 2000. It became one of PBS Kids' most popular series on the line-up since Sesame Street.

On April 3, 2000, Between the Lions replaced it on the schedule of many PBS stations.

Premise[]

The series follows a multi-ethnic group of children (puppets) from different parts of the United States who work and socialize at the Puzzle Place, which is an industrial plant for manufacturing jigsaw puzzles and child hangout. In each episode, the characters are confronted with an everyday conflict usually encountered in childhood years, such as making moral decisions, sharing, racism and sexism.

Characters[]

• Julie Woo: A Chinese American girl from San Francisco, California. She is very sensitive and caring of her personal possessions and she sometimes tries a little too hard. She especially loves singing; though, outside of the show's musical numbers, her voice can be cacophonous to humorous effect. Performed by Alice Dinnean.
• Kiki Flores: A Mexican American girl from San Antonio, Texas. She is very outgoing and has a temper. She once pretended to be a space alien after being teased about her accent (episode: Accentuate the Positive). She is also a great chili cook and has a Spanish-speaking cousin named Magdalena (or Maggie) (episode: "Hello Maggie") who helps everyone to learn about acceptance. Performed by Carmen Osbahr.
• Ben Olafson: A Scandinavian American boy of German and Norwegian descent from a farm near Renner, South Dakota. Like Jody, he is a child without both parents, but unlike her, whose are divorced, his father is deceased (episode: "Big Boys Don't Cry"). He is good at solving difficult puzzles and a talented dancer. Though normally easygoing and friendly, he can be unforgiving when angered. Performed by Jim Martin.
• Leon MacNeal: An African American boy, possibly of West African origin, from New York City. He wears dreadlocks, gets jealous easily, and sometimes does not think before he acts. He is a fan of hip-hop music and loves basketball. Performed by Noel MacNeal, with Eric Jacobson puppeteering him to MacNeal's voice in season 3.
• Skye Nakaiye: A White Mountain Apache boy from an Indian reservation in Arizona. He always wears a bandanna, raincoat, and feather necklace. He is naturally curious and believes in staying true to his values and culture. Performed by Peter Linz in seasons 1 and 2, and Matt Vogel in season 3.
• Jody Silver: A Jewish Lithuanian American girl from Cincinnati, Ohio. Her parents are divorced, she does not like to be called names, and she can be gullible but is usually enthusiastic. Performed throughout the series by Alison Mork, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, and Terri Hardin.
• Kyle O'Connor: An Irish American boy and wheelchair user who appears in some episodes. Initially performed by Drew Massey, and later puppeteered by Allan Trautman to Terri Hardin's voice.
• Weebus: The group's smart talking computer that they use to communicate with people outside of the Puzzle Place. She is also capable of performing automated tasks and playing video clips to answer a question.
• Nuzzle and Sizzle: The anthropomorphic pet dog and cat, respectively, at the Puzzle Place. They are seen mostly in the basement, talking to each other, and acting as animals around the kids. They are usually involved in a subplot. Sizzle is performed by Alice Dinnean and Nuzzle is performed by Peter Linz in Seasons 1 and 2 and Matt Vogel in Season 3.
• The Piece Police: Multicolored inhabitants of the Puzzle Place. They communicate amongst themselves using gibberish, although they understand English. It is hinted in some episodes that they all know what Sizzle and Nuzzle are saying. Performed by Carmen Osbahr, Jim Martin, Noel MacNeal, and Alison Mork, with Stephanie D'Abruzzo replacing Mork in Season 2, and Eric Jacobson and Terri Hardin replacing MacNeal and D'Abruzzo in Season 3. D'Abruzzo also provides their singing voices.

Episodes[]

Pilot episodes[]

In early 1994, two pilot episodes were produced for the series known as The Puzzle Works. Eventually, the show was renamed The Puzzle Place shortly before its premiere months later.

