So ... What Now?

Madeline Fretz - For the past few years now, we've been running around in circles and chewing nervously on random objects, waiting for NBCUniversal to do something with the Sprout brand (or at least the name). I doubt these will ever happen, but hey - those are suggestions. Enjoy!

App

(please note that this video is from Let's Grow, a Sprout fan account I talk about A LOT on this blog. He(she?) should upload more videos, something He(she?) hasn't been doing since 2018)

NOGGIN, the preschool cable channel owned by Nickelodeon and formerly Sesame Workshop (one of Sprout's original founders), became Nick Jr. (formerly the name of Nickelodeon's preschool block) on September 28th, 2009, but in 2015, it was announced that the educational brand would be returning as a subscription app, even bringing back former mascots Moose A. Moose and Zee, who were sadly dropped from Nick Jr. in 2012 (almost ten years ago). As of 2019, the app is now known as NOGGIN in name only, with a new Nickelodeon-style logo, even though Moose and Zee content remain on the app.

This is where we come in. Why not Sprout? I believe NOGGIN was revived thanks to fan demand and in order to appeal to nostalgia. Kids are using screens a lot nowadays (including myself), so that's probably why they chose to reintroduce kids to the brand in app form. I believe the kind(?) people at NBCUniversal should do the same with Sprout - like the NOGGIN app when it launched, this new app should have classic shows and programming blocks from the past seventeen years, while even being hosted by Sprout's old characters and hosts! How great would that be?

Nighttime block

You know those retro nighttime blocks on TV such as The Splat/NickRewind? Even NOGGIN had one when it launched in 1999! Why not convince NBCUniversal to launch a retro nighttime block on Universal Kids with the Sprout name? The block can have old Sprout shows like Noodle and Doodle, Pajanimals, The Chica Show - a great way to introduce kids nowadays to these shows we enjoyed as kids. Now, I know Universal Kids had a preschool block with the Sprout name when it launched, airing from 3AM - 6PM ET, but they say I can do anything!

Reunion

On Christmas Day 2021, I received the surprise of my life (though I never felt this way before, yes I swear, it's the truth) as Steven Binnig, a former Sprout crew member whom I'm friends with on Facebook, sent me a video of former Sprout talent wishing me merry Christmas, and they even knew I was their biggest fan. I even sang about that video in my song "Childhood," which is mainly about my history as a Sprout fan. It seems to me like they miss the good old days and really want Sprout back, just like I do. A reunion show could work. 

A reunion show would give fans to chance to meet their idols. There would also be autograph signings, Q&A, screenings, an area for little kids etc. And yep, I posted something similar on my "Possibilities for SSU's 15th" post. If there was one, I'd DEFINITELY be going! It may not happen given Sprout's small fanbase, but I always say "never say never."

New movie?

In a previous post on this blog, I wrote about possibilities for a Sprout movie, which would be a great mode of comeback for the brand. A lot of childhood icons have been revived as movies, and Sprout would really fit in! Plus, with the new Barney and Sesame Street movies, that's not to be ignored! As I said in the movie post, I believe if a Sprout movie happens, it should be akin to my Sprout fanfic, which was the plot of many movies prior. Don't aim it squarely at little kids, aim it at us - the fans. Include references to Sprout's early days only we would get. But please don't make it a horror movie like the Banana Splits, we all know how THAT turned out...

New show

Good ideas that never caught on!

Several Sprout fans have been making shows focused on old characters. For example, Sprout fan Bella created Crossovia, which has brought back many old channels like Sprout and NOGGIN and has a Nick Jr. parody called "Freak Jr." One of the shows on "Freak Jr." is Banjo and Mandolin, which is about Banjo from The Let's Go Show moving to Crossovia, making friends with a cat named Mandolin, and catching up with her old Sprout friends from time to time (as well as characters from other channels). Another fan, Kate (who might as well be the same person as Bella), created The Sprout Hangout for a fanmade Universal Kids rebrand. The series focuses on Sprout characters (mainly Meeka and M'Goats from Sprout Control Room) working on a TV show hosted by Tony Biscardi and co-host Spencer Breslin that has animated segments like "Kiki Meow" and a different theme every episode. I, for one, like both of these ideas.

A TV series would be another great way to reintroduce old Sprout characters to the world, whether it be kiddie or more adult-ish (*cough* The Muppets (2015) *cough*). To me, if there was ever a new series, make it aimed at both, but mainly at old Sprout fans. The premise should be a mix between The Muppet Show, The Muppets (2015), Season 1 of The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo, and Kate's "Sprout Hangout" (I am a Muppet nerd) and have it be about the Sprout gang putting on a show and their backstage lives. Either that or a Muppets Now/Fraggle Rock: Rock On!-like show with the Sprout gang video chatting and interacting with celebrity guest stars. And yes, both are also great premises.

So ... what do you think? What should be next for the Sprout brand? Now, I know that some (most?) of these ideas may never happen, but remember, "never say never." Peace "Sprout!"

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