Kid's programming

[Warhammer]

I need to ask. Am I the only one out there that actually looks forward to one of their kid's shows? I actually look forward to watching Backyardigans with the kids.

Am I going nuts?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Nuts? Yeah, a little bit probably.

But if you've got kids, being a little bit nuts is usually a good thing. If nothing else, it saves you time in going nuts eventually.

[Fonzie]

I need to ask. Am I the only one out there that actually looks forward to one of their kid's shows? I actually look forward to watching Backyardigans with the kids.

Am I going nuts?

Not at all. I look forward to watching Sesame Street with my 3-year old. I especially enjoy seeing the occassional old skit from when I was a kid.

[Warhammer]

I enjoy watching Sesame Street, but mainly for sentamental reasons as you point out.

I actually look forward to Backyardigans coming on. I guess it is because the kids on the show play the way I did as a kid, "Let's be secret agents!" etc.

[Tasan]

I enjoy watching Sesame Street, but mainly for sentamental reasons as you point out.

I actually look forward to Backyardigans coming on. I guess it is because the kids on the show play the way I did as a kid, "Let's be secret agents!" etc.

OKay, so I have a 4 year old and a 19 month old, just to set the scene.

I like Blues Clues, which my 19 month old is currently nuts about.
I like the new show Upside Down, which they both love.
My oldest adores the Backyardigans.......which drive me nuts. I absolutely can't stand them, to me they are everything thats wrong with kids tv today wrapped up in a ball of crap.

Bring me classic Sesame Street any day (and not the PC crap they play today)

[MrBigglesworth]

I need to ask. Am I the only one out there that actually looks forward to one of their kid's shows? I actually look forward to watching Backyardigans with the kids.

Am I going nuts?
Yes. It's not the high quality fare that we had back in my day, like Zoobilee Zoo.

http://www.zoobileezoo.com/zooframe.htm

[stevew]

How bout those motherfucking Wonderpets. Seriously that show is written by manatees.

Pick some obscure baby animal, and then put him in some horrible situation that makes little or no sense. And of course team works gonna work.

Backyardigans was cool for awhile until I saw every episode like 5 times. I used to like Blues Clues when Steve was on, but now that Douchebag Joe is unwatcheable.

[stevew]

dola.

I love Spongebob, but I don't think it's necessarily a kids show.

[Ksyrup]

I can't say I really enjoy any of them, but they are bearable. And it's fun to watch little kids' reactions to them. Most people hate the Wiggles, but I somewhat enjoy them simply because they make my kids laugh, dance, and sing. Can't be all that bad.

If I had to pick one kids show that I think is a legitimately good show and not annoying, it would be Arthur. That show is well done, entertaining, teaches kids something, and is watchable for parents. Although it isn't for the youngest viewers, it does have something for most ages of kids, since the show focuses on Arthur and his little sister.

[Butter]

If I had to pick one kids show that I think is a legitimately good show and not annoying, it would be Arthur. That show is well done, entertaining, teaches kids something, and is watchable for parents. Although it isn't for the youngest viewers, it does have something for most ages of kids, since the show focuses on Arthur and his little sister.

Definitely. I have legitimately laughed at Arthur more times than I can count... usually because something my 2 boys have done was reflected in the show somehow. But sometimes, it's actually just funny.

I think The Backyardigans is one of the better shows also, because the songs are actually decent.

Agree with stevew about The Wonder Pets being written by sub-human creatures. It is the most inane thing.

I think my favorite is actually Nanalan' (on some PBS stations, or on local PBS digital channels if you get those), which is essentially about a little girl who spends time over at her Nana's house while her mom is away at work. Unfortunately, I think there are only like 5 of these shows, but my 4 year old LOVES it, and I think it's gentle and sweet without being ridiculously repetitive like Dora and Wonder Pets.

[Ksyrup]

Our 2 year old watches Backyardigans, but it must be on only during the week in mid-morning, because I've never seen it.

[wade moore]

Yes. It's not the high quality fare that we had back in my day, like Zoobilee Zoo.

http://www.zoobileezoo.com/zooframe.htm

I thought I was the only one in the world that remembered zoobileezoo. Even then I watched it all of the time, but realized it was utter crap.

[scooper]

Noggin rocks.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Our 2 year old daughter loves...I mean LOVES...Jack's Big Music Show on Noggin. If we don't see it, the whole day is ruined.

And since there are only about 8 or 10 episodes, she tells us what is going to happen 2 minutes beforehand.

And I'll echo the Backyardigans sentiment. Those damn songs are so catchy, I find myself singing them all the time.