Series overview[]

Season		Episodes		Originally aired
				First aired	Last aired
	1	40		January 16, 1995 (1995-01-16)[1]	March 10, 1995 (1995-03-10)
	2	25		January 15, 1996 (1996-01-15)	February 16, 1996 (1996-02-16)
	3	10		October 19, 1998 (1998-10-19)	December 4, 1998 (1998-12-04)

Season 1 (1995)[]

1. Tippy Woo (January 16, 1995):

• Julie obtains a teddy bear, and names it after herself. She also remarks on some unflattering nicknames other kids have given her.

2. Train Driving Kids (January 17, 1995):

• The boys have a model train but refuse to share with the girls, insisting it’s a boys’ activity. Nuzzle struggles to play a toy xylophone.

3. Rip Van Wrinkle (January 18, 1995):

• The kids host a slumber party but have to work together to help each one's bedtime needs be met, or else the “slumber” part will be difficult. Sizzle and Nuzzle try to be nocturnal, but it’s harder than it seems.

4. Accentuate the Positive (January 19, 1995):

• Kiki dresses as a space alien, distressed that other kids at school laughed at her Hispanic accent.

5. Gotta Dance (January 20, 1995):

• The kids obtain a sheet of dance steps and learn of various cultural dances while trying to decipher it. Sizzle recalls the time Nuzzle criticized her for carrying her tail wrong and refuses to dance with him again. Features a guest appearance by Nia Peeples.

6. Rudy One (January 23, 1995):

• A robot shows up at the Puzzle Place and befriends Leon, while insulting everyone else, in an attempt to sabotage everyone’s friendship. Sizzle turns to Nuzzle for advice when a new cat called her a “snooty patootie.”

7. Butterfingers (January 24, 1995):

• The kids hold a relay race, but Ben drops his baton, prompting the nickname “Butterfingers” from everyone else. Nuzzle tries to show off his bravado by wanting to be called “Professor Muscles.”

8. Rock Dreams (January 25, 1995):

• Skye aspires to perform music, but is discouraged by the fact that he doesn't know very many Native American performers. Nuzzle gets so tired of watching Sizzle listen to Swiss yodeling music that he tries to make her yodel herself. Features a guest appearance by Red Thunder.

9. Roamantics (January 26, 1995):

• Ben brings in an ant farm, but Leon unwittingly wreaks havoc in an attempt to give the ants fresh air.

10. Spud Buds (January 27, 1995):

• Skye finds a party box in the kitchen, but everyone else is too distracted watching TV to take interest. Nuzzle wishes he hadn’t let Sizzle use a flying machine all she wants.

11. Different Drummer (January 30, 1995):

• Julie plays referee to Skye and Leon’s dispute over whose cultural drum is better. Sizzles take up skateboarding.

12. I Love Kiki (January 31, 1995):

• Kiki is at a loss as to what to do when she unwittingly “breaks” Julie’s toy horse. Sizzle looks after the sneaker that Nuzzle likes to chew on, but when the Piece Police throw it out as she naps, she panics. Ben does not appear in this episode.

13. True Colors (February 1, 1995):

• The kids all partner up to paint one another, but initially can’t find a suitable paint color for everyone. Sizzle wants to paint a self-portrait, but it’s too hard for her.

14. Cute is as Cute Does (February 2, 1995):

• Julie wants to emulate a “cute” performer (played by guest Amy Hill), but sees her true colors when a crisis in the greenhouse hits. Nuzzle bores Sizzle to sleep when he tries to show her a photo album of when he was a puppy.

15. Leon’s Pizza (February 3, 1995):

• Leon wants to make a pizza for everyone but needs a creative solution to satisfy everyone’s different topping preferences. Sizzle and Nuzzle fight over which toy is better.

16. Real Heroes (February 6, 1995):

• The kids compare their favorite superheroes but need to band together when the pets get caught in a dangerous situation. Features a guest appearance by Robert Townsend.

