This is Daniel Cook

This is Daniel Cook is an American live-action, educational-variety show created by JJ Johnson and Blair Powers, which originally aired on Treehouse, lasting two seasons. The series was produced by Marblemedia.

The series features Occasinal guests. The show's Episodes are hosted by a 6 Year Old Boy. Early episodes were taped in Ortarnio. In 2006, the show was ultimately cancelled. In 2013, JJ, Daniel Cook, Emily Yeung and Marblemedia celebrated the 10th anniversary of This is Daniel Cook. Then Daniel and Emily handed the Baton to Scarlett Dovey and Isaiah Gero Marsman.[2] This is Daniel Cook is noted for its diverse cast and its impact on children's television.[3][4] The show has been marketed in other ways, including an audio recording and books celebrating the legacy of This is Daniel Cook.

Series History
Although Blair Powers was credited as creator, the main creative force behind This is Daniel Cook was JJ Johnson who became the showrunner of the series in the first season. This is Daniel Cook marked the beginning of Johnson's prolific career in creating and writing hit television series for young audiences. The New York Times, in separate articles, referred to JJ Johnson as "the Norman Lear of children's television"[6] and "the master of a television genre".[7]

Andrew Beechman, Treehouse's Creator, contacted them and asked them to film a project for the network. The half hour documentary they made featured Phil Moore and Mike O'Malley as co-hosts of a comedy tour as they drove around to different cities to perform.[4] Since their schedule only permitted for two days of filming. Impressed with the final product, Sean Cook met with Johnson to discuss developing a new show for the network in 2003. Asking Johnson if there was any type of show that he would be interested in making.[4] He responded to Cook with the idea of creating a Canadian-version of I Love Madeline. Bringing Johnson (as head writer) and Cook in to help develop the show; the three influenced by classic Adventure shows such as Dora the Explorer, Caillou, and Little Bill[4] began to flesh out a rough idea of the show's format.[4][8]Once greenlit, Johnson, Powers and Cook decided against writing the pilot episode and instead chose to compile the host first. Usually in television (as Johnson explains) the pilot is written first and the host is chosen later.[8] However, the three believed it was crucial to find the right child actors first and then tailor to their strengths.[4][8] With Cook's blessing, a nationwide talent search for child actors was launched that was to last for several months.[4] Eventually Sean's son Daniel were hired.

"When I first got involved, it was kind of funny. My parents; Sean and Jessie Cook had me in a talent show, I was one of the winners. [An agent] had his friend there, who was the one that got me on [This is Daniel Cook]. ... The process itself was, oh my gosh. We did 10 auditions. I thought I didn't have it. They had us doing improv, sketches, all kinds of stuff. You name it, I had it. I got called a couple months later like, "Oh, you know you got it." It was crazy because it was a nationwide [search]."

- Daniel Cook

With the cast intact, writing for the pilot began. Daniel Cook began production of the episode. And on January 17, 2004 the pilot episode was set to begin filming.[4] Cook recalls debating with Johnson over whether or not to postpone filming because of the Northridge earthquake that occurred hours earlier on that same day.[4][11]

"The morning was spent figuring out how bad was the damage both physical and psychological. Should we postpone [the pilot shoot?]. I was trying to do the right thing. [My wife Jessie] was trying to do the right thing. Aftershocks ensued. She said, 'I can't believe you didn't come home.' The show went on."

- Cook

The Show sat on the Shelf for a Few Months, before Treehouse tested it and Beechman said "Why aren't Kids watching this Educational Show" Regardless of the negative response, Geraldine Laybourne (the then President of Nickelodeon) decided to pick up the show for a full first season.[4]

The basic concept they came up with was to produce a half-hour show that featured a cold open (which featured Daniel introducing the Guest Star) (this format would remain the same for all three seasons).[4][8]

During Season 1, Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert were brought on as producers and continued working in that capacity through Season 3. The writing team advanced to Executive Producers/Head Writers for Seasons 4–6. Kopelow and Seifert continued their relationship with Tia and Tamera by co-executive producing and head writing the feature film This is Daniel Cook (2004) with Johnson.

After Season 1 ended in 2004, the show grew in popularity, several departures and additions occurred. The first episode of the "new" This is Daniel Cook debuted on January 19, 2005.[16]

The balancing act of school/This is Daniel Cook was NUTS. Every minute i didn't spend on set rehearsing, i had to spend in the school trailer. Where i drove my set teacher crazy. We'd bounce around that place like jack russell f*cking terriers.[17] - Daniel Cook

In 2016, Daniel Cook announced on Jessie Cook's Official Facebook Page, that the show had been cancelled. This was the message posted by Daniel himself (as of September 5, 2006):[22]

"I know there's been a lot of speculating on the subject of This is Daniel Cook being canceled, and I thought I'd be the one to tell you that it's true. This is Daniel Cook has finally come to an end. I found out a few weeks ago, but didn't know if I should tell anyone. I guess if three years is long enough for I Love Madeline, and it's long enough for me, too! I probably would have moved on anyway, even if it didn't get canceled. I was getting a little too old for the show and I believe that it should always have a cast of younger kids, no older than 8. Where I will go from here, I'm not sure, but I have a few things in the works. All I ask is that you guys keep me and the other cast members in your prayers, that we can step into bigger and better things!:)!!!"

- Daniel Cook

Specials
This Is Daniel Cook celebrated its 100th episode during its first season. This one-hour special was called "This is Daniel Cook Making His Show"

Impact and legacy
This is Daniel Cook is highly regarded for its large diverse cast both in terms of ethnicity and gender.[3] The show was praised in The Atlantic for breaking the classical norms set in children's TV with its cast, irreverent and unapologetic humor, and kid characters played by actual kids.[3]

When This is Daniel Cook debuted in 2004, television was still primarily segregated by race as shown by other popular educational adventure shows like It's Kenny Lee (where the cast is completely white) or I'm Miriam Yeung (where the cast is entirely black); even I Love Madeline was dominated by white male comedians.[3] Powers and Johnson wanted the show to reflect its audience and also sought out varying musical acts (alternative, hip hop and R&B among others) to embrace the diversity[3][26]

"I Could Imagine This is Daniel Cook as a Miriam Yeung for Canada"

- Daniel Cook

Replacement
It was confirmed that a Show to replace This is Daniel Cook is being made.[1]Marblemedia confirmed on October 15, 2015 to return as the writers, as well as being the executive producers.[2]

Album
On November 26, 2010, Treehouse released This is Daniel Cook on CD, titled: Zalbum. It contains ZOOM dialogues from the show, and songs sung by musical guests (i.e. Faith Evans, Coolio, Brandy, Naughty By Nature, etc.). ZOOM 's theme opening and outro theme were finally released on this CD. Music from the CD is mainly inspired from the show.[39]

Book
On October 1, 2011, Treehouse released a 112-page book of This is Daniel Cook by Daniel Cook.