Kids shows... which ones don't suck?
1my (almost) 2 year old is starting to watch kids shows. mostly, it's Peg + Cat, which i actually find kind of clever. Daniel Tiger's neighborhood though, makes me want to crap my pants just so i have an excuse to leave the room for a significant amount of time.
so...people with kids (or people that watch kid shows for non-creepy reasons), what shows don't make you want to bash your face in with a sledgehammer?
edit: i had no idea you could put in your own topic image.
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So wait, @carl669 , you CHOSE to go with Slim Goodbody?
@BillLehecka yes. it was the weirdest picture i found in the short amount of time i had.
The Mighty Jungle
@matthew thanks. not sure if we get CBC. edit: apparently it's on sprout as well...i'll check it out.
I just put the kids in front of CNN. I am sure they'll be fine.
@xarous so long as it's not Fox News
find and download Peppa Pig. They crack me up.
On PBS Arthur, Curious George… both might be a bit over your 2 year old's head yet, but keep them in mind. In fact in this household Arthur was watched well into grade school, although sometimes not admitted to when friends were over (she also watched that preschool purple dinosaur one - blanking on the name although - well into grade school hoping her friends never found out - that is another pre school one that is generally benign). I thought teletubbies was stupid but that was a big hit. Every scene is shown twice and there is something about that show that draws in little kids. That is definitely a little kid show. My kid hated sesame street - too disjointed and bounces around from topic to topic too much but others like it.
@Kidsandliz Barney (purple dinosaur) is a product of the devil himself. I never let my kids watch it. I babysat a few kids who were obsessed with it when I was a teen and swore I'd never let my own even know he existed. shudders
@PurplePawprints What is wrong with Barney. The few times I saw it with my kid to preview it that show seemed pretty benign. No violence, emphasis on being a good friend, etc. DId I only see the few good episodes or something?
@Kidsandliz Relatively speaking (especially compared to Barney), I'd say Teletubbies isn't bad. Not that I'd make a choice to watch it except as an alternative to a stupider kid show.
@Kidsandliz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Barney_humor See also: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144701/reviews The first review "It's a Kids show, It's a Kids show, It's a Kids show, It's a Kids show.........SHUT UP!" gives a lot of good reasons why it's so hated.
As a non-creepy adult, I've enjoyed Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends and Dinosaur Train. Olivia is cute, a little obnoxious. I also like (but don't recommend) SpongeBob. And you could catch me watching Strawberry Shortcake and Pound Puppies on The Hub, but I can't stand My Little Ponies. They're freaky.
And you can't overlook The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock, for your most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppetational TV watching needs.
@Carl669 SuperWhy, Sid The Science Kid, Sesame Street, And Little Einsteins Aren't Terrible. Avoid Barney, Caillou, Wonder Pets, Dora, Handy Manny, Max N Ruby, Caillou, Caillou AND caillou
@jimmyd103 Yes! These are good suggestions here. Barney, Max and Ruby and Caillou were banned in my house. Those shows are from the devil. My kids loved Wonder Pets, but I didn't.
@PurplePawprints Your Name Remind Me Of Another, Blues clues. We Own A Wonder Pets Dvd.... Enough said
@jimmyd103 Oh yeah! My kids loved Blues Clues, too. They are nine and seven now, so I've forgotten about a lot of the ones they watched.
@jimmyd103 Thomas the Train was liked in this house
@PurplePawprints Caillou is a brat, I can't stand that show. Sid and SuperWhy aren't bad, but still a little annoying.
When my kid was that age, I would happily watch Sesame Street, Mr Rogers and Reading Rainbow with her--later, Square One and Electric Company. And I'd put up with Rug Rats and ThunderCats. It all seems like crap to me now. In fact, I get a little pissed off watching regular network TV or any movie that isn't justifiably R-rated, let alone any of those ridiculous kids' shows. Meh.
But I'd trust the PBS. Heck ("heck" and "crap" are me being G-rated; "pissed" might be pushing it, but being G-rated pisses me off even more than just putting up with it), make 'em watch News Hour or Moyers.
@joelmw I liked Square One when I was little. I've watched clips now as an adult and noticed all sorts of funny jokes they put in there for adults that went right over my head when I was little. Amusing music videos parodying pop music of the late '80s and early '90s, too.
Here's a playlist on YouTube someone's conveniently assembled of the music videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB670AA154A7CF62C
@jqubed I remember that there were jokes and references for adults. The only specific one I can recall right now is Nomanisan Island.
I don't know anything about kids shows since none of my friends have kids and I'm 99% sure I don't want any, but I do know that you should avoid Caillou at all costs.
@jimmyd103 haha, I made my post without seeing yours first
@JonT What is wrong with Caillou? My kid didn't like it but I never watched it really...
@Kidsandliz Caillou is an annoying spoiled little brat with parents that exercise no discipline.
@phatmass holy shit do I agree with this.
I don't know if it is good or bad, but my 2 y/o loves pocoyo. free on youtube.
@jaybird I was about to suggest the very same thing! But make sure you are watching the original series with Stephen Fry. "Oh, hello Pocoyo!"
My kids only watch streaming stuff on Netflix, Amazon and Hulu.
Here's the best:
Yo Gabba Gabba!
Tumble Leaf (Amazon Prime only)
Timmy Time
Pocoyo
Spongebob Squarepants
Rabbids Invasion (You'll love me for this one)
I've heard that Charlie the Unicorn is a really good kids' show. That's what I've heard. You should at least try. What's the harm in trying?
