Children's Shows

3-2-09

I have become a bit of a kid’s show junkie. Can you blame me? I have two kids, Dax who is 2 and a half, and Bobby who just turned 4. Kid’s shows are what we watch.

When Bobby was little, I always assumed that he would end up watching things like Sesame Street. It was good enough for me, so shouldn’t it be good enough for him? I did not find this to be the case. In fact, my beloved Street that I had practically grown up on was no longer the place that I wanted the directions to. Yes, it still had my own favorites, but some of the mystique was gone. No longer was Snuffy a possible imaginary creature, and Cookie Monster was being instructed to eat more healthy food. He isn’t called Carrot Monster. I need him to wolf down cookies at an alarming rate that would make anyone with diabetes cringe. Don’t even get me started on the atrocity which is 30 minutes of this show being dedicated to all things Elmo.

Luckily, after I vacated my old street, I was enlightened by the tons of other fantastic programming that not only would my kids enjoy, but would also have me singing along. Blue’s Clues, the Backyardigans and Jack’s Big Music show are all happy making shows that keep my boys and I quite happy during tv time.

I don’t ask for much with the shows they watch. Something with good songs, decent lessons, and really, if a show makes my child think, it is perfect. Bonus points to any show that makes them ask questions about what they see. “Mommy, why is Blue sad?” “Mommy, can we go see dinosaurs?” “Mommy, where does the rain come from?” All of these mean my kids are not just watching. It means they are involved and they are interacting with what is going on. Sure, I might not be able to answer all the questions, but it gives us dialogue. It means we can figure out things together. Isn’t that what you should be doing with your kids?

This is why when I read the article I was livid.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/28/bbc.disabled.host/index.html

“Disabled kids show host draws criticism, praise”

I like the idea of the praise, but are you kidding me with the criticism?




This woman is a co host on a kid’s show aired on the BBC. Cerrie Burnell was born with only one hand. Apparently there are parents that have lodged complaints that the image of this one handed woman entertaining their kids is a travesty. One parent actually said that this woman was forcing them to talk to their kids about disabilities. It forced them to talk to them? Are you kidding me? You were forced into talking with your child the second you decided to have said child, and if this is the worst thing you need to talk to them about, then you are clearly living in some kind of a bubble.

Kids shows pride themselves in making sure that they don’t discriminate. There are muppets of every color and shape. I have seen blind kids, I have seen kids in wheelchairs (dancing, mind you), kids who are not perfect aside from just being kids. Shows these days try to make sure to diversify and reach a broad range of people. Dora speaks in Spanish, Steve uses sign language. All of them tell you that you can be anything you want to be, despite the cards you were dealt. So shouldn’t we have a person telling you this be someone who has accomplished this dream?

I know that there were positive letters sent, but the fact that even one complaint letter just shows that no matter how much we grown as a species, we are still ignorant idiots with no idea as to how good we have it. Our children need to be exposed to all walks of life. I think that really, we have too many pretty folks on the shows. Maybe we need a couple of hosts that were hit with the ugly stick? Sure, I live in LA, but despite all the plastic surgery, there are some, well, let’s just call them attractiveness challenged. I would like to see more fat, more bad hair, more funny accents, even maybe someone who has extra hands. Kids should see freak shows on their morning cartoons. Isn’t that what really is out there on the net and in real life? I would much rather my kids be desensitized on that than television violence.

I know, this is a radical thought process, but my point is still clear. Anyone who still in 2009 thinks that someone with only one hand isn’t fit for children’s programming needs their own hand cut off. Because based on their assessment, people with one hand shouldn’t interact with kids, and I want an excuse to take theirs away from them.