On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by Canadian writer, creator, and showrunner John Derevlany.

John joins us to share his journey through the worlds of adult and children's television. Starting out writing for National Lampoon, John eventually transitioned into television, initially writing for adult audiences before finding his niche in children's programming. He discusses his work on the Nickelodeon series The Angry Beavers, creating Jim Henson's Animal Jam, developing the Wayside TV series, serving as head writer on Monster Buster Club, and co-creating Legends of Chima for LEGO. Throughout the conversation, John shares behind-the-scenes stories, creative challenges, and how his experiences in adult comedy influenced his approach to writing for kids.

Connect with John:

https://johnderevlany.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnderevlany/

Taping date:

January 7, 2025

Edited by: Simon A. (Baby Lamb Creations)

https://www.youtube.com/@BabyLambCreations

https://www.tiktok.com/@babylambcreations

https://www.instagram.com/babylambcreations/

https://www.reddit.com/user/BabyLambCreationsYT/

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by production designer Bob Lavallee.

Bob spent 14 and a half years shaping the visual world of Barney & Friends, working from Season 4 through to the very end. He also contributed to numerous Barney home videos, including Camp WannaRunnaRound, Sing & Dance With Barney, Barney's Night Before Christmas, Let's Play School!, and Come on Over to Barney's House, just to name a few. Bob shares how he transitioned from live theater into television, landed the job on Barney & Friends, and reimagined beloved sets like the treehouse and school. He also discusses how the show evolved with new additions such as the park, Idea Bench, and gazebo, giving fans fresh spaces to explore. Along the way, you may even see some design sketches for some sets!

Special thanks to Fred Holmes for connecting us!

Taping date:

February 7, 2026

Edited by: Drew Wells

https://www.youtube.com/@drewsmediacorner399

https://www.instagram.com/drews_media_1/

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by singer-songwriter and educator Keeth Apgar!

Keeth joins us to talk about his journey as the founder and frontman of the family music band The Harmonica Pocket. Their latest single, Imperfection is a Gift, shares a message of embracing life's accidents and finding the beauty and power within those moments of imperfection we all experience. Keeth opens up about balancing storytelling with crafting catchy, memorable melodies, shares his favorite songs and touring experiences, and reflects on the creative process behind his music. He also discusses the honor of recently winning the ASCAP Foundation Joe Raposo Children’s Music Award and what it means for his work in family and children's music.

Check out The Harmonica Pocket and stream Imperfection is a Gift wherever you listen to music:

https://orcd.co/imperfectionisagift

https://harmonicapocket.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HarmonicaPocket

https://x.com/HarmonicaPocket

https://www.youtube.com/@harmonicapocket

https://harmonicapocket.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/harmonicapocket

Taping date:

March 18, 2026

Edited by: Miles

https://www.youtube.com/@Miles02109

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by writers and producers Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere!

Paul co-created Rugrats alongside Arlene Klasky and Gábor Csupó and oversaw the show's first three seasons, while Joe joined as a writer during those early years, helping bring the adventures of Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica, and the gang to life. After Rugrats, Joe went on to co-develop the Nickelodeon series Hey Arnold! with creator Craig Bartlett, while Paul and Joe's partnership continued with Disney shows like Recess, its theatrical film Recess: School's Out, and Lloyd in Space. They also co-wrote the 2010 film Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue and developed the 2010 reboot of Pound Puppies. In this conversation, they discuss the inspiration behind the Rugrats and Recess characters, how these shows became landmark cartoons of the '90s, their collaborative process, and the lasting impact of their work.

Taping date:

October 11, 2025

Edited by: Simon A. (Baby Lamb Creations)

https://www.youtube.com/@BabyLambCreations

https://www.tiktok.com/@babylambcreations

https://www.instagram.com/babylambcreations/

https://www.reddit.com/user/BabyLambCreationsYT/

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by writer and producer Alex Rockwell!

Alex began her work with The Jim Henson Company in the late '1980s, first as a producer on The Jim Henson Hour, continuing as a producer and executive producer on series such as Dinosaurs, Muppets Tonight, and Bear in the Big Blue House, as well as the feature films Muppets from Space and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. She was also behind the creation of Frances, Pajanimals, Word Party, and Slumberkins. During our chat with Alex, we also talk about her experience being interviewed for the 2024 documentary Jim Henson: Idea Man.

