Evil Children’s Programming

I suppose my first post should be something that is immediatly within my grasp… something close to home.

 DOODLEBOPS.

Anyone with a small child who is allowed to watch television from time to time has probably been exposed to these things. The concept is easy enough.

Simply take:

AND

AND

and you get:

In other words:  something completely horrid.

I know I'm not the only one that finds these brightly colored human beings frightening.  The singing and conversations with puppets only adds to nightmare of it all. 

I am of the opinion that most children's programming is total crap.  At the risk of sounding totally hypocritical (because I myself have a child whose Dora addiction rivals that of soap opera fans), why can't we just turn off the TV?  Educational childrens programming has its place… but do we really need to have so much of it?  As it stands, you can easily during the day find in upwards of 10 channels that is pushing "educational television" whilst bombarding our children with ads for various toys and products.  You want educational?  Go play outside with a stick.  Seriously. If you have never watched what 3 year old can do with a stick, I suggest you do so.  At the very least, you'll have a great psychology thesis in the making.

Instead though, we're allowing networks to make these childrens shows LOUDER, BRIGHTER, and generally MORE OBNOXIOUS and as long as they tell us that it's educational, well then it's ok!  So what if your child is going to be singng the jingles of at least 25 different products by the day's end?

I understand that TV is a needed evil… sometimes it's just easier to turn on Spongebob than to have your child suffer severe burns whilst you learn the art of flambe'.  Sometimes Mommy wants to go pee… alone. 

All I'm saying is that somehow, our society has lended it self to needing things like the Doodlebobs to keep our children entertained… when there is in fact no reason for it.  Would any adult really be upset if children's programming was limited to say, Seasame Street, Clifford, and Franklin? 

…and don't even get me STARTED on LazyTown.  What a total load of crap.  The idea that there is a children's show (which children are encourage to sit at watch, and of course bug their parents for all heavily marketed products resulting from said show) that has as its basis the idea that you should be out playing is kind of ridiculous.  If all of the children who watched the show actually STOPPED watching the show, and in fact when outside and played, then ratings would go down, sponsorships would dwindle, and the show would soon be canned.  So obviously they don't want that… so is there really a point? 

Honestly I think it's the network's half assed attempt to address the growing sect of parents that think sitting in front of the TV is actually bad for their kids.  I personally think that a big black screen that says "Go Play Now- Or Else The Doodlebops Will Kill You In The Night" would be more effective.  Then again… that's just me.

A good website that can outline the evils of television and commercials:

Campaign For A Commercial Free Childhood

…and now turn off your TV.  Or throw it in the street. Or whatever else tickles your fancy.