Children’s Television Doesn’t Have To Suck

Sep 24th, 2008 | By Dave Delaney | Category: Article

I can safely say that it’s not easy being forced to watch children’s programming. Many of the programs are too slow and repetitive, like the ones that have long pauses to wait for your kids to do as their told. Or the shows feature grown ups who dance around like they’re all hopped up on, umm, too much caffeine. I finally found a kid’s show that doesn’t insult their (or my) intelligence.

I was born in 1972, my favorites were Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Both shows were cool, urban, fun programs that guest starred popular actors and musicians. Take those two shows, add Pee Wee’s Playhouse, and mix it all up with Deee-Lite’s video for “Groove Is In The Heart” and you have Yo Gabba Gabba!

Any cool daddy who appreciates 80’s video games, rap music, anime, and really catchy music will love the show. Every episode teaches the kids valuable lessons, while entertaining mommy and daddy. Wikipedia lists the first season guests as:  Leslie Hall, The Shins, The Aggrolites, Cornelius, Biz Markie, Shiny Toy Guns, Supernova, Mark Mothersbaugh, Rahzel, The Postmarks, Sugarland, Tony Hawk, Low, Laila Ali, Elijah Wood, Mýa, The Salteens and series co-creator Jacobs’ band, The Aquabats.

According to the Yo Gabba Gabba! News page, Season 2 guest stars include Melora Hardin, Amy Sedaris, Jack Black, Andy Samberg, Rachel Dratch, The Roots, MGMT, the Ting Tings, Ladytron, Biz Markie, Mark Mothersbaugh, Mix Master Mike, Mates of State, Hot Hot Heat, Datarock, and more. How’s that for a lineup?

Give the show a watch with your little ones and let me know what you think. I swear you’ll be humming those songs in your head for weeks, here’s a taste.

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  • Unfortunately the things that interest kids aren't necessarily what interests adults. While I agree that Sesame Street is cool, Blue's Clues ratings blows the Street's out of the water among the toddler demographic. Kids like different stuff than adults.

    That said, I'll have to check out some of those shows.
  • Hi Cory:
    Thanks so much for your comment. You make a good point that the shows need to entertain the kids first. My kids also love Blue's Clues and Higglytown Heroes (also by the creators of Yo Gabba Gabba!).

    I must admit the aforementioned shows are good, I enjoy them too.

    My beef with Sesame Street these days is that the Elmo segments go on way too long. Of course, the kids do love Elmo now don't they?

    Cheers.
  • A show that our family is really enjoying is Peep and the Big Wide World (just do a search for Peep, or try here). Our 4 year-old son loves it, and so do my wife and I. As a bonus, the website has some great games and activities. I highly recommend it.
  • Thanks Joshpaul. I'll have to check to see when it's on in our neck of the woods (Nashville). I am very excited though, because I read the credits and guess what...

    "Peep," "Quack," "Chirp," "Tom" and "Nellie" were originally created by Kai Pindal for the National Film Board of Canada productions The Peep Show (©1962, National Film Board of Canada) and Peep and the Big Wide World (©1988, National Film board of Canada). PEEP and the Big Wide World was developed in association with Eggbox, LLC.

    I'm Canadian, so I think it might ring some bells. I'm glad they changed the name from "The Peep Show", eh? :-)
  • Hi Dave,

    I hope you enjoy it at least as much as we do.

    I will admit, when I first searched for it, I was a little nervous what was going to come back from the term "peep." The fact it was first on the list was a very pleasant surprise.

    Josh
  • Okay, I'll put this disclosure right up top: I work for Scholastic. But here's the thing, Word Girl is the most awesome (impressive, rockin') cartoon for kids and parents to watch together. She has a secret identity, a sidekick monkey named Captain Huggyface who breakdances but can not fly, and her vocabulary is huge (enormous, big). Watching the show at the gym, I have almost fallen off the treadmill on two separate occasions. Don't take my word (haha) for it. Search for "Word Girl" and "Jim Lehrer" on YouTube. Seriously.
  • Vintage Nickelodeon show, The Adventures of Pete and Pete is my all time favorite kids' show (one of my all time favorite shows, period!). It's quirky, irreverent, smart, features an amazing indie-rock soundtrack and a host of great guest spots by the likes of Steve Buscemi, Janeane Garofalo, Iggy Pop, Michael Stipe and more. My kids (4 and 7) and I love watching this show together.
  • @joshpaul: Trust me, I understand how that can be. Search for "two boobs" on Google and luckily the first result is my parenting podcast :-) Funny.

    @adjustafresh: I've never heard of the show, but you sold me at Iggy! I just found a bit on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYehQtdRMWM&... Funny stuff. I need to buy this for my kids. Thanks for the tip!
  • I have 2 teenagers I raised, and now have a 4 year old granddaughter as well. I've seen the bulk of all the kids shows over the years and the by far best 2 are still on today.

    Spongebob Squarepants is a rare show that hits both the kids and the adults. It is really a well put together group of characters with good writing. Kids laugh when they should, and I laugh with them at parts, or without them for the jokes they obviously will miss, but the writers have in there for the accompanying adult. This is the cartoon that will stand the test of time and is the rightful heir to the throne of Bugs Bunny and Looney Toons. And this from a die hard Daffy Duck fan.

    As far as live action goes, there is a recent show on called The Upside Down Show. The 2 guys in their pretend play, and with their "remote" that they will hand to your child are masters at what they do. I have yet to see a child not clicking their "remote" when told in this show. An intelligent and "good for your kids show" that encourages more imagination in youngsters than I've seen in years.

    Just 2 of my favorites, and my Granddaughters.

    Anthony Russo
    Skype: anth.russo
    Twitter: @AnthonyRusso
  • My 2 year old girl loves the Backyardigans! I think its great because they get into so many different genres of both story & music. Pirates, surfers, Vikings, spies, ancient Egypt, superheroes, the list goes on and on. Seriously great music. Exposes your kids to country, polka, rock, hip hop, even zydeco. We bought one of the CDs and those songs get into your head! Fun fun stuff.
  • @AnthonyRusso: I've seen Spongebob Squarepants without my kids and found it funny. I thinks it's skewed at a slightly older child than my own, perhaps 10ish? If it compares to Looney Tunes you have me sold!
    I'll have to check out Upside Down Show, sounds fun. Thanks.

    @Ryan: We've only watched the Backyardigans a few times, it's not a bad show at all. I bought the pirate ship bath toy for Sam when he was little. I was disappointed with the quality, it could hardly stay afloat. I guess I can't blame the show for that though. :-) Arggg! (my pirate voice). Cheers.
  • Over here (aus) The Night Garden is all the rage. Of our four kids, only our eldest boy isn't interested in it. He's seven, but the five, four and one year old all love it.

    We've discovered a bunch of shows that, especially as you get more kids, so the older kids help the younger ones get excited, that we all love watching.

    Kim Possible. Avatar. American Dragon. Dave the Barbarian. Pucca.

    Also, I have to pimp our own little show we've started .. The Plastic Detectives. It's not in the league of the above shows, but we have an absolute blast making it.

    Once again, kudos for this post. Keep them coming!
  • Oh yea. Let me go on record as stating Avatar is a show that is good enough to DVR. It has just enough balance of tense drama and feeling, and the fight scenes rival The Matrix at its best. One of the best older kid shows.
  • This is great info to know.
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