DefunctTV: The History of Gullah Gullah Island

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In this episode of DefunctTV, Kevin explores the history of Nickelodeon's children's program, Gullah Gullah Island.

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[Boom]

Gullah Gullah Island has such a special place in my heart. We need more shows like this for the new generation.

[tami]

This show got my daughter through hospital stays and open heart surgery from 2 yrs to 5 years she'll be 29 in 2 weeks she still talks of it fondly

[Pixieblitzie]

This family is a bunch of sweethearts I used to go to church with them as a kid. Ron is so great he sells pound cakes and still performs nowadays. He’s a blessing to the community in the sea islands. Seriously they’re all amazing people to this day 🥰

[blurhapsody]

Growing up in a broken home this show was like chicken soup to my little soul. It made me so happy to see a happy, loving black family with such a rich culture.

[kingsofguyana]

As a black child with Caribbean heritage Gullah Gullah Island was groundbreaking. Seeing this beautiful family having fun together was heart warming and this show hold a special place in my heart.

[MrIrrationalSmith]

They were such a loving couple that the audience literally couldn't believe it and asked them to be worse.

[M-eye-uh-rawr-D]

This was such a nice blast from the past, I didn't realize the cultural outreach importance of the show, I just loved the music and dancing as a child, they were all so talented

[Soooooooooooonicable]

Anyone remember the episode with the sea turtles laying their eggs in the sand? I have so many fond memories of this show.
"WHO TOOK THE COOKIES FROM THE COOKIE JAR?~"

[amyu.]

This was so heart-warming. My family on my mother’s side is Gullah. This was one of my favorite shows growing up.

[decimatorentertainmentstud]

the 90s was one of the best decades of children's programming

[choo_choo_]

Shit that was surreal. Going in, I was convinced I had never watched or heard of the show. Hearing that little snippet of the theme song though unleashed the flood gates of deep, deep memories that I didn't know I had.
I distinctly remember an episode about them going over traditional African instruments and stuff, like rain sticks and that thing like a washboard that you use a stick on. I always wanted to try that washboard thing after that in elementary school music class, but it was never my turn.

The brain is fucking weird sometimes. I'm 26 now, and that shit had to be buried in 20+ years of memories.

[birchwwolf]

Full respect for Binyah Binyah's actors for being able to spend all of their time hopping in squats. All that work HAD to have needed a lot of ice packs and massages.

[Hiphop]

I had no idea they were married in real life too. They're adorable!

[supersnackbros]

"Binyah as in 'binyah a long time'"
Holy smokes I love it.

[cowbatboots]

This was filmed in my hometown!

The mother Miss Natalie had a tea shop years later that was on the way out to Hunting Island called Miss Natalie's workshop.

You could have tea and other drinks while making arts and crafts.

The children went to my highschool; Beaufort High.

My little sister went there on a school birthday trip for a classmate and my family and I used to drive past it every weekend in the summer when we went to Hunting Island!

[briannab]

This one hit me in the feels. I had vivid flashbacks of watching the episode when they were walking through the market! It’s amazing how impactful these shows are on their audiences. I’m lucky to have grown up with it!

[akbarratt]

When I first heard about the Gullah/Geechee IRL I was an adult and my immediate response was "Like Gullah Gullah Island?" Then everything clicked... So mission accomplished, I guess! Great episode.

[jordanh]

Oh man you don’t know how much this means to me!! I used to love this show, but when I watched it, it came on super super late at night. I’ve always tried to convince my friends that this show exists and no one would believe me 😭😭

[borediideath]

The best part of this story is that the message can be applied to any culture anywhere around the world. Never be ashamed of who you are or where you’re from regardless of what people might think. Embrace the things that make you your true self, be it culture or lifestyle.

[torrey]

I was a 90’s Nickelodeon kid, and this show perfected the formula of how to present a unique culture to young minds. It was thoughtful, wholesome, and entertaining. I grew up in an Italian-American home in a white suburb and remember Gullah Gullah Island very fondly.