By Aja Dorsey Jackson
Confession: I have a borderline addiction to kids’ television shows. I don’t mean the big kids’ shows Like iCarly and Hannah Montana, although I’ll settle for those in a pinch. But the made-for-babies shows catering to the five and under set are my true favorites. Although he probably wouldn’t admit it, my husband is just as entertained by kiddie TV as I am.
The other day we watched a full 30 minutes of Roary the Racing Car before we realized that neither one of our kids was in the room. We weren’t just sitting in the room with Roary playing in the background. We were glued to the screen and talking about Mr. Carburetor and the musical stylings of Big Chris. My husband likes to get a little more into the shows than I do at times, pointing out plot holes and inconsistencies, which is where I draw the line. If I’ve already broadened my sense of reality enough to embrace dancing, talking cars, I don’t expect much else.
Either way, we have come to embrace the fact that with our youngest being 2 years old, kid TV will be a staple in our house for many years to come. Although I can get into most of the shows that our toddler enjoys, Yo Gabba Gabba is my favorite. If the fact that for some reason the character Muno obviously looks like..um..an adult pleasure item (I know I’m not the only one that thinks this!) isn’t amusing enough, the little characters are cute, but not annoyingly so. The songs are also catchy. Every time I eat recently I sing “There’s a party in my tummy, so yummy, so yummy!” I try to sing it my head most of the time, but sometimes, to my husband’s dismay, I really do sing it out loud.
My least favorite is the Sprout Channel’s Angelina Ballerina. For some reason my son loves this show and I hate it with a passion. Angelina seems to have some type of crying nervous breakdown every episode and it drives me nuts. She’s also snotty and mean to her little brother Henry. I try to put it on my do-not-watch list and change channels if I catch it early enough, but sometimes it slips by me.
Yes, I am over 30 and sharing my overly-thought-out observations on baby television. But that’s where I am in life right now. Maybe one day I will be able to get back to watching something “smart” but for now Dora, Caillou, the Backyardigans and I are hanging tough and I have a Pajanimals video I need to catch.
Confess- are you into kids’ television? What are your favorite and least favorite shows?
Aja Dorsey Jackson is a freelance writer and public relations consultant in Baltimore, Maryland. Find out more about her at www.ajadorseyjackson.com or follow her on twitter @ajajackson.
Gods_Man says
My girls and I love “Phineas and Ferb” and the Backyardigans.
Anonymous says
Aja I knew something was wrong when my son’s Backyardigans songs popped up in my ipod and I did not even think to change the song until it was almost over.
Aja Dorsey Jackson says
@Gods_Man and Edward, I love the Backyardigans also. I love their songs! For some reason my son isn’t a Backyardigans fan so I don’t actually catch it as often as some of the others.
Lamar Tyler says
I’m a Wonder Pets man myself
Aja Dorsey Jackson says
Gooooo Wonderpets! Yeah, I like those guys too. Again my son is not a fan. His favorite is Caillou which I give a big thumbs down.
Anonymous says
Speaking of thumbs down, my son received a SpongeBob gift for his birthday. Not a fan too much adult humor – glad he still thinks it is a big piece of cheese – LOL.
Tara Pringle Jefferson says
I’m a big fan of Team Umizoomi and Fresh Beat Band. I do the FBB “Great Day” dance with so much enthusiasm. It’s my cardio. LOL
Rubygriffin36 says
I’m A” CHOWDER”,AND “ED,EDD, FAN…
Abraham504 says
I’m a Fresh Beat Band member myself. I’m glad we only catch the tail end of it in the AM because my son would kill himself trying to break dance. I just noticed that most of the songs use the same beat with different words. In case you were wondering.
TheMrs says
I will confess….I loved Caillou a little over a decade ago, so much so that I actually thought of naming my boy/girl twins Caillou and Cayla!!!! My 2 yr old actually only watches Sesame Street because he prefers the shows my 8, 9, & 9 watch.
Yulondatfears says
I would have to say im glad i am not the only one. I have a lineup of shows that me and my daughter get happy to watch. Max and Ruby an all time favorite, bubble guppies, backyardagians, Sesame Street,wonderpets and Phineus and Ferb and chowder. We get so excited at each of these shows its embarassing at times. My husband just shakes his head and walks away.