| Roundhouse | |
|---|---|
Roundhouse logo |
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| Genre | Sketch comedy Variety |
| Created by | Buddy Sheffield Rita Sheffield |
| Written by | Bernie Ancheta Becky Hartman-Edwards Sheila R. Lawrence Nancy Neufeld Callaway Buddy Sheffield Rita Sheffield |
| Directed by | Rita Sheffield Ron Andreassen Bruce Gowers Gary Halvorson Paul Hoen Linda Mendoza Dennis Rosenblatt Kent Weed |
| Theme music composer | Buddy Sheffield |
| Composer(s) | Benny Hester Eric Hester Frank Musker James Raymond Marty Walsh |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 52 |
| Production | |
| Location(s) | Nickelodeon Studios (Season 1) CBS Studio Center (Season 2-4) |
| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Nickelodeon |
| Original run | August 15, 1992 – January 27, 1996 |
Roundhouse is an American sketch comedy television series that aired on Nickelodeon from August 15, 1992 through January 27, 1996.
Contents |
Roundhouse debuted as a part of the original SNICK lineup on Nickelodeon in 1992 and continued airing on the network through 1996.
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 train companies to redirect railroad cars in any direction. This was in line with the show's theme song, in which the characters stated "we can go anywhere from here". In addition, the set for the show mirrored the interior of a roundhouse.
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. 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 left the series after Season 2 due to her pregnancy and was replaced by Amy Erlich and Jennifer Cihi for Season 3. Natasha Pearce became the series principal vocalist in Season 4, but Vale returned for several episodes as well.
Following the first season, cast member Dominic Lucero was diagnosed with lymphoma. He left the show for treatment, returning for several episodes in the show's third season. One month before the show's final episode was taped, Lucero died on July 1, 1994 at the age of 26. At Lucero's request, his illness was never mentioned on television. The final show, however, was dedicated to his memory. Despite his absence, Dominic's name remained in the opening and closing credits throughout all four seasons of the show. His condition was largely unknown to the viewing audience as information on his illness was not made public. After his departure at the end of Season 1, Natalie Nucci stepped into his role as a principal dancer and became a more prominent vocal talent in the show as well.
The first season was filmed on Stage 18 at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, Florida. Remaining seasons were shot at CBS Studio Center in Hollywood, California.
| 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") |
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| 19?? | Won | Ollie Award |
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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.
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 |
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