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[jay-ell]

A little while ago, we discussed briefly the terrible shows that are on kid's television.  I'm interested in knowing what quality stuff is out there, because my kid is starting to outgrow the Baby Einstein and such, and while my Old School Sesame Street collection is pretty cool, it gets old.  Mainly I am looking for stuff that will keep a 2 - 3 year old's interest and maybe teach him something of use without driving me up the absolute freaking wall. 

Some of our favorites:
Kipper
Signing Time
Leap Frog Letter Factory

No full-length movies yet.  He doesn't have the attention span for that, and we don't let him watch that much at a time anyway.  Most days he watches about half an hour's worth before naptime and another half-hour between bath and bed. 

Anybody's kids like Blue's Clues?  I have heard good things about it (and the research that went into making it) but the little bit I've seen looks really inane. 

[jough]

I love kids shows!

What are you running from?

The American Dream

SLAVES!

Celebrate Our Differences

Children's Guide to Life

D.O.G.O.G.B.Y.N.

[jay-ell]

This is why we can't have nice things. 

[Nabubrush]

I was resisting, but I knew this would go poorly.

[jay-ell]

I should have started this in the morning, when all us parental types are awake, and not in the evening, when all you carefree hedonists are drinking vodka & wheatgrass shots and looking at videos of naked ladies sitting on cakes. 

You should be ashamed.  It's a school night, after all. 

[Nabubrush]

You should be ashamed.  It's a school night, after all. 

You know, I always think that too, but I never am. Funny that.

[AlohaDawg]

This is overthinking territory.

Watch shows with your kids and decide what's good. What I like you might not, and really, if you are limiting the exposure anyway, does the research really matter?  Your local library probably had DVDs you can borrow to see what's good for all of you; that way you don't have to invest to find out something blows (personally, I hate hate hate Caillou and George Shrinks, but we liked Roly Poly Ollie, go figure)

My 8 year old is at the top of her class (admittedly, in Hawaii) and we generally let her watch whatever, just not tons and tons of it.

[jay-ell]

Well, yeah.  Basically what I am looking for here is stuff that might be on the obscure side, or that I might see at the video store and think, "nah," but which is in actuality very good. 

Kipper, for example.  It appears, at first glance, to be low-budget animation based on a series of books, but in actuality it is adorable and funny and has my kid learning Received Pronunciation.  I would never have even popped it in the DVD player if it hadn't been highly recommended to us by my brother's wife.  Would I like a dog like a dog like a dog like a dog like Kipper?  You bet your sweet ass I would. 

I'll check out Roly Poly Olie.  Our new house is within walking distance of a nice library with a large children's section, so that is an excellent suggestion. 

[jaydub]

Another vote for Blue's Clues.  They're like textbook examples of preschool lesson plans.  My kid will watch an ep two or three times over (at least - some she really loves like the new baby arc of 4 shows).  Also, there was a late '90s sitcom (Yes, Dear?) where Steve had a cameo in a dream of the female lead.  They ended up making out, which I thought was wonderfully subversive.

[Carlos del Vaca]

Our kids love them some Dora the Explorer, but she doesn't need to many referrals.  Go to the grocery store and she's inescapable; Viacom will sell her image to anyone with a product and a blank check.

My favorite kids' show right now is probably Jack's Big Music Show.  The Upside-Down Show is kind of fun too.

[Mr Trout]

Kipper is indeed great. It is so much fun to imitate their voices. I always imagine that before each scene they've all done just a ridiculous amount of Quaaludes.

Other shows that my friend's daughter (3) and I have enjoyed:

Angelina Ballerina
Little Einsteins (really nice animation in this one)
Jem (My friend is a huge eighties girl)
Sailor Moon
Bearenstain Bears ( a little saccharin for me, but it has George Michael from Arrested Development at the voice of brother which I find amusing)
Blues Clues (My friend makes fun of me because I am actually really into this show; I love all of the subtle animation the do to the characters - they never let any one stay still for more than a half-second)

She watches those and also many animated movies. She love all of the Disney, Pixar and Miyazaki movies.

[jay-ell]

I loved the Berenstain Bears as a kid.  P finds them decidedly disinteresting.  I'm a little disappointed by this, but he's young yet. 

I will have to check out Blues Clues based on y'alls recommendations.  I've only seen snippets and I found it personally underwhelming, but P hasn't ever seen it so I'll give it a go.  I think my folks have Noggin, and I find the Upside-Down show intriguing.  P loves music so I will have them tape an ep or two of both Carlos's suggestions.  Thanks for those.

Does anyone else think Map from Dora sounds eerily like Marshie from Homestarrunner?   

[Carlos del Vaca]

Boo to Angelina Ballerina, boooooooo!  She's a whiny little git!  She taught my daughter to stamp her foot and throw stuff about her room when she's mad.  Fuck that shit.

I never made the Map-Marshie connection, but I can see that.  And just to drag this topic into the gutter, like every other topic seems to be lately, I once suggested to the missus that she imagine sex with Map.  "Well I know the way to the clitoris!"

[jaydub]

And just to drag this topic into the gutter, like every other topic seems to be lately, I once suggested to the missus that she imagine sex with Map.  "Well I know the way to the clitoris!"

First, you have to go inside the waistband; then over the muff mountain, and that's how you get to the clitoris!

That pretty much tracks perfectly.

[jay-ell]

Boo to Angelina Ballerina, boooooooo!  She's a whiny little git!  She taught my daughter to stamp her foot and throw stuff about her room when she's mad.  Fuck that shit.

Your kid had to be *taught* to throw a tantrum?  Wow, you're one lucky man. 

First, you have to go inside the waistband; then over the muff mountain, and that's how you get to the clitoris!

That pretty much tracks perfectly.

Yay!  Hilarity!