Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Mrs. P: Web-based show with an eccentric host encourages kids to read
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Los Angeles Times photo by Anne Cusack
Kathy Kinney sits in the library of her home in Los Angeles, where a new Web-based video project, "Mrs. P," is taped.
She's like Pippi Longstocking, Mary Poppins and Mrs. Claus all rolled into one: an amiable woman of mysterious origin who hopes to do for reading what "Sesame Street" has done for learning.
Her name is Mrs. P.
Sitting in an oversized chair, reading children's classics aloud in an Irish brogue near the ambient light of a gas-log fireplace, Mrs. P is the title character of a new children's storytelling Web site, www.mrsp.com, which debuted Monday. The launch coincided with the beginning of National Young Readers Week.
"Cinderella," "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Emperor's New Clothes" are three of the 15 stories that are available on the site. More than 30 others, including "Heidi" and "Alice in Wonderland," have been filmed for future "Webisodes."
"There are all these great icons out there for insurance and beer companies that people know, but there's no great icon that says reading is cool," said Clay Graham, creator and founder of "Mrs. P.".
The former head writer and executive producer for the "The Drew Carey Show," Graham came up with the idea for "Mrs. P" in early 2007. His first -- and only -- choice to portray her was former colleague Kathy Kinney.
Kinney is the actress best known for her turn as Mimi, the overly made-up hothead who played Carey's foil on the now-defunct hit show.
Her role as Mrs. P couldn't be more different. With her face framed by a curly red wig, her demeanor is warm and approachable, if a little odd.
According to Kinney, the Mrs. P character has a wild back story. Not only does she drive a Ferrari, but she has met the Queen of England. And as evidenced by her red-rimmed Truman Capote glasses, floral muumuu and sculpted John Fluevog heels, she has an unusual sense of style.
"She's eccentric," Kinney said. "She's stable, but she's leading a really fantastic life. And people who read lead fantastic lives."
The show's pace is slow. Mrs. P just sits in her chair. Reading.
All the stories are classics, a choice made because they've stood the test of time and they are in the public domain, which means they're free to use.
Perhaps best of all, "Mrs. P" is free and noncommercial.
Her name is Mrs. P.
Sitting in an oversized chair, reading children's classics aloud in an Irish brogue near the ambient light of a gas-log fireplace, Mrs. P is the title character of a new children's storytelling Web site, www.mrsp.com, which debuted Monday. The launch coincided with the beginning of National Young Readers Week.
"Cinderella," "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Emperor's New Clothes" are three of the 15 stories that are available on the site. More than 30 others, including "Heidi" and "Alice in Wonderland," have been filmed for future "Webisodes."
"There are all these great icons out there for insurance and beer companies that people know, but there's no great icon that says reading is cool," said Clay Graham, creator and founder of "Mrs. P.".
The former head writer and executive producer for the "The Drew Carey Show," Graham came up with the idea for "Mrs. P" in early 2007. His first -- and only -- choice to portray her was former colleague Kathy Kinney.
Kinney is the actress best known for her turn as Mimi, the overly made-up hothead who played Carey's foil on the now-defunct hit show.
Her role as Mrs. P couldn't be more different. With her face framed by a curly red wig, her demeanor is warm and approachable, if a little odd.
According to Kinney, the Mrs. P character has a wild back story. Not only does she drive a Ferrari, but she has met the Queen of England. And as evidenced by her red-rimmed Truman Capote glasses, floral muumuu and sculpted John Fluevog heels, she has an unusual sense of style.
"She's eccentric," Kinney said. "She's stable, but she's leading a really fantastic life. And people who read lead fantastic lives."
The show's pace is slow. Mrs. P just sits in her chair. Reading.
All the stories are classics, a choice made because they've stood the test of time and they are in the public domain, which means they're free to use.
Perhaps best of all, "Mrs. P" is free and noncommercial.
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