17. Going by the Book (February 7, 1995):

• The kids want to play Sleeping Beauty, but as four of them don’t fit the description of the protagonists, they research other princes and princesses that reflect their individual heritages.

18. Mad Music Magic (February 8, 1995):

• Kiki leads the kids in a makeshift band, but her authority seems to do more harm than good when she won’t allow them to play their preferred instruments. Sizzle attends her cousin’s birthday party, so Nuzzle tries to be the dog and the cat at the same time.

19. Party of One (February 9, 1995):

• Leon learns a hard lesson in racism when he’s barred from attending a friend’s birthday party simply because he’s African-American. Nuzzle refuses to fetch a stick for Kiki because she didn’t say “the magic word” (which Sizzle tries in vain to guess).

20. Dancing Dragon (February 10, 1995):

• Skye and Kiki unwittingly invade Julie’s privacy by opening a package meant for her.

21. Picture Perfect (February 13, 1995):

• Ben is unwilling to wear his glasses for a group picture because of some teasing. Nuzzle goes for a “hip cat” approach, which fails to impress Sizzle.

22. Maiden Voyages (February 14, 1995):

• Kiki and Julie enjoy moon cakes, but a humorous misunderstanding may mean Julie will marry Leon.

23. Donuts and Dithering (February 15, 1995):

• The kids receive six assorted donuts, and Jody gets first dibs, but she struggles to decide which one she wants. Leon attempts to manipulate her choice to keep her from picking the one he wants, but it backfires. Sizzle and Nuzzle so badly want to take a donut themselves.

24. Bully for Jody (February 16, 1995):

• Jody is a victim of bullying when a bigger student keeps stealing her lunch. Features a guest appearance by Sinbad.

25. Ben’s Bad Hair Day (February 17, 1995):

• Ben attempts to change his “boring” hairstyle with disastrous results.

26. All Weather Friends (February 20, 1995):

• When a storm hits the Puzzle Place, Leon is embarrassed to admit he is afraid of thunder and lightning.

27. Bread and Matzoh (February 21, 1995):

• Skye brings some special bread from his tribe to share with the kids but is troubled when Jody refuses to try any for eight days. It turns out she has a good reason, though. Sizzle and Nuzzle get very hungry because the kids forget to feed them.

28. Owning It (February 22, 1995):

• Leon obtains a new watch but drives everyone else crazy with it, causing them to snap back at him. Kiki is preparing chili in the kitchen, and Sizzle and Nuzzle want to taste it so badly. Features a guest appearance by Paula Poundstone.

29. Baffled Ben (February 23, 1995):

• Ben is struggling to put together a puzzle but angrily snaps and puts down anyone who tries to help him.

30. Practice Makes Perfect (February 24, 1995):

• While nearly all the kids are sick, Skye finds a guitar and wants to play it, but he is slow to understand that he has to put time and effort into becoming good at it. Sizzle tries playing billiards.

31. Finders Keepers (February 27, 1995):

• Julie finds Skye’s misplaced Apache Pollen Pouch and is so enamored with it that she doesn’t return it right away, damaging her friendship with Skye when she finally does. Jody does not appear in this episode.

32. You Say Potato (February 28, 1995):

• The kids bring in items for a picnic but can’t seem to agree on where to have it. Skye and Julie prefer the mountains and Ben and Kiki prefer the park. Even the two duos can’t agree on the specifics. Sizzle and Nuzzle are excited to go on the picnic themselves, especially for bird-watching.

33. At the End of Our Rope (March 1, 1995):

• The boys challenge the girls to a game of tug of war but are unexpectedly defeated and can’t figure out why.

34. Just Kidding (March 2, 1995):

• Skye forgets to bring a bat for a baseball game and is subject to some teasing for it. Ben eventually feels guilty about it and convinces the others to lay off as well. Sizzle and Nuzzle climb up a tree in the greenhouse but are too scared to come down. Leon and Kiki do not appear in this episode (other than in flashbacks).

