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Special Agent Oso

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Special Agent Oso
A CGI image of a Disney logo with the word "Special Agent" in yellow and green lettering with the word "Oso" in red lettering with a multi-colored stuffed bear on the 2nd O.
GenrePreschool
Created byFord Riley
Directed byJamie Mitchell
Voices of
Theme music composerFord Riley and Mike Himelstein
ComposersMike Himelstein and Michael Turner
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes60 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerFord Riley
EditorPieter Kaufman
Running time24 minutes
Production companyDisney Television Animation
Original release
NetworkDisney Channel
ReleaseApril 4, 2009 (2009-04-04) –
May 17, 2012 (2012-05-17)

Special Agent Oso (/oʊˈsoʊ/ OH-soh) is an American animated children's television series created by Ford Riley for Playhouse Disney.[1] It features Oso, a panda bear who is a special agent working for the United Network for Investigating Quite Usual Events (U.N.I.Q.U.E.), an agency dedicated to helping children with everyday tasks such as mailing a letter, riding a bike, or making a sandwich.[2] The series debuted on April 4, 2009[3] and ended on May 17, 2012.[4] The series had a total of 60 episodes over two seasons.[5]

The series received generally positive reviews from critics, and was nominated for Outstanding Original Song at the 2010 Daytime Emmy Awards. Both Special Agent Oso along with its spin-off, Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps, which aired during interstitials, are available to stream on Disney+.[6][7]

Premise

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Each episode begins with Oso performing a training exercise given to him by one of his three instructors, Wolfie, Dottie, or Bufo. During the exercise, a Shutterbug drone notices a child struggling to complete a simple task that is related to Oso's assignment. Paw Pilot, Oso's computerized assistant, alerts him about a special assignment, which causes Oso to fail his training exercise. Oso is assigned to the case, and Paw Pilot, along with Mr. Dos, illustrates his client's plight and assigns him a mission to help the child complete the task. To do so, Paw Pilot provides Oso with "three special steps," a simplified step-by-step guide to completing the task, while Mr. Dos gives Oso a briefing on the child's problem. Oso is transported to the child's location and attempts to follow the steps; Paw Pilot also gives further elaborations, including a trick which reveals the mistake he made during the training exercise. During the third and final step, Paw Pilot senses the time limit on the task and begins counting down as the time limit approaches. Oso and the child typically complete the task as the time runs out. The completion of all three steps often involves gadgets, such as a pen that can become a grappling device and a jetpack.

After returning from the assignment, the helpful trick given during the assignment turns out to be the same trick Oso needed to complete the training exercise, which he completes and passes, earning a "digi-medal" for the training exercise and the special assignment.

Episodes

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Main article: List of Special Agent Oso episodes
SeasonSegmentsEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
14824April 4, 2009 (2009-04-04)April 17, 2010 (2010-04-17)Playhouse Disney
2303616July 10, 2010 (2010-07-10)January 24, 2011 (2011-01-24)
3620February 14, 2011 (2011-02-14)May 17, 2012 (2012-05-17)Disney Junior
Three Healthy Steps —15 (spin-off)February 14, 2011 (2011-02-14)March 7, 2011 (2011-03-07)

Format

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Each episode has four components:

  • The Three Special Steps are the steps that Paw Pilot gives Oso to follow when on his special assignments.
  • The training exercises are Oso's training task, which Wolfie, Dotty or Buffo assign. Oso usually fails on his first try, but while doing the special assignments, he refers to the mistake he made in his training exercise. He then returns to his training exercise and does it right on his second try, then earns a "Digi-Medal."
  • The special assignments are missions that Mr. Dos requests Oso to help a child in need. After completing the assignment by using the Three Special Steps, he earns a "Digi-Medal."
  • Audience participation or interaction with Oso. Oso often asks the audience to help him. Sometimes, Oso will ask the audience to help him find something hidden or missing on the screen. Other times, Oso will ask the audience to try something physically demanding that he is doing.

Characters

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Main

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  • Oso (voiced by Sean Astin[8]) is a panda who works for U.N.I.Q.U.E. to help children perform tasks. His name is derived from oso, the Spanish word for bear.
  • Paw Pilot (voiced by Meghan Strange[9]) is Oso's computerized assistant, who guides him through the three special steps he needs to accomplish his mission. Her name is a reference to the Palm Pilot series of handheld computers.
  • Mr. Dos (voiced by Gary Anthony Williams[10]) is Oso's smartwatch boss, who assigns him missions.
  • Wolfie (voiced by Phill Lewis[11]) is a wolf that regularly oversees Oso's training.
  • Dottie (voiced by Amber Hood[12]) is a cat that regularly oversees Oso's training.
  • Professor Buffo (voiced by Brad Garrett and later Jess Harnell[13]) is a clumsy and excitable Italian-speaking bison who invents Oso's gadgets.
  • Whirly Bird (voiced by Cam Clarke[14]) is Oso's bird-shaped autogyro who takes Oso to wherever someone needs help. He often misunderstands what Oso tells him, usually leading to Oso's ejection at inopportune moments and places.
  • Shutterbugs are ladybug-shaped robotic cameras that keeps an eye out for children who need help.

