You’re Kidding, Right?

I read this online yesterday.  Apparently, a group called Children Now reviewed the 30 most widely aired ‘Educational/Informational’ childrens’ shows, and determined the following 8 programs to have “exemplary” educational content.

  • Sesame Street (shown on PBS)
  • Beakman’s World (shown on commercial TV)
  • Between the Lions (shown on PBS)
  • 3-2-1 Penguins (shown on commercial TV)
  • Cyberchase (shown on PBS)
  • The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (shown on commercial TV)
  • Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman (shown on PBS)
  • Teen Kids News (shown on commercial TV)

I don’t watch a lot of kids’ TV, but of course I remember Sesame Street from when Maya was younger, and I’ll agree with that one.  I’ll take their word for it on the rest, since I haven’t seen them, except for The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.  WTF???  You have GOT to be kidding.  This is the MOST horrid and annoying show on TV, even worse than That’s So Raven.  If you haven’t seen it, the premise is that these two tween boys (twin brothers) live in the hotel where their mom works.  Hijinks ensue.  One brother is relatively good and kind, while the other is always trying to figure out how to con someone out of a buck and break all of the rules, and has the libido of a 17 year old, especially when it comes to the comely teen who works behind the candy counter in the hotel lobby.

Maya went through a (thankfully brief) period of enjoying this show, and the canned laugh track, the annoying pranks, the smart ass kids, and the dumber-than-a-post-adults all combined to make it a very painful viewing experience.  I cannot for the life of me figure out what was ‘educational or informational’ about it, unless it’s that the annoying brother always learns his lesson by the end of the episode.  But by the next episode, he’s up to it again, so what’s the point?

All you parents of younger children…consider yourself warned.  This show is painful, and may cause your brain to bleed out of your ears.

~DoSoEvAyMo

Thursday means Yoga in the P.M.  Yay!  Also means a lunchtime conference call.  I have to try a few tricks at work, trying to get this stupid help program I’m working with to work.  I’ve gone back and forth with tech support, and I’m still not sure what’s wrong.  Frustrating.

Ted has a stupid cold, and I feel helpless listening to him cough.  I want to help him, but I’m not sure how.  Sigh.  Maybe break out the humidifier tonight?  Updated to add:  Maya may or may not be coming down with a cold now as well.  She says she feels run down today, and was mighty grumpy.  Said all she wanted was to stay in bed.  I told her if it got worse, I’d come get her from school.  Sigh.  I’m hoping she’s just tired, and hasn’t gotten the cold.

9 Comments

  • Karen MEG

    What??? I can’t stand when the boy watches Zack and Cody either. Very annoying kids, annoying stories … absent rock star father, the mother basically around for decoration … puh…leeze!

  • Debbie

    You should check out CYBERCHASE’s Web site…pbskidsgo.org/cyberchase…all the kids in my family are hooked on the games, especially the “Quest”. The show is the only one for kids that is based on math. Wish I had it when I was growing up. Perhaps I could better balance my checkbook now if I had!

  • Autumn's Mom

    Surely they made a mistake with that one. That show is AWFUL! No one watches that at our house, thankfully. Sorry Teddy’s sick. Tell him I send him a bouquet of tissues 🙂

  • Starshine

    I was wondering if maybe it was some kind of “moral” lesson taught in each episode. But you make a good point that if the “bad” brother never learns his lesson, that formula kind of breaks down.

  • Lalunas

    Chee and I had that cold thing a few weeks ago, nasty. First we thought it was allergies and then it really knock me down for a few days. Eat well, drink lots a fluids and wash hands. Sorry!!!!

  • amuirin

    It really is awful. Sierra has had a crush on Zach (too bad, I like the other one, Cody) and I can’t hardly bear how poorly written the show is.

    But a lot of shows on Disney nowadays seem to be like that. Hate to admit, but the only one of those grating Nickelodeon/Disney live actions I care for, besides an English Mermaid show we’ve caught twice that is rather good, is iCarly. And… *shame-faced* It’s because Samantha is so horrible. She lobs fruit and boy’s heads, and seems to have no conscience. I know that’s horrible for a kid’s show, but I must admit she really cracks me up.

  • joan

    Ugh, I can’t stand Suite Life or Raven. I’d like to smack all those kids right up side the head. Fortunately my daughter likes the science shows:MythBusters, How’s It’s Made, and even Dirty Jobs. She did get into Project Runway. I’ve caught her watching the Housewives of Atlanta!
    My son like the NFL network 24/7 when games aren’t on.