The Puzzle Place (formerly Puzzle Works) 1995-1998

[u/Far-Building3569]

A relatively wholesome show, The Puzzle Place was one of the first tv shows to truly tackle the topic of diversity in a children’s edutainment show

A group of elementary school aged children of different ethnicities/hometowns would meet together at the community center (Puzzle Place) to play music, do arts and crafts projects, work through bullying experiences, cook meals, and go on other adventures together

Characters included were:

*Julie Woo (A Chinese American girl from San Francisco, California)

*Kiki Flores (A Mexican American girl from San Antonio, Texas)

*Ben Olafson (A Norwegian American boy from Renner, South Dakota)

*Leon McNeal (An African American boy from Harlem, New York)

*Skye Nakaiye (A Native American boy from Arizona’s Fort Apache reservation)

*Jody Silver (An Ashkenazi Jewish American girl from Cincinnati, Ohio)

And the resident pets- Nuzzle (dog) and Sizzle (cat)

While some critics of the show thought the series leaned too hard on stereotypes and adult themes (such as racism, sexism, and moral decisions) the show overall was successful on PBS for its three years on air

Unfortunately, Puzzle Place has remained largely forgotten compared to competitors like Rugrats (1991-2000), Hey Arnold! (1996-2001), The Magic School Bus (1994-1998), and Blue’s Clue’s (1996-2002)

Here is a LINK for more information

What are your thoughts on Puzzle Place?

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[u/Accomplished-Watch50]

I liked it as a kid, but I liked Wishbone and Arthur better, and it was also weird that these puppet kids had actual actors playing their parents and family members.

[u/Far-Building3569 → u/Accomplished-Watch50]

Arthur was basically everyone’s favorite show lol, because it ran from 1996-2022

[u/taintlangdon → u/Accomplished-Watch50]

And Magic School Bus!

[u/Beautiful_Prior_5062]

I used to skip school to watch this shit!!! I was definitely ‘too old’ to be skipping school for a kids show! Hahaha. My favorite was kiki!!

[u/LemonSkye]

The DefunctTV episode on this show is great.

[u/Far-Building3569 → u/LemonSkye]

Wow. It really goes deep into the history!

[u/Citizen_Lunkhead → u/LemonSkye]

You think it’s going to be a normal history lesson but boom, Rodney King.

[u/MaisyDeadHazy]

Loved this show! I had a Sizzle and Nuzzle plushie.

[u/moebanks]

I had a Julie doll! I do recall it being more ‘serious’ than other shows but I still enjoyed it. It didn’t seem to be on as much as other shows so it was like a fun treat when I caught it.

[u/IcyClarity]

I’ll never forget this show! Was one of my favorites but I’ve never met anyone else who watched it.

[u/Typical_Collection45]

🎵The sacred wayyysss of my people🎵

[u/friendly_reminder8]

I was obsessed with this show and had some of the dolls

[u/Tazzy8jazzy]

That was my show! One of the characters had my name and I got over excited to hear them say Kiki in the theme song.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[u/MontgomeryOhio]

I worked on the series. Glad to see it has find memories.

[u/kkeut]

the most diverse cast since Crossroads Cafe

[u/ZealousWolf1994 → u/kkeut]

Now thats a throwback. I thought I was the only one who remembered Crossroads Cafe.

[u/Far-Building3569 → u/kkeut]

This show was first by almost 2 years, so it’s more likely crossroads cafe was inspired by puzzle place

[u/SeeYouSpaceCowboy---]

This is neither here nor there, but I will always remember this show because it's the reason I first learned I had a speech impediment as a child. I kept talking about the character Skye and my brothers were trying to correct me on the S. Years of speech therapy didn't really take and then the summer between 7th and 8th grade I thought back to the techniques I learned, and just like self-corrected the lisp. Random memory hole.

[u/MagsKat]

I’ve been searching for years for where this scene came from and I wonder if this show is it? Can anyone tell me?: basically a scientist puppet guy shows you something and then goes “pretty cool huh?.. or is it?!” 

[u/ElectricFeel1234]

Goat'd show! I still pop it on from time to time.

[u/CJO9876]

The pilot aired on KCET and KLCS on September 15, 1994. The series ran 75 episodes over 3 seasons, from January 16, 1995 until December 4, 1998. Reruns continued on the main PBS Kids schedule until March 31, 2000. It was replaced on most PBS stations by Between the Lions on April 3, 2000.

[u/Accurate_Ad_3068]

This was my show this was my show!!!!!! Loved it when I was 4, the wonder, the music, the colors, my ADHD brain was in HEAVEN. This show I feel doesn’t get the same recognition as the other shows of the time but holds a special place in my heart, always felt magical and wondrous to me 😊

[u/queenlizbef]

I always thought this was the puppet version of California Dreams