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Changes: Traction Jackson

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{{character|image=TractionChairSong.jpg|performer=[[Khalid Moultrie]]|debut=2004}}
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[[Image:Traction_Jackson.jpg|frame|TJ, aka Traction Jackson, with his dog, Bernie]]
  
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'''Traction Jackson''', aka TJ, is a wheelchair-bound African-American boy who appears in computer animated segments on ''[[Sesame Street]]'', beginning in [[Season 35 (2004)|Season 35]]. TJ, whose real name is Tyrone Jackson, is an energetic boy who enjoys basketball and whose best friend is his dog, [[Bernie (dog)|Bernie]]. TJ's chair features unique, colored swirls on the wheels.
 
   
  ⚫
'''Traction Jackson''', aka TJ, is a wheelchair-bound African American boy who appears in computer animated segments on ''[[Sesame Street]]'', beginning in [[Season 35 (2004)|Season 35]]. TJ, whose real name is Tyrone Jackson, is an energetic boy who enjoys basketball and whose best friend is his dog, [[Bernie (dog)|Bernie]]. TJ's chair features unique, colored swirls on the wheels.
⚫
TJ made his debut in the 35th season opener/special ''[[The Street We Live On]]''. New segments were added beginning in [[Season 36 (2005)|Season 36]]. Reminiscent of previous ''Sesame Street'' characters like street-scene regular [[Tarah]], TJ was introduced as part of [[Sesame Workshop]]'s curriculum to teach children that people are the same beneath physical differences.
 
  +
  ⚫
TJ made his debut in the 35th season opener/special ''[[The Street We Live On]]''. New segments were added beginning in [[Season 36 (2005)|Season 36]]. Reminiscent of previous ''Sesame Street'' characters like street-scene regular [[Tarah]], TJ was introduced as part of [[Sesame Workshop]]'s curriculum to teach children that people are the same beneath physical differences.
   
 
==Production Background==
  
==Production Background==
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The Traction Jackson shorts are produced by the Tennessee-based studio Magnetic Dreams. The studio's creative director is Muppet performer [[Rickey Boyd]], who used his friendship with [[Kevin Clash]] to arrange for his company to win the assignment. According to articles about the series, Boyd said the character of TJ was inspired by child in a wheelchair he met while working as a puppeteer on ''[[Animal Jam]]''. "Everyone was just amazed at what a great attitude he had," Boyd recalled.
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The Traction Jackson shorts are produced by the Tennessee-based studio [[Magnetic Dreams Animation Studio|Magnetic Dreams]]. The studio's creative director is Muppet performer [[Rickey Boyd]], who used his friendship with [[Kevin Clash]] to arrange for his company to win the assignment. According to articles about the series, Boyd said the character of TJ was inspired by child in a wheelchair he met while working as a puppeteer on ''[[Animal Jam]]''. "Everyone was just amazed at what a great attitude he had," Boyd recalled.
   
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==Individual Sketches==
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==Sketches==
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{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=8 valign=top
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'''Me and My Chair'''- A remake of an [[Me and My Chair|earlier live-action song]], TJ sings about how his chair enables him to move faster than he could with shoes. {{eka|4057}}
  
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|- bgcolor=#eeeeee
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! Picture !! Theme / First Appearance !! Description
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'''14 Baskets'''- In this counting short, TJ attempts to make fourteen consecutive baskets, while Bernie cheers from the sidelines. {{eka|4125}}
  
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|-
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| [[Image:TractionChairSong.jpg|250px|center]]
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'''Fruit Snack Samba'''- TJ corrects Bernie about his junkfood habits, singing a lively tribute to fruit. {{eka|4115}}
  
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| align=center | Me and My Chair
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<br />[[Episode 4057]]
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'''Unknown Title'''- TJ and Bernie encounter Margarita, a neighborhood kid who initially refuses to let TJ use the court, believing his wheelchair prevents him from playing. TJ proves her wrong, and the two become friends.
  
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| A remake of an [[Me and My Chair|earlier live-action song]], TJ sings about how his chair enables him to move faster than he could with shoes. {{sketchrelease|Online: [[Sesamestreet.org]]}}
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|-
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'''Unknown Title''' - TJ and Margarita play "Follow Me" with TJ's grandfather. {{eka|4130}}
  
