POSTS WITH TAG: kid show review

Co-Viewing: Like Co-Sleeping But With Theme Songs

posted by Heather Chaet February 25, 2011 at 10:45 AM in Toddler

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Last night, I dreamt I was living in Tinga Tinga. I was hanging out with Lion and Tortoise, chillin' out by the water hole, singing, "The Land of Why! Tin-ga, Tin-ga Tin-gaaaaaa!" You don't know what I'm talking about? Tinga Tinga Tales? It's the new show on Disney Junior (the channel formerly know as Playhouse Disney). It's on right after Chuggington and splits the half-hour with Timmy Time.

Yes, I am a co-viewer. I watch my daughter's shows with her. Sometimes I use the TV as a "babysitter" while I do the dishes or get ready for work, but at least 70% of the time, I watch TV with her.

And not for the reason you may think.
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'Timmy Time' Through a Grown Up's Eyes

posted by Andrew Dalton November 30, 2010 at 8:30 PM in Toddler

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I'm at it again. Me. A dad. Watching toddler television alone and for my own entertainment. Previous installments included Yo Gabba Gabba, Oobi, and Max and Ruby.

Despite attempts to clear my mind and watch all of these shows with the fresh eyes of a 25-year-old who's never made a baby or had spit-up down his shirt, I've brought a load of preconceptions to all of them so far. So this week I thought I'd try something I'd never seen before, and set my 1981 Sony Betamax VCR to tape Timmy Time, about which I know nothing.

Quick note to producers after seeing just the title. A simple exclamation point: Timmy Time! would make the title 10 times more awesome. Though folks may think you're a South Park spin-off.
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'Max & Ruby' Through a Grown Up's Eyes

posted by Andrew Dalton November 16, 2010 at 8:30 PM in Toddler

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After previous installments on Yo Gabba Gabba, The Fresh Beat Band, and Oobi, finally I'm sitting down to watch something based on children's books: Max & Ruby. That's bound to be a good sign, right? The literary world has a richer imagination than any TV producer. Though given Curious George, Martha Speaks, and the rest of the PBS kids breakfast suckfest, maybe that's not the case.

Still, Max & Ruby comes from the great Rosemary Wells, whose Yoko is the best book ever written about sushi in elementary school. Plus, the show's Canadian! And nothing bad has ever come from Canada.

So 3-year-old Max and 7-year-old Ruby are siblings, bunnies, and big gender stereotypes. Max wants to be an arrghy pirate all of the time, Ruby wants to be a tea-partying princess.
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'Oobi' Through a Grown-Up's Eyes

posted by Andrew Dalton November 9, 2010 at 8:30 PM in Toddler

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Another in a series of posts where a father watches toddler a toddler TV show alone and for his own entertainment.

Let me say right up front that after picking apart Yo Gabba Gabba and grousing about The Fresh Beat Band, I think Oobi is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, toddler shows ever (sorry Great Space Coaster), and I did a little dance when I saw that it was airing again on Nick Jr., though not until midnight. If I still had a toddler I'd make her stay up until midnight to watch it. Yeah, we have a DVR, but this is art and it must be experienced in real time.

For those who sadly haven't seen it, it's all what's been called bare-hand puppets, just hands and a pair of eyes, and a sprinkling of accessories. Oobi, a boy of 4, lives with his 3-year-old sister Uma. Grampu -- who is more of a closed fist that gives him a toothless look, takes care of them. Kako, the fanciest of the lot since he wears a hat, is Oobi's bestie.
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'The Fresh Beat Band' Through a Grown Up's Eyes

posted by Andrew Dalton November 2, 2010 at 4:30 PM in Toddler

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Another in an ongoing series where a dad watches toddler TV by himself and for his own entertainment.

I thought I had to sit through some rough stuff when my now first-grader was a toddler. But I can now say I am grateful she toddled before the rise of the hellspawn that is The Fresh Beat Band. I had caught glimpses because my nephew loves it, but never sat through a whole one until now, and I've never gone through more to earn my pay.
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'Yo Gabba Gabba' Through a Grown Up's Eyes

posted by Andrew Dalton October 22, 2010 at 3:41 PM in Toddler

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This is the first in a series where a dad watches toddler TV shows alone and for his own entertainment. First up: Yo Gabba Gabba.

Most of us were raised not to talk religion or politics at the table. The last few years have brought a third topic to avoid: Yo Gabba Gabba. Unless you want to get a gravy boat across the jaw at Thanksgiving, don't bring it up. Folks got some strong feelings in both directions. DJ Lance Rock is as divisive as Sarah Palin.

I've seen dozens of segments, but I can't say I've sat through a whole episode. So with Mad Men over, and Friday Night Lights a few weeks away, I think it's time.

And we open with the arrival of DJ Lance and the preachy sex toys. Yeah, rubber pleasure givers was the first thing I thought when I saw the show's freaky characters and I just can't get past it. Of course Muno is studded for your pleasure (though those fangs wouldn't be comfortable).
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