@joelmw So wrong. +1
@joelmw Candy Mountain!
@bluedyn I have mixed feelings. Part of me finds it hilarious. Part of me identifies too strongly with Charlie and wants to go hurt someone.
@joelmw ShuuuuuuuuunnnnN! But yes, Charlie needs to sell them into a horse prostitution ring or something as payback.
Wait, why hasn't anyone mentioned Phineas and Ferb yet? Possibly the smartest kids show on TV today.
@BillLehecka It is. My kids love it and watched it on repeat the summer before last. I don't know that it would hold the attention of a two year old, though.
Whatever you do, don't let your kids watch this show. There's something seriously wrong with it. Pay close attention at 3:10 if you wanna truly be disturbed.
@jsh139 I didn't realize toddlers were tripping on acid as much these days.
@jsh139 Holy crap! I haven't seen anything like that since I took that funny little pill someone gave me at Woodstock.
@jsh139 Wowzers! I'd never heard of Boohbah before, but checking out some other episode clips on the youtube, I see the show doesn't get any better...
http://www.pancakemountain.com
When I worked as a nanny a million years ago, I was partial to Kipper. Such a proper pup.
Pee Wee's Playhouse! How come no one said Pee Wee's Playhouse!?
@SSteve Because it's on Adult Swim.
@RicoSuave Why does that make it ineligible?
@SSteve Because children have school. Lol.
@RicoSuave Oh, I get it. I'm not in tune with kid stuff or TV stuff. I was thinking about getting the DVDs.
Best introduction to opera for kids ever. Plus Bugs rules.
Jacks big music show was a big favorite here while it was on, and for a two year old wonder pets or yo gabba gabba would probably be appreciated. I never liked dj lance though, he always seemed full of shit.
Best little kid shows that won't make you pull out your hair are Peep and the Big Wide World and Word Girl.
Peep is narrated by Joan Cusack and the characters are written well.
Word Girl had Chris Parnell narrating and a huge list of guest voice actors. (ie. H. Jon Benjamin, Patton Oswalt, Jeffrey Tambor)
Both are fun and kid friendly, but still also entertaining to parents.
Bagpuss is a great show for young kids, about the "most important, most beautiful, most magical saggy old cloth cat in the whole wide world" who lives in a shop and makes up stories about various lost items that show up. It's stop-motion, with a somewhat similar feel to Thomas the tank engine but not nearly as repetitive. Made a whole 40 years ago, Bagpuss is still so popular he was used on a stamp this year.
@Starblind But really……Bagpuss? I like this just for the idea of having kids running around yelling about Bagpuss.
@JonT There's even magic words which are unforgettable and prone to enter one's head at entirely random moments:
Bagpuss, dear Bagpuss
Old fat furry cat-puss
Wake up and look at this thing that I bring
Wake up, be bright Be golden and light
Bagpuss, Oh hear what I sing!
I got tired of seeing the same 6-7 PBS shows over and over again, so I went on Amazon and ordered a bunch of the Disney shorts DVDs from the 50-60s -- loads of Donald Duck, Humphrey the Bear, Goofy, Pluto and Mickey Mouse cartoons. I also bought the Chronological Donald DVD sets. Overall, they were extremely entertaining for me, and the kids liked them as well.
My kids still want to watch them from time-to-time, and they're in school now. It was well worth the $75 or so I spent.
@capguncowboy Humphrey the Bear?
@jqubed The cartoons are classics. I remember them playing on Disney channel growing up, when Disney wasn't just product placement for albums and their new feature films. They would play between the old classic movies (Ugly Dachshund, Cat from Outer Space, etc). My favorite one is the Fishing season episode. The park ranger is going around making sure everyone is following the rules, and restocking the lake. Good stuff. Very funny
@jqubed found it!
@capguncowboy Yes! These were great. Sad what Disney has devolved into. Get off my lawn :(
@capguncowboy That sure looks familiar, but I still don't really remember those. I watched a lot of Disney Channel in the late '80s early '90s, but I was a little tyke back then.
@bluedyn I think they even run commercials now. Not a premium channel anymore.
@bluedyn I agree. The live-action TV shows are horrible. We have enough pretend celebrities, we don't need any more. My kids watch Disney Junior, which is only around to promote the toys based on the TV shows, but it's at least mildly entertaining
I just remembered Shawn the Sheep! He's delightful, and they're SHORT.
@bluedyn That's from Aardman, right? The people behind Wallace & Gromit?
@jqubed Yes (and it's Shaun, bad on me). They're so good at entertaining adults and kids. I can't count how many times I've watched The Pirates: Band of Misfits, and it doesn't get old.
You can get the complete collection of Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends on DVD. There's probably not a better collection of kids' cartoons that have a whole extra layer of entertainment for adults.
@SSteve Moose and Squirrel
Avatar: The Last Airbender ? anybody?
@xEBRONx Yes yes yes. So damn good. My friend told me how great Avatar was for a long time and I dismissed it (being a Nick cartoon and all) but when I finally watched it I was so wrong, it's amazing and if you haven't seen it yet you should right now.
@xEBRONx Legend of Korra is holding up well to the series, it seems a lot more serious though.
Word World is pretty nifty if you ask me. My son is obsessed with Daniel Tiger.
Gumby and Pokey
@SIMBM I watched an episode of Gumby on Netflix with my son a few years ago. I honestly wanted to smash the TV. Most borying show of all time. Even the people doing the voices sounded like they were bored when making it. Awful.