[Ksyrup]

On a kids shows/music-related topic, I'm anxiously awaiting (honestly) the new Winnie the Pooh show that is supposed to debuton Disney Channel next year because Andy Sturmer of Jellyfish apparently wrote the theme song. He also did the Teen Titans and Puffy AmiYumi theme songs, as well.

I'm a freak, I know.

[Warhammer]

How bout those motherfucking Wonderpets. Seriously that show is written by manatees.

Pick some obscure baby animal, and then put him in some horrible situation that makes little or no sense. And of course team works gonna work.

Backyardigans was cool for awhile until I saw every episode like 5 times. I used to like Blues Clues when Steve was on, but now that Douchebag Joe is unwatcheable.

My problem is the kids love Wonderpets, which I detest.

I agree with the Blue's Clues analysis. It was great while Steve was on, but Joe just doesn't have it. Now that they started the whole Blue's Room segment its even moved into creepy territory.

Jack's Big Music Show is a hit with my 2 year old, but not as much with my 4 year old. For me, it's hit and miss, some episodes are great, others aren't.

Backyardigans is the only one both of the kids absolutely love. After almost every show, my 4 year old pretends to be Tyrone, and I have to be Pablo. My wife is Tasha, and my 2 year old is Austin, but that's just for reference, they hardly ever play. Then we have to be whatever the show was.

The shows I hate for the most part are those on Disney. Aside from the Wiggles and Handy Manny, most of the stuff is just drivel.

[Butter]

I agree with the Blue's Clues analysis. It was great while Steve was on, but Joe just doesn't have it. Now that they started the whole Blue's Room segment its even moved into creepy territory.

What I think it is, is that Joe is so universally reviled by parents, that they had to try some other schtick to keep the show running. And if possible, Blue's Room is even worse than having Joe hosting. Joe just tries too damn hard. Steve was perfect... low-key, but silly at times. My kids loved that when they were 3-4.

[Draft Dodger]

How bout those motherfucking Wonderpets. Seriously that show is written by manatees.


the phone is weeennneeengg

[spleen1015]

Funny little story about Blue's Clues.

My best friend's brother looks very much like Steve. So, I used to always call him Steve. They replace Steve with his real life little brother, I think anyway, Joe.

My friend's brother's name is Joe. We got a big kick out of it all when it happened.

My 3 year old daughter loves Sponge Bob and Jimmy Neutron. My wife wants her to watch PBS and Disney, so I get a lot of the Wiggles and other crap. I like Jimmy Neutron the most.

[Draft Dodger]

I'm ok with most of the shows. Caillou is the big exception - I just want to slap the whine right out of that fucking kid. everything else is pretty decent - even Barney to be honest (it helps having my computer in the same room, so I have something to distract me).

Graham's really big on Handy Manny. Hannah absolutely loves Little Einsteins. It's hilarious to hear a 20 month old sing along with the theme song and "pat pat pat" to help the rocket ship lift off.

[Draft Dodger]

My best friend's brother looks very much like Steve. So, I used to always call him Steve. They replace Steve with his real life little brother, I think anyway, Joe.


curiously, I have a coworker who looks just like Steve.

Joe is not Steve's RL brother, btw. His name isn't even Joe - it's Donavon, and he's related to George S Patton. I don't mind him, fwiw, although the rest of the show has jumped the shark with blue's room and the animated notebook cartoons

[Ksyrup]

We won't let our youngest watch the non-educational stuff. In fact, we won't even let the 7 year old watch SpongeBob. But now she's into the old Scooby-Doo show and the Disney shows like Hannah Montana and Suite Life of Skinny and Fatty Twins, which unfortunately means the 2 year old is watching stuff we'd rather she not see for a few more years.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I've thought for years now that Filmore was one of the most underrated cartoons on any of the channels. That's probably the one show that I watched occasionally whether Will was around or not.

[Suburban Rhythm]

the phone is weeennneeengg

THIS IS SERWIOUS!

[King of New York]

Backyardigans rock hard. I think that they are releasing their second season of new shows beginning this month. Jack's Big Music Show is good.

I am amazed by how much better Noggin is than PBS kids, where the shows are markedly inferior. Disney is in between the two--the Wiggles are getting lazy (Wiggles Kids, give me a break), and appea very infrequently in their own shows any more. Granted, PBS launched the still classic Sesame Street, but a lot of the shows on PBS are just awful (Arthur, Caillou, Teletubbies.) I would almost conclude that children's television has demonstrated the virtues of the free market over state sponsorship--although a lot of these children's shows (Franklin, Little Bear) are coming from Canada. They tend to be pretty good overall.

Can you tell that I watch a fair amount of children's television :confused:

[Butter]

In fact, we won't even let the 7 year old watch SpongeBob. But now she's into the old Scooby-Doo show

Explain.