35. Everything in its Place (March 3, 1995):

• Kiki makes plans to clean the place, but it doesn’t go as planned.

36. Big Boys Don't Cry (March 6, 1995):

• Leon cries when the others exclude him from his own pancake making recipe and is labelled a “crybaby” by Ben and Skye. Sizzle and Nuzzle filch all the pancakes made.

37. Here's to the Winners (March 7, 1995):

• Ben becomes discouraged when everyone but him has won a trophy for something, even though he does have an impressive skill that’s worthy of a prize in and of itself. Sizzle and Nuzzle do not appear in this episode.

38. A World of Difference (March 8, 1995):

• Everyone except Skye disguise themselves as identical superheroes, but Skye still can tell who is who.

39. Willing and Able (March 9, 1995):

• Ben takes pity on Skye’s friend Kyle, who’s in a wheelchair. Sizzle and Nizzle find out the hard way that she can’t bury a bone and he can’t climb a tree. Leon and Kiki do not appear in this episode.

40. It's Magic (March 10, 1995):

• Kiki becomes scared when her friends disappear after a failed magic act. Nuzzle becomes inspired by a heroic dog on TV.

Season 2 (1996)[]

1. Deck the Halls (January 15, 1996)

• The kids prepare for Christmas but are shocked that Jody does not celebrate with them. Features a guest appearance by Patti LaBelle.

2. Dressing Up Is Hard to Do (January 16, 1996)

• Julie makes fun of what Jody wants to wear to the “grown-up” theme party at Puzzle Place. But when the others kids like Jody’s outfit better than hers, Julie learns that the only reason you need for wearing something is because you like it.

3. One Way (January 17, 1996)

• Skye and Leon find out that there are many ways to make kites and that just because one way works doesn’t mean another way won’t work just as well. Sizzle attempts playing basketball. Julie and Ben do not appear in this episode.

4. Oldies But Goodies (January 18, 1996)

• Julie is torn between spending the day with her grandmother or singing in the talent show. Skye and Jody do not appear in this episode.

5. Helping Hands (January 19, 1996)

• Kiki decides to prune a big tree by herself and becomes exasperated when she discovers that the job is too much for her to do alone. She learns that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Nuzzle obtains a motorcycle and Sizzle so badly wants to try it herself. Julie, Ben, and Leon do not appear in this episode.

6. Yellow Belt (January 22, 1996)

• When Ben teases Jody that girls can’t learn martial arts, she quickly teaches him a lesson.

7. The Mystery of the Fabulous Hat (January 23, 1996)

• Leon learns that playing Sherlock Holmes isn’t enough to solve a mystery. He needs Dr. Watson, his teammate Ben. Everyone learns that being part of a team means respecting your teammates and appreciating their unique contributions. Sizzle and Nuzzle stole the fabulous hat in question and destroy it. Features a guest appearance by Lynne Thigpen as the Chief of Acme Crimenet. Julie and Skye do not appear in this episode.

8. How Much Is That Doggie in the Window? (January 24, 1996)

• Kiki tries to prove to her mother that she’s ready to take care of a pet by taking care of Nuzzle. She soon realizes that she’s not ready for the responsibility. Sizzle so badly wants to climb a curtain in the basement but keeps falling down.

9. The New Adventures of Julie Woo (January 25, 1996)

• Julie tries out a new and different game and realizes how much fun it can be. Kiki and Leon do not appear in this episode.

10. We Three Kings (January 26, 1996)

• The Puzzle Place kids meet pro-basketball player Cedric Ceballos and learn that there is a difference between being bossy and being a leader.

11. Hello, Maggie (January 29, 1996)

• Kiki’s cousin Maggie visits from Mexico. Even though she only speaks Spanish, the other kids learn that friendship and communication can develop through gestures and a few simple words. Nuzzle gets trapped in a dollhouse. Leon and Jody do not appear in this episode.

