September 1, 2008 - November 18, 2014
Martha Speaks is an animated educational children's television series based on the 1992 children's book of the same name by Susan Meddaugh and debuted on September 1, 2008 on PBS, on the PBS Kids programming block. The series was produced by WGBH Boston, with animation by DHX Media/Vancouver for the first four seasons and Oasis Animation for the final two seasons of the series.
The series focuses mainly on synonyms, phonics, and vocabulary, with each episode featuring an underlying theme illustrated with a wide variety of keywords. The show also occasionally focuses on introducing children aged four to seven to different concepts of science, history, astronomy and other learning concepts (from the Spanish language to passing mentions of it).
On July 6, 2009, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on September 14, 2009. On August 2, 2010, the series was renewed for another two seasons. The third season premiered on October 11, 2010 and the fourth season premiered on February 20, 2012. On April 29, 2013, the series was renewed for an additional two seasons. The fifth season premiered on June 24, 2013 and the sixth season premiered on March 31, 2014.
On October 10, 2014, it was announced that the sixth season would be its last. The series finale aired on November 18, 2014.
Storyline
The series revolves around a talking dog named Martha (voiced by Tabitha St. Germain), who is owned by 11-year-old Helen Lorraine (known in the books as Helen Finney). When Helen fed Martha alphabet soup, the pasta letters somehow traveled to her brain rather than her stomach, giving her the ability to speak human words. The show takes place in the fictional town of Wagstaff City.
TV Show Intro
Sound Effects Used
- Hollywoodedge, Cats Fighting Loud Sc PE917007/Cats Two Angry YowlsD PE022601 (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th yowl; used twice in a low pitch for Cleo in "Martha In The Hold", 3rd yowl; heard once in a low pitch for Nelson and the cats swinging in "Martha And The One Thousand Fleas", 6th yowl in a low pitch; heard once for Nelson in "There Goes The Neighborhood", 3rd yowl; heard once in a low pitch for Nelson in "Martha The Witness", 6th yowl; heard once in a low pitch for Mittens in "Martha's Holiday Surprise" and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th yowl; heard once for Nelson and the cats in a low pitch in "Scaredy Cats".)
- Hollywoodedge, Elephant Trumpeting PE024801 (Heard once in "Painting for Peanuts".)
- Hollywoodedge, Kitten Domestic Meow AT011201
- Hollywoodedge, Lightning 08 CloseG SIG012601
- Hollywoodedge, Police Wailer Siren PE080801
- Hollywoodedge, Screams 1 Woman Singl PE133501
- Hollywoodedge, Sheep Several Baas Me PE027101 (Heard once in "Therapy Dog".)
- Hollywoodedge, Very Wet Lip Smackin CRT026505
- Pac-Man Chomp Sound
- Sound Ideas, ANIMAL, CAT - SEVERAL GROWLS, SPITS, INHALES, HISSES & SWIPES, FIGHT SCREECHES
- Sound Ideas, BIRD, CHICKEN - SINGLE CHICKEN CLUCKING, ANIMAL (Heard once in "Down on the Farm".)
- Sound Ideas, BLINK, CARTOON - XYLO EYE BLINKS
- Sound Ideas, BOING, CARTOON - HOYT'S BOING
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON, WHISTLE - TRAIN WHISTLE, HIGH
- Sound Ideas, Dog Large Barking - Series of large dog barks and snarls (Used for Bob when he barks.)
- Sound Ideas, DOOR, WOOD - FRONT DOOR: CLOSE
- Sound Ideas, RADIO, POLICE - POLICE RADIO CALL 01
- Sound Ideas, RUN, CARTOON - WIND WHISTLE SCAT
- Sound Ideas, TAPE, CUEING - VOICE: CUEING ON PROFESSIONAL RECORDER 01
- Sound Ideas, TEETH, CARTOON - SCOOBY'S TEETH CHATTER, LONG/SHORT (Heard once in "Martha Camps Out".)