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| [[Image:4125zo.jpg|250px|center]]
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| align=center | 14 Baskets
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<br />[[Episode 4070]]
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| In this counting short, TJ attempts to make fourteen consecutive baskets, while Bernie cheers from the sidelines. {{sketchrelease|Online: [[Sesamestreet.org]]}}
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|-
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| [[Image:4115zc.jpg|250px|center]]
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| align=center | Fruit Snack Samba
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<br />[[Episode 4089]]
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| TJ corrects Bernie about his junkfood habits, singing a lively tribute to fruit. {{sketchrelease|Online: [[Sesamestreet.org]], ''[[Sesame Street Podcast]]'': Healthy Snacks}}
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|-
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| [[Image:4124q.jpg|250px|center]]
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| align=center | TJ Meets Margarita
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<br />[[Episode 4098]]
  ⚫
| TJ and Bernie encounter Margarita, a neighborhood kid who initially refuses to let TJ use the court, believing his wheelchair prevents him from playing. TJ proves her wrong, and the two become friends. {{sketchrelease|Online: [[Sesamestreet.org]]}}
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|-
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| [[Image:4130n.jpg|250px|center]]
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| align=center | Follow Me
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<br />[[Episode 4130]]
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| TJ, Bernie, and Margarita play "Follow Me" with [[Grandpa Mudcat]]. {{sketchrelease|Online: [[Sesamestreet.org]]}}
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|-
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| [[Image:4158.TJackson.jpg|250px|center]]
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| align=center | The Doggone Jealous Blues
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<br />[[Episode 4158]]
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| TJ is sad because Bernie is playing with Margarita instead of him. Grandpa sings him a song about "The Doggone Jealous Blues," after which Margarita invites him to play. {{sketchrelease|Online: [[Sesamestreet.org]]}}
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|-
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| [[Image:TJ40.jpg|250px|center]]
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| align=center | Counting to 40
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<br />[[Episode 4187]]
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| TJ and his friends count to 40 by 10s in song.
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|-
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|[[Image:TJ-IWords.jpg|250px|center]]
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| align=center | Imagining I Words
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<br />[[Episode 4227]]
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| TJ and his friend sing about I words. {{Sketchrelease|Video: ''[[Learning Letters with Elmo]]'', ''[[Alphabet Songs]]'' Online: [[Sesamestreet.org]]}}
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|}
   
 
==Credits==
  
==Credits==
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*[http://www.tennessean.com/business/archives/04/03/48852029.shtml?Element_ID=48852029 Another article about the studio and TJ shorts]
  
*[http://www.tennessean.com/business/archives/04/03/48852029.shtml?Element_ID=48852029 Another article about the studio and TJ shorts]
 
*[http://www.magneticdreams.com/website/frameset.htm Magnetic Dreams- Official Site with TJ Video Clips]
  
*[http://www.magneticdreams.com/website/frameset.htm Magnetic Dreams- Official Site with TJ Video Clips]
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[[Category:Animated Characters]]
  
[[Category:Animated Characters]]
 
[[Category:Sesame Street Characters]]
  
[[Category:Sesame Street Characters]]

Revision as of 23:16, 19 July 2015

TractionChairSong
PERFORMER Khalid Moultrie
DEBUT 2004

Traction Jackson, aka TJ, is a wheelchair-bound African American boy who appears in computer animated segments on Sesame Street, beginning in Season 35. TJ, whose real name is Tyrone Jackson, is an energetic boy who enjoys basketball and whose best friend is his dog, Bernie. TJ's chair features unique, colored swirls on the wheels.

TJ made his debut in the 35th season opener/special The Street We Live On. New segments were added beginning in Season 36. Reminiscent of previous Sesame Street characters like street-scene regular Tarah, TJ was introduced as part of Sesame Workshop's curriculum to teach children that people are the same beneath physical differences.

Production Background

The Traction Jackson shorts are produced by the Tennessee-based studio Magnetic Dreams. The studio's creative director is Muppet performer Rickey Boyd, who used his friendship with Kevin Clash to arrange for his company to win the assignment. According to articles about the series, Boyd said the character of TJ was inspired by child in a wheelchair he met while working as a puppeteer on Animal Jam. "Everyone was just amazed at what a great attitude he had," Boyd recalled.

Sketches

Picture Theme / First Appearance Description
TractionChairSong
 Me and My Chair


Episode 4057

A remake of an earlier live-action song, TJ sings about how his chair enables him to move faster than he could with shoes.
4125zo
 14 Baskets


Episode 4070

In this counting short, TJ attempts to make fourteen consecutive baskets, while Bernie cheers from the sidelines.
4115zc
 Fruit Snack Samba


Episode 4089

TJ corrects Bernie about his junkfood habits, singing a lively tribute to fruit.
4124q
 TJ Meets Margarita


Episode 4098

TJ and Bernie encounter Margarita, a neighborhood kid who initially refuses to let TJ use the court, believing his wheelchair prevents him from playing. TJ proves her wrong, and the two become friends.
4130n
 Follow Me


Episode 4130

TJ, Bernie, and Margarita play "Follow Me" with Grandpa Mudcat.
4158.TJackson
 The Doggone Jealous Blues


Episode 4158

TJ is sad because Bernie is playing with Margarita instead of him. Grandpa sings him a song about "The Doggone Jealous Blues," after which Margarita invites him to play.
TJ40
 Counting to 40


Episode 4187

TJ and his friends count to 40 by 10s in song.
TJ-IWords
 Imagining I Words


Episode 4227

TJ and his friend sing about I words.

Credits

  • Creative Director/Storyboards: Rickey Boyd
  • Associate Producer for Sesame Workshop: Rebecca Rosa
  • Character Modeling: Jeff Gruelich
  • 3D Backgrounds and Sets: Gruelich, Rainey Kirk
  • Animators: James Coakley Jr., Todd Smith
  • Technical Director: Steven Alley
  • Lighting & Composition: Don Culwell

External Links

Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.