[Ksyrup]

At least with Scooby-Doo, there's an element of deduction that gives it some worth. When I'm able to watch it with her, I always quiz her at various points in each episode about what each clue means and who she thinks did it. It's a far more entertaining version of Blue's Clues, basically. Not to mention, my wife and I grew up with it, so it has our nostalgia going for it.

SpongeBob has far more in common with typical cartoons and not much else going for it.

[Toddzilla]

I like watching Dora with Lesley my 4-year old simply to see how excited she gets when the show comes on and how much fun she has interacting with the show. "Swiper No Swiping!" she yells. Makes me proud.

When Cassandra was alive, at night when I fed her (she had a g-tube so we could feed he upstairs in our bedroom) we would sit on the bed and watch SpongeBob which she LOVED. Cassie could care less about tv, but she'd giggle and laugh at SpongeBob, and when I'd laugh, she'd laugh too, which made me laugh more, which made her laugh more. Good times....

[Suburban Rhythm]

Whlie on the topic of kid's shows and PBS...

Did everyone actually see the spoof videos by Melanie, the former host of the Good Night show on Sprout? They were on Youtube, etc, so probably still there. That is some pretty funny stuff!

[stevew]

I'm ok with most of the shows. Caillou is the big exception - I just want to slap the whine right out of that fucking kid. everything else is pretty decent - even Barney to be honest (it helps having my computer in the same room, so I have something to distract me).

Graham's really big on Handy Manny. Hannah absolutely loves Little Einsteins. It's hilarious to hear a 20 month old sing along with the theme song and "pat pat pat" to help the rocket ship lift off.

Oh, most definitely

Callou is a fuckface.

[Butter]

Whlie on the topic of kid's shows and PBS...

Did everyone actually see the spoof videos by Melanie, the former host of the Good Night show on Sprout? They were on Youtube, etc, so probably still there. That is some pretty funny stuff!

They sent her packing already? What was that, a 6 month run? I know that channel was brand new when I got rid of my DirecTV, and I thought she was kinda hot.

[Ksyrup]

Some videos surfaced of her in college doing some skits that were "inconsistent with her role" on PBS, and they let her go within like 24 hours of them coming to light. I think this happened 3-4 months ago.

[stevew]

For 13-14 bucks that Laurie Bertner Band CD/DVD combo was worthwhile. My almost 3 year old loves it, and some of the songs are quite catchy.

Sometimes I think Lazy Town is okay, other times it's kind of annoying.

[Suburban Rhythm]

They sent her packing already? What was that, a 6 month run? I know that channel was brand new when I got rid of my DirecTV, and I thought she was kinda hot.

Yeah, awhile ago actually.

She told them about some spoof videos she had created in the past...I think something like 7 years before the show.

Obviously, not something you want your kids watching...but if your kid is searching the net for these, s/he probably isn't watching Sprout to begin with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy4-RL5WB_A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73m4nJH2yKg

[rkmsuf]

I yearn for more Ren and Stimpy.

[Butter]

Interesting, thanks for the links. Stupid spoofs anyway... and hardly anyone has viewed them. Someone must've threatened her with it maybe?

[Warhammer]

At least with Scooby-Doo, there's an element of deduction that gives it some worth. When I'm able to watch it with her, I always quiz her at various points in each episode about what each clue means and who she thinks did it. It's a far more entertaining version of Blue's Clues, basically. Not to mention, my wife and I grew up with it, so it has our nostalgia going for it.

SpongeBob has far more in common with typical cartoons and not much else going for it.

That is the approach we take with our kids. If there is some redeeming quality, it is ok. Old Scooby-Doo is fine, we just don't watch it a lot. The new ones where the monsters are real, etc., etc., we don't watch at all.

Most Disney shows have very little to offer as well. The Wiggles will get the kids dancing and moving so that is fine. However, Little Einsteins has very few redeeming qualities to me. Higglytown Heros at least educates kids about different occupations so I tolerate it, but I can't stand the show. "Hey kids! It's the trashman! He's a hero!"

On the flip side, most of Noggin's shows have some deduction skills as others have pointed out. Dora and Blue's Clues are the obvious ones here. Oobi, I actually like quite a bit because of the situations they find themselves in, and the lessons learned. Don't get mad about mistakes, be honest, etc., etc.

For me it is night and day between the quality on Disney and Noggin, but my wife just puts on whatever the kids want for the most part. I'm actually surprised I haven't come home to the kids watching Sponge Bob yet.

[Ksyrup]

Little Einsteins is a disappointment, I agree. The videos are great for infants, but with this show, it's like they just took other show's ideas, slapped some classical music on them, and figured they would get big props for introducing kids to classical music. Woop-dee-freakin-doo!

