The Upside Down Show

The Upside Down Show was a quirky children's television series that aired in 2006 on kid-centric channel Nick Jr. The show was renowned for its strikingly imaginative approach to children’s programming and its creative methods of engaging kids and feeding their minds with imaginative play.

The show was concocted, written, and performed by the comedic Australian duo Shane Dundas and David Collins, better known by their stage name, The Umbilical Brothers. These two performers have gained international fame for their distinctive blend of physical comedy, mime, and audio-visual trickery. In The Upside Down Show, they bring these talents to a kids' show format with a fresh perspective that managed to captivate its young audience.

Each episode takes the viewers on a wacky and interactive journey along with the two hosts, David and Shane. They live in an imaginary universe where every door in their home leads to an outlandishly extraordinary world. From an underwater region to a miniature city, a farm, a planet composed of strings, to an art museum, there is a vast array of settings for each new adventure.

The series' main highlight is its use of a fictitious "remote control" held by the viewer that allows them to "control" the reality of Shane and David. The remote has different creative buttons, like the "slow motion" button or the "rotate" button, which Shane and David must act out when pressed by the viewer. This creative approach not only creatively showcases the show's unique dialogue and hilarious situations but also encourages viewers to use their imagination and participate in the show’s interactive gameplay setting.

David and Shane’s characters are full of energy, yet charmingly endearing, with an infectious chemistry. Their comedic timing blended with their childlike vulnerability makes them easy to relate to and fun to watch. Every episode brings the duo, along with their pet puppet Schmuzzies and Mrs. Foil the next-door neighbor, into unusual scenarios that never fail to tickle the funny bone of the young ones.

One of the distinctive parts of The Upside Down Show is the show's remarkable sound design, which further augments its appeal to children. Apart from the absence of typical background music, the show creates all of its sounds from scratch using only the human voice, similar to Foley art. This unique manipulation of sounds adds an extra narrative dimension to the show, another testament to the unconventional experimentation of the Umbilical Brothers.

The show also carries an emphasis on visual storytelling by employing mime and physical comedy tactics instead of a solely verbal communication approach, in order to create a more accessible and visually enticing appeal for the non-verbal or pre-verbal audience.

Regarded as excellent "edu-tainment," the show works on promoting kids' physical, emotional, and cognitive development subtly while still keeping the fun intact. Despite being filled with absurdity and tomfoolery, the series never skirts its clear educational intent. Variations in speed, movement, sight words, and imaginative thinking are all wrapped up in the rib-tickling antics of the show.

Another added layer in the show is its sign language instruction. Each episode incorporates segments of American Sign Language, exposing children to the concept of sign language and promoting inclusion. It creatively spells out some words in sign language, fostering a more inclusive viewing experience for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

From the show's TV promotion, it is clearly evident that The Upside Down Show was branded with humor, physical energy, and above all, an exuberant joy for the power of imagination. The Umbilical Brothers, through their lively improvisation and a ton of creativity, managed to bring a show that is both fun and educational. The series was not just an ordinary children’s television show, but a boldly inventive experience that encouraged kids to think, learn, and most importantly, have fun.

In its brief run, the show managed to earn a lot of critical acclaims, bagging a Logie Award for "Most Outstanding Children's Program" and a Creative Craft Daytime Emmy. It's a testament to the show's enduring appeal and innovative vision. Though it aired for just a single season, The Upside Down Show left a lasting impression on its viewers by celebrating the power of imagination in an engaging and enjoyable manner.