Guest voices

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Additional voices

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Broadcast

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The first season of Special Agent Oso premiered in the United States and United Kingdom on April 4, 2009,[15] and aired through April 17, 2010. The second and final season premiered on July 10, 2010 and the series finale aired May 17, 2012.[citation needed] In season 2, new characters, Professor Buffo and Special Agent Musa, were introduced. The show has a crossover with Handy Manny called "The Manny with the Golden Bear."

Reception

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Critical response

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Hannah Johnson of Screen Rant found the character of Dotty to be a positive role model, writing, "It is evident that she has worked hard to get where she is, being the only female supervisor in an androcentric career, where all her colleagues are men. The orange cat has a fun and giggly personality, her favorite color is pink, and she likes visiting space as part of her missions. Dotty is a complex character succeeding in a man's world."[16] Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave Special Agent Oso a grade of four out of five stars, praised the messaging and role models, citing resourcefulness and perseverance, and complimented the presence of educational value in the show, saying, "Age-appropriate skills like shape recognition, chronology, and spatial relationships are emphasized within the context of the plot, so kids learn while they enjoy the stories. The show's best quality is its positive message about the joy to be found in helping others."[17]

Ratings

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During April, Playhouse Disney UK saw its best weekly share among kids at 2.3%, a month that also had its best series launch with the preschool-targeted Special Agent Oso, which premiered on April 4 at 9:50 a.m. and attracted 377,000 viewers, including 181,000 kids aged four to 15.[18]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2010 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Original Song Mike Himelstein, Ford Riley Nominated [19][20]
2012 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role - Young Actor Jet Jurgensmeyer Nominated [21]
2013 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role - Television - Young Actor Nominated [22]

Spin-off

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Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps

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Main article: List of Special Agent Oso episodes § Three Healthy Steps

Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps is a short series that aired in the United States during the Disney Junior programming block.[23][24] The spin-off premiered on February 14, 2011.[25][26] It encourages children to use "three healthy steps" regarding eating, being healthy, and exercising.[27] This series combined both animated characters and real life actors. The animated characters that are featured in the short series are Special Agent Oso, Paw Pilot, Special Agent Wolfie, Special Agent Dotty, and Professor Buffo.

References

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  1. ^ Zahed, Ramin (April 1, 2009). "The Name's Oso, Special Agent Oso". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Special Agent Oso (television)". D23. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  3. ^ "Special Agent Oso Season 1 Episodes". TVGuide. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  4. ^ "Special Agent Oso Season 2 Episodes". TVGuide. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  5. ^ Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. pp. 174–175. ISBN 978-1-4766-7293-9.
  6. ^ Donnelly, Jim (April 30, 2021). "What's Coming to Disney+ in May 2021 - See the List! | Disney+". ABC.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  7. ^ Spencer, Samuel (April 29, 2021). "All the TV Shows and Films Coming to Disney+ in May 2021". Newsweek. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  8. ^ "Voice Of Oso – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  9. ^ "Voice Of Paw Pilot – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  10. ^ "Voice Of Mr. Dos – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  11. ^ "Voice Of Wolfie – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  12. ^ "Voice Of Dotty – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  13. ^ "Voice Of Professor Bufflo – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  14. ^ "Voice Of Whirly Bird – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  15. ^ Moody, Annemarie (March 31, 2009). "Special Agent Oso Premieres April 4". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  16. ^ Johnson, Hanah (December 6, 2020). "Sheriff Callie's Wild West & 9 Other Disney Junior Shows With Great Female Role Models". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  17. ^ Ashby, Emily. "Special Agent Oso TV Review | Common Sense Media". Common Sense Media. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  18. ^ Afan, Emily Claire (May 4, 2009). "Ratings Watch: Playhouse Disney UK scores with Special Agent Oso". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  19. ^ Lewis, Jessica (May 12, 2010). "2010 Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced!". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  20. ^ McLean, Tom (May 13, 2010). "PBS, Nick Lead Daytime Emmys' Animation Nominations". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "33rd Annual Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  22. ^ "34th Annual Young Artist Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  23. ^ Guthrie, Marisa (January 10, 2011). "Disney Junior Programming to Launch in February". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  24. ^ Getzler, Wendy Goldman (January 11, 2011). "Disney Junior launch date announced". Kidscreen. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  25. ^ "Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps Season 1 Episodes". TVGuide. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  26. ^ Graser, Marc (August 10, 2010). "Disney profits soar in third quarter". Variety. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  27. ^ McLean, Tom (January 10, 2011). "Disney Jr. Debut Set for Feb. 14". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
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