[Warhammer]

Little Einsteins is a disappointment, I agree. The videos are great for infants, but with this show, it's like they just took other show's ideas, slapped some classical music on them, and figured they would get big props for introducing kids to classical music. Woop-dee-freakin-doo!

Especially after the big build up they had for the show teaching kids XYZ, etc., etc. Then you watch the show and half the stuff is made up crap. It wouldn't be bad if it was the kids using their imaginations, but its not.

That is part of the appeal with Backyardigans for me I guess. You have the songs and dances, which gets the kids up dancing around. Then, you also have the kids on the show pretending everything. My older son has actually pretended much more after watching the show than he did before. Before it was always Star Wars. Now it is any one of a number of things. It's really been amazing the difference.

[Oilers9911]

I need to ask. Am I the only one out there that actually looks forward to one of their kid's shows? I actually look forward to watching Backyardigans with the kids.

Am I going nuts?


Backyardigans is pretty cool. I also look forward to Mighty Machines with my 20 month old son. But I REALLY look forward to Hi-5. Mostly because of.....

http://www.hi5america.com/cast-jenn.html

[JPhillips]

I agree on Backyardigans. I especially liked the new episode where they were either ninjas or pie makers and the music was in the style of spaghetti westerns. Good stuff.

Wonder Pets makes me want to stomp on baby ducks.

[FrogMan]

there are plenty of shows that I don'T mind watching with my youngest, of those like the Backyardigans, Franklin, Little Bear, Dora, Go Diego Go, Timothy goes to school, Rollie Pollie Ollie. Not sure these are all available in the States as I know some of them are canadian.

Do you guys get Max & Ruby? Max just cracks me up. When he gets on with a word, he doesn't let up for the whole episode, we all find that funny. :)

I don't get all the hate for Caillou. We like him all right.

I do agree that the frigging Wonder Pets are simply bad but the kid likes them, heh.

FM

[Suburban Rhythm]

I'll back you on that FM...Max is a sly little bastard! You can see it coming from a mile away, what he's going to do...but Ruby never catches on!

The worst ever would be Angelina Ballerina--on Sprout. That whiny little bitch...she cries EVERY single episode. My 2 year old daughter even knows!
"Oh...she's crying again!"

And Kipper...whoever came up with a British dog...that was a good idea.

[cuervo72]

Backyardigans is pretty cool. I also look forward to Mighty Machines with my 20 month old son. But I REALLY look forward to Hi-5. Mostly because of.....

http://www.hi5america.com/cast-jenn.html

Wow man, somebody beat me to it. Yes, yes.

[cuervo72]

And Max indeed is a sly little bastard.

[gstelmack]

Little Einsteins is a disappointment, I agree. The videos are great for infants, but with this show, it's like they just took other show's ideas, slapped some classical music on them, and figured they would get big props for introducing kids to classical music. Woop-dee-freakin-doo!

No no no. You're talking about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, which is a very bad Dora ripoff.

Little Einsteins is all about Classical music and is pretty good for that (listening for the instruments, etc). There is also a fair bit of geography involved. My kids (especially the 16-month old son) just love it. The 3.5-year old daughter and I will be doing something else unrelated that'll have me count backward "5-4-3-2-1" and he happens to hear and throws his hands high in the air. My daughter loves to say "I can not be-lieve it!"

Dora remains #1 though by a pretty wide margin. Bob the Builder is up there, too, but that seems to be mostly for the theme song.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Also...someone back me up on this...

Everytime there is an episode of Dora that they show her family...I insist to my wife that Dora's father is Lionel Ritchie...and she laughs at me. :(

[Warhammer]

I'll back you on that FM...Max is a sly little bastard! You can see it coming from a mile away, what he's going to do...but Ruby never catches on!

The worst ever would be Angelina Ballerina--on Sprout. That whiny little bitch...she cries EVERY single episode. My 2 year old daughter even knows!
"Oh...she's crying again!"

And Kipper...whoever came up with a British dog...that was a good idea.

Anthony enjoys Max & Ruby, I'm not so high on it, mainly because I want to slap that bitch Ruby. :mad:

For whatever reason I love Kipper. Don't understand it at all, but Kipper rocks. And now, that's a frog.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Anthony enjoys Max & Ruby, I'm not so high on it, mainly because I want to slap that bitch Ruby. :mad:

For whatever reason I love Kipper. Don't understand it at all, but Kipper rocks. And now, that's a frog.

Kipper = Mr. Belvedere...just as a dog.

[Warhammer]

No no no. You're talking about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, which is a very bad Dora ripoff.