12. Off the Track (January 30, 1996)

• Ben and Leon fight over who gets to lay the last piece of train track. They get so angry that they hit each other and their fight ruins the game for everyone, including themselves. Once they realize that fighting is a bad idea, they learn what else they can do when they feel so angry that they want to hit someone. A replay of their fight shows them points where they could have stopped to talk things out. Features a guest appearance by Ernie Hudson.

13. Beautiful Doll (January 31, 1996)

• Unbeknownst to Julie, Nuzzle has taken her favorite doll. Julie is understandably upset, so Leon decides to conduct an all-out search. Ben and Skye do not appear in this episode.

14. Tattle Tales (February 1, 1996)

• Leon sees his brother accidentally break his father’s favorite lamp. Leon doesn’t want to be a tattletale, but he doesn’t want to lie either. When he learns that telling the truth is not the same as tattling, he knows just what to do.

15. Those Ears, Those Eyes (February 2, 1996)

• Julie is upset because a classmate calls her eyes “funny.” Her friends help her see that everyone’s eyes are different and beautiful, and that they are all just right for them. Nuzzle imagines what it would be like to have different kinds of ears.

16. That’s Weird (February 5, 1996)

• The children think Ben’s Norwegian dancing and traditional costumes are weird. They soon learn that things that are new to them just might be interesting, not weird. Sizzle, likewise, finds Nuzzle chewing on a toy car weird. Skye and Jody do not appear in this episode.

17. The Ballad of Davy Cricket (February 6, 1996)

• When Jody’s pet cricket dies, the friends share how different cultures deal with death. Children learn what to do with all the strong feelings that come up when someone (or something) they love dies. They find answers in the traditional practices of their culture, their families and their friends. Nuzzle is so excited to see his favorite dog groomer that Sizzle couldn’t care less. Ben and Skye do not appear in this episode.

18. Little Leon, Big Ben (February 7, 1996)

• The children decide to host a circus. But Leon is too small to fit into a costume. With his friends’ help, he discovers that size shouldn’t matter.

19. I Scream, You Scream (February 8, 1996)

• Jody and the kids learn that dealing with a difficult situation is easier when you’re able to talk about your feelings, especially with issues like divorce and remarriage. Sizzle and Nuzzle think of ways to organize the basement. Julie and Ben do not appear in this episode.

20. Skye’s Coat (February 9, 1996)

• Everyone has a new raincoat except Skye. The kids convince him that he can make his raincoat special by decorating it in his own way.

21. It’s Mine (February 12, 1996)

• Julie and Kiki want to play with the same thing at the same time. With the help of Skye’s Uncle Victorio, a member of the Tribunal Council, they learn that the best way to solve a conflict is to make a rule that everyone agrees to follow. The kids brainstorm lots of ideas before they finally find a rule that everyone thinks will work. Sizzle and Nuzzle fight over napping spots. Ben and Jody do not appear in this episode.

22. One Big, Happy Family (February 13, 1996)

• Ben, Skye and Julie cheer up Jody after a boy makes fun of her nontraditional family.

23. Leon Grows Up (February 14, 1996)

• Leon wants to be a grownup because he thinks grownups can do whatever they want. When he realizes that there are lots of things grownups have to do that kids don’t have to worry about, he decides he can wait. Sizzle wears a new sweater that makes her sneeze, and Nuzzle thinks he can be a doctor to her. Julie and Skye do not appear in this episode. Features a guest appearance from T.C. Carson.

24. Cowpokes (February 15, 1996)

• Julie and Leon are scared of something they’ve never tried: horseback riding. They find out that when you have the courage to try new things you end up being proud of yourself.

25. Hurricane Julie (February 16, 1996)

• When Julie sees that her excitement about playing in the wading pool is actually hurting people (and pets), she understands that it is important to be careful.

