So here's something a little diversionary from a usual "Mattson Studio Blog Post (Endquote)", but important, I think, nonetheless: An incomplete look at childrens' television shows that absolutely got it right.These projects serve as reminders to me of what should be possible in not just kids' stuff, but in creative pursuits in general, whatever they may be. They are also all really fun to watch, and I am kind of an adult! This is not exhaustive, and more will be written in specific in a later post. You may note this top list skews a little younger, maybe, due to personal tastes, interest in deep wonder, and belief that most kids probably watch way more advanced stuff than they should, way too early.
So:
Kids' TV Shows That Got It Right, In No Specific Order, Except Maybe For "Peep and the Big Wide World," because, sweet night, it's so good, it belongs up top:
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Peep and the Big Wide World
Blue's Clues
Caillou
Sesame Street
Yo Gabba Gabba
Oobi
Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood
The Wonder Pets
Dinosaur Train
Maisy
Olivia
Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman
Ni Hao, Kai-Lan
Arthur
Pee-Wee's Playhouse
Fraggle Rock
Super Why!
Rocky and Bullwinkle
Mathnet/Square One TV
Mr. Wizard
Reading Rainbow
Little Bill
Clifford
Franklin
Little Bear
Kipper
Pingu
Schoolhouse Rock!
Paz (Discovery Channel Shorts)
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Kids' Shows That Got It Mostly Right:
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Zoboomafoo (Points off only for gawdawful animation voice acting)
Dora the Explorer
The Backyardigans
Postcards from Buster (Due to odd cartoon & real human mock-interaction issues)
Curious George
PowerPuff Girls (Only here for not exactly being a kids' show, not its fault)
Samarai Jack (So very brilliant, but see above)
Sid The Science Kid (Kinda creepy and glitchy 3-D animation at times)
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Title Song Category:
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64 Zoo Lane
Maisy
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Personal Taste Nostalgic Sub-Genre: Slightly Spooky:
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Goosebumps
Strange Days at Blake Holsey High
Encyclopedia Brown
Eerie, Indiana
Gravedale High
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Have No Idea Anymore, But Were Amazed With When I Was Young:
Read All About It! (This show was so strange, yet so memorable, I swore for years I only dreamed it)
The Letter People
Gigglesnort Hotel
Gather 'Round
You Can't Do That on Television
Kids Incorporated (Catchy theme song division, possibly cast-member childhood crush division)
Doug
3-2-1 Contact
New Zoo Revue
Muppet Babies
Tom Sawyer (Japanese? to English HBO show)
American Gladiators (Yeah, that's right)
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Older Kids' Category:
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Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, never watched earlier (or later) incarnations
Hull High (Again, Major Crush Sub-division)
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Had Little or No Idea It Was a Christian Show:
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Davey and Goliath
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Toy Commercials with Some Story Involved:
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Transformers
G.I. Joe
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Want/Need to See More Of Before Adding Definitively to Any List, But Am Intrigued:
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ChalkZone
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
Johnny Quest
Timeblazers
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There. That's a pretty good start for now. Can you tell yet that I'm 34? Note there are very few shows on the list that weren't available new or in reruns in the 1980s through today, and also note that it appears I have a giant crush on PBS. And also Canada.
Please feel free to add in the comments, I love to talk about this stuff, obviously.
No Bugs Bunny? Gerald McBoingBoing? Barber of Seville? Nightmare with the red-hair monster in the castle?
ReplyDeleteLoved Little Bill, Oobie, Powerpuff Girls, and so many of the others you mentioned. Especially School House Rock - get to relive those through my kids!
So funny, but for older kids and adults- The Tick. Does claymation count? Oh yeah, you had Davey - how about Bump in the Night? And in the slightly creepy category - my 5 year old is hooked on Scooby Doo (no nephew Scrappy!!). I love cartoons...
I'm not familiar with Bump in the Night, but sounds like something I'd be into! I'll have to look into that.
ReplyDeleteI agree Bugs should be there somewhere, but I haven't watched it in a while, and not as an adult, to have that new perspective. True, as a kid, it was beyond classic. I guess that's why this is Vol. One!
I remember liking the Tick when I was older, too. Is it a new version of Scooby that your 5 year-old is into? And if it's the old one, has the show held up for you? Thanks for the suggestions!
Oh, man, as an aside, anybody used to watch Slim Goodbody? That probably deserves its own category.
ReplyDeletehaha! i'm friends with the illustrator for the letterpeople :D
ReplyDeleteso funny to see it mentioned :)
i haven't heard of most of those!
maybe i'm just old.
I think you need to introduce me to the illustrator of The Letter People, pronto!
DeleteAnd everybody's older than they used to be.
DeleteHave you seen Shaun the Sheep? That's our new favorite.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see Shaun the Sheep; I still haven't!
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