I don't know where my original post on this went, but I HATE this show with a passion. The kids love it, and I always try to have Go, Diego Go! on before they realize this is on. Anyway, last weekend my wife and I are in the kitchen looking for something. I make the comment that we are going to have to use the mystery mouskatool. Long story short, we wind up making up the porno version of the show. The Minnie Mouse Whorehouse, come inside, won't you come inside. :D

[Oilers9911]

Do any of you guys see a kids show called Miss BG. God I just want to beat that little cartoon kid to death.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I don't see this one too much any more, but what about that 'Big Sister, Little Brother'? Where they speak nonsensical babble and noises, much like the teacher in the Peanuts cartoons.

[Ksyrup]

I read something that hinted at this a couple of months ago, and when we saw them live earlier this year, Greg was not there because of hernia surgery (they said). Pretty sad for him, although honestly, I thought he was the least likeable of the 4:



Reports: Wiggles vocalist may quit due to illness


SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- The hugely popular children's group The Wiggles is expected this week to announce the departure of its lead singer because of a serious illness, media reports said Wednesday.

The Australian group has reportedly scheduled a press conference for Thursday in the western city of Perth to make a "major announcement relating to members of the group," according to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Associated Press and the online edition of Sydney's The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

The reports said the group was likely to announce the departure of the "Yellow Wiggle," Greg Page, who has been frequently absent from touring since undergoing a double hernia operation in December.

The 34-year-old known for his bright yellow T-shirt has been undergoing medical treatment since June after experiencing fainting spells and lethargy, the reports said.
Calls to the group's publicist were not immediately returned Wednesday.

The Wiggles were Australia's top-earning entertainers last year, ahead of No. 2 AC/DC and No. 3 Nicole Kidman. The four men in brightly colored T-shirts, accompanied by a cast of characters including Dorothy the Dinosaur and Wags the Dog, grossed $39 million last year.

Page, who was replaced by an understudy when he pulled out of The Wiggles' U.S. tour in July, reportedly said he needed to rest and seek medical advice for the fainting spells.

"I have had numerous bouts of this over the past eight months but they are getting more frequent, and more concerning," he was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph. "So I have decided that I must go home, rest and seek further medical advice to assure myself that I will be OK for future tours."

Publicist Dianna O'Neill told The Sydney Morning Herald that doctors had not been able to identify Page's illness.

Page helped found The Wiggles in 1991 after he and two other members met while studying early childhood education at Sydney's Macquarie University.

The group has franchised its enormously popular recipe to several non-English speaking countries, including Taiwan.

[Warhammer]

My order for the Wiggles was:

Anthony
Murray
Greg
Jeff

Still that is sad if he is forced to leave the group. They are definitely more palatable than many other options at this age.

On another note, my wife and I drove 13 hours to Ohio with the kids for the holidays and my wife and I fought over which Backyardigans we were going to watch. Man, the Mission to Mars DVD rocks.

[stevew]

This was an absolutely hilarious send-up of Dora the Explorer on TV Funhouse this weekend on SNL.

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[Ksyrup]

Thanks for that. As the little one has gone ape-shit for Dora and Diego, the wife will get a kick out of this.

[Kodos]

We love the Backyardigans. Noah loves it, and it is actually entertaining for adults. Really liked the Cops and Robots episode. And Secret Agents. Dora would be okay, except they take the repetition thing too far. I like Swiper though. I always root for him. "Oh MANNNN!"

[Mateo]

Oh, most definitely

Callou is a fuckface.

This made me laugh...

My daughter loves Charlie and Lola. L-O-V-E-S it. She tries to get me to watch the Wonder Pets. But I have yet to watch an entire episode.

[stevew]

This made me laugh...

My daughter loves Charlie and Lola. L-O-V-E-S it. She tries to get me to watch the Wonder Pets. But I have yet to watch an entire episode.

This is Sewious

[Wolfpack]

We love the Backyardigans. Noah loves it, and it is actually entertaining for adults. Really liked the Cops and Robots episode. And Secret Agents. Dora would be okay, except they take the repetition thing too far. I like Swiper though. I always root for him. "Oh MANNNN!"

Ha! Our daughter went through a brief Dora phase whereupon she'd say "Swiper, no swipe!" sometimes, but more often than not, "Oh, mannn!" in response to our trying to keep her from doing something she wanted to do. Was cute initially, but got really old, really fast. Fortuantely, she doesn't seem to be doing it very much any more, though she does still watch Dora and Diego. Lately she's suddenly taken to asking about Spanish, which I'm a little uncertain about because I'd rather be teaching her the foreign language and not the TV. Not to mention it gets my right-wing hackles up a little because I feel like the TV's indoctrinating my kid into accepting a bilingual world rather than a world where English should have primacy in everyday life. This kind of clashes with my more pragmatic side that recognizes this country is becoming increasingly bilingual (especially as multiculturalism has supplanted assimilationism in how we treat new immigrants) and as we are planning to move back home to NC, it would be a handy skill for her to have.

