JoJo's Circus is a stop-motion animated television series created by Jim Jinkins, David Campbell, Lisa Jinkins, and Eric Weiner and produced by the Canada-based Cuppa Coffee Studios and Cartoon Pizza. The series was written by Douglas Wood, who previously worked for Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs as a creative executive. The series' songs were composed by Jeffrey Zahn and Jim Latham, with lyrics done by Judy Rothman. The theme song was performed by BECKY. The series ran on Disney Channel as part of the Playhouse Disney block from September 28, 2003 to February 14, 2007 with reruns until 2008.

Plot

The series that takes place in a fantasy Circus Town, a self-sufficient city whose cultural center is the "Big Top" tent. The story centers on JoJo Tickle, an active 6-year-old female clown, and Goliath, JoJo's pet lion. She and Goliath learned at the Little Big Top Circus School, where all young soon-to-be circus performers learn under their teacher Mrs. Kersplatski. Alongside her friends, JoJo discovers and learns while dealing with challenging situations.

Format

JoJo's Circus depends on repetition in its structure. Each segment always begins with JoJo searching for Goliath, who is always hiding. JoJo then is introduced with the situation that will occupy the theme of the show. A song, usually about the resolution of the situation, is then performed by JoJo. At the conclusion of each episode, a supporting character asks, "What did you learn today, JoJo?", and before she can reply, JoJo is taken away for the last segment, the "spotlight moment". JoJo is then placed on a makeshift stage with various cameramen, lighting grips, and producers running about, while the "Spotlight Moment" song plays, asking what she's learned, is sung and JoJo taps her foot along (in some episodes she also taps her hand on her leg). Subsequently, JoJo says what she has learned in the course of the episode.

Characters

The show's voice directors are Kent Meridith (United States) and Debra Toffan (Canada).

Main

Supporting

Other

Development and concept

The show emphasizes simple, everyday lessons such as playing with others, detecting the sequence, personal hygiene, responsibility, and safety. Also, foremost is the show's emphasis on exercise: JoJo often asks for audience participation (such as clapping, jumping, and stretching) for the viewers. The series is animated in claymation, which is a serious departure to Jinkin's past animated works. Characters JoJo and her pet lion, Goliath, returned in a yoga-style exercise learning series/interstitial called Feeling Good with JoJo.

Episodes

Series overview

Season 1 (2003–04)

Season 2 (2004–06)

Season 3 (2006–07)

Feeling Good with JoJo

Feeling Good with JoJo is a series of five-minute shorts that were a spin-off of JoJo's Circus. The series was about JoJo Tickle and her pet lion Goliath. In each episode JoJo and Goliath went on an adventure around the circus, and teach the viewers yoga lessons for the TV viewers. Sometimes one of the show's characters were involved. JoJo's main goal was to help each character in every episode, with a yoga stretching lesson. At the beginning of the series, JoJo would stand in front of the stage, spin around and magically have her hair tied up in a bun while wearing a yellow shirt with a clown on it. The shorts run from February 24, 2006 to May 16, 2008, spanning 2 seasons with a total of 20 episodes.

Episodes