Season 3 (1998)[]

1. Family Feud (October 19, 1998)

• On family photo day, the gang learns about diverse types of families. Nuzzle and Sizzle see a single-parent family, a grandparent lead family, and an adoptive family.

2. Anything She Can't Do (October 20, 1998)

• Julie is upset because her mother gives so much attention to her baby sister, Helen. Nuzzle is suspicious of the newly installed pet door.

3. You Don't Match (October 21, 1998)

• Ben's lack of exposure to diversity causes him to assume that Tim can't be Leon's cousin because Tim is too fair-skinned. When he learns he is wrong, Ben's openness in accepting his mistake helps his view of the world grow as he discovers that even people who are the same race have different colors of skin.

4. To Have and Have Not (October 26, 1998)

• Skye worries that the others won't play with him because his parents refuse to buy an expensive new toy. Nuzzle fakes an injury to get sympathy.

5. Fiesta Follies (October 27, 1998)

• The gang wants to throw Kiki a birthday party, but they learn that she likes different things than they do. Meanwhile, Sizzle becomes a Mexican heartthrob's biggest fan.

6. Between You and Me (October 28, 1998)

• Skye refuses to let Leon wear his Apache necklace, and Leon gets upset. When the kids hide Nuzzle and Sizzle’s favorite toys, they search everywhere to find them.

7. A Star is Burned (October 29, 1998)

• Skye is directing the kids' production of Rapunzel. Julie gets mad when he praises costar Ben.

8. Spooky (October 30, 1998)

• The boys exclude the girls from their Count Spookula club because they don't think girls like spooky stuff, but they learn that some girls do like scary stuff, and some boys don't. Leon and Jody do not appear in this episode.

9. Up! (December 3, 1998)

• Julie and Ben are surprised by Kyle's new activity of rock climbing. They incorrectly assume that people who use wheelchairs can't do something physically challenging, like climbing rocks. They soon become Kyle's biggest supporters, though.

10. I'm Talking to You (December 4, 1998)

• Skye is ignored when he asks to use a video game so he assumes the girl is being mean. Then he discovers that she didn't hear him because she is deaf. After he learns some sign language with the help of Marlee Matlin, he realizes he has found a new friend. Julie, Ben, and Jody do not appear in this episode.

Broadcast[]

Besides the PBS stations in the United States, the series also aired on TV Cultura in Brazil, Discovery Kids in Latin America, Playhouse Disney in France, in Hungary, RTP in Portugal, in Egypt, Nickelodeon Greece in Greece, TV Tokyo in Japan, GMTV in the UK, and ABC Kids in Australia.

Home media[]

During its launch, Sony Wonder (and later KidVision) released The Puzzle Place on VHS. There are currently no plans to release it on DVD.

• Tuned In (10. Spud Buds and 14. Cute is as Cute Does)
• Rock Dreams (18. Mad Music Magic and 8. Rock Dreams)
• Rip Van Wrinkle (17. Going by the Book and 3. Rip Van Wrinkle)
• Accentuate the Positive (6. Rudy One and 4. Accentuate the Positive)
• Deck The Halls
• Sing-Along Songs

Reception[]

In the weeks after its debut, The Puzzle Place won a great deal of acclaim and "enjoyed an average audience-per-viewing second only to Barney and Friends among shows in the popular PBS daily children's block."^[2] It received a citation of excellence from UNIMA-USA for its use of puppetry.^[3] In 1997, ten more episodes of the show were "in the works".^[4] Toys "R" Us, Sears, and Payless ShoeSource all announced that they would carry merchandising from the series and showcase that merchandise in its own separate "boutique" rather than integrating it with the other products.^[5]

See also[]

• Barney & Friends
• Sesame Street
• Dragon Tales
• Between the Lions
• Lamb Chop's Play-Along
• The Magic School Bus
• Kidsongs
• Wishbone

References[]

External links[]

• The Puzzle Place at IMDb