I also recognize that at this point she's rapidly increasing her mental abilities and do think that if we are to encourage multiple language abilities, perhaps now would be a time to start doing at least a little of it. I'd like her to learn more than just Spanish, though. Problem is that pretty much any other language we'd have to devote the energy and time to having her learn whereas Spanish itself as noted is becoming part of the landscape without our assistance.

[Wolfpack]

She tries to get me to watch the Wonder Pets. But I have yet to watch an entire episode.

Count yourself blessed. I've found myself in the middle of my working day sitting at the computer and quietly singing, "What's gonna work? Teamwork!" or some such nonsense. Drives me crazy. :D

[stevew]

okay-So I can't be the only one who thinks it's funny every time Dora goes up to one of the illegal alien creatures that only speaks spanish. They'll be like screaming at the guy and he won't respond. Tico seems like a good guy, he's a good driver and probably a hard worker, but he really needs to learn english if he doesn't want swiper to steal his car keys.

[JPhillips]

Don't ever let Boots carry anything. He'll always drop it.

[cuervo72]

Worth mentioning for you haters that the voice actress for Caillou (English versions) died a few years ago (2003).

[Suburban Rhythm]

This made me laugh...

My daughter loves Charlie and Lola. L-O-V-E-S it. She tries to get me to watch the Wonder Pets. But I have yet to watch an entire episode.

You are missing out on Wonder Pets. Anything that includes lyrics 'Pushy, pushy, pushy...on the tushy' is too good to pass up.

We have all the Charlie and Lola books...and recently found the stuff on DVD too. Those British accents kill me everytime.

[Ksyrup]

Count yourself blessed. I've found myself in the middle of my working day sitting at the computer and quietly singing, "What's gonna work? Teamwork!" or some such nonsense. Drives me crazy. :D

My little one loves that show. Right now, her rotation is Wonder Pets, Dora/Diego, and Backyardigans, with some Wiggles thrown in. And of course even though she's not quite 3, she is getting way too much exposure to Zack and Cody, etc., that our 7 year old watches.

[stevew]

this deserves some Celery.

[JPhillips]

Ksyrup: That sounds like the same rotation for my girl, except add in a healthy dose of Jack's Big Music Show.

[Ksyrup]

Oh, she also likes that Johnny and the Sprites show. When I was in NYC a couple weeks ago, I saw a commercial for some adult-themed puppet broadway show that Johnny was in. Funny.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Ksyrup: That sounds like the same rotation for my girl, except add in a healthy dose of Jack's Big Music Show.

My daughter is with your daughter on that one.

Since we got Direct in January, we now have like 24 episodes of Jack on the DVR. But she only requests Jack Bunny, Scat Cat, and my personal favorite, Mel's Super Swell Dance Party (YIPPEE!)

[KWhit]

Oh, she also likes that Johnny and the Sprites show. When I was in NYC a couple weeks ago, I saw a commercial for some adult-themed puppet broadway show that Johnny was in. Funny.

Avenue Q?

[Ksyrup]

I have no idea. I really wasn't paying attention until I heard adult-themed, and when I looked up, there he was. I guess Disney doesn't have any problems with it, or maybe it's not as bad as they made it seem in the commercial.

[FrogMan]

It's Spider-Man all the way for my 3yo. He's just too funny. His big brother showed him how to put his fingers to sling web. At first he just couldn't do it and now he's walking around going "wssh, wsshhh", talking about catching bad guys and all. I often ask him how I should put my fingers and he comes over to show me. Very funny.

He also still likes Dora/Diego, Max & Ruby, Bakyardigans, Rollie Pollie Ollie, but it always goes back to Spidey. Did you know there's a spider spud that you can buy? I couldn't resist getting him one after seeing it at Wal-Mart. :D

FM

[KWhit]

And by the way Dora is the worst f*cking show on TV. It's the EXACT same thing over and over and over and over. The animation sucks. The songs are ridiculous - for instance, the actual lyrics to one of the songs is, "I'm the map. I'm the map. I'm the map. I'm the map. I'm the map. I'm the map. I'm the map. I'm the map. I'm the map!"

I HATE HATE HATE THAT SHOW!

[KWhit]

I have no idea. I really wasn't paying attention until I heard adult-themed, and when I looked up, there he was. I guess Disney doesn't have any problems with it, or maybe it's not as bad as they made it seem in the commercial.

If it's the one I'm thinking of, one of the most popular songs in it is "The Internet is for Porn."

[Izulde]

The Suite Life of Zach and Cody is actually pretty funny, the few episodes I've seen of it.

Hannah Montana, though... God, I just wanted to throw the TV out the window when I caught an episode of that. It didn't even have the so stupid it's funny quality that Moesha used to.

