Oobi
Oobi is the star. He's a young boy in grade school. Noggin says he's four years old, but he acts and sounds older than that. My son says he thinks Oobi is 10 years old. He's the most "bare" of the puppets, since he doesn't wear any accessories. He's like an everyman character for little kids.
His favorite thing is a red toy car that he brings everywhere. He gets really protective of it!
Oobi is played by Timothy Lagasse, who also made a series of short films called "A Show of Hands" in the mid-'90s. They were about bare hand puppets performing little skits, and they're what got him noticed by the producers of Oobi.
Grampu
Grampu is Oobi and Uma's grandpa. With moms, dads, and older fans, he is definitely the most popular and iconic character. Probably because he's so relatable to anyone who's ever had to take care of little kids. Whenever Oobi and Uma try something new, Grampu has to clean up their messes. The kids want to make art? Grampu ends up with paint all over him. The kids want to make pizza? He gets the dough splattered over his head. He's a really unlucky guy. But he loves his grandkids so much and always laughs things off with his signature "Heh-heh, lovely!"
He is played by Tyler Bunch, who also played "Treelo" on Bear in the Big Blue House!
Uma
Uma is Oobi's sister. Her main accessory is her blue/purple flower barrette that she wears on her pinky like a ring. She is obsessed with chickens and tends to mention them at the most inappropriate times. She tends to overreact to everything, even minor inconveniences that Grampu tries to explain for her. She is a real scene-stealer, and for good reason-- her antics are hilarious!! She has a few catchphrases, like "Nice." and "Pretty." Both said in a half-sarcastic, half-excited way.
She is played by Stephanie D'Abruzzo, who was also part of the original cast of Avenue Q on Broadway.
Kako
Kako is Oobi's best friend. He is almost always staying over at Oobi's house. His main accessory is his red knitted hat. He is a bit full of himself, yet he gets jealous pretty easily. Kako's catchphrase is probably the most common one on the show: "Perfecto!" He says this whenever something amazes him. He's also used it sarcastically a few times.
Kako is played by Noel MacNeal, who also played the Bear in the Big Blue House. Once you realize it, you can't stop noticing the similarity in the voices! Kako's voice is a bit higher and more energetic than Bear's, but other than that, they're basically identical!
Inka
Inka is a piano teacher who comes to teach Oobi and ends up dating Grampu. Yes, all in the span of an 11-minute kids' show episode! She's since become a major character with a bunch of episodes featuring her and Grampu's relationship.
Most parents will find the "flirting" between her and Grampu hilarious! It's really unexpected for a show on the Noggin Network.
Most parents will find the "flirting" between her and Grampu hilarious! It's really unexpected for a show on the Noggin Network.
Inka is also played by Stephanie D'Abruzzo... which is why she and Uma have never talked to each other on screen... Hmm!
