# Is there any children's programming with depth? Or at least a modicum of charm? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 8, 2013, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359 "2013-09-08T22:12:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/41 "2013-09-09T23:43:45Z")
Why are you assuming the op believes this list of choices is exhaustive: 1. Lazy. 2. Conservative 3. Undaring 4. Cowtowing to what advertisers want 5. Care what **JdF** finds deep or charming ? Are there not other fairly obvious possibilities? Why do you assume the OP sees none of the other possibilities? He certainly doesn’t _say_ there are no other possibilities. And regarding the listed possibilities, he doesn’t even mention number five. Why do you ascribe number five to him, and why do you ascribe to him the view that one through five comprise all the possibilities? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/42 "2013-09-09T23:48:06Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > But if they don’t, they’re “lazy, conservative, undaring, or simply cowtowing to what their advertisers want.” Maybe I’m reading too much into that (and other bits), but it certainly sounded like it to me. I realize that parents control what their kids that age watch, but still. Basically, you’re confusing the claim “I don’t think the show is deep” with “the show’s writers should care what I think is deep.” The two claims are distinct. The OP makes the former. He does not make the latter. ---
**Author:** ![Tara57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Tara57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tara57)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/43 "2013-09-10T00:08:04Z")
I like: Fetch with Ruff Ruffman – a game show with smart, charming kids and interesting challenges. > **[Everything Ruff Ruffman | PBS KIDS](https://pbskids.org/fetch/)** > > Discover the world of Ruff Ruffman with Humble Media Genius, and Fetch! Postcards from Buster – explores America and other countries > **[Home | ARTHUR | Official Site | PBS KIDS](https://pbskids.org/arthur)** > > Play with Arthur and his friends! Join clubs, sing karaoke, or watch videos! Play games and print out activities too! Between the Lions – excellent show that teaches reading, reminds me of the old Electric Company [http://pbskids.org/lions/](http://pbskids.org/lions/) The updated Electric Company – not as good as the old, but still good [http://pbskids.org/electriccompany/](http://pbskids.org/electriccompany/) ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/44 "2013-09-10T00:14:09Z")
Wow. I’m the first to mention Arthur and the Magic School Bus? Fantastic shows, a lot of depth, a lot for adults to appreciate (would you believe that Arthur once did a South Park parody?), the kids should love them. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/45 "2013-09-10T00:18:18Z")
I don’t know if they’re still being aired (my nieces watch them mostly on home video), but I can recommend both _Bob the Builder_ and _Bear in the Big Blue House_. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/46 "2013-09-10T00:41:12Z")
Max and Ruby make us want to stab ourselves. When the kids watch it (rarely, and only when we’re out somewhere) my husband and I feel the need to shout, “Where are your PARENTS?!” at the screen a lot. We don’t like the show. Ruby is a bossy annoying little expletive deleted and the characters don’t have legs, which bothers me more than it should. I don’t mind The Magic School Bus but the corners it cuts with scientific explanations make Mr. Lissar a bit grouchy. [Satttua, here’s a fairly recent picture of the girls.](http://aerinlissar.blogspot.ca/2013/08/good-day.html) Not on topic, but I need to put up a picture of the not-babies-anymore. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/47 "2013-09-10T01:34:44Z")
What’s that Canadian one about trucks and earth-moving equipment? That’s awesome. And _The Woodwright’s Shop_ is great and introduces the little kiddies to the use of non-electric hand tools. What? Am I basking in the afterglow of my oldest thanking me for teaching her how to use tools? She changed the innertubes and put a new seat on a bike in half the time it would take me. 😃 Her sisters weren’t interested in learning, so they’re useless adults. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/48 "2013-09-10T01:41:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I don’t know if they’re still being aired (my nieces watch them mostly on home video), but I can recommend both _Bob the Builder_ and _Bear in the Big Blue House_. We have a few _Bear in the Big Blue House_ DVD’s. My wife wants me to take dancing lessons from Bear 😃 That guy has some smooth moves. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/49 "2013-09-10T14:56:11Z")