[Atocep]

It's Spider-Man all the way for my 3yo. He's just too funny. His big brother showed him how to put his fingers to sling web. At first he just couldn't do it and now he's walking around going "wssh, wsshhh", talking about catching bad guys and all. I often ask him how I should put my fingers and he comes over to show me. Very funny.


My son went through a huge spiderman phase when he was 3. He even dressed up as spiderman for halloween that year and ended up wearing the costume around the house to play in until he grew out of it (over a year later).

He's 5 now and its all about anything super-hero related. Superman, X-Men, Iron Man, Hulk, Ghost Rider. All of it. He's also big on Star Wars, Power Rangers, and Ghostbusters (he was a Ghostbuster for halloween this year and a Power Ranger last year). Basically, if you were to make a list of what the stereotypical 5 year old boy would like, he probably likes everything that would included be on that list.

With another spiderman movie approaching, I'm fairly certain we'll see another big spiderman phase.

[FrogMan]

My son went through a huge spiderman phase when he was 3. He even dressed up as spiderman for halloween that year and ended up wearing the costume around the house to play in until he grew out of it (over a year later).

He's 5 now and its all about anything super-hero related. Superman, X-Men, Iron Man, Hulk, Ghost Rider. All of it. He's also big on Star Wars, Power Rangers, and Ghostbusters. Basically, if you were to make a list of what the stereotypical 5 year old boy would like, he probably likes everything that would included be on that list.

With another spiderman movie approaching, I'm fairly certain we'll see another big spiderman phase.

My 10yo has been a huge Spider-Man fan since when he was maybe 4, so it's no big coincidence that the youngest is into it. Just had to wear one spidey sweater for a little while, then one day his big brother came down with an old DVD with a couple Spider-Man episodes and there it was. Funniest thing is that there are maybe 3-4 other kids at his daycare who also seem to be into Spider-Man so they're all calling each other out the moment they walk into the daycare "hey look, I got my spider-man shirt and the socks too!!!". :D

FM

[timmyw3]

I don't know about you all, but I think Nina on the Good Night Show is hawt. They have to get rid of Star though. He just looks like a talking testicle.

[CamEdwards]

How did I miss this thread the first time around? Jeez.

Thank God I'm not the only one who hates the Wonder Pets. I would drown Ming Ming if I could get my hands on her.

Backyardigans is a great show. Love the songs on there, and have downloaded a few on iTunes so I can play them for the twins. James loves "Yeti Stomp" and will stomp around the house singing it.

The other shows the twins like (they'll be two years old tomorrow, btw) are Go, Diego, Go and Little Einsteins. They freaking LOVE Little Einsteins. I have no idea why, but they do.

BTW, I'm shocked that there's been no mention of a) Higglytown Heroes and b) the hotness of Laurie Berkner.

[Warhammer]

We love the Backyardigans. Noah loves it, and it is actually entertaining for adults. Really liked the Cops and Robots episode. And Secret Agents. Dora would be okay, except they take the repetition thing too far. I like Swiper though. I always root for him. "Oh MANNNN!"

Secret Agent Limbo Team, gonna beat the laser beam, gonna line up single file and show off our limbo style, it's Uniqua's turn to go, she will limbo good and low. Now she's past the laser light, she can do the limbo right.

The best Backyardigans episode is "Race to the Tower of Power!" Every time we go to the store, my 5 year old begins racing with me to the store so we can beat his brother (2 year old), aka Captain Hammer, and Weatherwoman, aka my wife. For the record, I am Yuckyman.

Currently, they are on a Dora, Diego, Wonder Pets, Backyardigan routine. Wonder Pets is great since my youngest will sing the theme song. After that, its time for "Frog". "Frog" is code for the Muppet Show, by my youngest.

[Warhammer]

b) the hotness of Laurie Berkner.

I didn't want to admit to this, but she is hot in a wierd way. I have her Victor Vito CD and the Backyardigans CD in the car and listen to them while the kids aren't in the car. :(

[KWhit]

Oh yeah, Laurie is hot. I liked the older videos of her with the white background better than her stuff on Jack's Big Music Show, but she's hot.

Also, Little Einsteins is the best. My son has learned so much about music from that show that it is ridiculous. He is 2.5 years old and can tell you what instrument is playing on the radio by how it sounds - like a guitar, violin, trumpet, piano. Pretty cool.

[KWhit]

I mentioned my hatred of Dora earlier. Blues Clues is just as bad. And the Doodlebops totally freaks me out. Ughhh....

I like the new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse all right though. And my son loves all the Pixar movies (and I do too).

[Draft Dodger]

I'm quite attracted to Laurie Berkner, and I think Victor Vito is a monster of a song.