Special thanks to Judy Rothman Rofé for connecting us!

Taping date:

February 26, 2025

Edited by: Simon A. (Baby Lamb Creations)

https://www.youtube.com/@BabyLambCreations

https://www.tiktok.com/@babylambcreations

https://www.instagram.com/babylambcreations/

https://www.reddit.com/user/BabyLambCreationsYT/

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by writer and producer Jim Lewis!

People will know Jim's work best from his many years with The Muppets and The Jim Henson Company. He got his start with The Muppets as the editor of Muppet Magazine, with his first production being the video Hey, You're as Funny as Fozzie Bear. From there, Jim wrote and produced a variety of home videos, television series and specials, and live performances for The Muppets and Henson. We also touch on Jim's time writing for the long-running children's series Barney & Friends.

Special thanks to Bill Barretta for connecting us!

Taping date:

January 6, 2025

Edited by: Simon A. (Baby Lamb Creations)

https://www.youtube.com/@BabyLambCreations

https://www.tiktok.com/@babylambcreations

https://www.instagram.com/babylambcreations/

https://www.reddit.com/user/BabyLambCreationsYT/

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by creator and executive producer Jennifer Oxley!

Best known for her extensive career in children's television, today's conversation with Jennifer touches specifically on creating and executive producing the Wonder Pets! reboot series Wonder Pets: In the City. She discusses the upcoming second season, how it introduces kids to diverse cultures, sparks global curiosity, and encourages compassion and empathy, etc.

Season 2 of Wonder Pets: In the City premieres March 20 on Apple TV. Watch the trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gMUZULyEr4

Taping date:

March 11, 2026

Edited by: Chris Bixby (Co-Host)

https://www.facebook.com/cbixby2000

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by TV hosts Doug Momary and Emily Peden!

In the '1970s, Doug and Emily were beloved for playing the hosts Doug and Emmy Jo on New Zoo Revue, with Doug also serving as co-creator. The conversation dives into the creation of the show, including Doug's collaboration with fellow co-creator Barbara Atlas, and their work with the legendary Sid and Marty Krofft on designing those unforgettable costumes. Doug and Emily reminisce about their favorite episodes and songs, share behind-the-scenes memories, and reflect on the show's surprising legacy and devoted following that continues decades later.

Check out New Zoo Revue below!

https://thenewzoorevue.com/

https://newzoorevue.shop/

https://www.instagram.com/thenewzoorevue

https://www.youtube.com/newzoorevue

http://www.facebook.com/@thenewzoorevue

https://x.com/thenewzoorevue

Taping date:

June 8, 2025

Edited by: Miles

https://www.youtube.com/@Miles02109

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by children's author, writer, and television producer Marilyn Sadler!

Marilyn has had the pleasure of writing and producing for children in multiple different fashions. She is a children's book author, best known for book series such as P.J. Funnybunny, Honey Bunny, and Alistair Grittle, which was featured on two episodes of the PBS literary series Reading Rainbow. She is also best known for writing the book that became a DCOM, Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century, and in children's television for co-creating the Playhouse Disney series Handy Manny.

Connect with Marilyn!

https://marilynsadler.net/

Taping date:

December 17, 2024

Edited by: Drew Wells

https://www.youtube.com/@drewsmediacorner399

https://www.instagram.com/drews_media_1/

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow

On this week's episode of Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, we're joined by creators and executive producers Genie Deez and Thy Than!

This week's conversation covers the brand new PBS Kids series Genie and Thy created, Phoebe & Jay, which follows two children who live with their father and grandmother at Tobsy Towers in the fictional city of Nadaville, California. Genie and Thy share favorite episodes, diversity and representation in today's media, the collaborative process between the writers and producers, and so much more!

Watch Phoebe & Jay on PBS Kids and on PBSKids.org!

https://pbskids.org/phoebeandjay

https://pbskids.org/videos/phoebeandjay

(And check your local PBS station for dates and times.)

Taping date:

February 13, 2026

Edited by: Miles

https://www.youtube.com/@Miles02109

Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!

https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/

Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!

https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow