Tag: Abracadabra

‘Abracadabra’ production team wins Ohio Valley Regional Emmy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Public Broadcasting production team has earned an Ohio Valley Regional Emmy Award for the episode “Joey’s Time Machine” of the children’s program, “Abracadabra.”

Chuck Roberts, interim executive director, said he is proud of WVPB’s entire video production team, not just for winning a prestigious award, but for its continual commitment to excellence in all projects.

“Our video production staff consistently delivers quality programming for West Virginians.” Roberts said. “They have an incredible work ethic and they are clearly committed to excellence. They truly deserve this recognition and I congratulate them on their Emmy and I cannot wait to see what they do next.”

This was the third Regional Emmy nomination for “Abracadabra,” a children’s television series geared toward kids ages 4-10 and aired by WVPB. The show is the creation of Dr. Michael Adelman, president of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, and Mike and Joey Productions.

“We are incredibly thrilled to win an Emmy Award for Abracadabra!” Adelman said. “WVSOM in partnership with WVPB, and supported by our sponsors – Highmark, Charleston Area Medical Center and BrickStreet, strived to create a high-quality educational series aimed to improve the lives of West Virginia children and their parents. 

“Winning an Emmy helps to validate the amazing work our fantastic cast and production teams are doing to make Abracadabra a great show,” Adelman said.

With the help of a cast of colorful characters and producer Marilea Butcher, Adelman presents health, nutrition, and science topics using magic, ventriloquism and original songs. WVPB Director Larry Dowling, Associate Producer/Editor Aaron Shackelford and Graphic Designer John Hale round out the WVPB video production team involved in the winning episode, “Joey’s Time Machine.”

The 54th Annual Ohio Valley Regional Emmy Awards were presented by the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences during a gala August 18 at the Lawrenceburg Event Center in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

“Abracadabra” airs weekdays at 1 p.m. on WVPB. Seasons 1-5 are availabe on the WVPB Youtube channel.

Production of 4th Season of Abracadabra Wraps Up: Q&A with Dr. Adelman and Joey

Abracadabra – shortened to just “Abra” in the hallways of WV Public Broadcasting—is a locally produced program for children that combines magic and ventriloquism with nutrition, health, exercise and safety.  The show is hosted and produced by physician/magician/ventriloquist Michael Adelman, the President of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Characters like Daisey, Salty the Pirate, Professor Science, and Duk (the magical duck) sing, dance, learn, and watch magic tricks. And of course there’s Joey, a bright well-meaning, mischievous boy puppet. Glynis Board visited set this week to talk to Adelman and Joey as the fourth season of production wraps up.

G: So tell me about this production. Has it been fun? Joey? Have you had fun?

Joey: I always have fun. It’s always lots of fun and I get to do all sorts of crazy things. And I get to see Duk! And I get to see all my other friends.

Adelman: Yeah, it’s always a lot of fun. The crew is amazing and the cast is just super.This year we have 23 children—all from southern West Virginia, Oak Hill, Charleston, Beckley, and Lewisburg.

G: This is the 4th season of Abracadabra that’s been in production. Is that correct?

Adelman: That’s correct.

Joey: Yeah, we’re so excited about that!

G: Is there something different about this season that sets it apart from some of the other seasons?

Adelman: Yes, I think so.

Joey: How about I do the talking?

Adelman: No, Joey I’ll talk right now.

Joey: Okay.

Adelman: The biggest thing is that the quality keeps improving each season. And we keep stretching ourselves. We’re doing a lot more what you call greenscreen—so a lot more graphics. The episodes are a little bit more complicated. And I think that will translate to a better show. Also, we’re exploring some new areas. We’re d’ing a lot with STEM, so Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—the schools have asked that we do that. We’re also doing an episode on bullying. And we think that’s really important.

Joey: Yeah, no one should EVER be faced with a bully.

G: Tell me why you are doing this show. What’s the mission of Abracadabra?

Adelman: You know West Virginia has an obesity issue. There’ve been lots of programs that have tried to help that but many of them have not been as successful as we’ve hoped. What we’re doing is focusing on kids. We figure if we can talk to them about staying healthy and healthy lifestyles, and eating nutritious foods, they would take that back and parents would appreciate that.

And that’s what we’ve seen. We’ve had parents email us and say, ‘Johnnie is eating green beans and he’s never asked for that before.’ And it stems from a ‘commercial’ that Joey did about green beans.

Joey: Oh yeah, I do lots of commercials about fresh fruits and vegetables.

Adelman: That’s right. And so we think we’re proving some success with that. That’s really why we’re doing it. We want to affect the healthier life styles of our young people.

G: Great, is there anything you’d like to add? Joey?

Adelman: Why don’t we show everybody how much math you know?

Joey: Oh yeah I could do that.

Adelman: Because we are learning about STEM.

Joey: Oh yeah, okay,

Adelman: So if you have a quarter—

Joey: I don’t have a quarter.

Adelman: Well imagine you have a quarter.

Joey: I don’t have that much imagination.

Adelman: Well then never mind. So you have a quarter.

Joey: Yeah.

Adelman: and you lend me fifteen cents.

Joey: Yeah.

Adelman: How much do you have left?

Joey: …A quarter.

Adelman: No no no you don’t get my meaning.

Joey: You don’t get my fifteen cents.

Abracadabra also goes on tour, visiting schools throughout West Virginia.

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