Graham's in a big Handy Manny phase. I don't mind the show, but do get tired of hearing it (especially Fred Stoller aka the spoiled milk standup guy). And our "last show" of the day usually is Mr Rogers, which I like because it's educational and calming - a great before bedtime show. Higglytown gets some play, as does the Upside Down show.

Hannah is a HUGE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse fan. She'll watch the same 3 episodes over and over again. Dora is her second favorite (and she too does the "oh man" thing). She likes Einstein's too - I like that, because she will help pat for the liftoff, and if you aren't helping too, she'll give you heck. Both Dora and Mickey are good for her, because she gets involved with the show - she's shouting at Backpack right now to tell him (her?) what Dora needs to help baby bird.

[Wolfpack]

I don't know about you all, but I think Nina on the Good Night Show is hawt. They have to get rid of Star though. He just looks like a talking testicle.

I assume this is the one that replaced the disgraced girl who got busted for her "technical virgin" skits? If so, I'm in agreement. Only seen her on recently (as my daughter's TV interest has shifted from Little Bear to Dragontales for the 6 PM viewing slot when I get home), but she's definitely drawn my eye.

[Ksyrup]

Yep, I was just about to mention the new chick on the Goodnight Show. Hot!

[JPhillips]

Warhammer: Have you seen Samurai Pie? Morricone music in feudal Japan. A great edisode.

And all of you that think Laurie Berkner's hot need to look at more porn. No way she's anything more than a "nobody hot was around" pickup.

[Warhammer]

Warhammer: Have you seen Samurai Pie? Morricone music in feudal Japan. A great edisode.

And all of you that think Laurie Berkner's hot need to look at more porn. No way she's anything more than a "nobody hot was around" pickup.

Do you want to make pie?

Yes, I want to make pie!

Then try this exercise....

Good Lord, I love Samurai Pie. Mission to Mars is good too, the music is so infectious. ...My helmet's got a built in phone....

Re: Berkner, she is hot in a wierd way. I agree that she isn't drop dead gorgeous hot, but its her whole package. I just can't explain it.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Not sure on Laurie...her eyes bug me out for some reason.
But, she does wear shirts that are probably a little too tight on her rack than they should be for children's programming. So I am torn.

Along with that...you know it's bad when the new episodes of Jack's Big Music show started, and you notice right away that Brian from the Laurie Berkner Band has been replaced.

[Warhammer]

Along with that...you know it's bad when the new episodes of Jack's Big Music show started, and you notice right away that Brian from the Laurie Berkner Band has been replaced.

Really? I thought he was her husband.

[Draft Dodger]

Really? I thought he was her husband.

he is.

from wiki:
In 2006, Mueller left the band "to keep the couple’s personal and professional lives separate", and was replaced by Adam Bernstein.

[JPhillips]

Sounds like he was sick of his wife bossing him around at work all day.

[CamEdwards]

But, she does wear shirts that are probably a little too tight on her rack than they should be for children's programming.


That's all it is. She's got a nice jiggly rack for a kids show.

[Suburban Rhythm]

How about on one of the newer JBMS episodes...can't remember exactly which one...on one of the song breaks during it, it's the two guys with violins playing 'Sweet Dreams', Marilyn Manson-style.

Spooked me out a little bit.

[Suburban Rhythm]

No I don't...like....candycorn
No I don't...like....candycorn

I would even eat my own feet, I bet they taste MUCH BETTER!!!

http://www.noggin.com/shows/halloween.php

[Warhammer]

While my two year old and I were home on Monday, we had to dance to all the entire Mission to Mars show 4 times. He had an absolute ball.

[JPhillips]

My daughter is obsessed with the Good Night Show on Sprout.

For all of you that think Lauri Berkner is hot, please see Nina.

[Kodos]

Alas, my son now doesn't seem to like Backyardigans, and always demands Blue's Clues instead. Some of the new Backyardigan episodes have been fantastic this year. Cops and Robots, Movers of Arabia, the one where they are fishing on that dangerous lake. Great stuff.

[Suburban Rhythm]

My daughter is obsessed with the Good Night Show on Sprout.

For all of you that think Lauri Berkner is hot, please see Nina.

But Nina is no Melanie

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

Somewhere else here I started a Yo Gabba Gabba thread...that show is head and shoulders above all other kid's shows.

[Passacaglia]

I don't think kids should be programming -- even if they did, who would want to buy the games they make?

[gstelmack]

But Nina is no Melanie

Amen. Losing the Good Night show was one of the big negatives in leaving DirecTV for TWC. My kids miss it, although recorded Backyardigans episodes have replaced it, and with the move of Little Einsteins to 9 AM (after we leave) that gets watched in the evenings as well.