In my humble opinion, **Veggie Tales** is brilliant. It has just the right level of detail in the animation, lovable characters, and good moral lessons. My wife and I watch it even though we don’t plan on having kids for another two years at least. I’ve only seen one episode of **Dinosaur Train**. A friend explained to me that it basically arose from the notion that kids like trains and dinosaurs, so why not make a show by gluing the two together? ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/50 "2013-09-10T15:16:53Z")
Anyone say Phineas and Ferb yet? I love that show. One of the few I can sit and watch with my kids. That and My Little Ponies Friendship is Magic ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/51 "2013-09-10T15:20:55Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > What’s that Canadian one about trucks and earth-moving equipment? That’s Bob the Builder? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/52 "2013-09-10T15:21:08Z")
> [@Tara57](#): > > The updated Electric Company – not as good as the old, but still good > > [The Electric Company](http://pbskids.org/electriccompany/) You can get “The Best of the Electric Company” on DVD and it is definitely a winner. Don’t skimp and get the “The Best of the Best of the Electric Company”; the more comprehensive set is well worth the extra money. ETA: That’s the OLD Electric Company with Rita Moreno, Bill Cosby and Morgan Freeman. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/53 "2013-09-10T15:26:58Z")
My twins are too old for Bob the Builder now. 5 is apparently too old for “baby shows” ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/54 "2013-09-10T15:29:15Z")
[http://pbskids.org/zoboo/](http://pbskids.org/zoboo/) Zoboomafoo Brothers Chris and Martin Kratt and the irresistibly playful lemur Zoboo explore the wondrous lives of creatures and the world in which we all live. A lively mix of formats - from live-action to claymation - create a fun and energetic learning environment where young viewers get their first introduction to animals.For children 2 to 6 years old. Visit the Web site:[Zoboomafoo](http://pbskids.org/zoboo) Series Goals Encourage children to make friends with animals Provide young children with an introduction to wildlife Generate excitement and knowledge in children through exploration of the world around them Helping Kids Prepare for School Through examples of animal play, socialization, and habitat creation and conservation, every episode shares animal facts and relates them to the human world. \*I watched this show when I was younger because I had a big crush on the Kratts brothers. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/55 "2013-09-10T15:41:12Z")
Edit. It was actually Kratt’s Creatures that I watched [Kratts' Creatures - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kratt%27s_Creatures) . Wild Kratts is the one my kids watch [Wild Kratts - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Kratts) Zoboomafoo came out after I was older and before the twins were born ---
**Author:** ![Tara57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Tara57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tara57)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/56 "2013-09-10T22:29:11Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > [Zoboomafoo](http://pbskids.org/zoboo/) > Zoboomafoo > > \*I watched this show when I was younger because I had a big crush on the Kratts brothers. 😉 I still have a crush on the Kratts brothers! I also can’t lose the misconception that they are somehow related to the Stouffer brothers of Wild America fame. I know that they aren’t, but I can’t quite drop the idea. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/57 "2013-09-11T03:26:43Z")
Adventure Time has had some rather deep episodes lately…it has its fair share of weird stuff too. I think it’s neat that they’ve shown one of the main characters (Finn) growing up as the voice actor has gotten older. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/58 "2013-09-11T15:12:40Z")
Young kid’s shows I will voluntarily watch: Chica Super Why Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Word Girl Transformers: Rescue Bots My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/59 "2013-09-11T15:31:04Z")
In descending order of quality Gravity Falls, Phineas and Ferb, Fetch with Ruff Ruffman, and Wild Kratts. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359/60 "2013-09-11T15:32:33Z")
I love Word Girl. Very humorous I hate Kids Next Door [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-childrens-programming-with-depth-or-at-least-a-modicum-of-charm/668359.md?page=4)