Finding Stuff Out Explained

Creator:Edward Kay
Jonathan Finkelstein
Director:Jean-Louis Coté
Jereme Watt
Harrison Houde
Starring:Harrison Houde (seasons 1–3)
Zoey Siewert (seasons 4–5)
Composer:Harrison Houde (seasons 1–3)
Zoey Siewert (seasons 4–5)
Country:Canada
Num Seasons:5
Num Episodes:67
Executive Producer:Johnathan Finkelsien
Producer:Edward Kay
Jean-Louis Coté
Company:Apartment 11 Productions
Network:TVOntario

Finding Stuff Out is a Canadian children's television series,[1] which premiered on TVOntario's TVOKids programming block in 2012.[2] Hosted by Harrison Houde for the first three seasons and Zoey Siewert in season 4 and 5, the program educates viewers on science topics. The series was created by Edward Kay and Jonathan Finkelstein.

It has since been syndicated to other children's programming channels, including Knowledge Network, Pop, Nat Geo Kids, and Ion Television/Qubo.

The series is a three-time Canadian Screen Award nominee for Children's or Youth Non-Fiction Program, at the 1st Canadian Screen Awards in 2013, the 2nd Canadian Screen Awards in 2014 and the 4th Canadian Screen Awards in 2016. It won the award in 2016.[3] In 2013, the show was also a Canadian Screen Award nominee for Best Cross-Platform Children's Project for Digital Media for its online components.

Format

The show's host, Harrison Houde would often get questions from random kids that he doesn't know what the answers are, so he attempts to figure out what the answer is (hence the show's name). Harrison's show is filmed in the attic of his house, as shown in the opening sequence.

Houde left the show at the end of Season 3, due to him being on another Canadian show on a different network. After his departure, Zoey Siewert took over his hosting duties in Season 4 and 5, while the show still kept the same format like so.

Recurring segments

Street Smarts/Ask A Friend

Harrison or Zoey goes to places and talks to kids about the answers to the episode/topic's question.

The Short Answer Is…

A question from the topic of the episode would be asked and Harrison (1-3) or Zoey (4-5) would give out a short answer for the question.

You're Gonna Make My Head Explode!

Zoey/Harrison would often get confused with the topic and makes their heads confused too (hence the name of the segment) and would often get an expert in the studio to talk about the topic.

My Great Challenge

Harrison or Zoey would often think of an idea for a challenge focusing on the episode's topic and would have kids in the studio taking place for Harrison or Zoey's challenges.

The Flat Earth Corner

Harrison and Zoey would dress up like people from the century and they talk about stuff focusing on the topic of the episode.

The Big Answer Is…

At the end of each episode, Harrison/Zoey would often play the drums while explaining the big answer to someone's question they got at the start of the show.

DO Try This at Home

Harrison/Zoey would think of something about the topic or question that random kids ask, so they can do that people can do at home.

Minor segments

The Sydney Report

Harrison's neighbor and best friend Sydney Kuhnne would often go to minor places for one of the random kid questions. It was used only for Season 1.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Island teen Harrison Houde hosts new show Finding Stuff Out. July 2, 2013. Reid. Michael D.. Times Colonist. October 8, 2017. October 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009143442/http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/island-teen-harrison-houde-hosts-new-show-finding-stuff-out-1.340485. live.
  2. Web site: Two new kids' shows geared for the digital generation. January 20, 2012. Deziel. Carly. Today's Parent. October 8, 2017. October 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009144303/https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/two-new-kids-shows-geared-for-the-digital-generation/. live.
  3. Web site: Canadian Screen Awards 2016: CBC wins big in drama, comedy. March 9, 2016. CBC News. October 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160612102248/http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/csa-awards-cbc-part-two-1.3484294. June 12, 2016.